Need 411 on Empire Air

[tsky]

Question? Does anyone know anything about the Fort Worth runs? Do they have standby crews or reserve? Do you have to load or sort any freight on the ATR? Do you work two weeks on one off, every day, or what?

There is only an F-27 in AFW right now, and no, we don't have to load or sort freight. I belive that all of the AFW pilots are based there to man a hot spare, and I guess that it is like airport reserve. Everyone has the same type of schedule. Even though you may not fly much, I would plan on working 5 days a week down there, although you may get a little bit of extra time off occasionally.

 

[ATRCAPT]

Now that I am married...:nuts: .

Tsky is all grown up now. It seems like it was just yesterday he had to cut short his conversation with a hot Horizon Air flight attendant so he could take an emergency dump in a Dash-8 lav.

Listening to you guys almost makes me wish I was back at the SEA base...almost. Who's doing YVR on the 29th? I have a trip that ends in OAK at 1100PM. I'll buy if you want to go to La Pinata.

 

[Julybabyee]

The 29th is a Sunday - hopefully we won't be there...

 

[ATRCAPT]

So it is. Being junior in OAK means a lot of late release times. Hopefully Blingair, TSKY, Thunderworm, or I. Sharted will want to go for some Mexican food.

 

[tsky]

So it is. Being junior in OAK means a lot of late release times. Hopefully Blingair, TSKY, Thunderworm, or I. Sharted will want to go for some Mexican food.

That would be sweet-just like old times. I'll be down there next week if you happen to be around.

Double the beans and some extra salsa please.

 

[Julybabyee]

I can't let this one pass; do you remember Matt Seivers?
I personally had a base given to a junior pilot when I held all the requirements and was under no contract or training agreements. And from the skinny I heard yesterday the F/O's are in a twist because a junior pilot has been awarded an upgrade back east, although I'm not sure of the details.

I checked on this junior pilot thing... the guy with the hours to upgrade got the upgrade. Yes he is junior to the guy that doesn't have the hours. Just the way it works...Hopefully the other guy will get it next time around...

 

[haulingthemail]

I was offered a phone interivew for the F27 in AFW for a captain spot. Is this unusual and if not what are some things to consider?

 

[tsky]

I was offered a phone interivew for the F27 in AFW for a captain spot. Is this unusual and if not what are some things to consider?

Right now most ATR FOs are reluctant to take an upgrade because they want to stay in the ATR and avoid a seat lock. I would imagine that we don't have enough F-27 FOs who have enough flight time and desire to move to AFW. I would expect to sign an 18 month training contact.

 

[tsky]

I checked on this junior pilot thing... the guy with the hours to upgrade got the upgrade. Yes he is junior to the guy that doesn't have the hours. Just the way it works...Hopefully the other guy will get it next time around...

This was a situation that arouse a couple of years ago during the transition from the F-27 to the ATR regarding seat locks and such.

 

[Julybabyee]

This was a situation that arouse a couple of years ago during the transition from the F-27 to the ATR regarding seat locks and such.

Right - I understand the situation from a couple of years ago - but according to Bling people are upset now because it has happened again- so I made a few calls and learned that it just isnt the case.

 

[Julybabyee]

I was offered a phone interivew for the F27 in AFW for a captain spot. Is this unusual and if not what are some things to consider?

Not unusual at all. Everyone internally who wants to upgrade and is eligible for upgrade has been contacted and we still have some open captain positions.

The AFW base almost completely nights. We have a hot spare there - the crew is on reserve from 0100z monday night thru 1700z saturday morning - they show hot at the aircraft at 0600z Tuesday - Friday morning. They adhoc up to 3 times a week, but sometimes none at all.

We also run a flight to ICT - departing around 0720z - drop the load in ICT and deadhead back to AFW. This crew is on reserve monday mornings & are put into rest monday afternoon so they can show at 0610z for their flight. This route runs Tues-Fri.

The crew members based in AFW do both the ICT route and hot spare. As for weeks number of weeks on/off - I'm not sure - but keep in mind we are gearing up for peak - where everyone from the CEO to the janitor works their tail off for a few weeks!

Hope this helps!

 

[haulingthemail]

If you live there, do you think it would be a pretty good gig? I'm done the regionals, and now I've flown the big iron. As long as I have a pay check, I don't care what it is I fly, I want to be back in the left seat. Plus I think living only 20 minutes from AFW, I'd be home more. What are your thought?

out of AFW is the run only ICT and MAF?

 

[haulingthemail]

What do they pay you while you are in training? And where do you see the AFW hub in 2,5,10 years?

 

[blingair]

Right - I understand the situation from a couple of years ago - but according to Bling people are upset now because it has happened again- so I made a few calls and learned that it just isnt the case.

Come on man, quote me right or don't quote me at all. I said it was just a rumor albeit from a f/0 that was pretty upset over the situation. Apparently the f/0s that are just short of the time were told that they have until their checkride to be at mins in order to hold the slot and several will/would be but were passed over. And I do think a companies history speaks volumes about it's future.

 

[haulingthemail]

can anyone answer the question about pay for new hire captains while in training?

 

[blingair]

Hey haulin, you get 3/4 of a regular paycheck until you pass your company checkride. Go to airlinepilotcentral.com for the exact number. Good luck with everything.

 

[fokkers&beer]

I miss you guys.

 

[tsky]

And where do you see the AFW hub in 2,5,10 years?

That's hard to say-It all depends on what our customer want us to do. Sometimes a base situation may change depending on freight volumes and misc other factors.

 

[blingair]

Tsky hit it on the head. We are at the whims of our customer so some things stay the same and some things change, rapidly! It's only a guess as to what they may do and for what reason. The Fokker flying is a great position for a person from that area and who has a family, because you're home during the day. But if you are after quick TPIC it would take a while before you got any real time because of the way the route is structured.

Mr. Beers, we watched the Big Lebowski coming back from OAK not too long ago. Made me want a white russian. I'm sad to say that no one goes to Juanita's any more because gringos don't appreciate fine authentic hispanic food.

 

[thunderworm]

i know that they will pass people over for upgrade when they see fit . i have been passed over and have witnessed others. the thing in cwa was the more senior didn't have the hours at time of bid but was told that it was the hours at time of triaining that counted which he would have that is why it is messed up. my guess is that it gets the company out of having to pay for a move. this company used to be nice now it is a hole that i wish no one would come to so it could just die. it is a 135 operator with a 121 certificate. as far as training contracts changing the terms of the contract at will vilotes and deems contract viod by doing so. so if you whant don't pay it and i know of a laywer who would love to take the case. this bothers me that they think they can do that stuff. and it kinda bothers me that people stick up for a company that screws their brothers over.