Connect forum
 

Curious why connect airlines was taken out from having its own section

Possibly because it doesn't exist as an operating 121 airline yet? Seemed more than a little strange to me it was there in the first place.

That’s true

It had nine posts.

One was from a recruiter who said, "if you want to work someplace that hasn't figured it out yet, then this is the right place for you."

The other eight were from people either laughing at Connect or trying to start a standard APC-style ****ing match.

Maybe
 

Just a bit premature starting a profile and forum but it doesn’t mean we should harpoon them. Man APC can be brutal. A lot of people were harpooning Breeze and Avelo and they’re up and running and seem to be doing ok and attracting people. I say let’s give Connect a chance. It only makes things better for we pilot’s. If those bonuses hold up, that’s a chunk of change. If it works out, those that join early might be sitting pretty but if not, there is still work for everyone. You do know that people still go to places like Mesa and Gojets etc and their bonuses were taken away at one point.

They do need to fix there profile for sure.

Help me Help the forum and ultimaltely the pilots. What would you like to see on the profile that we should fix? Once again open to feedback.

Not totally true and taken out of context, what I said was we might not be the right place for you if then a few disclaimers.

HONESTY
 

Do we really need TWO forums now for Connect? Just asking.

Just be 100% open and honest. One of the reasons for the current shortage is that people have just had enough of years of abuse and lies by recruiters and management. You have 2 Dash 8 Q400s I believe not 5 Dash 8 300s. I have not seen any Airbus orders anywhere. Are you really recruiting 12 other Monday? I think it should say every other Monday no?

Bonuses are tricky and should not be used to trick people. Since Connect is not flying, has anyone received any bonuses yet? AND do the bonuses apply to all employess current and new cause that might upset a few people.

Be the new tranparent and honest airline and you’ll get people to come. If you fabricate things you will become a training ground for the LCCs or even other regionals.

Best of luck honestly!

The information on their profile appears reasonable, ie there might be worse places to work.

Also interesting that they're doing hydrogen fuel... that will make it harder to get up and running, but they could carve out a nice niche for themselves if they can pull it off.

Fair points but
 

The profile is wrong. Just needs to be tidied up is all. Again, there are no Airbuses on order. Not to say there won’t or can’t be but, to tell people Airbuses are coming is misleading. The Hydrogen fuel thing is an idea but not sure the real benefit vs cost like Solar power for instance. You can tell people anything you want but it does not mean it’s true. Sales pitches are just that and until it happens I just don’t believe it. Again I say, just be honest. What do you have now not what do you want for Christmas.

1. We have 2 Dash 8-400's on the line and delivery dates for 3 more
2. We have paid out bonuses to pilots currently on property

B and H I am happy to have a conversation with you offline as I value your input amongst this forum shoot me a note lets talk. There is a chance that I am not lying to you nor am I a salesman to get pilot in seats.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/31602-connect-airlines-seeks-captains-pay-offer?utm_source=linkedin.com

Be careful
 

The industry is in the mess it’s now in for specific reasons and the biggest is pay and bonuses. They can be given and taken away just like that. One needs to be very careful when seeing ads on various websites because the devil is ALWAYS in the details. I for one don’t believe a FIRM salary of 250,000 dollars is being paid to be a Dash 8 Q400 Captain. Mom always said if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

If you keep trying to trick people, they’ll eventually catch on which is another big part of what’s happened in the industry. I am wondering how much of the current profile is factual? 3.84 an hour for per diem is 85.00$ a day and that is really industry high but again, I don’t believe it. What other little uncovered gems are hiding in the field of dreams? I bet there are quite a few.

Watching the drama unfold at Breeze is what happens when you try and convince people how lucky they are to be there and get used to “We’re a startup” as an excuse. It’s backfiring big time and a union is on the way. Most regionals are unionized now and I am willing to wager, so will thisp place. You simply cannot trust management. They can’t help themselves. What is it when you keep doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results???

Right now is a time for employees, particularly pilot’s to demand better treatment. There are so many opportunities right now that have; Pay, Bonuses, CASS, KCM, Jumpseat, passes, POSITIVE SPACE COMMUTING, HOTELS PER MONTH, Bid lines etc etc etc… OH YEAH, A FLOW or some sort of progression which is better than nothing.
I know nowhere is perfect but the choices today are far better than they have ever been.

Just be cautious, ask lots of questions to recruiters and choose wisely. Most importantly, DO NOT BELIEVE IT UNTIL IT’S IN WRITING (YOUR CONTRACT) OR YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

CJO
 

Received CJO today. Looks like I’d be seniority # 5 (assuming I’m the oldest in class).

Thoughts anyone?

Any other job offers?

Retired mainline. Offers for DEC @ at every regional offering same, however;

- bottom of the list/reserve for the duration
- no desire to “flow”

I’d be asking
 

One, are they even flying yet? What has happened with the proving runs they were suppose to start? Anyone? Flytofight?
Two, number five? Who told you that as I would think that would be unrealistic honestly.
Three, Do you have anything at all in writing?
Four, you do know that ALL the regional are hiring and have bonuses and flows.

I would be very careful with a turboprop start up that has had some issues for over a year now and still doesn’t seem to be operating. You’ll be wasting valuable time, not building hours, nor longevity. If you really want to fly turboprops why not go to Silver or Empire or Mountain Air or IFL?

Go to a wholly owned just trust me.

