mike sierra

You will be fine for SIC, just apply

For PIC it is a FAA reg, so it's impossible to overcome

Sakonnet

As I had posted in the previous segment about life at Tradewind, this is not the company for everyone. TW insider I'm not here to bad mouth you or anyone else who shared on this forum. I'm sure at some point we had flown together at Tradewind, and I was never one to not voice my opinion about the company. However, this is not the place to go fix your problems. Before leaving I saw them install a new "team" system where everyone now has a standards captain to go to with their problems. Even before this standards captains were always approachable whether you re part of their 'click' or not. It just takes the courage to speak up and if you don't get the response you want then there was never a time Nog, Shaef, or Ezip did not take my call or reply to my email within a day. My point is being here does not solve your problems, it will honestly only make it worst as every standards captain will be looking at their pilots to find out who it is that's not a team player. This is a very small company and it takes being a team player to make it work.

You are stuck down there with 20+ other people who are away from their families, friends, husbands, wives, etc. It's not easy for anyone, but one thing that will always make it easier is sticking together with your fellow pilots. If you have a problem address it to everyone one night over off time in the condos. Maybe others will agree with your opinions and if more people go to standards together, a change will be made. (Trust me it's worked before)

As far as scheduling, the rush, etc...
I'm sorry bud but this is what we all signed up for. You work hard while you re on the line and you have to commend those guys who have done it for years because it's not easy..but do you think they don't complain? Of course they do, it's 135, no matter where you go in this business it will happen.

You are a PIC. You make the decision now to go/ not go. You check the weight and balance, order fuel, oversee bags, and so on. Start acting like a PIC, you are responsible for your aircraft, do not do what others do if you don't like it. SICs will learn from good decisions and proper decision making. It only takes one person to make a big change, the smart ones will see why you do what you do. Others will fall victim to bad habits and we can do our best to correct them when you fly together. I always tried to set the best example for anyone who flew with me, make it enjoyable, and make myself available to them as a venting point or a teacher. You should do the same, you will be highly regarded and respected by your co workers.

Remember you are part of a team.

-JMR

Yourfellowpilot

TW Insider,

After over 2 years of working for Tradewind and currently still employed here, let me help set the record straight. We work hard at this company, very hard. At the end of the day, there is an incredible sense of teamwork. I know that we all have jumped in the tail of another crew's plane and thrown bags or helped clean or escort passengers, whatever it takes. WE work hard and overcome obstacles. That is one of the main reasons I stay at this company in spite of the minor issues that occasionally arise, somebody at this company will always have your back.

Tradewind is a 135 operator which means that everything falls on the crews' shoulders from W&B to ensuring an on time departure with our tight schedule We do not have a big office that does our paperwork for us. We have the ability and privilege of choosing our own routes of flight as well as determining our personal comfort level regarding fuel orders and W&B. We also get to say no at any point.

Here are some of the things that you have never seen here.
When I first started at TW, the Caribbean was a mess logistically. We didn't have our own handlers, vans, or the fantastic ramp location. The list goes on. It was much more difficult. There have been leaps and bounds of improvements made down there, and yes there is always room for improvement, but each season TW tackles another big issue.

As far as your suggestions that were not heard, here is a deal that I will make to you. Instead of posting on here and hiding behind a computer screen, I will be down in SJU very soon and I will be all ears for anybody that needs a venting outlet. Please use this time to uphold the Professional side of your Profession Pilot career and voice your honest opinion in the proper setting.

As JMR said, WE are a team. WE need to act as such.

CMO

OzoneRanger

As a standards captain, I hope that I have been approachable, however if I have failed in that regard I sincerely apologize. I also retract my previous statements on this thread.

With that said TWInsider you are welcome to contact me if you feel comfortable doing that.

