Red Wing Aeroplane
 

Sorry it is still so bad. When I was there pilots quit left & right. Owner hates pilots. Getting reimbursed was like pulling teeth. It took forever. Pilots for your own good listen up, stay the hell away from Red Wing Aeroplane!!

Amen!! I have been in the aviation career for many years and it's by far the worst company ever. I swear to God.

RWA Calling
 

They called me and after reading this YIKES!

Red Wing Aeroplane
 

Do yourself a BIG favor, run away as fast as you can. Don't let your friends even apply there! You have been warned.

Stay away they suck!!!

Red Wing Aeroplane
 

Please listen to Skipper13. He knows what he is talking about. The absolute worse when it comes to pay, QOL, schedule, training contract, etc. Owner hates pilots!!
Believe me when I say that....

Owner does not deserve your time
 

I interviewed there a few years ago. Owner and CP were at the table. The owner, Wes was very ambivalent and disinterested. He kept looking at his watch as if he was in a hurry to go somewhere. Spoke of his days as a 74 driver for some ****bag company. The CP was a bit of a car salesman. Stating they flew all these important people... As if that means anything. Got an offer a few hours later. Turned it down the next day after speaking with some people I knew.
DO NOT GO THERE! Your time is worth something. Do not reward people like this with the most valuable commodity in the world. Your time.

With the massive vacuum of hiring going on at the majors/cargo and the effects trickling down through the regionals, I just don't get how companies like these manage to attract anyone. I suppose as long as people apply and interview, management thinks what they are offering is still competitive. But when I read things like The owner hates pilots!... The CP and owners appear disinterested during the interview.... why? why bother? seriously. And training contracts? in today's market?

I'm not saying XYZ regional or corporate flight department is perfect, but at least you can get hard days off and acceptable QoL (assuming you aren't commuting) at a regional where they won't touch you on your days off, aside from the random junior man. And most regionals have labor contracts which limit the amount of junior manning. There are 135 companies that treat their pilots much better, but it's outfits like these that just make me wonder. As long as pilots keep accepting bush league jobs like these, it just keeps the bar low and further legitimizes sh!t pay and QoL. Educate yoself!

8/6 schedule and 92K don't = "Bottom Feeder"
 

.

OK, I'll bite.....

Not having a dog in this fight, I just checked them out on the Orange job site.. Here is what they are advertising:

1) A set 8 on 6 off schedule.
2) Month to month voluntary flexible schedule.
3) Trade whole trips, partial trips, or drop trips.
4) Per Diem, Vacation, Incentive Pay, 401K, PTO.
5) Live at home with 21 approved gateways to fly out of.
6) Starting pay for CE-500 or CE-525 PIC starts at $92,000.....
7) FAA approved ASAP program.

So, have things here dramatically improved or are these all mistruths that they have published on the job site? Either the haters are telling the truth and warning their fellow aviators (Which is noble and should be applauded), or things have drastically improved since they worked there and it was like my old UPS crash pad roommates telling me and my 135 friends what a crappy job they had at UPS. Perspective, people!! Sorry, but $92,000, multiple gateway near home basing, and an 8/6 schedule are pushing towards the upper tier of most 135 operators. And some fractional operators like Flexjet/Flight Options and Gama with nearly the same pay and schedules. And sorry again, but this just doesn't qualify as your typical scumbag 135 operator run out of a double wide in YIP or FLL that is being described on this thread.

I don't work there or know anyone there, just in case you're wondering. So if the above information is true, why all the hate (aside from owner and CP issues that could be at any company)? Have they been born again or should we not trust the Orange site?

Serious, respectful question....... I realize that what you guys experienced in the past wasn't good, but if the Orange site is true, then they don't sound anything like the bottom feeder that several on here accuse them of being. Companies change. EAS went from a 12 on 3 off draconian schedule, to an approaching Netjets 8/6 schedule in under 2 years. Gotta love the qualified pilot shortage.

Business is business
 

Choices are what makes a career. Especially in today’s market. Choose wisely.

I concur...
 

I concur. Kind of a cryptic post, but I definitely agree.

However, I was just bringing up the disparity of the description of the pay, QOL, etc. by the former employees versus what is listed on the Orange job site. 8/6 schedule, ASAP Program, 21 gateways, and $92,000 starting PIC equals or exceeds Wheels Up, Flexjet, TMC Jets, and many other 91K and 135 operators. Somebody is telling the facts and and someone is telling alternative facts, or old facts. I know from former Part 135 experience that getting an ASAP program is no easy task and no true scumbag 135 operator is going to get approved for one, much less even want one. That is why so few Part 135 operators ever get approved for one.