Retired mainline..no interest in flow or need to build time/longevity.
They are flying proving runs now.
Seniority numbers for first class quoted by recruiter
Employment letter has terms in writing
Yes, all regionals hiring…most DEC…on reserve for the duration for a short timer like myself.

You might want to ask again
 

I’m going to tell you again, be careful with recruiters and what they tell you. They are trying to get you to buy the undercoat on the new car Mr. Griswold! I would not believe ANYTHING you are being told because it is not true. Now, you can go and give er a try but you will find out quickly EXACTLY what I am talking about. I think most will be waiting to here back from you. Good luck.

What ever you do, DO NOT sign any training contract. Just Don't.

Turned down. Current employer unexpectedly offered a better deal. Close to home/no commuting so I’m staying put.

Signed Up
 

I signed up for the first training class. Honestly, that it’s a startup sparked my interest, and the compensation package got me through the door. This is my first 121 job, but I have a ton of 135 large turboprop time (not Dash 8).
Yes, the profile page needs to be fixed.
Domiciles are currently PHL and ORD. BOS is on the way, I’m told 6-12 months out.
2 Q400’s on property (and currently doing proving runs). 3 more on the way.
I had a buddy ask me why would I go to a turboprop startup, when with my experience I could go to an established LCC or even mainline? Of course, the compensation package that Connect Airlines is offering is a major factor. But besides that, the fact that it is a startup appeals to me. Sure, I could go to an established airline and be a number (and not a good one at that), or I could get in on the startup phase of an airline and be a part of a team building something new. That’s not for everyone for sure, but to me aviation (and life in general) is about adventure.
Now this being APC, I expect some interesting replies. It had been so long since I’ve been on this site (years, maybe a decade?) that I had to reset my password to login as I had forgotten it. No worries though, I figured that maybe I would help contribute to this forum as I am looking forward to contributing to the Airline.

Sorry been busy flying. Proving runs have started. There are huge plans far beyond turboprops. Great people to work with. I would suggest to wait until proving runs are over and then make the decision to come. Prob looking at sept.

Sounds like something happened to you. Whether you care to share or not is up to you but saying these things with nothing to back it up is pointless.

Regarding training contracts. You invest 20-30 grand in someone and they leave is that good business? No. Hence the point of training contracts.

If people had integrity there would be no need for them but I can tell you that’s for sure not the case

And yet no other company is requiring training contracts.

I did not sign a training contract, nor was I asked to.

I also would have declined the position if it was (or becomes) a requirement.

So what? So basically your cool with going through training and just leaving right? Great integrity you have there

Pls do. Feel free to go elsewhere

I specifically asked if there was a training contract…answer was NO…from the Chief Pilot AND the recruiter.

I’ve got a class date with Connect Airlines.

I actually just messaged the recruiter to make sure that they didn’t slip something by me! Thanks for backing that up.

Lighten up. There's more to it than that.

1. Almost none of the airlines have training contracts. Deviating from that industry norm would be a red flag IMO... possibly a hint that your life at that company might not be what you were led to believe it would be.

2. Airlines will not hesitate for a second to furlough your arse if it's in their best interests, and the people getting furloughed usually recently left good seniority at a previous job.

3. Life happens. If you need to devote time to your family due to various circumstances, it can be bad to have a training contract on top of whatever other personal financial issues you may have at the time. This has happened to me. The company may not give you a LOA if they think they have you by the short hairs.


That said, personally, if I actually signed a training contract I would not leave early unless it was a real emergency on my part. But I probably wouldn't sign one for an airline. Well maybe FDX.

Training contracts and such
 

Firstly, training contracts are one sided not two way streets. They can get you to sign and then do whatever they want to you as often happens. There are ways out of them but I won’t disclose that here. The fact is if you treat your employees right you won’t need training contracts OR if people stop showing up, or the wrong people, that usually gets contracts to go away. Flytofight, I am honestly surprised by your justification and your tone. You must be one of “them”.

Secondly, these forums are to share info and I have been following with great interest since the beginning and here’s what I found today;

https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Connect-Airlines

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N881WM

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N882WM

One airplane hasn’t flown in over 7 months and the other in over a week. Something is wrong and/or some are not telling the truth. I’m curious honestly and wish no ill will but, the forum was taken down quickly and it seems the profile was never updated. If it smells funny, it’s probably something funny!

Nothing to lighten up about. I’ve seen many pilots leave right after training. Not good. If there wasn’t a bunch of garbage out there then there wouldn’t be a need for them. End of story

You can speculate all you want. It’s obvious you don’t have clue what’s going on. But it’s ok. Keep speculating

Ok
 

No speculation, they’re (you’re) not flying.
Who hired the so called garbage that left quickly, You? and why did this garbage leave, You?
Did you or someone make them a promise or tell them something that was or isn’t true?

You’re awfully defensive about it and might see what some might be ****ed off about.

Now how about that forum and profile? What say yee?

So basically you’re okay with management taking advantage of pilots for the last twenty years and eroding contracts? I know what I’m worth and if another company values that then adios. Try harder. It’s basic economics. Management will do what’s best for them even if it screws the pilots. It’s a two way street.

Not going to even bother going down this path. It’s pretty simple, no one is holding a gun to anyones head and saying you have to join

No I’m not. I’m saying it’s not cool for a pilot to go through training and then leave shortly after. It’s basic economics. Get it?

Actually it is cool.