Virgin Q's

[petitepilot]

1. How long on reserve?
2. Whazzup with the "pseudo bases?" Why do web sites claim JFK and LAX bases right now? How long in SFO after IOE (Ball park?)
3. What is training like? How long? Location(s)?
4. How hard to find a crash pad in SFO?
5. What is the typical reserve schedule these days, and how does it improve, if at all?
6. Commuting policy?
7. Thanks!

 

[Ralph Cramden]

1. Not long now, maybe 3 to 4 months.
2. All pilots are SFO based for training. LAX & JFK are mini bases, 10 crews each. Getting in will take a while for F/Os, mostly as upgrades happen and senior F/Os chase CA slots. May open more, IAD is in test mode, right now IAD pairings are open to bidding from all bases. (PBS system)
3. Standard airline fare. 2 wks indoc in SFO, sim in DFW and/or MIA depending on sim availability. Hotels and per diem paid outside of SFO. Training pay ends at type ride, yes everyone is getting typed right now.
4. Easy, lots of them, don't need a car, about 200-250/mo. Hotels about 50/night.
5. Reserve starts with late avail periods, then mid, then early so commuting on day first & last is possible. I don't do reserve, maybe someone else will chime in.
6. Yes, but don't use it too often!
7. You're welcome. BTW, computer skills are mandatory, online training & EFBs, online read files, using search functions, things like that...

 

[Flyer1015]

Have they ever hired people with less than 5000TT / 1000TPIC?

 

[petitepilot]

1. Not long now, maybe 3 to 4 months.
2. All pilots are SFO based for training. LAX & JFK are mini bases, 10 crews each. Getting in will take a while for F/Os, mostly as upgrades happen and senior F/Os chase CA slots. May open more, IAD is in test mode, right now IAD pairings are open to bidding from all bases. (PBS system)
3. Standard airline fare. 2 wks indoc in SFO, sim in DFW and/or MIA depending on sim availability. Hotels and per diem paid outside of SFO. Training pay ends at type ride, yes everyone is getting typed right now.
4. Easy, lots of them, don't need a car, about 200-250/mo. Hotels about 50/night.
5. Reserve starts with late avail periods, then mid, then early so commuting on day first & last is possible. I don't do reserve, maybe someone else will chime in.
6. Yes, but don't use it too often!
7. You're welcome. BTW, computer skills are mandatory, online training & EFBs, online read files, using search functions, things like that...

Thank you Ralph.
Do they pay for hotel during indoc, and what is training pay?
Thanks again!
PP

 

[LoveGun]

Have they ever hired people with less than 5000TT / 1000TPIC?

They did a long time ago, but not right now. If you don't have 5000 and 1000 your app isn't even looked at. Sorry.

 

[NEDude]

Nice thing about being SFO based is the back-up airports in Oakland and San Jose. Easy to get to SFO from either using BART or CalTrain - costs around $8 and takes about an hour and half. Can't use it if you are cutting it close, but if you give yourself some time you have a ton of options to get here.

Did hear of one guy getting the drug test email (that's the good one) after his interview who had the 5000TT but had less than 1000PIC. Don't think he has started class yet though.

There has been a few lines of reserve recently that have not started or ended at 1530, but I haven't been stuck with any of them and don't think anyone in my crashpad has been either. Since being on reserve, every first day has started at 1530 and every last day has ended at 1530 - and usually I get released earlier than that on the last day. It has worked out that on day one of reserve I can have breakfast with the kids and take them to school, and on the last day I am home early enough to have dinner with them.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Thank you Ralph.
Do they pay for hotel during indoc, and what is training pay?
Thanks again!
PP

I think it is $2500/mo in training. 70 hr line guarantee starts at type ride pass. No hotels in SFO (Red Roof is near by @ $49/night). Hotels and $1.75 hr perdiem during the sim DFW/MIA plus of course PS travel.

Welcome again...

Ralphie

 

[cmrflyer]

and if you get the sim in MIA you also get a rental car.

 

[lanilila]

Any new rumors when LAX will grow? is there any reserves there?

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Any new rumors when LAX will grow? is there any reserves there?

Not that I've heard. One.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

No because the new UAL is going to double up in LAX...

 

[Ralph Cramden]

No because the new UAL is going to double up in LAX...

I was assuming the question was if LAX domicile was growing. LAX routes are growing quite a bit over the next 18 months. We compete quite well with UAL in SFO and LAX. Thanks for playing...