Again, 8/6 schedule, high 5 figure starting Captain pay, FAA ASAP Program, basically home, or at least 21 gateway basing, etc. do not a "bush league" company make. This is a quote from a former employee from just one month ago: "Please listen to Skipper13. He knows what he is talking about. The absolute worse when it comes to pay, QOL, schedule, training contract, etc. Owner hates pilots! Believe me when I say that..." From what I see from the Orange site, the above post is no longer true.

Again, no dog in this fight for me but I don't see how they can possibly say that this is the worst. If you have ever been to YIP or South FL, you know that this is not true and that there are A LOT WORSE places to work then a company with the schedule, pay, etc. described above.

No offense to the former employees.. I was just wondering where all the hate came from, and I do understand being a dissatisfied former employee. But I also know that companies that I moved on from got better after I left. Companies change; Wheels Up/Gama did, Executive Air Shares did, most or all the Regionals did, and it looks like Red Wing might have changed for the better as well.

I was about to apply but when I ran across all these alleged red flags, that's when I took a step back. On paper, this is a great fit for me as I live in a gateway city. Good pay and standard 8/6 schedule considering.... being able to drop partial or WHOLE trips? Seriously? Being that my wife is the current bread winner, this is king and allows so much flexibility. So what are we missing?

I may just apply and perhaps interview just to "have a look". Worst case, I don't get it or I get an offer and it's not all roses. Hmmm....

I agree
 

I agree, Vanilla,

What is different on this thread, vs. the Flexjet/Options thread, is that there are current employees complaining on the Flex thread, but just an echo chamber of one or two EX-employees that seem to have a vendetta against the place. And I'm not saying that they don't have a reason to be angry, but it seems to be just them. Some of these posts can be just one person with two usernames as they are always referring back to each other. I'm not saying that this is the case here, but there are basically just two voices throughout this whole thread which are both loud and negative.

Now that's OK that they want to spread their word about the place, but it seems that their info is now inaccurate and not up to date.

Once again, an 8/6 schedule, starting PIC pay in the 90K's, basically home basing, and an FAA ASAP program do not add up to the place described by the former employees. Someone is reporting current facts and someone is reporting inaccurate, old, or alternative facts.

It will be interesting to see if there any current employees who can resolve these questions and find out whose right or, like so many times, the truth is somewhere in between.

I think many of these type places have been forced to improve the general working conditions and benefits over the last year or two. They can't survive in the current and future climate without doing so.

I don't have any experience with Red Wing. Past gripes are probably legit. I just think some of the companies with bad reputations on this forum are coming around.

You don't think that maaaaaaaaaaybe there's a reason current employees aren't posting? I mean a reason other than they're too busy swimming in their money silos on their 29 days off?

Yup. That's exactly what I said.... :rolleyes:

Maaaaaybe....
 

No,

I don't think so..... Pilots with gripes from many other carriers post on here: Flex/Options, TMC Jets, Wheels Up/Gama, Altas, ABX, ATI, Jet Suite, etc, complain and warn other pilots on here all the time. Heck, even Netjets pilots complain; However, it is usually more than just two former employees quoting pay, schedules, etc. that are no longer valid. This isn't North Korea, is it? Pilots anywhere can make up an anonymous user name and post their gripes.

It's like reading a post from a regional pilot from 2012: Even at the worst regionals, things have drastically improved from 2008-2014. It doesn't sound like the posts above are current conditions, like the regional and Kalitta posts from the past. Like Starbucks said, companies have had to improve just to stay competitive. I' simply saying that it looks like they have.

Career
 

Ok I’ve heard enough.
How is this company going to provide for you or your family long term. Guess what? They are not! Wake up and smell the coffee and grow up. If you want a long term job that provides for your needs and those of your family go elsewhere. This is the greatest pilot shortage of recent time. Go elsewhere. And enjoy pay, benefits, and quality of life. 8/6 = 13 days off a month in a crappy citation. Whatever,,,,,

If you are looking to end your career this is a place for you.

Can anybody describe the part-time work terms with Red Wing Aero?

Thanks Much!
G

I know a current employee there and the stuff I have heard him go through is literally mind boggling. It will not surprise me if a Red Wing plane becomes a smoking hole one day.

