Silver Airways 2023
 

A post to replace/continue the main "Silver Airways" thread now that it has stopped accepting replies.

New Year New Thread….look forward to learning more

Should really get its own subforum

I forgot the reason that the moderators said they couldn’t or wouldn’t but at least we have this one…

When I worked with nmarconato to set up the regionals sub forums (previous it was all in one “grab bag”), we agreed there would be a cut line of at least a certain number of pilots (we used CommutAir as the threshold). While others had just one thread, a few had a handful. The ones which passed the threshold all had dozens.

So, that is where we agreed to draw the line. The moderators have stayed with that plan.

nmarconato was thinking the number we started with was almost too large. I predicted several regionals would go belly up or merge, thus reducing the list. So far, 3 have. I expect some more will, as well. That will make it a more manageable list. I suggested we add an “Others” to keep smaller regionals from being in the vast “grad bag” that remained.

Is the schedule still 5 on 5 off for the cargo operation? Are people sticking with flying that life or trying to switch back to passenger ASAP? New ATRs on Cargo, or old ones?

Thanks!

I don't work there but talking with the recruiter (screener) just the other day, cargo is usually 5 and 5. Sounded like commuting, QOL, etc. is the factor most consider from the questions I had asked.

Yeah, it’s 5 on / off. ATR 72-500s. It’s a mix of people who want to stay, they’re hiring more and more local people.

Is the cargo ops 135?

No all ops are 121

Are they hiring people now based on where you actually want to live? I see on the site there are options to apply for FLL/TPA or SJU or AFW. Is the ATR training done in South Florida, or are they still sending people all the way to France?

From what I heard, it doesn’t matter which base you apply for - they are going to send you where they need you.

So why go through all the trouble of setting up a whole page with the pay differences for each base? Their pay is still well below every other regional, so the only reason to go there is because you get to chose your base with the QOL to make it worth it. It makes sense if they replaced higher pay with better QOL for people that want to live in those places, but if they're not even doing that, they must not be hiring anyone at all.

Ok, I guess when you try to apply for either FLL/TPA or SJU, the application is closed and the only one that's currently open is AFW. They must just open them up when they need to add people to a base.

LOL, wasn’t long ago you had to PAY THEM to fly a 1900. I guess this is an improvement….

If you apply for a certain base they try to accommodate. QOL is great if you live in base, Silver is not really a commuter friendly airline. Each day you return to base, so no hotel, but in your own bed each night. Training is conducted at ATR in Miami or Flight Safety in Houston. The greatest need right now is at AFW for cargo ops.

What’s the typical turn around time from applying to hearing anything from the company?

They will place you were you want for the most part. They are trying to expand the AFW opperation. However, people are getting TPA, FLL and SJU right out of training.

You should hear back pretty quickly, within a week or so

Is there any talk of making the pay better? I haven't flown since 2020 and looking to get back in, but live in Florida and don't want to commute. If they actually let you chose your base now, that's great since they certainly didn't do that until recently. For a home every night airline like this, it would seem like a good idea to open positions and place people at the base they want to be at. Only issue is the pay is really low and not kept up with the cost of living. I get it's only a 70 seat turbo-prop, but at the same time, people have to be able to pay their bills. I assume most of the pilots have to be local to the bases they operate from and are in the job because they don't want to travel. Is there a lot of attrition?

Bait and Switch
 

They will hire you and then bait and switch you! Silver, previously Gulfstream, has one of the worst histories in the business. The current openings get you to believe you’re going one place but after your hired and show up for class, you’ll be told something else. Most everyone, DECs for sure, are ALL going to AFW not FLL! Don’t believe the ad, the recruiters nor the chief pilot/interviewers. The pay also has a lot of tricks in it AND it’s about to expire. In addition, they’ll tell you that they are about to have big expansion and you’ll get what you want quickly which is not at all true.

Be very careful with Silver and ANYONE that calls you to sell you on it!

I mean to be fair, they have the LOA for their current pay linked on their website/jobs page, and even admit that some bonuses/overrides are currently temporary and subject to further negotiation while the current pay rates are good until 2025. You can then click on the link to see the further break down and read that some bonuses and overrides are good through the end of 2023 while also being subject to further negotiation. That stuff may not be on their Instagram ads, but it's not exactly like they're hiding it. If you're genuinely interested in the job the facts are laid out and linked right on their careers page.

Appreciate the info.

I'm also potentially interested in the AFW flying, even though TPA/FLL would be preferred. Should I also apply under the AFW FO application, or is my one I already submitted sufficient?

Ok, thanks for the info. Too bad.

This is not true. Although the greatest need is in AFW, not all go there. 3 people in my class in September wanted FLL and got it. One wanted SJU and got it, the rest wanted AFW. Everyone in my class got the base they wanted. Just because you had a bad experience with the company does not mean everyone will. People change and companies change, it is not the same place it was 10 years ago.

Looks like they are only hiring street captains for the near term.

FOs are at a surplus as of the moment. But if you have the minimums for the left seat go ahead and apply.

I agree, on their website. There are only hiring high time FOs at the moment

https://www.airtransport.cc/news/air...silver-airways partnership with Air Transport International

I heard Silver is way behind on gate payments at FLL and might get banned from airport.

Yeah its close to a MILLION. Internal sources say the Broward Country have not budged at all in negotiations. This cant bode well... Definitely not good PR on top of Pax ratings

That's correct. They are dead beats, and squatting at the terminal

https://www.wptv.com/lifestyle/trave...tional-airport

Does anyone know how long is the wait right now until you can you get FLL base as an FO? I saw that it has been answered in other threads, but I know that it changes from year to year. Thank you!

There is a greater new currently at SJU but you could potentially get FLL out of training. Cargo flying out of AFW is also somewhat junior. TPA is the most senior.

Got it. Thank you so much!

Everyone in my class got TPA or FLL if they wanted it. Everyone originally assigned SJU was able to get over to TPA, and we haven't even gone to sims yet. The only people forced to AFW were the Captains.

It may not matter. Silver is on the edge of a shutdown.

https://viconsortium.com/vi-business...erdale-airport

That’s great to hear! Thank you for the information! How long ago was your class, if you don’t mind me asking? Just trying to understand how my timeline will most likely look

It has all been settled. Silver isn't shutting down.

It’s far from settled and Silver is behind on payments at virtually every airport they serve. In the case of FLL they agreed to come up with 200,000 by 19 May and another 100,000 in June with monthly payments after that. They are also on a back payment schedule with the VI port authority. If the credit card companies refuse to process cards it’s all over. Heard the CC companies are demanding massive holdbacks. Why go to a company teetering on bankruptcy when there are so many other options available.

Vacancy FLL
 

They recently did a staffing bid/preference and a lot of people, other than some captains, moved to the base they wanted. Things are very fluid here. For the most part, they try and get you the base you want. TPA is most senior, followed by FLL. FLL shouldn't be too hard to get. As with everything in aviation, timing is everything. Between majors hiring and normal attrition, I wouldn't imagine you having to wait long if you didn't get it initially.

Thank you soooo much for your reply - very helpful!