 

[thunderworm]

I think it is $2500/mo in training. 70 hr line guarantee starts at type ride pass. No hotels in SFO (Red Roof is near by @ $49/night). Hotels and $1.75 hr perdiem during the sim DFW/MIA plus of course PS travel.

Welcome again...

Ralphie

So basically 2/3 of your pay goes to paying the hotel. Nice! Why can't companies just play nice and treat people like they want them there? For most of us it is not our first rodeo and not getting a wage enough to live on is getting old.

 

[mesaserf]

So basically 2/3 of your pay goes to paying the hotel. Nice! Why can't companies just play nice and treat people like they want them there? For most of us it is not our first rodeo and not getting a wage enough to live on is getting old.

They want to humiliate and degrade you from the start. That way you will gladly fly a 150 seat jet for RJ wages. Oh... and you get to dress up and look like a black jack dealer from the Hooters Casino in LAS.

I think they should start a human behavior study to see just how much humiliation new hires will take before they quit. Maybe start with having all employees crawl across the threshold of the training center on their hands and knees. Put up a huge picture of Branson smiling down on them in the lobby.

This is just standard operating procedure for Branson and his minions. Somehow he gets away with paying people $hit wages while his PR machine keeps people thinking he is some kind of second coming. Just look at the news rack, you almost always see that jack ass grinning from the cover of some magazine while doing something cool and adventurous.

All the while his employees have to go on government assistance because they can't make ends meet.

 

[CitationLover]

They want to humiliate and degrade you from the start. That way you will gladly fly a 150 seat jet for RJ wages. Oh... and you get to dress up and look like a black jack dealer from the Hooters Casino in LAS.

I think they should start a human behavior study to see just how much humiliation new hires will take before they quit. Maybe start with having all employees crawl across the threshold of the training center on their hands and knees. Put up a huge picture of Branson smiling down on them in the lobby.

This is just standard operating procedure for Branson and his minions. Somehow he gets away with paying people $hit wages while his PR machine keeps people thinking he is some kind of second coming. Just look at the news rack, you almost always see that jack ass grinning from the cover of some magazine while doing something cool and adventurous.

All the while his employees have to go on government assistance because they can't make ends meet.

This from someone who worked for Ornstein?

Pot meet kettle.

 

[sitnresrv]

Um, did someone get turned down by Virgin America? And having worked for or currently with Mesa gives you the authority and expert opinion to judge other pilots decision making how?

 

[big shacks]

That's hilarious!!!! a Mesa dude complaining about low balling

 

[Ralph Cramden]

So basically 2/3 of your pay goes to paying the hotel. Nice! Why can't companies just play nice and treat people like they want them there? For most of us it is not our first rodeo and not getting a wage enough to live on is getting old.

Hotels are paid for out of domicile. My last carriers never paid for hotels IN domicile either. If investing a few $$ for a crash pad in training and during the few reserve months is beneath you then stay where you are.

 

[thunderworm]

Isn't there 3 bases? I thought that until you finished training you wouldn't have a base therefore the company would put you up during training. Every other company I have worked for did. I don't know what to say about your last sentence. I think the topic of taking it in the shorts financially has been covered. It is up to the individual to do what is best for themselves. I just wish that we all as a group realized what we are worth.

 

[Chairman]

Isn't there 3 bases? I thought that until you finished training you wouldn't have a base therefore the company would put you up during training. Every other company I have worked for did. I don't know what to say about your last sentence. I think the topic of taking it in the shorts financially has been covered. It is up to the individual to do what is best for themselves. I just wish that we all as a group realized what we are worth.

UAL didn't put anyone up at that was over 6 weeks and there pay was less to start. Not saying its right but they are not the only one!

 

[hyflyin]

Isn't there 3 bases? I thought that until you finished training you wouldn't have a base therefore the company would put you up during training. Every other company I have worked for did. I don't know what to say about your last sentence. I think the topic of taking it in the shorts financially has been covered. It is up to the individual to do what is best for themselves. I just wish that we all as a group realized what we are worth.[/QUOT

JFK, LAX,IAD all fairly senior. You will definitely be based in SFO.

As for what we are worth, there is definitely a movement within. Some are waiting to see what happens, if the company will do what is "right" (companies words) in regards to pay come next year. If anything happened now in regards to any kind of organization than you can kiss all incentive, pay, etc... goodbye for at least 4 yrs. We all know we are "worth" more, but now is not the time. Next year may bring something different. Most have been this rodeo before, but now is not the time to move.

