Setting aside the CP, I have an issue with any company that has a business model of working its employees to the absolute duty legal limit every day. That is just not a sustainable work schedule. There is a reason that the FAA harps on fatigue issues, people get to the point where their brain isn't even thinking properly and major mistakes are made when they are on their 12th day in a row of working a 14 hour day. The ethics of a company that would even work their employees at half that schedule is still not acceptable to me. They have set themselves up for a perpetual high turnover, nothing will change until they change their business model. Then throw on the bad leadership and this place is a train wreck. I could probably go on and on, but I only have info from some flying guys and my experience with the interview process, I'm sure if I got inside and saw how the sausage was made it would be 100x worse. But for some young guy looking to do anything just to get some jet time maybe they can tolerate it for a year.

Not really. You can be wherever you want during your off time. You just have to be ready the last day of your off time. At least that's the way it was when I was working there.

Would that be Talon Air?

How is life there? Any update with this? Did you end up working for them? Thanks

Had an interview with them last week, there are two chief pilots for the different fleets and I dont know if everyone else got a different one but my interview was great. Chief pilot was funny and polite. Not condescending at all, if anything was humble and stated how its okay to make mistakes because he does too. Stated the company is working very hard to change their policy to not be punitive of fatiguing out. Very lax interview. Some of the questions were a little hard but nothing crazy. I goofed on one of the questions and he was understanding.

Thanks for the input, I do have a initial call with them tomorrow.

Citation Bond
 

Did an interview with Red Wing. Can anyone remember if they mentioned anything about a bond of 40k for a citation endorsement!!!?
something like this sticks in my mind and can’t find it anywhere. think it may have been in the overall brief..

Proceed with extreme caution
 

I recently interviewed for a leadership role in the organization and really tried to go in with an open mind. Unfortunately, I got the same bad vibe from the CP and the DO/President did not come across genuine either. My opinion is they have some real leadership issues and Vista Group already knows it, they either don't have anyone else to take over, or are contractually obligated. It's a shame, I really would have enjoyed the job I think.

E-3 and O-1 Sponsorship
 

If anyone knows any details regarding the O-1 Sponsorship for Captains and FO’s at Red Wing I would be interested in talking to you.
Thanks

RWA visas
 

I just started with Red Wing and XO Jets. My understanding is they only offer E-3 visas now.

The company has changed a lot after Vistajet took over and the management is great! Our CP is from New Zealand and several of the pilots and are from commonwealth countries. In general, I favor those pilots as they seem to have a strong common sense about them. They all go above and beyond to help line pilots, and I'm very satisfied with working for them.

Glad to hear you’re enjoying Red Wing but be very wary of the VistaJet conglomerate. Also, ask the Kiwi why he had to give up an ACP position and the left seat of a Global over at XO to come fly a ragged out XL.

https://images.app.goo.gl/aLTpEiu7EVRVNpid8

”Ooh, ooh, ooh, I know!!!”

I didn't know rose-colored sunglasses came with UVA/B protective lenses.
Check back in a year, see if your opinion is the same.

Great to finally hear some positive news after Vistjets new management! If you don't mind, what were your times when you applied and when you were offered an interview? Have you flown with any ATP grads that went through their partnership program with XO/Redwing? Thanks in advance! Glad you are enjoying it!

🤣🤣🤣🤣. if you only knew…. Your nationalistic attitude is congruent with management though. You’ll do well.

How long have you been at RW and where were you flying before?

I would strongly encourage you to find out exactly why your CP at RW departed XOJET…… I would also encourage you to consider the following:

Vista had a poor reputation from the pilot/labor perspective when they purchased XOJET in 2018. The XOJET pilot group worked hard to be optimistic and I do think that Vista initially wanted to grow the XOJET brand--I realize this last statement is highly controversial. However, with Vista’s inability to listen to those in North America (MCC/FXE) and their lack of understanding of the US labor market (specifically pilots), it became more and more obvious that they wanted nothing to do with the company culture. From there it was a slow and painful disassembly of XOJET. The aircraft will slowly be moved over to RW/JE and management will continue to make the environment at XOJET one that people will want to leave.

