Well Well Well, RA has found another 121 carrier.

Yes he has. Stunning that someone would hire him with his record. It speaks volumes about Orange Air. It's why I keep warning people about it. I hope people listen but they will find out going to Orange how RA operates and treats his crews. Remember, they have already had a big exodus AS THEY HAVE AT ALL OF RA's PREVIOUS COMPANIES!

You gotta wonder who running the place, heard they have been thru like 4 presidents so far

Whats the latest on operations? 737 or is the MD out of the shop yet

jonnyjetprop, What's going on at Orange Air? Updates please...thanks!

whats the latest getting the MD out of the shop? anything else exciting?

Heard a rumor next new hire class was cancelled, some pilots laid off. Sounds like the MD is still in the shop.......?

Class was cancelled, this past week all employees except the 119s were fired. " The Plane" is timed out due to needing an aging aircraft check.

So, their record is 2-2-2. Two years, two furloughs, and two mass firings.

Rick Aranha strikes again!

Hey Johnnyprop, where are ya mate?

All that hype about Orange Air and Rick. You should come back on here and explain yourself. I warned people about you, Orange Air and Rick Aranha but you said it's not like that.

Luckily there is plenty of work around these days.

Best of luck to those that got caught up in Orange Air.

QUOTE=jonnyjetprop;2104649]Questions:
When does your next hiring class start? Still Late May early June?

We are currently interviewing for a class slated to start May 9th. A small class is finishing ground school this week and starting sim next week in Atlanta

How many pilots do you expect to be in the class?

2 MD-80 Captains and 3 MD-80 FOs

What types of pilots are you receiving applications from? Where are these pilots coming from 121/135/CFI's? What airlines?

It varies, but very high time and experienced captain candidates, mostly they have extensive 121 experience. The FO's are coming from regional carriers, corporate, and cargo. I am seeing a number of pilots returning from overseas jobs and pilots attempting to get back into flying after years away from the cockpit. Although we have not advertised for B737NG pilots, we have received many highly qualified pilots who are current and qualified in type. If you are holding out for the 737, keep in mind that the pay is the same for both types and the MD-80 pilots will be senior to the 737 pilots. It won't make a difference now, but it will in the future.

What is the total time you are seeing from applicants?

Captains are mostly 10,000 plus hours with extensive 121 experience. FOs are ranging from 3,000-9,000 hours

How long is your training foot print? Where is training located?

Ground school is in Sanford, FL. It currently runs 3 weeks on, home for about a week to do systems training via computer, then 2 days back in SFB. Simulator training is 3 FTD or non-motion periods and 7 full motion periods, type ride, and loft. The duration depends on availability. A good guess is two months before going out to start OE.

Do you own your own sim? If not, where do you go for sim?

No, we use Pan Am in MIA, Delta in ATL, and American in DFW.

Do you have your own sim instructors? or rent other airline's instructors?

All in-house instructors

How soon do you expect pilots to fly after sim instruction?

Sooner the better, but depends on the flying.

How does the pay work while waiting for Initial Operating Experience?

All pilots are on full FO pay day one. No lodging or per diem for training in SFB. Hotel and per diem are paid outside of SFB. Captains will start captain pay at the completion of the line check.


If flying the MD-80's would pilot be seat-locked from flying the 737? How long?

3 year lock in type.


Businesswise:
How can Orange Air operate with only 3 pilots?

We only fly as much as we can with the limited number of pilots. This is why we are hiring.

What are the schedules "Really" like?

Currently, fly when we have flying, off when we don't. As more pilots come on line, this will change. I try to accommodate specific requests for days off. Sometimes we can do it, sometimes we cannot. This is a start up, with limited crews. Things will get better over time.

Could you commute from ATL or would you have to live in Sanford?

Realistically, you need to be closer than ATL, but it's not required. We expect as crews come online, to start having a crew sit short call reserve. 2 hour call out required for that.

Does Orange Air have jumpseat agreements with other airlines?

Yes, Orange Air is in CASS (O3). Many airlines do not require an agreement and we have some in place now (Allegiant, Sliver) and one of our captains is working to get more. It can be tough to get agreements because Orange is not a scheduled carrier. Hopefully, this will change.

Where is Orange Air getting their business, you mention charters but is there enough charter business in the summer to really keep the airline solvent?

The investors seem to think so.

Who do you charter?

Not at liberty to discuss specific clients, but college sports teams, vacation charter programs, and sub-service for other supplemental airlines.

I saw mention of "other" domiciles, please explain? When? When?

I would not expect this until 2017 at the earliest. Since it is tied to future business, I cannot discuss specific cities.


What is pilot QOL "really" like? With only three pilots, it wouldn't seem so great?

Define QOL? We are a start up. We fly to various locations dictated by our customers at this time. We have big plans, but today is charter. It does not hurt my feelings when good pilots take a pass and go somewhere else. We are not the normal airline. It works for some and not for others.

How are schedules built?

Right now, pilots ask if I can accommodate specific days off. As we get more pilots, I would expect lines of long and short call reserve to be assigned. We have told our pilots that we will have bidding for schedules in 2017. It is hard now, because of the nature of the business.


Do you offer Health/Dental/Eye benefits?

Yes to all three

Who is the provider?

Humana for health. I'll have to check later for dental and vision. I'll edit when I get it.

What types of plans do you offer? PPO? HMO? CDHP?

There are two. HMO and something else. I'll add the details later.

When is 401k coming?

I'll have to check to get back on this[/QUOTE]