We did finally get an email to submit new bids because the east coast routes are anticipated to be awarded. Looks like Baltimore will be the base. Supposed to start up roughly March-April if we get the contract.

Boutique passengers are also now able to use TSA Pre-Check if they're set up for it. I know that previously, this ticked off a lot of passengers that they couldn't use it, so good news for them.

Sorry if this is an obvious or dumb question. What are the chances of getting LAX or PHX currently for SIC? Looking at applying and have been reading as much as I can on Boutique and a few others.

Getting Hired is already hard :)

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Heard the LAX is currently filled. Not sure about the PHX.

How many of you here are waiting for the technical interview after they went through the HR?

I am waiting for the technical

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Unfortunately you're right. I know someone mentioned that you could switch bases once you're hired, does anyone know how easy it is to move bases if hired? Denver taking most of the new hires?

The current class is all Denver based. Of course these things are cyclical, but right now it appears that Denver staffing is on the decline (just as we finally made it to a 4 and 3 schedule for January). I expect things will stabilize again, though.

Changing bases is not as simple as saying "I want to change base." You do get to list a base of preference, and that gets you ahead of new hires. But there is no guarantee as to how quickly the change will occur.

If you are considering Boutique, I'd recommend being willing to start at a base other than your first choice if at all possible. Be careful, though. MSP and PDX seem to have commutable schedules, other bases not so much. I guess it depends on how much you want the job.

That makes sense. I'm pretty much willing to do whatever. Most of the pilots seem to enjoy Boutique, and while I'd love to best based in the West I have no problem with going elsewhere.

PHX SIC is a possibility, we're about to be down to 3 of them soon. We're at ~60 hours/month now, so one less would make it hard to maintain ~12 days off a month like what they shoot for.

Bids go out every quarter. Basically, if you want to go somewhere, there's a spot open, and nobody with higher seniority wants to go there too, you should get it. Bids never bump anyone out of a base once they're in it, they only allow you to move if a spot is available.

I appreciate the insight, thanks!

RBZL, Thanks for taking the time to begin this thread on such solid ground. I'm curious about how I might be received as a high time King Air 350/PC12 pilot that wants to be based in LAX. Commuting to DEN doesnt sound right for me. Any thoughts?

Also, I got a request for me to schedule an HR interview. I did schedule, using the link provided on the email, but I wasnt called at the time I scheduled. Ive received no email either, and that seemed odd.

Thanks again for your insight

Naco or jeppesen
 

Hi Everyone,

Does boutique use NACO or Jeppesen charts? Also, could you tell me if the PC12s are the NG version or if they have different variants. I would like to start brushing up on systems and limitations. Thanks.

NACO charts. PC12 45/47's with garmin 430/530's or 650/750's, no 47E's.

Now now, let us not forget the KLN-90.

...luckily we rarely see it in DFW. but ya. supposedly its getting changed at some point, but i'm not holding my breath on that one.

I've heard a few stories on here about the interview call not being done when scheduled - I don't have any specific contact on interviews, it's pretty much completely removed from everything else that goes on here. I'd suggest using whatever contact information you were given to try again or see if you can get a reply.

Not sure how LAX is sitting on staffing, but your experience definitely won't hurt. We had a guy in my new hire class that had a couple thousand hours in the PC-12 and they seemed to be happy that he was so experienced in the plane.

Been waiting for a tech interview for about 3 months now, is that normal?

How could that be normal :)

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Curious as to how they staff the Portland area. I've just started looking into Part 135 work and this area would be great for myself as I've grown up in the PNW. Granted I've lived on the dry side of the mountains...

Boutique Captain Contracts
 

Does anyone have any confirmed info on contracts for Captains? (i.e. Contract period, buyout amount, etc.)

PDX has been a disaster for them. Chronic maintenance problems. They only just recently added a 2nd bird and as of yesterday both birds were down at both airports (1 PDX and 1 PDT). They have ****ed off PDX management already and only been operating there for a short while.

That's interesting. The MX issues are the nature of the EAS beast, especially with a location like PDX way off the beaten path. I don't imagine that BTQ management has much involvement up there, so if we're "****ing off" the airport management, it's likely something the crews/CSAs up there need to address.

PDX is boasting numbers better than anyone has in nearly a decade since starting the route....far cry from disaster.

