Need 411 on Empire Air

[Julybabyee]

I was offered a phone interivew for the F27 in AFW for a captain spot. Is this unusual and if not what are some things to consider?

Not unusual at all. Everyone internally who wants to upgrade and is eligible for upgrade has been contacted and we still have some open captain positions.

The AFW base almost completely nights. We have a hot spare there - the crew is on reserve from 0100z monday night thru 1700z saturday morning - they show hot at the aircraft at 0600z Tuesday - Friday morning. They adhoc up to 3 times a week, but sometimes none at all.

We also run a flight to ICT - departing around 0720z - drop the load in ICT and deadhead back to AFW. This crew is on reserve monday mornings & are put into rest monday afternoon so they can show at 0610z for their flight. This route runs Tues-Fri.

The crew members based in AFW do both the ICT route and hot spare. As for weeks number of weeks on/off - I'm not sure - but keep in mind we are gearing up for peak - where everyone from the CEO to the janitor works their tail off for a few weeks!

Hope this helps!

 

[haulingthemail]

If you live there, do you think it would be a pretty good gig? I'm done the regionals, and now I've flown the big iron. As long as I have a pay check, I don't care what it is I fly, I want to be back in the left seat. Plus I think living only 20 minutes from AFW, I'd be home more. What are your thought?

out of AFW is the run only ICT and MAF?

 

[haulingthemail]

What do they pay you while you are in training? And where do you see the AFW hub in 2,5,10 years?

 

[blingair]

Right - I understand the situation from a couple of years ago - but according to Bling people are upset now because it has happened again- so I made a few calls and learned that it just isnt the case.

Come on man, quote me right or don't quote me at all. I said it was just a rumor albeit from a f/0 that was pretty upset over the situation. Apparently the f/0s that are just short of the time were told that they have until their checkride to be at mins in order to hold the slot and several will/would be but were passed over. And I do think a companies history speaks volumes about it's future.

 

[haulingthemail]

can anyone answer the question about pay for new hire captains while in training?

 

[blingair]

Hey haulin, you get 3/4 of a regular paycheck until you pass your company checkride. Go to airlinepilotcentral.com for the exact number. Good luck with everything.

 

[fokkers&beer]

I miss you guys.

 

[tsky]

And where do you see the AFW hub in 2,5,10 years?

That's hard to say-It all depends on what our customer want us to do. Sometimes a base situation may change depending on freight volumes and misc other factors.

 

[blingair]

Tsky hit it on the head. We are at the whims of our customer so some things stay the same and some things change, rapidly! It's only a guess as to what they may do and for what reason. The Fokker flying is a great position for a person from that area and who has a family, because you're home during the day. But if you are after quick TPIC it would take a while before you got any real time because of the way the route is structured.

Mr. Beers, we watched the Big Lebowski coming back from OAK not too long ago. Made me want a white russian. I'm sad to say that no one goes to Juanita's any more because gringos don't appreciate fine authentic hispanic food.

 

[thunderworm]

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.

 

[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).