Champion Air Called. Gouge anyone?

[flyingforfood]

Got a call from Champion Air today.

I am very interested but can't find any current info on their interview/lines/work environment. Everything is from 2001. Would love a little plane talk about the company and their current situation. Is it time to floor it, slow down, or stop. If anyone has any light they could shine in my corner, it's much appreciated, thank you.....

 

[flyingforfood]

Anyone? Champion Air, Anyone?

 

[Heavy Set]

Anyone? Champion Air, Anyone?

Good job on the interview - the 727 is a fantastic airplane and you will love flying it. It's a real hotrod. I would conduct a search on this forum and look for other Champion pilots (I know there are a few on these boards). I would then PM them directly. Good luck. So, how many pilots are they hiring? What are the pilot bases - MSP and LAS?

 

[miaboeingcapt]

You probably have checked this out already but just in case check out http://www.willflyforfood.cc for interview gouge. Champion hasn't interviewed anyone for a while, so there isn't anything real recent. It should give you a good idea though. Maybe when your done with your interview you could post an update for the website.

 

[B. Rubble]

Great pilot group. Tough place to work early on if you have a family.
Intl. Supplemental and sports charters do not combine to make a
friendly schedule. As a new hire, expect to be on reserve in; DTW,
STL, or DEN for a long time. No retirement.

Lots of negatives listed, the employees make it as great place to work.

Former CHA Captain, furloughed major airline.

 

[Thedude]

Do a quick search on what I wrote about the company earlier. I have no idea what the interviews will be like due to the fact we have new managment running the place and I am sure that the process has changed.
Don't plan on making F/O for at least a couple of years.

 

[flyingforfood]

Thanks to all for your input, it's much appreciated....

 

[Heavy Set]

Great pilot group. Tough place to work early on if you have a family.
Intl. Supplemental and sports charters do not combine to make a
friendly schedule. As a new hire, expect to be on reserve in; DTW,
STL, or DEN for a long time. No retirement.

Lots of negatives listed, the employees make it as great place to work.

Former CHA Captain, furloughed major airline.

Can you give some examples of international supplemental charters? Are we talking Cancun or Punta Cana trips? Do the Champ 727s have any FMS equipment or are they standard analog? Lastly, do all newhires start on the panel or can newhires go directly to the FO seat?

 

[B. Rubble]

Can you give some examples of international supplemental charters? Are we talking Cancun or Punta Cana trips? Do the Champ 727s have any FMS equipment or are they standard analog? Lastly, do all newhires start on the panel or can newhires go directly to the FO seat?

Intl. Supp: Mexico, Caribbean.

Analog, 2 GPS units.

On the panel. No direct entry FO/Captain.
As an FE, expect to be on reserve in; DTW, STL, or DEN for
a long time (1-2 years). No idea on upgrade time; perhaps 3 yrs+.

 

[smellthejeta]

Champion...

Have fun if you do the professional sports charters. I think they have the contract for the Philly 76'ers and the Washington Wizards among others. Flying sports charters is like flying freight -- all sorts of middle of the night runs. Most flying is done after the game, so you will see plenty of 2200 departures and 0300 arrivals. Be happy it ain't Pace, last I knew Pace crews and FA's did their own TSA screening 'cause the company was so cheap.