Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Friendliest aviation Ccmmunity on the web
  • Modern site for PC's, Phones, Tablets - no 3rd party apps required
  • Ask questions, help others, promote aviation
  • Share the passion for aviation
  • Invite everyone to Flightinfo.com and let's have fun

Class Dates at Southern Air and Focus

Welcome to Flightinfo.com

  • Register now and join the discussion
  • Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
  • Invite your friends
  • Share the passion of aviation
  • Friendliest aviation community on the web
Register   Log in
Do they all fly with flight mechs? And are they making better money than the FO/FE?
Click to expand...

Most Tradewinds B-747s have Flight Mechs.
Not sure what they get paid, guess it varies on your negotiating skills.

Some of those guys spends weeks onboard, they deserve every penny...:(

F/Os or F/Es could in theory make 8 to 10K a month if flying on Days Off, getting paid over guarantee plus 25%, etc. In reality those who do are the exception and rare cases. Most guys don't break guarantee and all the dead-heading around the planet don't pay squat, not even on days off.
 
gear_yanker said:
Quite the opposite. What I am doing is trying to save some young commuter pilot from making the worst mistake of his or her life. There are plenty of opportunities in the 747 world that don't require a training bond. Choose your future wisely!

Did you sign the training bond as a condition of your employment at Southern???

Have you even taken the time to read the thing? It's really bad. Like the part about them firing you and you still owing the money. And guess what.....The discipline/discharge protections of the CBA don't apply to someone still on probation. Can you see some potential for abuse here?

I don't have a horse in this race. If you're happy working at Southern, then I'm happy for you. If you're considering employment at Southern, YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
Click to expand...
'his or her '-no reason to read further.
 
Frozen Ronin said:
Years ago I was a flight mechanic for Rosenbalm, then Rich Int'l. As a greasemonkey, only the captain was making more money. I made more than the F/O or PFE. Is that still the same?

Do they all fly with flight mechs? And are they making better money than the FO/FE?

Just curious.

Ronin
Click to expand...
Southern calls them Tech Reps, and they tend to stay at one of our destinations (to meet us upon arrival), unless the aircraft is on a AdHoc/DOD trip, or is travelling to SA. (Then they ride along)

I know they get paid pretty well (from what I understand), and they get the same per diem as the flight crew does ($2.25/hr). I'd say that if you average out the three crew member's base salary, that they are paid right about that amount. You'd have to find out for yourself if you want the actual number.
 
And to those same "young commuter pilots":

When I said "working for one ACMI is pretty much the same as working for any other..." The example of Southern Air and Kalitta first came to mind...

I don't know what this Gear Yanker's personal beef is with Southern, he might have been turned down or sent packing from there in the past... Don't really care.

But I do know that at the least, Gear Yanker's posts should be taken with a grain of salt.

ACMI flying has it's fair share of "those guys" that have an real inferiority complex (and I'm betting that this is why Gear Yanker is the way he is)... This problem will manifest itself in such negative ways as knocking the competition (even though it is practically the same as your own workplace), or telling anyone that will listen IRL that he happens to fly a B747 (like it makes him "super-pilot" or something).

I'm sure you have all met or flown with this type of person. :rolleyes:

If you need a better example, it is like one of those guys you see at the regionals, that is always needlessly badmouthing other regional pilot groups (and their contracts), and makes a big point out of everyone knowing he flies the 70 seat version of the CRJ, not just the 50 seater (big whoop).

As long and stupid as this thread has turned out, hopefully you can get a little useful info from it if you are remotely interested in long haul 18 wheel trucking (err I mean cargo flying).

Sorry about the stupid flame war.



Good Luck.
 
Last edited:
This is a public forum and everyone has the right to express their opinion. What you get from it and who you choose to believe is up to you!

You can believe someone who seems to get into an argument on every thread he participates in. The same guy who has only been in this sector of the industry for a couple of years. The same guy who didn't sign a training bond to get his 747 job but feels it's okay for you to sign one. Maybe this guy wants everyone to join his company so he can get the days off he was originally promised....the days off that are now being taken from him due to a shortage of qualified crews.

Or, you could believe the grouchy old man who doesn't have a horse in the race. The guy with more than 20 years in this sector of the industry who is sincerely trying to illuminate a new development in the 747 non-sked world.....the requirement to sign a "training agreement".

Southern will mislead you in order to get you to accept the job. You will be required to sign a $24,000 training agreement that will force you to stay there for two years.

There are many choices available for those who want to fly the 747 in a non-sked environment. Please be smart and choose one that doesn't require a training bond!!
 
