Flight Options Interview/Questions

[Mason]

I have an interview with FLOPS in the near future. I've read most all of the doom and gloom on this board so before everyone starts telling me that I'm an idiot for showing interest, I'd like to get some feedback. There are pros and cons associated and for me the pros are:

Type rating
Able to relocate to a desirable location
Better pay

Cons: Flex schedule (how long are can you expect to be on this)
Long upgrade
QOL issues, everything that I've read on this board has been a negative
rant so I'd like to know if any current employees have anything positive to say.

I don't know yet whether or not I'll take the job if it is offered, I'm sure I'll get more info once the interview is over.

What do you guys think? The type and ATP are fairly strong incentives that I believe would greatly improve opportunities if things really started to implode.

Have at it!

 

[On Your Six]

I have an interview with FLOPS in the near future. I've read most all of the doom and gloom on this board so before everyone starts telling me that I'm an idiot for showing interest, I'd like to get some feedback. There are pros and cons associated and for me the pros are:

Type rating
Able to relocate to a desirable location
Better pay

Cons: Flex schedule (how long are can you expect to be on this)
Long upgrade
QOL issues, everything that I've read on this board has been a negative
rant so I'd like to know if any current employees have anything positive to say.

I don't know yet whether or not I'll take the job if it is offered, I'm sure I'll get more info once the interview is over.

What do you guys think? The type and ATP are fairly strong incentives that I believe would greatly improve opportunities if things really started to implode.

Have at it!

Just curious... How long would you estimate for a newhire to upgrade going forward (with the high attrition) and what's the likelihood that a newhire will go to the Beechjet vs. the Hawker 800XP or the X? Also, are any of the XPs Collins equipped (XP-Cs)?

 

[KSUPILOT]

run for your life! You will neer upgrade. Well there is a faint oppurtunity right when the doors are getting chained down and the desperately need you.

 

[minimums]

New Hires

New hires will most likely go into the beechjet (400XP) or a slim chance for the Hawker 800XP. Do not expect the Cit X or the Legacy, these are higher seniority seats, even as a co-pilot.

Expect the upgrade to be a minimum of 5 years, that is what is currently taking place, maybe longer. However, attrition is occuring at an exponential rate, so maybe not that long.

No one really knows about the flex schedule. Rumor has it as a 21 day schedule with a guarantee of 9 hard days off in a row. Scheduling will call you out for a minimum of 4 days out or up to 8 days out followed by a few days off (3 or more). This is the rumor as I have heard it.

The type rating and ATP would be valuable in today's market, however, expect to sign a year training contract for the type. If you leave early, you will pay a pro-rated amount to the company. Types cost around $12k from what we are told to give you an idea.

There are pro's and con's to the company and the pilot group is in the midst of an organizing campaign.

I suggest you form your own opinion. Go to the interview, ask MANY questions and form your decision from that. Only YOU are familiar with your situation and you will have to do what's best for you in regards to taking a job if offered.

You may like it or you may not. Fractional flying is similiar to charter and you will fly a lot and look forward to your days off.

Just ask questions & good luck.

 

[FISHINGOR]

Up Grade In 5 Years, Only I Wish. I Have 5 Years Here And Maybe 2-3 More For Upgrade. With The Pay Scale What Ever Aircraft You Get In Beginning Is The Best Bet, Stay There And You Get Pay Rises. You Move Between Aircraft And You Get Locked Into Paying For Your Type Rating Because You Get Held At Same Pay For 1-2 Years. Over A Career You Will Pay For Every Type You Get At Flops.

 

[Doug Parker]

Is Swift still flying all of your CX's ???

What happened to the chick that took out 2 Legacies ???

 

[On Your Six]

Is Swift still flying all of your CX's ???

What happened to the chick that took out 2 Legacies ???

Good question. Have many FLOPS pilots actually transferred over to the X? Which aircraft did they tend to fly before - the CL601, F50, etc. (higher seniority aircraft)? How many X's are expected on the property by the end of 2005 and into the future?

 

[minimums]

tit for tat

Up Grade In 5 Years, Only I Wish. I Have 5 Years Here And Maybe 2-3 More For Upgrade.

Notice I said a "minimum" of 5 years, maybe longer.

We are operating 1 Citation X with our crews. I am not sure how many X's we have or will have. It all depends on sales, the economy, etc.

Most of our larger cabin guys, ie, Challenger, F-50, etc. are either going to the X & Legacy or to the Hawker. It all depends on seniority.

The Legacy cruncher is still employeed, probably in line for promotion from what we hear about her. Honestly, don't know, but she is still here.

 

[guido411]

New hires will most likely go into the beechjet (400XP) or a slim chance for the Hawker 800XP. Do not expect the Cit X or the Legacy, these are higher seniority seats, even as a co-pilot.

I've seen the company do many low life things, but I can't see them hiring a new guy into the Hawker when there are many guys in the BJ, CJ, and King Air that have ther bids in right now. I'd expect to see some member of management lynched in the CGF parking lot if that happened, so expect the BJ. I would assume that it would be into the "new" Beechjet program so if it makes a person feel better, go ahead and call it a Hawker.

Also, for Mason, you said "able to relocate to a desirable location" was a pro. WTF do you mean by that? Are you convincing yourself that since the company is making the next hire-ons be from ATL that it's a desireable place? The allure of this job used to be that you could live ANYWHERE you wanted, not relocate to ATL or BNA. Just curious what you mean by what you said.

When asked by anybody how I like my job, I tell them my JOB is great, I love the type of flying we do and where we go and it even gives me a little satisfatcion when we do a good job of ratifying schedulings FUBARs. But the constant uncertainty and fear that comes from each new email from "Corporate Communications" makes me realize this is far from a career.

One more thing, don't think that a type rating is going to save you if "things implode". If things implode that puts probably more than 500 typed BE40 pilots on the street. What can you do that sets you apart from 500 other people with the same credentials? Don't come here unless you're convinced FLOPs will survive. If we fold we are ALL in deep $hit.

 

[Mason]

Also, for Mason, you said "able to relocate to a desirable location" was a pro. WTF do you mean by that? Are you convincing yourself that since the company is making the next hire-ons be from ATL that it's a desireable place? The allure of this job used to be that you could live ANYWHERE you wanted, not relocate to ATL or BNA. Just curious what you mean by what you said.

ATL is where I want to be