Flight Options Interview/Questions

[Frac Rat]

Here are the pros:

Hi Mason, I'm a current FLOPS beechjet guy who's been around for awhile. There are plenty of cons to deal with here, but since you asked for the positives, here they are as I see them:

- typed from day 1
- pay is competitive in the fractional industry
- if you like to live near ATL you won't have to move
- usually more crew meals than you can eat (still free for now)
- if you go to the new aircraft program the equipment is pretty good
- 99% of the folks you fly with will be friendly people who like to fly jets
and have a good time
- you will get lots of good experience flying around in the high density North
East Corridor Toilet Bowl in all kinds of weather
- 401k and dental plan are ok
- plenty of free booze in the stock lockers to help pass those many long
lonely nights in the hotel in BFE

That's all I can think of right now, my head is kind of fuzzy (got to a stock locker today)
Good luck in your aviation career, hope you don't end up in the fractionals for life, but it's a wat to get a typeif you're desperate
the rat

 

[RawData]

Not here

Mason,
You would be better off trying to get on with FlightWorks in Marietta.
Lookie here, I've got 7 types and 15K hrs and came to the former TRavel Air for the QOL. This job cost me many great opportunities during my tenure and I believed what was told to me at the interviews and cut my salary to 1/3 of what I made to make 1/2 of what I made and have been at the same salary for 3 years. And at the bottom 1/3 of the Beechjet Captain's seniority after nearly 5 years.Also I will lose my domicile that was the biggest reason I came to work.
Yea, I'm looking for a job and there are quite a few out there for people with my experience but not in the location I wish to be. This place is no longer for the longhaul or even a shorthaul.
My last FO has been here 2 years and he is 80 from the bottom of the list out of 870 some pilots with no PIC seat in sight for years. He has a wife and kids and a ton of good experience and the capabilities to match.
When it goes down you do not want to have to compete with the crews we have on the street. Find something local, go talk with Scott Beal at Flightworks Not the best money but good people and great experience, they run a good operation and you won't be wondering if you still have a job day to day.
This place is one accident from a shutdown.

 

[FracCapt]

And at the bottom 1/3 of the Beechjet Captain's seniority after nearly 5 years.Also I will lose my domicile that was the biggest reason I came to work.

You may also want to take a look at the new manual they sent to you on CD. Specifically, the section on schedules. It says that we'll be on 8/7, unless the company needs dictate otherwise...and in that case, they'll ask for volunteers, but if there aren't enough, they'll assign the flex schedule by seniority. Those at or near the bottom of the seniority list of each fleet/seat may be in for a rude suprise.

 

[Mason]

Thanks for the feedback. Do the majority of you guys think the company isn't going to make it long haul? That seems to be the vibe I get from some, if so why?

FYI-I was told in a phone interview that upgrades were around 3 years---according to this board that doesn't seem to be the case.

 

[tubelcane]

Mason,

3 year upgrade. Doubt it. My year 2 anniversary is 2 months away, I can't even get in the Hawker right seat. This company will not make it with the current management. They are pissing off the 2 groups of people this company needs to stick around. The pilots, and more importantly the owners. If you want to live in ATL, don't mind signing a training contract, working a flex schedule, and not upgrading for awhile come right in the water is fine. However, the pilots are trying to unionize here. Not working great yet, we have a bunch of kool-aid drinkers. And the owners are leaving faster than pilots are. The poop is about to hit the fan as management is taking away things left and right and as of July 1 its really gonna get ugly. So if you don't mind coming to the most troubled company in the industry, we are the place for you. Otherwise try Citationshares. Quicker upgrade and better pay over there.

 

[On Your Six]

Mason,

3 year upgrade. Doubt it. My year 2 anniversary is 2 months away, I can't even get in the Hawker right seat. This company will not make it with the current management. They are pissing off the 2 groups of people this company needs to stick around. The pilots, and more importantly the owners. If you want to live in ATL, don't mind signing a training contract, working a flex schedule, and not upgrading for awhile come right in the water is fine. However, the pilots are trying to unionize here. Not working great yet, we have a bunch of kool-aid drinkers. And the owners are leaving faster than pilots are. The poop is about to hit the fan as management is taking away things left and right and as of July 1 its really gonna get ugly. So if you don't mind coming to the most troubled company in the industry, we are the place for you. Otherwise try Citationshares. Quicker upgrade and better pay over there.

Good point about Citationshares - and I think ATL is one of their domiciles.

 

[SheGaveMeClap]

Don't plan on getting hired into anything but the Beechjet. Its happened in the past and there was an uprising, they won't make that mistake again.

The upgrade won't be three years. I'm over 3 1/2 years and there's no upgrade in sight. We are talking at least three more years. As they phase out the Citation and King Air fleets, those PICs will filter into the beechjets and take any available upgrade slots. Those fleets won't be completely phased out for three or four more years, so there probably won't be any new bids until then.

As was previously mentioned, management is pissing off the pilots and owners. If the owners leave, this company will tank. Pilots leaving is a given, its a mass exodus right now. I haven't met a pilot in four months that's not actively looking for another job. Higher Power is getting great business from us.

I won't even get started with the flex schedule. They make it to be advantageous for the pilots, but it won't happen. They find a way to screw up the 8/7 sked, they will have a hayday with a flex sked. Its ridiculus.

Good luck with the interview, if that's what you really want. I wouldn't recommend this job to my worst enemies.

 

[FAcFriend]

do you think if the co folds the pilots will be assimilated into nja

 

[Frac Daddy]

Thanks for the feedback. Do the majority of you guys think the company isn't going to make it long haul? That seems to be the vibe I get from some, if so why?

FYI-I was told in a phone interview that upgrades were around 3 years---according to this board that doesn't seem to be the case.

Who told you 3 years for upgrade?

 

[Frac Daddy]

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.

I gotta ask: I have been here just over 5 years ago as well and have been captain for four of them. There are also many junior to me that are PIC as well. Why do you see 2-3 more years to upgrade for you? Are you waiting for the Hawker? No flame, just curious.