Island Air

[B727FE]

I have an interview coming up with Island Air. I know it's pretty spendy to live in Hawaii, does anyone know how a guy makes it on starting pay. Is it worth the $2000.00 that it's going to take to get me there and back for the interview?

 

[B190Captain]

2000 bucks! How are you going? First Class?

 

[jenga]

I dropped approx. $1200 (airfare-nonreving for a 135 guy is pretty tough- attire upgrades, 3 nts. accomodations, food, rental car, etc.) last June when I interviewed there. I could've done it a little cheaper(maybe under a grand) but I also wanted to enjoy a little island time.

I got hired and am still in the pool. If my, and other's calculations are correct, there are still anywhere from 25-50 ppl in the pool. I wonder what IA's plans are for the rest of the year? I have not a clue. May I ask when your interview is?

I'm still on the mainland, waiting for a class date so I couldn't suggest any means of supplementing your starting pay at IA. I can however offer my opinion on whether it's worth it or not.

I think if you just want to obtain any reg'l job, or just any fly job, then it's not worth it. Yet, if living in and flying in HI, and being able to take advantage of all the things that the islands have to offer is important to you, then by all means, IMO, it's well worth it. I can't wait.

 

[Freight Dog]

As a former Island Air guy, I can tell you that it was the best decision I've ever made. Sure, first year FO pay was tough. No doubt about that. However, with your flight time, upgrade should be pretty quick especially if Aloha keeps hiring. By quick, I'm talking getting typed right out of initial training and upgrading you within 6 months to left seat.

Secondly, Island Air is a great shoe-in to Aloha if this is where you'd like to go. Aloha is probably one of the best-kept secrets in the industry.

Thirdly, if you are into ocean activities, and year-long summer lifestyle, if you want to be home every night, you are absolutely gonna love it here. If you want seasons, or if you have to be able to get in a car and be able to go for a long drive across state lines, don't like the ocean, you won't be happy here.

Basically it boils down to what you are looking for in an airline.


Good luck!

 

[AZaviator]

FO Salary

I"m just curious how it is/was living on 1st year FO salary at Island Air? According to their website, you'll earn approximately $17k your first year there. Is that accurate? How do people live in Honolulu on that kind of salary? Is there housing there that cheap? I'd really like to apply there but after seeing the pay, I have no idea how I could live on that salary in Hawaii. Just curious what other people have done.

 

[Freight Dog]

You get roommates, you learn where to shop so you don't pay the tourist prices, you're set.

Secondly, HNL is actually cheaper than SoCal in many ways, not to mention cheaper than the Bay area. The prices of living have skyrocketed on the West Coast whereas here they've remained constant.

Another thing you don't have to worry about here is shopping for winter clothes. You wanna dress up? Khaki dockers and aloha shirt are considered dressing up.

It's not nearly as bad as people make it out to be.

 

[Sleepyhead]

Freight Dog is correct, once you are in HI you can live pretty much just like any other large city in the USA. However, some other things to consider. It will cost you some money to move.
Island does not provide tranportation to ground school.
You will have to have a place to live for a least a few days until you can find a room. There is no Motel 6, so best thing you can do is find a cheap place in Waikiki, lowest I saw was $45/night (might be higher in the high season).
You will need a car. To ship one from the west coast, approx $900. If not, you will have to buy one, =more money.
Yes there is a good bus system in HI, but on reserve you have a one hour call out.
Just some things to keep in mind.

 

[islandhopper]

Freight Dog is correct, once you are in HI you can live pretty much just like any other large city in the USA. However, some other things to consider. It will cost you some money to move.
Island does not provide tranportation to ground school.
You will have to have a place to live for a least a few days until you can find a room. There is no Motel 6, so best thing you can do is find a cheap place in Waikiki, lowest I saw was $45/night (might be higher in the high season).
You will need a car. To ship one from the west coast, approx $900. If not, you will have to buy one, =more money.
Yes there is a good bus system in HI, but on reserve you have a one hour call out.
Just some things to keep in mind.

Or you can rent out my old abandoned car at the end of lagoon drive for $50 a month. (dang thing just quit one day) Then all you need is a skateboard or thumb it down to WP ops for your first year on reserve. No food no problem... killer fishing is available right in front of the parking lot. I will let you borrow my crab nets with three month commitment.

 

[AQ PILOT]

'three month committment'....that's classic....

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Just to give you an idea of what you'll need to live off of through training, I started class on March 17th and as of yesterday (23 May) have been paid a total of $2,542.00 plus about $400.00 for per diem while in SEA for sims. One can see you'll need some cash on hand to allow you to get settled and to get you through training. Freight Dog posted a good thread on living on the cheap about a year ago, so you might do a search. Two guys in our class made the move from the mainland and seem to be surviving okay and both seem very happy about their choice. Also, contrary to what others say, there is more tail out here than you can shake a stick at. Any Leykis 101 student will do well (if you like little brown girls), but Poindexter will be just as lonely here as anywhere else.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Oh yeah, TAXES

Of that $2,542.00, $431.83 went to the tax man,so I only took home $2110.

 

[AQ PILOT]

Poindexter?

So that's my problem....dang! I thought i could blame it on all the women being taken....

Agreed on the cost of living. It really isn't that bad out here. The initial move is tough but after that it isn't too bad....

 

[islandhopper]

Just to give you an idea of what you'll need to live off of through training, I started class on March 17th and as of yesterday (23 May) have been paid a total of $2,542.00 plus about $400.00 for per diem while in SEA for sims. One can see you'll need some cash on hand to allow you to get settled and to get you through training. Freight Dog posted a good thread on living on the cheap about a year ago, so you might do a search. Two guys in our class made the move from the mainland and seem to be surviving okay and both seem very happy about their choice. Also, contrary to what others say, there is more tail out here than you can shake a stick at. Any Leykis 101 student will do well (if you like little brown girls), but Poindexter will be just as lonely here as anywhere else.

Oh tell the truth, you are sharing a $19.95 a day U-haul with another FO and you use it is a daily driver, sleeping accomodations and storage. What a deal! I seen you parked in front da shower at Keehi!