After having worked there, yes, i will agree that I would rather leave aviation than go back to FE.

I've said it many times. They are a bottom feeder time builder company. Get your time and get out!! Even to the point of having to suck up paying back their training contract (which I hope they dont have anymore).

Best of luck to people trying to go there....however, please consider your options out there. TONS of places hiring and FAR FAR FAR better work conditions.

 

All new hire Training Contracts are $30,000 now, regardless of type. $20,000 for “reduced training.” The contract used to be based on your aircraft; it used to range from $16,000 for the CE-525 and $26,000 for the G-IV. This all changed as of 7/1 when they increased base pay to $68,000 for FOs and the per diem across the board to $66.

 

For real? HA HA HA HA they are that desperate at trying to prevent the new hires from leaving they increased the training contract?

 

I hate to be that guy on the forums, but here it goes. No one is forcing you to work at FE or come back. However, it was one of the better places I’ve worked at. Maybe the fleet you’re on had an impact. Yes there are some things about FE that people don’t like. There are things I would have changed, and yes, the management and company could do better. However most people are good to fly with, I never missed a paycheck, and got some flight time. All while working a very standard 135 schedule. Even on a very low utilized fleet. How many regionals pay 68k a year with $66 a day per diem with no commute for an FO position? That’s right, none. Different strokes for different folks. FE is no where near as bad as the bitter people on these forums say, but in some ways it could be better. It all depends on what you want. Some people complain about the small things while others look at the bigger picture.

 

Um not a “real” regional but still part 121 Denver air connection FO. $75k per yr no commute provided one lives in DEN, MSP, ORD just saying. Speaking about no commute are you saying you never had to airline to a plane and back home again? Also your feedback depends what years and for how long you worked there. But I do agree with you that it’s not the ultimate worst place to be at. You could be working for Jetlinx…

 

If the HQ were based somewhere else other than ISO I think our ops would run a little more smoothly. If we were in RDU it would be soooo much better.


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I agree, I worked there also. 14 hour days every day, no rental cars, low wages, and crap management.

 

Not a FE employee, but getting a company paid ticket to and from an airplane isn’t commuting. Especially if you have the added benefit of accumulating miles. The main difference, in my instance is I duty-on an hr before my airline is scheduled to depart.

So, the DAC big birds are on the 121 cert? Been a while since I really talked to anyone over there.

 

Agreed. Jump seating / commuting is a nightmare. Hanging around the gate waiting for a grumpy gate agent to get you listed only for them to say "you're number 6 in line honey and the back is oversold by 8."
Those of us that have commuted all have stories of multiple flights taking all day or even the next day. Jump seating in the night before for an early show and getting a hotel room on your own dime. All the while you are off duty. Sure there are commuter clauses, but if you miss a trip you don't get paid.
I moved to Houston so I didn't have to commute, then got based in Newark when I upgraded.

There are many valid arguments as to why 121 is superior to 135 / 91k, but getting to and from the airplane is certainly not one of them.

 

Where did you end up after GAMA, fellow VNR survivor?