North American Phone Interview?

[reepicheep]

I have a message to call them back for what I assume is some sort of phone interview. I've searched and there's not much info on here about them lately...any info would be appreciated.

Do you still have to live within 4 hours of JFK?

 

[Lumber Yak]

North American is an interesting operation. It operates two new 767-300s, 5-6 757s and I think 3-4 737-800s (look at its website for confirmation). The rumor is that North American was funded by the CIA because the founder use to fly U2s - I am not sure that is true - but it is a good rumor. I understand NA flies a lot of MAC charters internationally as well as some scheduled service - both independent and in support of EL AL - an investor. Check out the website for more info.

I've seen their new 767s at JFK - nice airplanes!!!!!


Good luck

 

[ScaReal]

NA

This is second hand also, but I believe the 4 hour rule is still in effect. Their fleet is now made of 757's and 767's and the 76's are indeed doing a lot of mac flying.......the friend i have there is essentially gone if he's on duty..........the 73's are gone (as a matter of fact, Sun Country is getting one of them)..........and I believe they were actually started by some ex-EAL 75 pilots.......the connection to El Al is true, it's one of the reasons they've managed to stay healthy.....good luck.

 

[reepicheep]

I talked to North American today...here's the deal:

They were able pick up some ex-National 757's on extremely attractive terms. North American are departing from their past practice here and took the airplanes without specifically having the flying lined up for them to do. They are hoping to find enough flying to keep them busy and maybe enough to take on some more 75's.

As a result they have a need for about 30 f.o's. The catch is they would be hired on as part-time employees with the hope of transitioning to full-time, but no guarantees. They would likely be based in OAK so they no longer require you to live within 4 hours from JFK. In fact they have already hired some ex-National types who live in LAS and LAX.

If you have flown the 757, preferably within the last 12 months but up to 24 months ago, then this could be a good opportunity if you live out west. As I said though, it's part time for now.

 

[ACWild]

Who did you talk to at North American?
The last I heard, we are looking at buying 2 767s, one to replace our oldest 757. That would make our fleet 4 767s and 3 757s. Things change so fast here that anything is possible.
I also haven't heard anything about hiring part time pilots. The word is that we are going to hire 2 to 3 pilots a month until the end of next year.
The Oakland expansion is for Sun Trips. We are starting Hawaii service in January.
This is a very conservative company. They would never buy any planes unless they have a solid contract that practically guarantees that they will make money.
With National going under, they are taking advantage of hiring all those qualified 757 guys since it's cheaper to train them.
We have alot of fun flying here. We have a 67 hour guarantee. Anything over is time and a half. IOs, get an extra 10 and change an hour too.
Anyone coming from a commuter will love this place. The old timers keep telling me that this place was great to work at, but now it's not as good. Personally, I love this place. It's really one of the best kept secrets.

 

[bigboeings]

I agree with you AC I heard the same thing last weekend. I heard we were getting rid of 750 and getting two 76's. Also heard the part about 30-40 new fo's. I don't think they would hire part timers. I cant see how that would work. I think the place is good too, it sure beats the commuters thats for sure, and the starting pay is good.

 

[reepicheep]

I talked to Mr. Cogan in pilot recruitment. He specifically warned me that I would be interviewing for a part-time position with no guarantee of becoming full-time. The way he put it is that they acquired these 757's and now must find flying for them to do which accounts for the uncertainty. He did admit that this is uncharacteristic of North American.

Maybe "part-time" was not a good adjective for him to use and maybe he meant something different, but that's how he explained it. I should have pressed him for more info.

I did not accept the interview because of the part-time bit. You can't work two airline jobs at once and I'm not willing to quit USAir, no matter how tenuous my position there is, for a part-time job.

I'm a little bummed - flying 757's out of the west coast sounds like a great gig!

 

[ACWild]

Knute is a really good guy and I think a reliable source of info. If he said part-time, then that's what it is, although it's really unusual.
The west coast flying is mostly to resort locations, although I don't believe that you overnight at them. There is talk of eventually overnighting in Hawaii.
If you want all the possibilities on the table, we're also told that we aren't sure how successful the west coast base is going to be. It's there now, but may be gone in two years, so if the west coast is your main goal, you might want to give it some thought. Most of the west coast flying is for Sun Trips. They supposedly have a reputation for jumping from carrier to carrier.
Best of luck either way.

 

[flx757]

Most of the west coast flying is for Sun Trips. They supposedly have a reputation for jumping from carrier to carrier.

Two that I know of that they have used (or are currently using) are Ryan and Allegro. I hear that Ryan will operate a 757 for them out of OAK beginning in Jan.

 

[reepicheep]

If you want all the possibilities on the table, we're also told that we aren't sure how successful the west coast base is going to be. It's there now, but may be gone in two years, so if the west coast is your main goal, you might want to give it some thought.

Thanks for your thoughts, I sensed that the west coast thing was a bit tenuous and this also figured into my decision not to pursue it. Moving to NY is not an option for me.

 

[XPILOT]

North American

Well I'm new at this I've applied to North American and was wondering if a visit to the office might help get an interview. Any info. would be appreciated. Oh no, no spell check, can't type to well either, not current!

 

[ACWild]

Walking in seems to help. It looks like you have what they are currently looking for (757/767 type rating). Good luck. PM me if you need any more info.

 

[rtseatrich]

What is the pay like for new hires?

Could post pay & benefits for the 1st few years?

Thanks in advance

Rich

 

[ACWild]

FO pay starts at $54.35/hr with a 67 hour guarantee.

1st year 54.35
2nd 57.06
3rd 59.62

After 67 hour, you get time-and-a-half.

IRPs get an additional;

1st year 10.54
2nd 11.07
3rd 11.58

401k after the first year.

Medical is through Oxford Health Care and pretty good.

 

[rtseatrich]

Thanks for the info!

What are the skeds like ?

How many days off are you guranteed ?

 

[rtseatrich]

Thanks for the info!

What are the skeds like ?

How many days off are you guranteed ?

 

[ACWild]

What are the schedules like? It all depends on who you talk to. Personally, I think they're great. Reserve lines were supposed to have a minimum of 12 days off, but they've been dipping down to 10. I don't really care because they haven't been using me too much on reserve. There is a four hour callout, but this is used on rare occasions. I'm usually notified about my trips at least a week in advance. A scheduler actually was apologetic when she gave me a trip with three days notice!
I'm averaging 18 to 20 days off.
You will hear people complaining that they will call you to fly on your scheduled days off. I have to admit, this scared me a little at first, but it's been great. I haven't been used too often while on reserve that when I'm offered a trip, I'm glad to have the opportunity to fly. We get "special callout" pay for flying on our days off. I haven't been offered too many of those trips because we have alot of people who go crazy picking up open time. NA does give good incentives to pick these trips up.
There's alot of flexibility in your schedules too. Alot of people trip trade. It's not much of a hassle to do it compared to other airlines. We actually like our crew schedulers. Imagine that.
The crews are great to fly with and we go to alot of interesting places. We have so much fun flying here that we have to tone it down for our spouses or they get envious.
If I don't get called out, I get to play with my kids. If I do get called out, it's going to be a fun trip.
This is all my point of view. I'm sure there's always gonna be someone who will disagree and tell you that it's hell, but I'm sure glad that I work here.
Also, expect to gain 10 to 15 pounds. They feed the heck out of us.

 

[outerfix]

I heard that North American suspended interviews untill they formed a game plan for Oakland operations. Has Cogan said how long it will be untill interviews start up again?

Thanks