Big Sky

[psysicx]

Does anybody know if Big Sky is hiring.Looking for the basics pay,schedule,upgrades and benefits.Thanks

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Big Sky is adding cities

Just read in a Dever paper that they are going to fly between some small cities and Denver. They might be adding some pilots.

Metroliners, I believe.

 

[flatspin7]

I had heard something a few weeks back about them getting 1900s from Mesa/Air Midwest, but I dont know if anything came of that.

 

[User546]

I found this information on their website under the employment section - incidentally it looks like they're searching for a new Chief Pilot as well:

Flight Crew
Resumes for flight crew members are being accepted at this time.

Preferred minimum hours:
1500 hours total time
500 hours multi engine time

http://www.bigskyair.com/employment.php

 

[Workin'Stiff]

I had heard something a few weeks back about them getting 1900s from Mesa/Air Midwest, but I dont know if anything came of that.

I'll stand corrected if needed, but Big Sky is owned by MAIR Holdings (also the parent company of Mesaba). There was talk of MAIR replacing the Metros with 1900s due to the economics of the Metro. However, haven't heard much about it lately. So they should not have received anything from Mesa or Air Midwest due to ownership..

 

[Bryan D]

From the Big Sky web site;

Big Sky Airlines Announces Fleet Modernization Program
January 26, 2005
Big Sky Transportation Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of MAIR Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAIR) today announced that Big Sky Airlines will begin a fleet modernization program through the introduction of Beechcraft B1900D aircraft. Big Sky expects to begin flying the B1900D aircraft during March 2005. The current fleet of Fairchild Metro aircraft will be retired during the remainder of 2005.

Big Sky Airlines will lease 10 B1900D aircraft from Mesa Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: MESA) of Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft are currently operated by its subsidiary, Air Midwest, Inc.

The true stand-up-and-walk-through cabin of the Beech 1900D offers 19 passengers exceptional head, shoulder and leg room – not to mention a window and aisle seat wrapped into one. And because it’s a turboprop, the 1900D provides reliable, comfortable and efficient service.

“Big Sky is looking forward to the benefits that our customers will experience the first time they ride on one of our B1900D aircraft,” said Craig Denney, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This is an exciting time for Big Sky and the communities we serve. We plan to initiate service between Sheridan, Wyoming and both Denver and Billings, on April 3, 2005 with B1900D aircraft." The Sheridan, Wyoming route was recently awarded to Big Sky under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Essential Air Service Program.

Denney said, “We will announce our schedules and fares for our new Sheridan service in the near future.” He added, “Our entire workforce is excited to be participating in the fleet modernization program, it is truly a momentous time for Big Sky.” About Big Sky Transportation Co.
Big Sky Airlines serves 18 cities in Montana, North Dakota, Idaho and Washington. On February 5th, the company will begin service to Portland, Oregon and on April 3rd will begin service to both Sheridan, Wyoming and Denver, Colorado. All flights are currently operated with 19 seat Fairchild Metro aircraft. Big Sky Airlines operates as a code sharing and frequent flier program partner with Alaska/Horizon Airlines, Northwest Airlines and America West Airlines, which allows our customers the convenience of traveling with one ticket, through baggage checking and economical through fares to destinations throughout the world.

 

[88_MALIBU]

Interesting...

 

[millhouse21]

Wow, a fleet modernization = getting Beech 1900s. That's impressive. Not flamin', I'm just sayin'...

 

[EatSleepFly]

Wow, a fleet modernization = getting Beech 1900s. That's impressive. Not flamin', I'm just sayin'...

Sayin' what? Jets would hardly be an efficient "modernization" in this case, would they?

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

It makes sense....

Interesting...

Air midwest pilots are being filtered in to the MESA system. Now there are excess pilots and planes. Big Sky can upgrade from the Metroliner to the B1900D and Mesa gets rid of some props.

A side note: I have seen a lot of Mesa pilots getting terminated at the 9-month mark in the sim. It sure seems fishy to me that now there is an excess of pilots and many pilots are having problems in the sim before coming off of probation. Resign or your fired. The pilot resigns and Jonny O. doesn't have to furlough, provide COBRA benefits, or pay unemployment benefits for 6 to 12 months. Any comments?

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Glad to see that MAIR is modernizing Big Sky... *cough cough* Should be cuttin' a losing proposition loose. Mesaba's profit should not be funding a Big Sky deficit...In my humble opinion....

 

[SDCFI]

Glad to see that MAIR is modernizing Big Sky... *cough cough* Should be cuttin' a losing proposition loose. Mesaba's profit should not be funding a Big Sky deficit...In my humble opinion....

I thought most of Big Sky's routes were EAS, so Mesaba shouldn't be losing any money with them. Could be wrong though.

psysicx - according to airlinepilotpay.com F/O's start at around $1500 a month @ min guarantee...before taxes of course. Not much to live off of, even in Montana. No idea on upgrade times, but their captain pay isn't anything to write home about either.

