I can't believe RWAC actually made a national forum. How exciting !!
LLindsay - I tried PMing you for more details about my job, but your box is still full.

give it another try there corbster

This place is a totally different beast from any airline. I'm a furloughed Airline guy. We really have no work rules, at least anything similar to the airlines in regards to things like junior manning, call out procedures, etc.. We sit reserve 24/7 day and night with a 1:45 callout to WHEELS UP time (not show). We are all on reserve as there is no scheduled service to predict. The schedule is posted for each pilot on the 25th of the month prior and we have no control over it. We are scheduled to work between 17-20 days a month of what we pilots refer to as "hard days". They are usually broken into 2 or 3 reserve sequences from 6-10 days long each. Note, however, that the day before we start is called a "check-in day" and the day after a sequence is called a "travel day". We call those days "soft days". It is about a 50% chance that we will be used on at least one of those "soft days", either at the beginning or end of a sequence. or both. Depending on how your schedule is divided, you can have anywhere from 3-7 soft days in a month bringing your total obligation to the company (days which you cannot proactively pre-plan personal events) up to somewhere between about 23-28 days a month.

We often drive long distances (4-7 hrs) in cars to meet airplanes or come home from trips (i.e. Milwaukee, Chicago, Des Moines, or Omaha to name a few; to and from Red Wing) rather than airline. Other times we will airline in/out of MSP or sometimes we ferry the jets back to base or out of base. So you can start a trip by driving several hrs, driving to MSP for an airline, or departing with an empty jet out of RGK. And you will likely not do the same for your return home. Regardless of how you start or stop a trip, you are responsible, and required to show up at RGK before and after trips are finished. Transportation, or a vehicle is always provided to you when it's warrented, but you cannot simply drive yourself from your house to MSP to catch a flight. They require you to go to RGK first to "start your trip". But Per diem doesn't start until you're airline flight pushes from the gate at MSP.

Some months you will work a lot. other months you may hardly work at all. but you will always be "available" to the company for your full scheduled days (including all check in and travel days).

It can be a very difficult place to work sometimes, but if you are nearing or already passed 4,000 hrs TT and looking for TPIC, this may be your place.

The flying can actually be pretty fun sometimes, we fly empty a lot and fly to pretty cool places. We fly celebrities every once in a while and get $100 tips on occasion.

I will caution you though that several Pinna-Col-Ba pilots have come through here in the last few years trying to jump ship and absolutely hated it. It is very much a different type of job from airline flying. Most airline pilots have come because of a furlough or they themselves actively quit to seek a different life from the airlines, all have had problems adjusting. And all have quit or are gearing to quit.

Redwing has increased starting pay for FOs to 40K per year. Doesn't that sound nice? Don't worry though, they have reduced 2nd year CA pay to balance it out. It's a mere $500 less - but a little backwards considering they need captains just as bad. The increase you get each year is minimal until you've been there at least 4 years.

Also - they have increased the training contract to 18,000 over 12 months or 18 months depending on if you're already typed or not. One of the few companies I know that will take you to court if you don't pay. The training they give you is definitely not worth 18K.

New info
 

Any new info for 2014-2015 on this company? I recently applied and was wondering. Any help would be great.

hey I also applied to this position and am also waiting to hear, have some general info but am looking more specifically into schedule....thx. if I hear anything ill be sure to post.

Pilots....Stay away from Red Wing Aero. Terrible place to work. Horrible training contract. Work you to death. Fly many, many days, one day off, out again. Every pilot there is looking elsewhere. Save yourself the frustration. Don't go there!!

Red Wing
 

I worked there for a year as a Captain and have to say, although there are a few warts, the experience was not all that bad. Pay was 60k Capt.
30K F/o. I have heard the pay has gone up since then. The F/O experience level was pretty low and they do make you sign a training contract for 12 months. It is prorated. Maintenance on the aircraft is done in Redwing, WI by their local mechs. Sometimes left something to be desired. Every airplane is different config in the Cockpit. All 500 series Citations. Takes some time to get used to. They recently acquired their own simulator in Redwing and do their own training for the most part.

What are their hiring mins for FOs? Anyone know what the best way to apply is?

Red Wing Aero
 

Ran into fellow who fly's for Red Wing Aeroplane, Bay City, WI. Said owner works pilots like a dog, no consideration for a job well done, deadheads pilots on commercial flights with no thought of airline connections. Just go with the cheapest flights. Always have classes scheduled because pilots are always leaving. Always keeps a stack of pilot resumes ready at hand to call the next poor fellow. This place won't add a nickel of value to your resume if you plan on going to any Part-121 carrier.