Pinnacle Interview

[GenericPilot]

I am looking for some legitimate (i.e. you work there or have worked there) advice concerning Pinnacle.

-Interview Advice
-Quality of training
-How do they treat their emoployees
-Time on reserve
-Days off
-Bases and seniority
-Upgrade time
-Commuting
-Are they accomodating to military reservists?

 

[Simon Says]

Interview advice,

Just don't say "I am here just to have some fun"

 

[Biatch5]

You have to go through a PFT to get hired onto Pinnacle

Gulfstream, Tab Express to name a few PFT

Good Luck! its sooooooooooooooo cool to fly with PFTers

You also have to watch this training video. If you leave during the video, your kicked out.

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/ahhflash.html

 

[sligo1]

Look Pinnacle is like all other regional airlines, as pertains to work rules and pay. They use you as a work horse and you use them to build time to get out. With all the hoopla about the accident you'll hear all kinds of negatives, but there all the same. I am currentley a Capt. at Pinnacle and the people are great as all the other airlines I've worked for ( 3 regionals and 1 major ). The training is the same no matter what you hear, the experience level is about the same as well. Except that the fact that places like Comair, Eagle and some others have unfortunatly had F.O.'s sit in the right seat for longer time periods, giving them more experience. Although there have been quite a few lower time F.O's at Pinnacle that have their stuff together-they just need time to smooth the edges. They fly very well and have a good head on their shoulders. All airlines go through bad times with accidents and training issues-look at AA ( Little Rock, Cali, and JFK), all pilot error and what we might classify as stupid mistakes by very experienced crews. But who knows we weren't there at the time and can't arm chair quaterback. The level of proffesionalism here and the pilot group is very committed to safety.

Good Luck With the Interview.

 

[SRMairlines]

Good Post sligo1

 

[SRMairlines]

The only PFT I went to was College???

 

[Simon Says]

Look Pinnacle is like all other regional airlines, as pertains to work rules and pay. They use you as a work horse and you use them to build time to get out. With all the hoopla about the accident you'll hear all kinds of negatives, but there all the same. I am currentley a Capt. at Pinnacle and the people are great as all the other airlines I've worked for ( 3 regionals and 1 major ). The training is the same no matter what you hear, the experience level is about the same as well. Except that the fact that places like Comair, Eagle and some others have unfortunatly had F.O.'s sit in the right seat for longer time periods, giving them more experience. Although there have been quite a few lower time F.O's at Pinnacle that have their stuff together-they just need time to smooth the edges. They fly very well and have a good head on their shoulders. All airlines go through bad times with accidents and training issues-look at AA ( Little Rock, Cali, and JFK), all pilot error and what we might classify as stupid mistakes by very experienced crews. But who knows we weren't there at the time and can't arm chair quaterback. The level of proffesionalism here and the pilot group is very committed to safety.


Good Luck With the Interview.

Not entirely true. All regionals are not the same. You sound like a child molestor trying to lead a kid into your house.

 

[sligo1]

And you sound like another one of those jerks that has nothing good to say about anyone other than yourself. Someday when you grow up you might be a real airline pilot, instead of someone with too much time on their hands bashing everyone on a chat board.

Oh and by the way I don't know how you got on the subject of child molesters, but since its on your mind you might want to get some proffesional help for that, its a serious problem.

 

[Simon Says]

And you sound like another one of those jerks that has nothing good to say about anyone other than yourself. Someday when you grow up you might be a real airline pilot, instead of someone with too much time on their hands bashing everyone on a chat board.

Oh and by the way I don't know how you got on the subject of child molesters, but since its on your mind you might want to get some proffesional help for that, its a serious problem.

Naw, I do like some of you pinnacle chaps. Good guys that do the normal commute. Except for that FO that rode up front last month that asked why my FO just doesn't come over to Pinnacle to get some real PIC time. LOL. Funny dude, but a real tool.

 

[sligo1]

Well your opinion counts as to your airline -probally Messaba. There are goog people there as well. At least the kid that was in your jumpseat is enthusiastic about 9E. As far as PIC time its also all the same no matter where it comes from as I'm sure you already know, but don't be fooled for one minute that these regional airlines don't all work off the same motive. Fly you alot, pay you the least, and get as much productivity as possible. I can personally tell you that the lifestyle does change flying for a major.