It is 2018 ladies and gentlemen, you can do much better.

count down
 

we are counting the days to finish the training contract and get the heck out. Please do yourself a huge favor and stay away.
Its a career ender for sure. Horrible quality of life.

Red Wing Aero
 

Is anybody on here still working there? I'm wondering how the conditions have changed since these negative posts were made some time ago.

Also very curious. Everything about it seems like an awesome opportunity to get into light jets.

It does? Do you have eyes? Can you read the literal 100% negative feedback about this company?

I heard they're under new management and have really turned things around. New DO is very focussed on pilot retention.




Hahahahahahaha! Just kidding. I'm sure it's still a total poop show, but someone has to claim everything is great at least once in every bottom feeder thread.

Warning
 

This place is a career ender. always operating in the Grey area ie. getting pushed to fly over your hours. faulty old equipment with lots of maintenance issues. NO appreciation whatsoever for pilots and their efforts do ones cares about your home time or needs or getting your out pocket expenses. If you like to live a miserable life , taken hostage under brutal training agreement that's a great place to be at. Worse time of life was over there.

Where do I sign up?

I checked them out a couple of years ago and even flew up to the facility. Seemed like a solid company. I ultimately decided to take a different position with another company instead.

What a bunch of nasty vindictive people
 

CEO is a jerk and management could care less about pilots. Did my 1 year as captain and got out as fast as I could. You make the smallest mistake and you will be punished, finding yourself working extra days, getting home at 1 AM, or some other nonsense. If you delay for a weather or mx issue, expect to be screwed. Maintenance has laughed at me when i told them things that needed fixed. Planes are old and falling apart. Not to mention a 15K contract when they do training IN HOUSE and don't even give you and PIC type if you are an FO. Whats the 15K for if you aren't typing them or sending them to flight safety? Company is sketchy and should be avoided.

Almost forgot “ Why should we give you crew meals if you have per diem?”

Red Wing Aero
 

All these years & Red Wing Aero is still a bottom feeder. Worked there years ago & could not wait to leave. Worked you like a dog, didn’t give a rip about anyone of their employees. In my time there we experienced a 50% turn over of pilots. This is the best time ever to be a pilot, no pilot should work there. This place adds no value to your resume. Stay away!

Red Wing Aviation shut down
 

Friday, 3 April, the entire pilot corps, maintanence, and charter/sales got the following message:

“As the United States continues to implement and extend travel restrictions in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19 we have all seen the damaging effects to the travel industry. It is with great difficulty that we announce our decision to cease flight operations and implement a reduction in work force in order to maintain the viability of RWA. This permanent reduction in work force is effective today April 3rd, 2020 and your supervisor will be reaching out to you with more information.

Please stay safe as our nation faces these unprecedented challenges. Please accept our appreciation for your contributions during your employment with RWA.”

Wes Converse
President
Red Wing Aviation

Maintanence and Charter were dismissed by lunchtime. All of the remaining airplanes were flown back to RGK and the crews dismissed, sent to MSP with flights home.

I bet this employer expects employees to give them a two week notice.

A shame it’s not a two way street.

Red Wing Aviation reopens
 

In early May Red Wing reopened calling maintenance, all the pilots and FOs back. They told me they got the PPP money and our start date was backdated to 30 April. Presumably this was done to collect on our share of our benefits contributions, since we got a nominal (1 day) pay and they deducted all the fees leaving many with double-digit paydays.
About 75% of the pilots are returning. Everyone was released from their contracts.
Pay is frozen until the end of the year, they are involuntarily using up our PTO and up until yesterday booking our hotels with hotels.com.
As of the end of May half of the airplanes are back on the road and they are mostly busy.

Welcome back...
 

Welcome back, you all!

Is redwing hiring again?!?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just applied, looking at a furlough from a major. Is it worth it? I live in southwest Wisconsin. 1hr drive from ORD. Nevermind, should have read this forum before I applied.

Red Wing Aeroplane
 

Never, never waste your time at Red Wing Aeroplane Company. Financial contract for type rating, long hours, poor scheduling, treat you like a dog. I know, I worked there. The day I left was one of the happiest days of my life. I had no other position lined up, nothing. Once I got hired by my next employer, during the interview process the chief pilot burst out laughing when he read RWAC as my previous employer. Even he had stores to tell about them.

In this environment let the buyer (you) beware.

Congratulations Red Wing!
 

XOJET acquires Red Wing Aero...!