Big Sky... Hiring Street Captains??
 

Hey folks,

I was noticing that Big Sky appears to be hiring street captains for the Beech 1900 with posted mins of 1,500TT, ATP written, and "crew experience" (amount unspecified).

Does anybody have any idea what the competitive minimums might be for this job? I haven't heard/read much about Big Sky, so if anybody have other interesting info on the company, that'd be terrific.

Thanks!

If Your Ready For Jets
 

Pinnacle is still interviewing...

You a recruiter or something?

Probably just a suggestion to get you going a different direction...

I hear there will be another class in August and they are looking to fill it (with another in July that is full). You would have a good chance with the posted mins.

If you have the required mins, and don't mind flying out of BOS, you have the job. Put your stuff in.

Stay away!!! Far, Far AWAY!!! Read anything about BS air on this forum and, if you have any common sense... will run for your life.

Of course, 80% of the bad things you will read about BS, were written by stewie.

Just noticed, over 90% of his posts are about BigSky. He must have failed out of training or something to be this much against one spacific airline.

Have you ever worked at Big Sky, stewie? Tell us why you have it out for Big Sky.

For a captain's seat?! So why don't people want to work for this airline? (Aside from the payscale.) What's the stigma?

I've heard this about Big Sky but I have yet to hear specific reasons.....

Worked there for many years, newbie!

Let me start a list of why not to work for this horrible place:

1. Extra flying forms, forget to fill one out and you will not get paid for what you worked. Fill one out correctly and in certain situations, you will still not get paid for what you deserve because crew scheduling (who does payroll) doesnt think you should.

2. Opens and closes based with, oh, about 10 DAYS notice, on average... Springfield, Ft. Lauderdale, Boise... eventually Boston.

3. Proposing a captain pay cut of $5/hour after what was negotiated ~7 years ago. Doesn't pay usually increase atleast 3% per year on average? Instead of the 37/hr. wage 7 years ago that should be more that $43/hr. now, management is proposing $30/hr. now... just because Mesa does it doesn't mean it is the right thing to do!

4. Crews being put up in hotels in Canada, being kicked out at 1300 when their crew call isn't until 1800. This kind of nonsense is uncalled for!

5. Needing a cab ride to the airport because the hotel shuttle doesn't run at the time your flight is departing in the middle of the night because of crappy airline management... none of THREE credit card #'s work!!! Every single one DENIED! No, I am not paying my own money to get to the airport that I will not get back!!!

6. You have a reserve schedule and think you'll have 10 days off next month... forget that, you'll be flown into DAY B (your day off) every chance scheduling gets!

7. Want to go to training on a ticket purchased by BS air... forget that, most have to jumpseat because the one Skywest and one United STANDBY ticket the company gets you (AT EXTREMELY MINIMAL COST) will very rarely get you there! You will be flying standby to get to required training, and yes, it is your fault and it will be held against YOU if you don't get there on time... even if it is Christmas time and the flights are overbooked by 20 5 days in advance.

8. No CASS, which was ABSOLUTELY promised by June 1st... but that doesn't bother management, so they'll take their sweet time!

If that's not enough for you all, especially you, Shaun... who's been at BS air for less that 3 monts... let me know, i'll give another 8 reasons not to come here!

:D:D:D

you're wrong, wrong, wrong
 

sound like you have 8 reasons not to work here anymore already. what do you need 8 more for? just quit.

I think you missed the point of my question, Nick, er, I mean Stewie.

You have good points, although #8 should have been #1. Perhaps #2 and #3 as well. Plus, I could come up with 8 more points myself, but that isn't my point either.

I am not trying to say that Big Sky is the best out there, not at all, they aren't.

I bet that pilots of about half of the airlines out there could come up with similar lists about how the company isn't the best (I bet they have CASS, though!) and how things could be improved. Actually, I have heard similar lists from pilots of other airlines, and they are comparable.

My point is that there are still reasons to go to Big Sky, and they aren't the worst airline out there. Big Sky is like Coors. Mesa would be Schmitt or something. Republic is Guinness. Coors is crappy beer, tastes bad, watered down, worse than average. Why do people still buy it? It is cheep and still gets you drunk, and it is still better than Schmitt. True, it isn't Fat Tire (Express Jet or whatever), but it is still beer.

