All,
In an attempt to make this thread three pages long, I have another question about lifestyle at EJA.
As far as the schedules go, it looks like basically, you are on 7/7 or a more typical 3, 4, 5 or 6 on, then any number of days off, for a total of 17 days of duty. So, is there any way, without vacation, to every get more than 13 or 14 days off a month?
<Bid a "low work load aircraft" like the VII, Falcon, or BBJ.
You will spend some tours at home in the bullpen.
Also, stay away from CMH or major eastern city gateway bases.
West Coasties work much less. The X and the Ultra are
the hardest workers here. The Excel is picking up, too.>
Second, do you get per diem once on the line, or is it all considered "company paid" via reimbursement of your credit card. If it is the latter, does this work out like clockwork or is there tedium involved?
< You make 38.40 per day while on the road. While flying the
company buys your food (usually) so it's yours to keep.
You are reimbursed each pay day. Expense reports take about
2 weeks to clear. Some people have had problems, but in
four years I never had. Just be logical and clear on your
expense report and mail it in the day your tour ends.>
Lastly, when you start a run of duty days, do you always get assigned on day one? I imagine not, but have there ever, historically, been lulls in the middle of a trip?
< Usually, once out, you stay out. If you have a lull, you're waiting
in a hotel on per diem, or at the FBO. CMH crews sometimes
return mid-tour to swap a/c, but it's rare.>
Thanks so much for your replies in advance. I really am starting to salivate over this company.
As for the hiring of low-time pilots scenario: that, if I were at a company where upgrades were happening at such a rapid pace, would greatly concern me. It is one thing if you know a pilot was going to sit in the right seat for at least two years, but another to think they might be forced in to situations for which they really don't have the flight experience to make judiciuos decisions. Perhaps there would be a built-in "no upgrade until . . ." clause built in, but, then I don't see how that would benefit a company with such explosive growth in its future. But, logic usually never prevails.
charley varrick