 

[thunderworm]

I wish you all the best in improving your compensation. I did not know that united did the same thing. Is putting yourself up during training common? If so, looks like sucking it up might be the only choice for one who chooses to. Until the pilots have the pull again. If they ever did? FWIW I think VA might be a good place to work with tremendous uptick. Hopefully they can position themselves in regards to pay and benefits to be a place that pilots will be knocking their doors down, even in a good economy. Not just the one that happens to be hiring at the time. Time will tell and unfortunately my I had to hock my crystal ball to pay the bills.

 

[Mud]

Oh... and you get to dress up and look like a black jack dealer from the Hooters Casino in LAS.

I'm so tired of this. At first I hated the Johnny Cash look too (particularly without the shoulder stripes). Now years later I wouldn't trade it. In fact none of us would, we took a vote and decided to keep it. Not a week goes by that I don't hear a compliment about our appearance from someone. No hat, no tie to screw with. You splatter cofee on yourself and no one knows. No pit stains, easy to "re-shirt" on overnights. Soft and comfortable. Soon we are fixing the pockets to a more standard configuration which will be better. And we are recognized now so the strangeness factor is no longer really valid. Leather jackets in the winter, it's a great uniform.

I agree Delta looks sharp too, as well as other traditional looks, but I've worn enough fancy jackets and hats to have gotten over it. Functional and comfortable is the way to go.

 

[pilotpm]

I agree Delta looks sharp too, as well as other traditional looks, but I've worn enough fancy jackets and hats to have gotten over it. Functional and comfortable is the way to go.

I'll second that motion. I am way over ties and hats. I'll take our comfortable uniform any day.

 

[NEDude]

Oh... and you get to dress up and look like a black jack dealer from the Hooters Casino in LAS.

I'm so tired of this. At first I hated the Johnny Cash look too (particularly without the shoulder stripes). Now years later I wouldn't trade it. In fact none of us would, we took a vote and decided to keep it. Not a week goes by that I don't hear a compliment about our appearance from someone. No hat, no tie to screw with. You splatter cofee on yourself and no one knows. No pit stains, easy to "re-shirt" on overnights. Soft and comfortable. Soon we are fixing the pockets to a more standard configuration which will be better. And we are recognized now so the strangeness factor is no longer really valid. Leather jackets in the winter, it's a great uniform.

I agree Delta looks sharp too, as well as other traditional looks, but I've worn enough fancy jackets and hats to have gotten over it. Functional and comfortable is the way to go.

I am amazed at all of the fashion police here on FI. The only bad comments I hear are on these message boards. It almost feels more like Queer Eye for the Pilot Guy than an aviation message board.

Personally I like it. Very comfortable.

 

[Tomct]

No because the new UAL is going to double up in LAX...

You mean SKYWEST is going to double.

 

[Tomct]

They want to humiliate and degrade you from the start. That way you will gladly fly a 150 seat jet for RJ wages. Oh... and you get to dress up and look like a black jack dealer from the Hooters Casino in LAS.

I think they should start a human behavior study to see just how much humiliation new hires will take before they quit. Maybe start with having all employees crawl across the threshold of the training center on their hands and knees. Put up a huge picture of Branson smiling down on them in the lobby.

This is just standard operating procedure for Branson and his minions. Somehow he gets away with paying people $hit wages while his PR machine keeps people thinking he is some kind of second coming. Just look at the news rack, you almost always see that jack ass grinning from the cover of some magazine while doing something cool and adventurous.

All the while his employees have to go on government assistance because they can't make ends meet.

Um....Hello....just a Wake up for ya....but in case you don't realize it....YOU WORK FOR MESA!! What a STOOGE!

 

[Midnight Flyer]

What's the deal with none of the Capts wanting to be check airmen. I'm assuming mgmt probably just doesn't want to actually pay crewmembers to be check airman.

I heard that extremely junior fo's are instructing in the sim! WTF

 

[Chairman]

What's the deal with none of the Capts wanting to be check airmen. I'm assuming mgmt probably just doesn't want to actually pay crewmembers to be check airman.

I heard that extremely junior fo's are instructing in the sim! WTF

At UAL all the instructors were FO's whats your point!

 

[Midnight Flyer]

At UAL all the instructors were FO's whats your point!

Don't have a point, but just an honest question. Traditionally most check airman (at least every airline I've worked at) are Captains.