I seriously have been looking at getting in to this type of flying, and it seems like there are alot of options. As far as I can tell, gear yanker is just trying to help, not really trying to bash anyone. I personally having a choice, would not sign a training contract, but I have no problem with those that decide to do so. Anyway thanks for all the info guys.
 
gear_yanker said:
This is a public forum and everyone has the right to express their opinion. What you get from it and who you choose to believe is up to you!

You can believe someone who seems to get into an argument on every thread he participates in. The same guy who has only been in this sector of the industry for a couple of years. The same guy who didn't sign a training bond to get his 747 job but feels it's okay for you to sign one. Maybe this guy wants everyone to join his company so he can get the days off he was originally promised....the days off that are now being taken from him due to a shortage of qualified crews.

Or, you could believe the grouchy old man who doesn't have a horse in the race. The guy with more than 20 years in this sector of the industry who is sincerely trying to illuminate a new development in the 747 non-sked world.....the requirement to sign a "training agreement".

Southern will mislead you in order to get you to accept the job. You will be required to sign a $24,000 training agreement that will force you to stay there for two years.

There are many choices available for those who want to fly the 747 in a non-sked environment. Please be smart and choose one that doesn't require a training bond!!
Click to expand...

If you are just trying to help other crewmembers instead of throw sh!!s about Southern, then you should be plane happy torwards other crewmembers who didn't have to sign the agreement to get the job.
U sound like you are jealous towards people who didn't sign the contract. maybe eventually these contracts will go way. I personally believe these contract is pushing good crewmembers far away from the Southern.

There are many different ways to help other crewmembers. And, I don't think U are doing the right way.
 
There's a reason they try and make you an indentured servant with a training bond. It's because it's a crap company and that's the only way they can try and keep people.

At least with some of the other scumbag outfits, you can tell the chief pilot and DO to pound sand where the sun don't shine and walk away when you find out what kind of people your working for.
 
Just curious, does the bond hold up when put to the test? I know lots of guys that have walked on similar setups at the regional level and get no more than an angry demand letter in the mail.
 
EMB_driver2002 said:
Just curious, does the bond hold up when put to the test? I know lots of guys that have walked on similar setups at the regional level and get no more than an angry demand letter in the mail.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's been tested yet. Southern implemented this scheme within the past six months, becoming the first 747 operator in the US to ever require a "training agreement".

The document seems to be well written and not at all vague. I don't think I'd want to be the first guy to test whether they're serious about enforcing it. I guess it really comes down to the exact wording of existing Connecticut law, something I know absolutely nothing about.
 
Horizon Airlines has them, Cargo 360, World, Gemini, Miami Air that to name a few. They will send the bond to a two bit lawyer who will then ruin your credit. Be careful will how enforceable they are or aren't
 
gear_yanker said:
I don't think it's been tested yet. Southern implemented this scheme within the past six months, becoming the first 747 operator in the US to ever require a "training agreement".

The document seems to be well written and not at all vague. I don't think I'd want to be the first guy to test whether they're serious about enforcing it. I guess it really comes down to the exact wording of existing Connecticut law, something I know absolutely nothing about.
Click to expand...


Ok I tired of lessoning to gear yanker crying, I had to lesson to him cry at C-360 About how bad he got screwed at delta, blah blah blah. Get a new hobby that has nothing to do with aviation since your so Fukk miserable you old fart.
 
Funny part about ALL of this: With the retirement age now at 65, the 'Crisis Hiring' (flavor of the moment just days ago) is no longer. Options for employment have been cut in half, over night.

Find your own path and walk it well. Fear not those who have chosen another path, but delight in the stories of their travels. For much can be said of the travel, more so than it's destination.

Live well, fly because it's in you~

Ronin
 
pilotbrain said:
Ok I tired of lessoning to gear yanker crying, I had to lesson to him cry at C-360 About how bad he got screwed at delta, blah blah blah. Get a new hobby that has nothing to do with aviation since your so Fukk miserable you old fart.
Click to expand...

Listening.....lessoning.....pretty damn close!
 
Brain while you are lessoning, everybody in MIA training wants to know who you are? because you are not in training with them.
 
unwashed said:
Brain while you are lessoning, everybody in MIA training wants to know who you are? because you are not in training with them.
Click to expand...

You believe everything that People in MIA tell you??? would he fess up to his fellow Southern Air's in Training...I would hope not.
 