So, what I was asking was: Why just pick on Big Sky, and not all the airlines that have problems. You treat Big Sky like they are the worst, but there are still reasons that they would be a good airline to go to for some. They offer a good chance for fast upgrade and they are hiring street captains. Not a career airline, but a good chance to get a fast 1000 turbine PIC and move on to something better a little quicker than other options (I think this is why almost all of us are here). Our Captains are starting to leave for places like Alaska and Southwest, so it is a valid stepping-stone airline.

Although the CASS thing is starting to drive me crazy. It took me 36 hours to get BOS to SEA without it. :mad: I was told we would have it next week four months ago! :mad:

Shaun,
I bet Fred, Jeff and Stig LOVE you. I had 9 captains at Big Sky tell me to leave as soon as I could...so I did. Best advice I ever got. RM busted his a$$ trying to put together a CASS program and then selling it to Fred. They played the old song and dance and told him it was great until it was time to shell out the money, even though Rich Dews had found everything they needed at a huge discount.

I didn't see a single captain move on to a better job while I was there. It is good to hear that some are now. They deserve better. Every pilot at Big Sky deserves better (well, almost every pilot).

Good luck with that commute. Just remember, CASS is right around the corner.

Personally, I love Coors Light... bad, bad comparison Shaun:mad:

I miss Busters on Wednesday nights. That's about all I miss about Big Sky.

I thought I was being too mean to Big Sky with the Coors comparison. I still don't get how people could drink that stuff.:confused:

Good to hear that folks are moving on to majors from Big Sky.

If they're still hiring street captains at the end of summer, I'll probably give it a shot. I'll meet the mins, but not much more than that.

Thanks everybody for the feedback!

Are there any BS employees here that have worked for other airlines and can compare to their previous or current employment situation to their time at BS?

It's frustrating trying to sift through the senseless banter of why an airline sucks. I don't know a single person in ANY other industry that wakes up in the morning and says "Damn! I love this company! They really do right by me!" and in fact it has been my experience that for some reason, airline pilots are one of the most cynical employee groups I've ever dealt with.

IMHO, until ATC finishes addressing you with the word "Heavy" following your callsign, your relationship with your airline should be like a bad personal relationship: One is in it for the sex, and the other is just waiting for something better to come along.

See it for what it is. My airline doesn't have CASS. So what. What concerns me about BS is that it sounds like they get your timesheet and then look it over and selectively choose to pay you what they think is what they owe you. To me: Unsat.

I'll finish with this: with what this industry is doing, the airlines need pilots a lot worse than a pilot needs a specific airline. I can change employers faster than I change my underwear. Not a bad place to be.

I heard from a reliable source present in a meeting between mgmnt and union reps that our CP told Fred that without CASS pilots would leave and it would be required in order to attract new pilots. Not dissing on our JS coordinator but apparently it was joint pressure from RM, the CP and the union. Btw., CASS is expected to be fully approved this week. It will make my and other commuters life so much easier.

I heard from a reliable source present in a meeting between mgmnt and union reps that our CP told Fred that without CASS pilots would leave and it would be required in order to attract new pilots. Not dissing on our JS coordinator but apparently it was joint pressure from RM, the CP and the union. Btw., CASS is expected to be fully approved this week. When I interviewed at a job fair earlier this year the CP didn't promise CASS at all. In fact, he said he didn't want to use it as a tool attracting pilots until he had a reason to believe it would be implemented soon.

