Need 411 on Empire Air

[blingair]

This is from a well respected, intelligent, senior Captain who has worked his rear off. I agree that it was a very good company but over the past year or two a few key individuals, who for some reason, don't seem to care for the pilot group have eroded moral to ground level (we are now on a points system that reduces how many days off a month a pilot gets which has forced many pilots to quit their second jobs). The upside is the pilots have been working very hard to form a Pilot Group to ensure mutual success for everyone in the company but seems to be fighting a uphill battle. But regardless we keep hope and a positive attitude that Empire can regain what it has lost. I only say these things to be open and honest with those who are looking to come here and to give accurate information so you can make an informed, long term decision.

 

[Lionofzion]

i know that they will pass people over for upgrade when they see fit . i have been passed over and have witnessed others. the thing in cwa was the more senior didn't have the hours at time of bid but was told that it was the hours at time of triaining that counted which he would have that is why it is messed up. my guess is that it gets the company out of having to pay for a move. this company used to be nice now it is a hole that i wish no one would come to so it could just die. it is a 135 operator with a 121 certificate. as far as training contracts changing the terms of the contract at will vilotes and deems contract viod by doing so. so if you whant don't pay it and i know of a laywer who would love to take the case. this bothers me that they think they can do that stuff. and it kinda bothers me that people stick up for a company that screws their brothers over.

Don't go there it will cost you! During your interview ask them why empirees CFO left and went over to Mountain Air Cargo.

 

[thunderworm]

i don't think he left on his own accord. but at least he is with a better company. blingair is totally right that the group has worked very hard to get where they are at and it is a very uphile battle that dosen't need others trying to push them back down. i hope they are able to accomplish what they seek out to do. that point system really sucks. why can't they just give us time off like every other job out there that includes non aviation. soon it will be if you aren't working then you are not getting paid or on reserve. but all this will contiue if peole keep whoreing themselves out to who ever will take them. it is borderline pft. this seems to be the case in the industry, now as things shift towards the pilots hopefully people will start asking to be treated more like people rather than someone to exploit to make a profit. that is my opion i know others have varying opions as they have had different experiences. so maybe i went there but htere isn't much else that can be done to make it worse.

 

[fokkers&beer]

Wow it does look like stuff has gotten worse over there. My wife and I went out for drinks with DB in dispatch, and she said you guys were working your tails off, sorry.
I always said, if you are so miserable in your job it is time to leave. My time was two summers ago. And I must thank Mr Gibb for giving me my motivation. It sounds like I would even be more miserable if I would have stayed. I do look back at my time there and it was alot of fun. Like when Mr Trippe threw up at the Sand Bar, and beers with Mr Sharted, and Mr Bling. That was a pretty fun summer up there.

 

[blingair]

Less than ideal working conditions which has spawned a mass exodus (3 this month, 5 slated for next month, which IMO could cause us to park A/C and put our contract in jeapordy) coupled with an improving job market is creating a very heavy work load for us pilots which makes our current problems even worse.
As for leaving, I'm not a fair weather employee and I refuse to leave my friends/coworkers/brothers/sisters in a bad spot. When I interviewed I told my bosses that I would be here through thick and thin and I have. I've seen this company when it was top notch and I won't leave until it's back to that level and will do what it takes to get it back there. I'll leave when I can tell my future employer that I was a proud Empire pilot and a member of the best dam pilot group that ever walked this earth (or at least puked at the Sandbar, Juneau, Republic of Alaska).

 

[atr42flyer]

hey bling whos all leaving and from what base. sounds like i left in the nic of time

 

[thunderworm]

check out the sweet hoff

 

[Schicer]

Perry went to Mountain Air? WTF

 

[fokkers&beer]

The Hoff kind of freaks me out. Have you ever heard an interview with him? He actually said that Night Rider was serious acting.

 

[thunderworm]

maybe kit was doing some serious acting. but he did give us baywatch and the slow motion swimsuit running.