Era

[EX_CV580FR8Dawg]

Anyword on if they are back to hiring and if they still have the 580s in operation or what. Last I heard, they were getting phased- out

Thanks!

 

[Two Feathers]

There are only two CV580's left and they're scheduled to retire sometime in 2004 if I remeber correctly. Hiring outlook is poor and all newhires (about 4 in the last 2 years) have been internal pickups from the ramp.

 

[Q200_FO]

Era? Yeah right...

I'm from Anchorage and I tried to get on with Era while I was still CFI'ing. The last thing I heard was that you HAVE TO, and I mean have to work on the ramp for at least 6 months making a whopping $6 an hour just to get a right seat in the twin otter for $8 an hour. I know people who have worked there and left. That was a while ago and things may have changed, but I am glad they ignored my resume. I think they have lot's of people working the ramp right now waiting for hiring to start again. So I wouldn't keep my hopes up for Era too much. Sorry if I seem so negative but that's how it is. I don't believe in blowing sunshine up people's a$$ just to make them feel good.

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Hey guys!

Well just as Q200_FO J. stated, its pretty tough! Pay is about $10 on hr on the ramp, and your basically taking a pay cut for the TwOtter.

I have been working for there a little while, and can say there are a ton of rampers who have all their ratings together and are ready to fly, most of them are in their late 20's and early 30's! Quite brutal isn't it!

I'm staying there untill I get my CFI's, if I don't get on by then, I will go the CFI route.

Some say possibly some hiring in Jan. or so? Who knows?????

 

[r1830]

Working the ramp for them is a small price to pay considering they will hire with just a Commercial Multi Certificate and a minimum number of hours. Era hasn't changed their hiring strategy. They have always taken pilots from within the company first(unless they totally slack off)or there is not enough wannabes to fill the class. In the current job market working the ramp for an airline is a as good a place as any to start. At least that is a foot in the door so to speak and your not changing tires at an autoshop like a friend of mine that got furloughed from another airline. Take the time to talk with some of the pilots and learn about the airplane and company operations. When the time comes, hard work will be rewarded. In the current maket, it takes a little determination and perserverance and is probably more about who you know than what you know.

As for the Convairs. Three were sold in the spring of 2003 and I think the other two will operate until spring 2005.

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Era just had a class of 6 a month ago go through GS, 4 are finishing up IOE or already flying. THe other 2 should be put through the flight training some time soon.

In my understanding if you keep a positive attitude and show motivation, and have your Comm/Multi ' you pretty much have the job.
I think this route is MUCH MUCH better than CFIing, at least you get a check every two weeks and it doesn't jump up and down.
There is always the option of jumping ship to another carrier once you get some time in the TwOtter, its 121 time afterall.

Anybody have some positive info about moving on to other carriers from Era? Maybe QX or SKW, CMR?