 

[Napoleon TNT]

I thought most of Big Sky's routes were EAS, so Mesaba shouldn't be losing any money with them. Could be wrong though.

EAS does not guarantee profits, only guarantees 'X' dollar amounts if the airline services the specific airport a minimum amount of flights a day, within specific times. (ex: EAS does not permit an airline to have flights offered ONLY at 3 am)

If an airline wants to bid a $2,500 subsidy contract for airport service for 12 months, they are well within their rights to do so. That's how you can lose money on the deal.

 

[Napoleon TNT]

The large reason for the switch to the 1900's was due to the GroundProx/TAWS requirements later this year.

The cost to rig the Metro's with TAWS would be inefficient compared to changing of fleet type.

 

[Workin'Stiff]

EAS does not guarantee profits, only guarantees 'X' dollar amounts if the airline services the specific airport a minimum amount of flights a day, within specific times. (ex: EAS does not permit an airline to have flights offered ONLY at 3 am)

If an airline wants to bid a $2,500 subsidy contract for airport service for 12 months, they are well within their rights to do so. That's how you can lose money on the deal.

Sort of... The can bid whatever they want to. However, once the government awards the contract, they go into a negotiating phase where they must substantiate their bid with internal financial documents proving that bid to be a legitimate number.

According to the latest annual SEC filing for MAIR Holdings, Mesaba made $13.7 million and Big Sky lost $1.9 million. With Mesaba being the largest income at MAIR, Mesaba is indirectly financing a losing proposition with Big Sky.

 

[MoroniMetro]

When is Wasabe going to quite complaining 'bout Big Sky aye. I don't think any Big Sky pilots voted for a 19 seat scope clause. Who cares if they loose money, it's the tax payers and not MAIR, they get to write it off for God's sake. Quite crying about the whipsaw, and stand up for your own contract before you start worrying about the financial woes of another carrier.

 

[Mel Sharples]

When is Wasabe going to quite complaining 'bout Big Sky aye.

We will quit complaining about Big Sky when they get sold or finally start MAKING money.

I don't think any Big Sky pilots voted for a 19 seat scope clause.

I think this argument is rapidly going downhill, but I'll try anyway... Mesaba pilots are not, I repeat NOT, mad at Big Sky pilots. We wish them nothing but the best. We are mad that our holding company took our company money to buy an airline that keeps "losing" (notice only one "o") money since we bought it. Everyone is losing in this deal including the Big Sky pilots. We have no ill will toward them.

Who cares if they loose money, it's the tax payers and not MAIR, they get to write it off for God's sake. Quite crying about the whipsaw, and stand up for your own contract before you start worrying about the financial woes of another carrier.

Okay, Einstein... Time for an education. MAIR Holdings owns Big Sky. They took the money they made with Mesaba Airlines and bought Big Sky. Big Sky continues to lose money. They have mostly (if not all) EAS markets but they are not turning a profit. EAS does not equal profit.

I don't know what tax law you read but they can't just "write it off" on the taxes, either. Money lost is money lost.

We are mad at our own holding company, not the Big Sky pilots.

If you worked your butt off to get money for your family and then your parents gave it away to your little brother who lost it gambling, wouldn't you be pissed? I'm not saying what Big Sky is doing is gambling but they sure as heck aren't making money. And you can thank MAIR for that. Until MAIR wakes up and either sells Big Sky or tries to do something to turn a profit, we all lose.

 

[Dodge]

Mesaba Holdings loses around a cool million a quarter on the Billings Experiment. That is not taxpayers' monies, geniuses, but MAIR shareholders' monies.

I guess a losing a million a quarter is better than paying your own pilots competitive wages.

 

[flap operator]

One cannot polish a turd... but they're sure trying. I think by aquiring 1900s they're preparing for a sale, in addition to avoiding the EGPWS upgrades. A sale of BigSky to rid MAIR of it, would be a welcome transacton. Unless of course, MAIR sells both BigSky and Mesaba. Or MAIR sells BigSky to Pinnacle to screw both our pilot groups. There are a thousand senarios, most of which will not benefit us, the pilot group.

Just my pessimism resurfacing. I've recently been to DTW and have to go back there soon.


FO

 

[Workin'Stiff]

Just my pessimism resurfacing. I've recently been to DTW and have to go back there soon.


FO

All true words....

-W

 

[100LL... Again!]

Sharples:

No extra "o"?? You a cheapskate?

Bwahaha!

 

[LAXSaabdude]

Sharples:

No extra "o"?? You a cheapskate?

Bwahaha!

Now THAT's funny!

loose/lose, my biggest spelling pet peeve.

LAXSaabdude.