Omen38

Hey everyone.

Quick question: I'm starting to put my apps out for the majors and I'm applying for everyone that I'm qualified for. I've read some of the threads on here and I've refrained from applying to Sun Country simply because it doesn't seem commutable for me. My wife is currently in the Air Force, so I am unable to relocate at this time.

We live a couple hours south of ATL, so I can get to there, or JAX fairly easily. Is there any way Sun Country could work out for me, knowing that I would have to commute?

I appreciate your opinions on the matter.

Redbeard

Really just depends on your situation and what other options you have. I know some people will jump on this and say don’t even think about it, but we have a decent amount of commuters so obviously it’s not impossible. Right now it seems like it’s going to take just under a year to get off reserve for FOs if they keep the hiring up. Also with the possibility of getting a new contract before the end of the year the reserve rules will probably be changing.

With all that being said the reserve schedule isn’t ideal for commuters...only 10 or 11 days off a month. Usually with 3 stretches of 2 days off and 1 stretch of 4 days off. So depends on how frequent flights are to get you home or not on how often you’ll be home. Right now it seems like a lot of people are gambling on how the contract will turn out. We could get a great contract worked out and people will stick around or it could go poorly and people will move on. So if you want to try and beat the wave of applicants and gamble on a good contract now is the time. If you have other options and don’t want to risk it then thats not a bad plan either.

wannabee

I’m commuting right now. I’m on PM reserve and not being used much. I’ve flown 5 or 6 days so far in January but I’ll have been away from home 22-24 days by the end of the month. It’s definitely not ideal, but not impossible either. I’m one of those people “gambling” on a better contract. I think AMs get used more frequently, so you can at least collect per diem.

With that said, there are some LOAs coming down the pike to fix some of the reserve issues we have and make it more palatable for commuters. But those are just temporary. If the issues aren’t ultimately fixed in the new contract, the LOAs don’t do much good. If they continue to fill classes, I’ll be off reserve around 8 months after DOH. PM me if you want more info.

wannabee

Also, the lines typically aren’t very commutable on either end, so if your long term plans don’t include a move to the twin cities, the commute could get real old real fast. That could all change with the Amazon flying. There’s also a chance they open bases somewhere, but right now there’s no solid info on that.

Starchkr

I agree with these posts except I would say, don’t plan on getting per diem while on reserve. It’s entirely possible to fly an entire month of reserve and only get turns. We don’t get per diem for day trips. It happened to me in December and I flew a lot.

The work rules here aren’t as good as most regionals. I personally like it better than regionals because of the flying we do but you’d be far better off flying for Spirit or Frontier. If this is the only offer you have then go for it. Just be prepared to not make it home much while on reserve.

It will get better once you hold a line but still not as good as the other airlines mentioned. If we get a better contract, I wouldn’t count on it, it could be a decent deal. It’s a gamble but it could work out good if you get in early during this hiring wave.

good luck.

maverickchill

If you're going to "gamble" make sure you are ready to lose.
Look at how long it took Spirit and frontier boys to get a new contract...7 years. Delta is currently 1 year into negotiations. Our contract is not even up until November. So you would be looking at a 2 year wait, minimum, more likely 8 years from now before we see a better contact. Who knows if sunny will still be around in that time.

nibake

On what information are you basing the claim that a minimum of two years is required? If the contract is up in November that means the contract is up in November, at least the way I understand it. Spirit and Frontier are different companies and are not in the same situation we are in. Apollo is sinking a lot of money into SY and a good contract will likely make the company worth more instead of less at IPO.

labbats

A good contract will help an IPO?

A bad contract with low paid employees makes for a good IPO. Unfortunately that’s how Wall Street works.

Sun Country just got awarded Amazon flying... ask Atlas pilots flying for Amazon how much they get paid compared to their peers.

nibake

I don't think being in contract negotiations would help and IPO/stock prices; I think it would be detrimental. A "bad contract" with low pay could look good for a company's profits, yes. But we are coming to the end of this period so it's either going to be extended negotiations, a good contract, or maybe a strike. We certainly ought not vote for a bad contract.

Starchkr

There are a lot of us here that will be highly motivated to leave given negotiations appear to be going sour or taking a long time. IMO it would be a huge mistake to not get it done ASAP.