To those considering RW: If you want to go there for a year or so and get a type then go for it. As with all job changes in aviation—know what you are getting into. If you are a “yes man” type of manager then RW will be great for you and you will thrive under Vista management. However, if you are a manager who will push back against poor decisions then RW probably isn’t the place for you. You will likely get fired or sidelined as other Vista compliant managers move up the chain. If you are a pilot you can expect to see the communication/transparency decrease and pay/QOL slowly fade. Vista has a clear track record. I do not expect them to change their ways or learn from their missteps at XOJET. Vista may be growing as a company but that growth doesn’t necessarily mean it will be good for you. Regardless, you don’t want to be a pilot stuck in the middle of their fear-based culture.

Applying as an FO:

Redwing or WheelsUp? And why... Go!

Where do you want to end up?

If this thread and all the available information regarding the history and culture of RWAC doesn't make it an easy question to answer then there's no reason to expound upon what's already there. You're just being willfully blind to the situation if you're seriously asking.

As is often stated, nothing on APF is as good or as bad as it is touted...

With that said, WU has complaints of their own, so yeah, I was truly asking.


As for where I want to go, right now I am leaning toward 121 but need another 500ish hours.

Cheers

I left RWAC as soon as I could and cannot in good faith suggest it to anyone who has other options. I hope things have improved in the intervening years but after seeing RWAC crews on the road from time to time and talking to my friends who are either still there or left more recently say that it is still not a good place to work. Best of luck.

Know folks at both. WUPJ without a doubt.

Is it still the case that Red Wings is not the best place to work? Looking for a under 1500TT option

Nothing owned by VistaJet is going to be very good. If they don't require a training contract then go for it if you need the time but don't expect any quality of life.

^^^^^^this 100%^^^^^^

A general rule of thumb for pilots—avoid all things Vista. They manage from an office across the pond and are disconnected from the pilot market in the US. They don’t accept feedback and are deaf to other points of view. XOJET currently has over half of their Challengers parted due to pay/QOL decreases as well as firing pilots who they (Vista) viewed as being paid too much.

It’s not a completely terrible idea to go to Red Wing for a type rating. However, I would caution against any long term plan with any company that Vista owns: XOJET, Red Wing, Jet Edge.

This is true. XO jet fired him and Vista Jet only transferred him and made him a CP at Red Wing! Red Wing can't keep anyone and now they are going after crews in court to collect from training contracts. Rumor is they also are being sued by a crew. A crew called fatigue and red wing suspended them without pay.

He’s no longer the CP of Red Wing, they moved him to Jet Edge now. But yes still plenty of guys and girls leaving.

Actually he is now director of operations and jet edge and red wing. Even worse lol.

Oh jeez that sucks for a lot of people lol

Horrible example of a Kiwi, and human being.

The Blunder From Down Under

Fed
 

I heard the FAA was starting to investigate a min rest complaint.
They have contacted a few pilots.
should get interesting.

I can personally attest to RH's (current DO at Jet Edge) reputation. He is the most vulgar, incompetent, vile, simpleton I've ever met or worked for. He has zero leadership qualities and has only been elevated to his existing position because Vista execs know that he has no integrity or character and will do anything they ask of him without question. He knows because of his reputation and history of abusing women that he is unemployable anywhere else in this industry, so he gives his full allegiance to the Vista thugs who are all too willing to use this to their advantage and have him execute all the policies no other person in that position would. Since he has been the DO at JE, over 60 pilots have resigned and they are parking dozens of airplanes. As all the experienced talent leaves, the experience level in the cockpit has deteriorated to an alarming rate. It's not a matter of if, but when they will kill someone. The FAA knows it, and so do the few professionals left in the organization.
Anyone accepting a position at any of the Vista operators in the US would be suicidal to consider working for such a toxic company. These forums say it all too clearly.

Nick, Flohr, Rui, and Rowan are all Gardocki butt-buddies...

All those employed by the Malta Shell Game end up licking white dog #****.

Take the long way home and avoid these clowns.

#FlyingMonkeys
#FagStick

Now that The Blunder has joined the Donut-Dusted Finger Sausage KO'C (yes, pronounced "****"), those that join VJ can enjoy the pain.

Friend of mine from Aus is trying to get out of that place. What’s the chances of them chasing him for the bond if he goes to Atlas?

Does the FAA know it?

Most likely.
But when have they ever worked to burn the warts off of 135?
There are too many long-standing, cushy POI and PMI people in their comfortable positions to give a flying **** (rhymes with “duck”).

Not enough rich/powerful/influential people have been killed for them to get off of their asses and actually do their jobs.
The way things are going, it’s just a matter of time…

Yup. Yup. And yup.