KOC

Wastedclimber

"Look at the tits on this one"

fromthefltdeck

I worked at Tradewind for 9 months as an SIC and enjoyed almost every minute of it. It always surprised me to hear the complaints many voiced about the company. They were often so juvenile and irrelevant (as are many of those that you voiced) that I just passed them off and continued on my day to day. But when someone makes a post to misinform those interested in applying here, I need to say something.

Tradewind is a great company to work for. Pilots are treated very well by the company, both in terms of pay and benefits (housing, car). I cannot deny that it can be difficult living with other pilots and sharing cars, ect. but if you cannot handle this, I am afraid that you have a very tough life ahead of you. It sounds like you are married and are bitter about the fact that you had to ship down to the Caribbean, something I am sure they told you many times when you first applied. As for not being able to have as social life- trust me, that is not the case. I had a great time and made many friends. It could be a reflection on you? I digress...

But none of this is essential. What disappoints me is to hear your take on safety at Tradewind. As I mentioned, I was never a PIC here. But as an SIC, I was never afraid to voice my opinions about safety issues to my PICs (many of those present in this very thread), and I was always listened to. Takeoff overweight? Sounds like a personal decision that I would not allow to happen. Not going around in SBH? I personally called for a go-around on one occasion, and on a second occasion the captain executed one on his own accord. Perhaps policy has since changed, but there was never a requirement to inform company of executing a go-around. If there now is, I agree that it puts a negative connotation on conducting one and this should not be the case.

I left Tradewind for the regionals and I wish I could speak to you in 1 years time when you finally realize that the regionals are not so different from Tradewind. Operationally, their dispatch and scheduling is very similar. Operations as complex as air carriers require flexibility from the crews they employ, regardless of the level at which they exist.

I look back on my time at Tradewind with nostalgia and a sense of pride of having been a part of a team that worked hard day after day, all while having fun and keeping safety first.

-YBO

p1l0t

I love how so many pilots, past and present of Tradewind, came together on this. This is the Tradewind I know. Even though we fly year around it is very seasonal and I will admit I get frustrated sometimes too in the middle of the holidays when the pressure is on. I think everyone does. In the end, however, between the rushes it is very chill just a few hours here and there. Over the course of a year you will almost certainly average 10 hours a day on a 4 day week. We actually have software that tries to balance the flight hours between pilots. Sure we do some 14s, even back to back, but it's only for a couple weeks at a time with months of chill days between. And just like the support we have seen on here, the company comes together like this and gets the job done. How many other companies have a President who is a current pilot that will jump on and fly the line when needed? Also I have never, ever, had a concern go unaddressed. I have always recieved an answer, maybe not the answer I wanted, but always a quick response. To come on here with so many exaggerations and outright lies is hurtful to me personally because so many co-workers and friends work very hard at this company to act like a team and complete the mission. Like it has been said before, this job isn't for everyone, but I like flying to challenging airports in exotic places so don't try to ruin it for us. If you want to fly to big airports and stay in commercial hotels 24/7 join the regionals, but I'm happy to only do that part of the time. I'll take my occasional stay in a house on St Barth, a resort on Nevis, a bed and breakfast on Martha's Vineyard, a ski-lodge in Vermont, etc.. Variety is the spice of life. Speaking of variety I am also happy to work with our Puerto Rican ground crew in San Juan who have made our lives 10x easier than it was in years past. Trust me them being bi-lingual in a Spanish speaking country is an advantage not a disadvantage. I also enjoy flying with our diverse group of pilots, yes male and female, from all different parts of the country and the world. They all have a unique story and past it makes for a nice conversation during the cruise portion of our short flights.

- DSC

F50driver

You guys have software for the W&B or is it done manually each flight?

p1l0t

It's done manually each flight.

DBAinOMA

^^^ what he said!

Flying for Tradewind is what you make of it. Sadly, it appears the OP may have had unrealistic expectations going into the gig. My time at TW was the most fun I've ever had flying, and I can't say enough good things about that operation. Keep up the good work!