Cynical pilots
 

Hey Username,

Congrats on being my first post. There are probably a few pilots at Big Sky that have worked at other airlines. I am one of them and so are many of my fellow street captains. There is both good and bad from my last airline. I flew in Alaska in a 1900C. I no longer walk around hunched over due to the ceiling. The D model in itself is an upgrade. Pay is less for a captain ($50 in Alaska $35 at BS), but better than an FO in Alaska (hence being a street captain). Two year upgrade where I was at in Alaska . . . BS upgraded me from the start. BS pilot group very young from where I flew at last. Not to take away from my fellow pilots in Boston (don't know the guys in Billings), but along with age seems to come maturity. They are a good bunch of guys just a bit wild. I had to clean the inside of the airplane in Alaska as an FO. I still help as a captain (my choice). I had to load the airplane in Alaska, I don't anymore. I had to fuel the aircraft in Alaska. I don't anymore. Had to move, and smell muktuk in Alaska. Don't do that anymore either. I would say it is easier, and less stressful than Alaska. I miss Alaska though. These guys have it easy from my perspective. T-storms were mild in Alaska. Here they cause havoc. I don't have to be outside at -40 (doesn't matter Fahrenheit or Celsius about the same) below in a 25 knot gale at Point Hope(less) Alaska. I don't like the big city. Love New Hampshire though. The complaints that were listed are all valid by stewie. Issue 1: Just remember to turn in your extra flying form and check your paycheck. Every time (2) I have been shorted they corrected it. Issue 2: Their notice on closing and opening bases is pretty horrific. Issue 3: Proposed paycuts shouldn't happen with a "hunt" for so many pilots (up to us in my opinion). Issue 4: I personally addressed the issue with the crew call at Canadian hotels and it has been fixed (in less than 48 hours). Issue 5: Cab rides in Canada can sometimes be difficult, but so can cab rides anywhere else I have been when in other parts of country. Issue 6: Reserve B sometimes happens that is why it is in the contract. Issue 7: I will figure that one out in October. We are suppose to have CASS August 14th. I will test that August 15th. The Alaska airline did the same thing with CASS "dangling a carrot" they still don't have it either. Life is good and I am building turbine PIC. As Shaun said, "quick upgrade" and there are a lot of street captains here doing just that. I never heard of Big Sky until I saw an ad. You can let these forums make your decisions or you can, but only you decide that! All I ask is if you do come to Big Sky is to come here as a professional our customers/passengers need to see that. One last thing, "I really don't want to see you change your underwear".

Flysafe: cool, calm and collected.

Now there is a KILLER second post.

Thank you so much for your info.

Beech1900Bush,

Thanks so much for putting in the time on that post. I'm still "making good" on my one year contract with my current employer, but your info really helped to bring in to focus the blurry image I had of Big Sky prior. I definitely share your sentiment about bringing your professional "A" game to work with you. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by people like that at my current job but it hasn't always been like that for me so I know how frustrating that can be. Thanks again, I appreciate the input.

I'm going to throw out a couple of questions...hoping you can answer them...

1. What is a typical weekly schedule like at Big Sky in BOS?
2. How much opportunity is there for overtime?
3. Where do you park? Does the company cover your parking in the Chelsea Garage or something?
4. What does a typical day look like for you?
5. Is the 1900 just too much airplane for someone with no turbine time to consider taking on as a street cap?

Thanks again!

P.S. I'll promise not to change my underwear in front of you as long as you explain what Muktuk is.

Do you fly for Cape Air right now? Cessna 402 Capt? Is this Mario?

Cape Air: yes

Mario, although a great guy: no

I'm from Montana and although Billings isn't the best location in the state, I was wondering if the Street Captains are being given a chance to be domiciled there or if everyone is headed to Boston? (Yes, I know Horizon and Skywest can get me close to home). Still curious.

Also, what is the trend in airlines that Big Sky Alumni are headed to? Wondering if after slugging it out in the 1900 the Captains still have to do time in larger regionals to get bigger airplane / RJ experience before jumping to some place like AirTran or Alaska.

Typical is a funny word to use for Big Sky
 

1. Typical week is fairly simple. Things change. We take mx delays, scheduling delays, weather, etc. Today we delayed due to pilot documents to go into Canada. I would say know your stuff it can save your bacon. I have had a week where everything went smooth and I have had a week where everything was crazy.
The lines we fly could be more efficient for the crew, but Big Sky operates for Delta out here, so what Delta wants Delta gets. There are 2 runs I enjoy to Canada, but they only get you 3.5 hours of turbine a day for 4-5 days straight. There are also runs that fly you up to 80+ hours a month where you fly 4-5 days and get 4-5 days off and then do it again. Those usually go to senior pilots. There are about 25 lines, but only 2 have you home every night. Most of our pilots commute from out west, so I think they tailor the lines to them. You have probably heard how full planes our this summer. Commuting has been miserable. I choose to stay close to Boston unless I can string together 4 days off.

2. Probably 90% of the time Big Sky has needed a pilot and I have called ahead I have been given the trip. Other pilots drop days and you can pick those up too. Some days when you don't want to fly they still call you. It is up to you to answer the phone on your days off to make the extra money.

3. Free parking at Delta parking with a shuttle to the airport. I think it is over in Chelsea. I have parked there, but not sure which city it resides in.