I would hope that the people I have know and flown with would be truthful. Brain's post have been so varied and full of holes that if that person is former Cargo 360 employee and current SAH employee their deception verges on mental health issues that should be addressed. Brain if you are a former C360 employee why the deception? Can't you post your true qualifications, your true age, your true convictions? People at C360 know who I am just by the aircraft I have posted and the positions I have held. Hell people at Horizon probably could figure out who I am by my post. Brain you are not going to hide forever, stop the charade.
 
unwashed said:
I would hope that the people I have know and flown with would be truthful. Brain's post have been so varied and full of holes that if that person is former Cargo 360 employee and current SAH employee their deception verges on mental health issues that should be addressed. Brain if you are a former C360 employee why the deception? Can't you post your true qualifications, your true age, your true convictions? People at C360 know who I am just by the aircraft I have posted and the positions I have held. Hell people at Horizon probably could figure out who I am by my post. Brain you are not going to hide forever, stop the charade.
Click to expand...


Ok I admit....I am pilotbrain
 
Other famous posts from "brain" dead:

Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,122
Civ/Mil: n/a
A/C Flown: all
Ratings: all
Total Time: n/a
Posts: 6,122


Pilotbrain,

One year ago you made the following statement:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthr...88#post1140288
Quote:
I've answered this question before. I am a Skywest Pilot and have been for five years.
A close friend of mine used to be a pilot at GoJet but has since moved on to Continental.
Tiring of all the unhapppy, negative, whiney, crybaby, losers that have nothing better to do day in and day out is complain, he asked if I wanted to respond.

Have a Great Day and Fly Safe.
One year ago you were a skywest pilot, and had been for five years. But today, a year later, you're a captain in a B747. Care to explain that?

Or how about this post, made only a week or two prior to the last one, in which you say you tried for Skywest, but didn't get the job? The thread involves MarineGrunt, who was invited for an inteview with Skywest...this is your response regarding the simulator...

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=86656
Quote:
Its pretty intense.....they asked me which simulator I wanted to fly...frasca or ast...I said ast...they put me on frasca...didnt get the job.
How about this one...you're the youngest captain the B747 ever...but a year ago you were seeking employment flying LR35's and King Airs in Pueblo...

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthr...47#post1127647
Quote:
Does anyone know anything about the interview process for Travelaire Flight Service in Pueblo, Colorado....I have an interview next week and wondering if anyone has worked for them or knows anything about them.
In August of last year you were making twenty three dollars as a regional F/O...not at Skywest, mind you...the place where you've been for the last five years before you miraculously upgraded to be the youngest 747 captain in the world...

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthr...07#post1088507
Quote:
Yes it was a smart move....captains pay 56 an hour after 3 months.....and 1000 pic after 14 months....now tell me redbood....was saying no really a smart move....by the way my 23 an hour fo pay to start is more than skywest and many other regionals to start to fly the 70 seat jet...
I think it's safe to say that any hope of credibility you might have once had, is clearly gone. Good luck.
 
Pilotbrain has been a 747 captain and someone who failed the iterview at skywest in less than a year, as well as claiming to work for other regionals or commuters, and seeking 135 work along the way. More recently, he's tried claiming he's several people posting under the same name, one of whom is a 747 captain...:rolleyes:
 
Please post the training agreement. I am curious as to how it is written.
Thanks


gear_yanker said:
No, not at all. But I do have a problem when a management cheerleader comes on a public forum and tries to misrepresent the current situation at Southern.

Southern is not the place to work if you have any other options at all. You can fly the 747 somewhere else that upgrades just as fast. What's the difference? The other places DON'T REQUIRE YOU TO SIGN A TRAINING BOND!! And some of the other places even have a proper union and a contract with teeth. Southern has become an employer of last resort. Better than nothing, if you're already unemployed.

Your numbers concerning Captain qualified F/Os represent those hired prior to the training bond. The experience level of those hired since the implementation of the bond is much lower. There are just not many highly experienced guys around who are willing to soil the profession by signing a training bond to get a job at a bottom-feeder outfit like Southern.

The next time you say I don't know anything about Southern, I'll publish the full text of the training "agreement" for everyone to see. I bet that would slow the number of guys willing to travel to CT at their own expense. And I bet your "daddy" in Norwalk might not be too happy with you either.
Click to expand...
 
Focus Air just terminated (NO FURLOUGHS) all except 4 of their crews.

They sold 2 of the 4 aircraft they own to Southern (I believe) and their Thai contract is going to end in the next 90 days. One of their RB211 powered aircraft is going to be parked (needs a C-Check that no one wants to pay for) and the other will continue to fly the Thai contact until it expires.

Some great guys work at Focus, I hope they get picked up in short order.
 
Last edited:
Sad news indeed:

I got plenty of buds over at Focus and almost ended up there myself.

Hope the crews will find GOOD work soon.
 

Share this page

Latest posts

Latest resources

Latest media

Carbon Cub FX-3 Shenandoah Valley
Carbon Cub at Kittyhawk
FX-3 in the backcountry
IFR Panel in a Carbon Cub FX-3
Cub-Provo-UT-c.jpg
Back
Top Bottom