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Look at what Virgin America has done with pilot wages

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Last edited:
flyn96 said:
I thought Branson was sooooo innovative and hip!
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In case you missed it, the day they announced extra legroom, Branson was unveiling Virgin Galactic.

Hmm, commercial space travel, nothing innovative about that, right?
 
I love the part about their wages that says captains go back to 1st year CA pay. Keep it classy VA.

Black uniforms - I can feel the extra sweat already.
 
westward said:
Hmm, commercial space travel, nothing innovative about that, right?
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Not really, because it's not commercial space travel. You don't actually go anywhere, just up and down. It's basically the same thing that any Canyon tour company does with 421's, or your average helicopter sightseeing company, just a whole lot more expensive. The technology is innovative - you can thank Rutan for that. The business concept? Not so much.
 
relief tube said:
I love the part about their wages that says captains go back to 1st year CA pay. Keep it classy VA.

Black uniforms - I can feel the extra sweat already.
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I don't really have a horse in the race......but as far as wages go, FO pay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year are far more than some majors pay. The going back to 1st year captain pay when you upgrade is crap, but that's something you fix in contract negotiations........but I guess you need a union for that too, lol.

Black uniforms.......not a big deal if all you do is night flying!
 
Not a good sign when they start charging for extras. Hope its not too bad of a sign, as I know a handful of those Virgins.

And while we're at it...lets ask Ralph Cramden or other VA pilots...

1. How are those white first class seats holding up. I know there was concern of them showing the dirt.

2. How is the "on demand" food service working? Are they still doing it "on demand" or the old fashioned way?

3. Is everyone still happy with the black shirt uniform with no tie, or are they going to change that look?

Not a slam, just honest questions.
 
Virgin Atlantic already charges extra for emergency exit seats. We paid extra on our way over to London and it was worth every penny!
 
skiandsurf said:
Not a good sign when they start charging for extras. Hope its not too bad of a sign, as I know a handful of those Virgins.

And while we're at it...lets ask Ralph Cramden or other VA pilots...

1. How are those white first class seats holding up. I know there was concern of them showing the dirt.

2. How is the "on demand" food service working? Are they still doing it "on demand" or the old fashioned way?

3. Is everyone still happy with the black shirt uniform with no tie, or are they going to change that look?

Not a slam, just honest questions.
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You rang?

FC seats are doing fine, still white, and full on the transcons I fly.

Cabin crew goes through with beverage cart to start, then turns on the on demand. It does keep them busy but the guests (pax in Virgin lingo) love it. There have been a few hiccups, such as elderly not understanding how to get food ordered as the debit or credit card transaction is done on the IFE screen only.

I like not wearing a tie. That's all I'm going to say on #3 :-)

Ralphie...
 
328dude said:
Really? What legancy does Virgin beat for FO wages in the first three years on the same class of airplane?

Research. It's a good thing.
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Now since when did facts ever stop anyone from posting nonsense!:laugh:
Now as far as va goes, its a scumbag operation, paying scumbag prices, run by a scumbag owner. Ever see what Branson told his employees who threatedned to strike? He basically told them to stay home if they strike.

Scope

Did I mention its a scumbag operation
 
VA will sort itself out-- they have 20 a/c - If you're at any legacy i'd address scope-- which is what has created the market of underpaid pilots willing to go to VA-- before i'd go b!tching about VA--
 
p.s. Virgin needs to raise their pay!
p.s. That's a hard sell when there are so many UNDER-paid RJ drivers looking to get out of their regional---
 
spacecadet1 said:
Is it true that FO's have to clean the lavs at VA? Of course whores are good at doing menial labor.
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Don't look now spacecadet1, but your maturity and wit are underwhelming us, even for flightinfo standards.

FYI, a cleaning crew cleans the entire cabin on every turn, lav included. They are usually lined up in the jetway waiting for the pax to get off.

F/Os do have to pass the type ride, get the clearance, read the checklist and fly every other leg, which for my F/Os means a leg every other day with 12 on and 18 off in a month (if they can bid senior). We also don't carry flight bags, using the onboard EFB thingie instead.

Hope life is good for you at space command. I'm still deciding if I want to apply for the Astronaut gig. Meeting some resistance from the missus.
 
waveflyer said:
p.s. Virgin needs to raise their pay!
p.s. That's a hard sell when there are so many UNDER-paid RJ drivers looking to get out of their regional---
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm the first to agree with ya on that one.

Problem is, it's a hard sell with so many pilots on the street right now.

Hopefully the price of gas will drop, guys will get recalled and life will be good again for all. OTOH, this downturn looks pretty serious.
 
Ralph Cramden said:
You rang?

FC seats are doing fine, still white, and full on the transcons I fly.

Cabin crew goes through with beverage cart to start, then turns on the on demand. It does keep them busy but the guests (pax in Virgin lingo) love it. There have been a few hiccups, such as elderly not understanding how to get food ordered as the debit or credit card transaction is done on the IFE screen only.

I like not wearing a tie. That's all I'm going to say on #3 :-)

Ralphie...
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Ralphie

Whilst I'm sure you guys are full why won't your company issue any data whilst they have total access to everyone elses fiancial stats.
 
I do not have anything against VA. I do however think Branson is another story. Space travel is nuts and with the price of gas, no one will go. I would rather ride a carnival ride than fly into space with Virgin Galactic. He may have a screw loose but, so did Howard Hughs. Rich people sometimes have a hard time grasping reality..ie: starting up an airline in an overly saturated market with out of control fuel prices. But, hey, I give him guts for being somewhat of a gambler. He may just pull off one of the most successful airlines that survive all this mess. But, for the space part...hmmm, it is a fun idea but, will have zero real use and very very FEW people will go on the rides. The plane will be in a museum within 5 years of its inaugural flight. :)

P.S...No offense to any of the VA pilots, but if you are really thinking of becoming an astronaut for this new venture...most will have to go on a HUGE diet and would NEVER pass the required physical needed for space travel. In fact, the best candidates there are all the young F.O.'s under 30. You better pass on that yummy inflight meal they serve next time you fly...:)
 
flyipilot your post is pretty funny. Richard Branson didn't just decide to start an airline last year. He stared Virgin Atlantic a long time ago and his many other companies have all done great. space flights will be just as popular and incidentally have no relation to the cost of aviation fuel prices. rocket fuel is not jet fuel.

and for the original point of the thread. why raise wages when you already have your pick of thousands of qualified pilots.
 
febtober said:
flyipilot your post is pretty funny. Richard Branson didn't just decide to start an airline last year. He stared Virgin Atlantic a long time ago and his many other companies have all done great. space flights will be just as popular and incidentally have no relation to the cost of aviation fuel prices. rocket fuel is not jet fuel.

and for the original point of the thread. why raise wages when you already have your pick of thousands of qualified pilots.
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Maybe you are right about rocket fuel..I have no clue what it costs but, I venture to guess a LOT more than jet fuel. But, as for the rest of my post, I stand by my opinion and if you re-read it carefully, you will see I never stated he started his first airline..I said he started "a" airline during crappy times. We are all aware what Branson has done in aviation but, he is not the owner of VA remember? He is just an investor and lending his name. Many banks own VA and we all know how brilliant banks are at making investments these days.
 
The extra legroom seats are also coming with first class service -- free drinks, and free food.

The on demand food service is doing great. We sell out the food options on many flights.

There is talk of adding additional FAs on some routes to improve service. That doesn't sound like a proposal from a company that is running out of money.

Updated pilot uniforms coming this fall. No tie :)

The last three flights I worked each had pax come up to the cockpit and tell us that it was the best experience they ever had flying an airline.
 

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