Boutique Air boasts strong numbers out of the gate - Local News - East Oregonian

Just got an interesting email from our CEO that apparently we're starting to rent cars out of the airports we service - sounds like mostly the smaller EAS ones:

http://www.boutiquecar.com

Nope definitely a corporate management issue. They made a bunch of really stupid requests to the port. And didn't let anyone know when they started operating. Just started flying pax and didn't let the port know they were starting commercial ops. The port knew they were there but didn't know specifically that they were starting to load commercial pax.

Cool company with cool airplanes but they seem to be figuring things out as the go. You can't do that in commercial aviation and expect to be taken seriously or be successful.

Sure would be nice if they were able to branch out to some other airports in this area as well. I live about 70 miles from Pendleton in the Tri-Cities. They would clean house here if they were able to provide service out of Pasco. Especially if they were able to keep it around $89 one way to Portland or Seattle.

Surprising they only had one plane on that route. Totally understandable from a cost perspective, but as it sounds like they have found out, maintenance can kill you. Good month for them though even with all the crappy weather we've had this winter.

Boutique Air - Updated Info
 

[QUOTE=Av8tr1;2306119
Cool company with cool airplanes but they seem to be figuring things out as the go. You can't do that in commercial aviation and expect to be taken seriously or be successful.[/QUOTE]

"Cool company with cool airplanes but they seem to be figuring things out as the go."

Could not agree more with that statement from Av8tr, But that's what happens when all of your upper management is comprised of 20 something's with little to no airline experience and little to no previous 135 experience (except for the DO he has worked at a couple different airlines) Then on top of that our ADO is the most micromanaging person you will ever meet with little to no respect for any of the pilots.





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It's almost like the company should slow down a bit and not go after every freaking route up for bid... Need to get the fleet and maintenance under control. What a concept. :rolleyes:

I agree they're growing quickly and it's creating issues as a result, but they're handling it pretty well all things considered. Expanding MX to most bases is in the works, so that should help quite a bit.

Any word if they're hiring captains for PHX? And do you have ID90 access for zed fares on other airlines?

Not right now, and no.

HR phone call..
 

Ive been reading all of the posts for a while now. Just curious if anyone had any more recent advice for the HR/1st phone call.

Thanks in advance,

Yeah that would be a great concept or actually hire a lot more people for the Denver base. Or here is a wonderful idea have an actual group of reserve pilots?!?!?! It's amazing to me how prepared (pilot wise) every other base is. Dallas has around 30 pilots total and flies to 3 cities and Denver has just over 40 pilots and flies to 12 cities. (Denver has 4x the routes and only just over 10 more pilots?!?!?!) They have had plenty of opportunities to staff Denver but consistently keep running it on the minimum amount of pilots. I also don't get why they consistently expand the flights out of Denver? Denver overlaps half the routes to Dallas and Phoenix? Why not have the PHX crews who fly 40 hours a month and 15 days off come to Alamosa and CDO or atleast meet us there instead of Denver flying KDEN-KALS-KPHX? Doesn't make much since to me. Same with Dallas we meet them in ABQ and even fly to Silver city together about an hour apart from each other?

PHX would love some route diversity but it's not really possible right now unless they give us another airplane or cut down on the day trips we've currently got. They'd probably have to add to the crew as well if they put another airplane down here.

They seem to be increasing reserve coverage, and I'm guessing chances are good the captains we have here on reserve most of March will end up in Denver to help you guys out.

Training Contracts
 

No 135 operation is allowed to hire a pilot without training them. Zero option, must train, cannot avoid or bypass this. -Required By FAR-

If every pilot refused to sign a "training" contract, 135 companies would be forced to train, anyways.

It is not a training contract.

It's a "don't get your time and leave us so quickly" strategy.

I'd have to say "duh" to this one. I hope no one thinks a training contract has anything to do with your training. Completely agree.

I can understand it financially from their side, but if you're willing to treat your employees with respect and deliver on everything you told them during the interview, you probably wouldn't have to come up with a financial scare tactic to keep pilots.

*ding ding ding ding*

We have a winner

Just some notes for everyone:

Had the HR interview with Monique. She said to expect a call for the technical interview in the next 5-8 weeks...I got called about 24 hours later. Also they're really recruiting for the new Baltimore run.