4. Right now my typical day is sitting reserve. Which I have done for the past 2 days and I have flown both days with overnights in Canada and they called up another reserve Captain because we ran out of First Officers. I like Big Sky reserve. Sometimes I sit at home and read a book, go to the beach, workout. I can bid a line, but barely and I decided to bid reserve for specific days off that I needed this bid. Remember as a street captain your seniority might go down as First Officers upgrade that have been with the company longer. I was 17 on the Captain seniority list in Boston. Now I am in the mid 20's. Since mid May I have 130 turbine PIC. Basically sitting reserve I have managed 40 hours per month and I didn't start picking up extra time until August. You will fly on reserve, unlike some horror stories I have heard about other airlines. Big Sky is relentless in adding new cities it seams, so we always get more flying each bid period.

5. I think the 1900 requires some right seat time. I have seen the company hire "street captains" that had no-time in the 1900 and put them in the right seat for about 100 hours. Then they go back to training to upgrade. Coming in as a "street captain" is not easy. I think every class had someone fail out. To some of the "street captains" that don't make the cut they have offered them the right seat for a while. They have already invested in you so they generally want to keep you. I don't know anyone that made the street captain position without part 121 time and some turbine time. I also think anyone can fly the 1900, but I also think the 1900 can fly anyone. You have to think ahead and you have to know your systems. From what I have seen when people have problems they are usually lacking knowledge of the system, including myself. The Alaska guys really knew their plane and it showed.

They need pilots. Everyone needs pilots, look at Northwest. All of this will slow down slightly in the winter months until Holiday travel begins, but not much of a slow down in demand. My thoughts. Whether Big Sky is right for you is your decision. Big Sky fit what I was looking for and I hope to make Big Sky better while I am here. I can only hope my peers feel the same. A lot of the first officers have a good attitude in Boston and I really like them for it.

For everyone that has never flown in Alaska and is curious what Muktuk is:
Muktuk

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http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Bowheads42.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/skins-1.5/co...gnify-clip.png
Bowhead Whale (the whale most often used in Muktuk / Mungtuk)


Muktuk is the Inupiaq Eskimo word for the traditional meal of whale skin and blubber. In the Siberian Yupik language of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, this same food is called Mungtuk. It is most often made from the skin and blubber of the bowhead whale, which has been hunted for subsistence throughout the northern Bering Sea for centuries. Amongst the Inuit of the Canadian Eastern Arctic this same food is called Muktaaq and may originate from Narwhal, Beluga or Bowhead whale. Usually eaten raw, it is occasionally finely diced, breaded, deep fried and served with soy sauce.
It has been found to be a good source of vitamin C.

"Muktuk is also a very good source to make a 1900 stink for a month", this goes out to my compadre from Frontier Flying Service. "Eric, I feel for you my brother". Hope the jacket smells better now.

Flysafe: cool, calm and collected.

P.S. I need to work on my brevity.

Don't sweat the brevity. The information is priceless. Thanks a bunch!

BeechBush -looking for some direction, I've got 266TT 60MEL 180PIC not sure i want a shiny jet job. i think Alaska might be right for me. something like fire bombing or floats.what gigs are out there that i can get in on with my low times. I'm married, 2 kids and can't afford CFI pay with the mouths to feed.-navy

If you can't survive on CFI pay, than you probably can't get by on the entry level low time positions either. Truth is, that many CFI's that I have known made more than I did flying sightseers or doing other similar work...as long as you are a busy CFI in a busy area. I know many CFI's that make much more than regional FO's...and some regional captains!:eek:

Getting a gig
 

Navy, VTcharter makes a good point. Most CFI's can clear more in their first few years than a first officer makes in a regional the first few years. If you are thinking Alaska you will probably have to instruct up there first. Most Alaska outfitters/operators require you to have 200 hours "ALASKA TIME" before they will give you the keys to any equipment other than a 172 for teaching. Alaska's weather is tough, and places to park the plane can be tricky too! Unless you have some Otter or Beaver time on floats a float operator won't probably pick you up. Their insurance won't allow it. I am thinking part-time flight instructor or relocating planes for owners. If you live near a tourist area there sometimes are Banner Tow pilot positions. It is a tough time at less than 500 total/50 multi. Getting on in Alaska without a connection is really tough. It took me two years to crack the door open.