Howdy, just got hired at CommutAir. Brand new to the airlines and pretty much everything seems confusing right now. Schedules, pay, training, reserve, etc. I am sure it will probably be covered in training but I am wondering if anyone can bring me up to speed. I am very excited about CommutAir it seems like an awsome place to be.

Find good study partners. Keep your nose in the books. Practice the flows and procedures they teach you until you know them COLD. Get through training.

That's all you need to know for the first six weeks.

I don't understand why people don't ask these question before they actually take the job.

a search of the board will probably reveal the answers to most of this. But the more important thing: know your memory items, limitations, profile and callouts COLD before you get there, and training will be a (relative) breeze

I know the basics and how things work for the most part. I know each airline has a little different way of doing things. I guess in regards to the pay I know what it says on paper but I am more wondering is there ways to get more than the guarantee? I heard something about cash trips. I feel I know enough about the company to say it is a great place to work. I am just looking for little ins and outs that only someone in the industry would know. Thanks for your input and I will take a look around the forums. Just looking for some CommutAir input or any other helpful hints.

Hey WMU2006 I’m a Dash 8 FO at Commutair and to answer your question:
You are occasionally able to go over the 76 hour reserve as we are short of pilots, specifically Captains. However, on the FO side, I haven’t been able to get a cash trip in 2 months. In case you are wondering, cash is where the company will pay you $100 (for FO’s) in addition to what the trip is worth.
If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know and I’d be glad to answer them.
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Thanks.[/FONT]

Hey WMU, I have an interview thursday at CommutAir. Any advice? I read the gouges, and part 91, 121, etc..
How is the interview like?

I don't know how to bring this up without sounding disrespectful, but why take a job at CommutAir if you're already wondering how to go above guarantee? You'll be making less than $1800 a month until you upgrade. Even if you pick up 10 hours of OT a month, you'll barely break $2000.

I understand the quick upgrade, etc. But I wouldn't consider working more hours at that low pay. Just hang tight until then.

Hey, thanks for the info flyboy. I was going with that name as well but than went with WMU. If I was trying to be anonymous I probably blew that. Since not to many interviewees graduated WMU in 2006 ha. I don't have to many other questions yet but I think the class date is April 7th. I am really excited to be the student again and not the instructor at least for a while. I just figure it would be cool to have an open line with everyone as I know mesaba has a great thread.
Red baron, the interview was great. Do what the gouges say. Most of the questions on the gouges represent the 40 question written. I studied the gouges and did well on the written. As for the oral very laid back. Lots of HR questions. Not to bust your balls but honestly to get to know you. We talked about multi operations. Airspeeds, colors on the indicator, Vmc, landing gear, warning horns, aerodynamics on a few Vmc factors(CG), critical engine. Than low enroute charts (MEA, MOCA, MORA, MCA, what route you would fly to shoot an approach if the radar was out in the area. I think it was Burlington but not positive. Know the IAF and take a quick look around the plate before you nervously start blabbing out answers (like me). One IAF is kind of hidden at the top and that is the one you want. The charts are hard to read but honestly they are so cool about every thing. Just like any interview or check ride you might be nervous but that is good because you want the job. As we all know every check ride is different but that is the major stuff I can remember. Over study and prepare for the worst it usually makes things go a little better. People are very friendly and my interviewer even drove me to the drug testing center and chatted with us the whole way. Very down to earth!!!
Labbats, it isn’t about the money. But hey who are we kidding some extra cash never hurts. I am just trying to better understand my company. I picked CommutAir not because I am worried about making huge money but because of how cool everyone seems. I would much rather meet the owner of the company and know most everyone by name. Be able to work with the same people. $21 bucks an hour isn’t so bad. Not to mention I could probably get a job some where else but than I would have to commute for sure. Figure in your wasted time and gas and what ever else it takes to get to work and I would take $3 less an hour to be 2 minutes from work. I did take into account a lot of different factors and I figured even if it isn’t a CRJ it sure beats a 172!! Ha!

Stay Classy Everyone!!

Where are new hire domiciles at?