tom14cat14

I thought about going here at one time but it has just not improved. If you want MN go to Endeavor. It is sad that First year pay to fly a 200 (with bonus) will be higher than second year pay flying a 737. Heck 4th year pay at sun country is now 2nd year pay at 9e. I wish you guys the best of luck and hope things turn around for you. I know some that bailed there and luckily most are now at United. However there are still a few there.

Onedayatatimee

I understand the current pay at SY compared to Endeavor's FO pay with bonus. For me to consider applying to SY you have to look at the future and not the current situation. Most likely its gonna be one of 3 different scenarios: 1. new contract with some pay raises factoring in the home town discount followed by some growth 2. Ownership sells to the highest bidder that wants to take control of T2 in MSP/merger (Southwest, Spirit, Alaska). 3. They shutter down.

I can't imagine they would just pull the plug on the place, to much money left on the table. It will most likely be #1 or #2. I don't have a crystal ball but to me the reward might out way the risk.

i fly planes

Good points, but all speculation. The only "fact" currently is that you can earn double the hourly pay elsewhere doing 5-day trips.

beech1980

If I were looking outside trying to get a job here now I would stay away. Threats of shutting down. 12-13 day off lines when you can hold them. Unless there is major growth or attrition you will be on reserve a long time. Low pay, low min day pay, low trip rig, low vacation pay. You are better of with a regional with a flow or a regional with retention and signing bonus pay. The company is really going down the tubes with the current owner and management.

TWINZ

This thread has gotten pretty quiet. Any progress?

beech1980

I wouldn't say that any progress has been made on the contract. They are hiring 6 pilots a month and looking to run classes for quite some time with the attrition. Probably gonna need to hire 30-40 pilots by the end of the year. I think first year FO pay is now 41-42 bucks an hour. The owner is still threatening to shut down the company if we demand industry average pay and benifits... Looks like the company will make close to 100 million this year! He still says he can't afford to pay us. Buyer be ware.

i fly planes

Day turn lines are a thing of the past at SCA and should also be emphasized.

Onedayatatimee

The sad thing is this would all come to an 11th hour end if you guys could get released for a 30day cooling off period. They are making to much money to shutter down. The longer they can drag this out the more money they make on the cheap labor and cheap fuel prices. Davis family is probably hoping that while they milk the clock on negotiations cost might go up and they can spin that as the reason not to pay the pilots.

Is the union pulling out all the stops to get this resolved? I know you guys picketed one day I think, geez maybe start picketing once a week. If I had that day off I would be happy to join. Write to congress and show them some of the over lap in competition on most routes and no reason after 5yrs they can't release you, the public will still have service if you end up striking to resolve this.

I wish you guys the best, if you are FO's over there just know that the QOL at the regionals you left isn't that great either, you aren't missing much. 8yr FO's at Endeavor and QOL as a 9-12yr captain is horrible with 11days off and used everyday on reserve.

How is the reserve QOL at Sun Country?

beech1980

From what I hear it's not what it used to be. In the past you might do a turn once a week or maybe a couple times a month do a 2-3 day trip. Now it sounds like guys are getting used all the time. Some guys are flying all 5 days on reserve.

beech1980

Sounds like we will be hiring for a class every month for the remainder of the year. From what I hear it's tough to hire when the owner says he's shutting the company down even with the increased first year pay!! The owners a moron. Billions that you inherit don't buy class and smarts.