Does anyone know if the same $8k penalty applies if one doesn't take the
new SkyWest Program Route?

Thank you for your time!

The following is from my friend who I mentor. I strongly recommended he go to Southern and he took my advice. He was hired at 1000 hours and as now upgraded to CA. He gave me permission to post the following:


I believe that the low-time FO contract timeline countdown begins when they start to fly the line, but I don’t know for sure. For me, hired as an “FO-> quick upgrade to CA at 1000 hours, my timeline countdown begins once I start flying the line as a CA. And the contract is signed no later than the beginning of Indoc, and is effective as of the date-of-hire.

For the Mid-Atlantic pilots at bases with a single shift, the typical duty day is scheduled for 13 hours, with various degrees of layover at PIT. Bases which have two shifts result in shorter duty days.

The 4/4 schedule is an organizational goal, not a guarantee; however, the goal is usually achieved. When I did TDY out of PBI two months ago, the schedule there was structured as 5/3. They’ve since gone to two shifts at PBI, so I’m not sure about the current scheduling there.

Newly-hired FOs typically do get assigned to a Mid-Atlantic base, but if they indicate a higher preference for a Gulf base, and if openings(s) exist at the time, it can happen. Base assignment happens towards the end of Indoc.

My friend said to me, “You were spot-on correct when you suggested to me that SAE represents an ideal beginning to a professional pilot career. The boxes which get checked off are turbine time, hand-flying down low in the WX, into and out of high-traffic-density airports, >50 NM XC time, CRM, and of course Scheduled 135 line-flying experience. The Caravan is an excellent aircraft for transitioning from the typical light GA fleet, to the typical 121/135/91 fleet which might be subsequently flown.”

The only experience that SAE doesn’t provide is Multi-Engine, but all that is currently required by most Regionals is 25 hours of Multi, so a good play is to follow the advice which you provided to me: obtain the Commercial ME, build some ME PIC time by renting a light twin with another pilot with similar time-building needs, and fly under-the-hood in VMC. This allows for expense-sharing, as well as both pilots logging PIC time (within the Safety Pilot constructs).

I would also offer that SAE has an excellent overall organizational culture. It’s a pleasant place to work, in spite of the grueling schedule. There is good esprit de corps among the pilots. I highly recommend SAE to anyone looking to start their professional pilot career.

How hard is it to get based in Memphis?

From talking to my friend most new hires get based in Mid Atlantic and with some time as openings occur (lots of turnover due to upgrades and those moving onto regionals eventually (less ten 6 months my guess) you’ll get it.

Occasionally some do get based in Gulf region right away.

Does anyone know how long it might take them to reply? I get that they won’t reply to everyone as they have a lot of applications but I had a referral so was hoping that might help and just wondering how long I should probably wait before I assume it’s a no. It’s only been a week so far so not too long. I also got an automated email on Monday saying it’s in the process of being reviewed, does that mean a person has actually looked at it or just a standard auto message that my application is in the system?

Thanks

I see SAE flys to Destin. Can you be based here or do the sorties originate from either Tampa or Memphis?

So, SAE vs Air Choice One (ACO) Which one is better?

It takes patience.. when I interviewed she was filling 3 months worth of classes (4 per class until further notice) with one week worth of interviews.. but they’re going to start hiring more when mokulele officially mergers here soon

You had one weeks worth of interviews, or she just spent a week interviewing everyone? Also, how long was it for you from applying until interview?

As far as you know (and maybe a question for your friend) if you get a mid-atlantic base (lancaster) with low hours (300) and at 1200 you upgrade, but when the upgrade comes you have to move to Destin. And then another move to say Detroit with Skywest when you get to 1800.

What I am saying is, someone with a family, this is 3 if not potentially 4 moves in a short period of time. This is where the struggle is. I get the QOL will improve, but this experience might be very hard on a family.

Long are the days where I can live in my car or drive wherever I need to. Neither can I leave my family for 1 to 1.5 years at her parents until I get to a Regional. This is the real challenge. Maybe that is were the CFI route might have a better QOL - somewhat...

Will a place like SAE work with their pilots to place them as FO's and upgrade to CA within the same domicile?