 

[Simon Says]

Well your opinion counts as to your airline -probally Messaba. There are goog people there as well. At least the kid that was in your jumpseat is enthusiastic about 9E. As far as PIC time its also all the same no matter where it comes from as I'm sure you already know, but don't be fooled for one minute that these regional airlines don't all work off the same motive. Fly you alot, pay you the least, and get as much productivity as possible. I can personally tell you that the lifestyle does change flying for a major.

100% agree with that statement...I should also say that we have our fair of tools here at Mesaba too. Difference between lifestyles at Mesaba and Pinnacle is the contract. Oh Yeah, there is a difference of company culture too, but like I said that is no pilots fault.

 

[blackbox]

-Interview Advice
Just be yourself and smile during the interview and you'll be fine. i couldnt answer some of the questions they asked me, but they still offered me the job. study the gouges for the written portion.

-Quality of training

I have nothing to compare it to, but you do need to spend a lot of time outside of class studying.

-How do they treat their employees
scheduling can jerk you around a lil bit, but i think thats normal in this industry.

-Time on reserve
If you want memphis, you probably wont get it right away. and when you get there expect to sit on reserve there for a lil bit of time. AT DTW and MSP, it wont be long before you hold a line there. DTW quicker than MSP, i think

-Days off
guarenteed 10 days off, which i think is standard.

-Bases and seniority

MEM is senior. MSP and DTW are the other 2.

-Upgrade time
it was short, but since the last jet comes in a couple of months. its going to slow down tremendously. and with Mesaba getting the next 35 jets, dont look for much growth here.

-Commuting
I dont do it, so I couldnt tell ya

-Are they accomodating to military reservists?
i have no clue about this either.

good luck

 

[Rook]

100% agree with that statement...I should also say that we have our fair of tools here at Mesaba too. Difference between lifestyles at Mesaba and Pinnacle is the contract. Oh Yeah, there is a difference of company culture too, but like I said that is no pilots fault.

I hope you're not referring to the hat wearers versus the non-hat wearers as far as your 'company culture' comment is concerned. If that's the case don't forget to lump NWA and FedEx in there as well. If you're referring to the cowboy culture, No comment. As far as the jumpseater with the big mouth, you should've smacked him if he really said that in your cockpit.

Rook

 

[FN FAL]

Well your opinion counts as to your airline -probally Messaba. There are goog people there as well.

Would those be "googers"? I hate them dirty low down googers...they just a bunch of shuck and jive suckers.

I can personally tell you that the lifestyle does change flying for a major.

Really? Does it turn you gay or something? I wouldn't mind having my quality of life improved, but my lifestyle kinda has to stay the same. It's a principle thing...I'm sure that when you get older, you'll understand.

 

[dondk]

I am looking for some legitimate (i.e. you work there or have worked there) advice concerning Pinnacle.

-Interview Advice

Advice given already is on the mark

-Quality of training

Not the best, but has evloved over the years and should continue to die to the NTSB investigation. Don't come expecting to have your hand held, you need to come prepared or willing to learn and work for it.


-How do they treat their emoployees

We are a regional, I really don't need to say more. Again, don't expect 100% support from corporate, you are the first line and only line of defense in the cockpit.


-Time on reserve

Mentioned already and accurate.

-Days off

10 by contract, but since we are short staffed they will JM you down as low as your willing to go.

-Bases and seniority

mentioned already and accurate

-Upgrade time

Mentioned already and accurate. Adding that the upgrades going through now are either on thier second attempt after a additional year in the right seat or those who held out as long as they could.

-Commuting

DTW tends to be the most commuter friendly, not saying it is 100% commutable but more so than other domiciles. MSP and MEM are a bit tougher. MSP due to early shows and MEM due to nothing leaves MEM after 7-7:30PM. It all depends on where you live and your options to get to work.

-Are they accomodating to military reservists?

Yes to a point, we have issue's occassionally with how they interpet certain aspects of the contract. You give them plenty of notice, they will work with you. Give them 2 days notice and they will work with you and bitch about it.