Pinnicle Air

[BoDEAN]

Anyone familar with this company? I have a friend here in Detroit who flies with them, and said he would allow me to put my name on an app as a refernce, and that they were hiring.

 

[FL717]

The quickest and most comprehensive way to get ALL your Pinnacle questions answered is to click on the Search button at the top of this page. Then type in Pinnacle Northwest Airlink. You will get about an hours worth of reading including payscales, training, interview and personal opinion information, including an interesting debate regarding uniforms... or maybe lack of depending on who you believe.

BTW... not that you asked, but just an observation... I never worked at Pinnacle (formerly Express One Airlink), nor do I know anyone who does... BUT after reading some of the posts regarding how the company is dealing with pilots as new hires, I do not believe it is a very inticing place to go work.

1. No pay OR lodging/per diem during training.
2. No jumpseat or pass priviledges during training.
3. Not technically an employee during traing thus no seniority accrual or health benefits timeline started until completion of training.
4. etc,etc

Pretty low budget by anyones standards I believe.

 

[fluther]

Any airline hiring is worth looking at these days.

 

[twgordy]

FYI all buddy passes gave been stripped from the pilots at Pennacle Airlines.

 

[72Longhorn]

info on Pennacle

Better yet, if you wanna know about Pennacle ask your friend. He does work for them after all........

72

 

[dondk]

I do work for them

Most of the comments mentioned above are true. The whole seniority thing is two folded. You DO accrue seniority in the union, not in the company until the checkride.

We are hiring, but there are some hoops you may have to jump through. Ie, if you are furloughed NWA or MSA you are on the top of the list. Then you should have more than the min's AND a letter of reference AND you meet our HR at one of the conferences you will fair better than the rest for an interview.

Sending in a resume cold these days is just putting you on a growing pile that will generate a postcard and that's about it.

Buddy passes.. that is for the WHOLE NWA family. In short.. some Mainline people were selling buddy passes on E-bay. Mgmt got wind and killed it for everyone. We still have buddy passes but we (the employee) must go with you.

Company...
Searching would be best, but I will give you a short run-down

At 56+ jets of 94 that will be on the property by end of 04. About 650+ pilots on the list. 3 bases.. DTW, MSP and MEM. The MOST junior is DTW, the most senior is MEM.

Reserve... MSP is 20+ months, DTW is 6-8, MEM is 8+

Upgrades.. we just started them back up, average is 22-24 months and will be increasing slowly. Then plan on reserve into the YEARS in MEM, 8-12 months at MSP or DTW.

lines.. 10 minimum, average with a year (and not in MSP) 12 or better, 2 years you are 16 or better.. Top is usually 18 days off.

Average flying for a line holder runs around 80, guarantee is 75

Uniforms.. I believe this is in reference to the "loose" standards we have regarding them.

Are we a good company to work for?

We are a regional and that's it, if you expect to be treated like a Air Wiskey, Comair, Sky West or a MAJOR.. don't waste your time. If you expect to be treated like an "average" regional pilot then it may be worth your time.

 

[Rook]

I work for them too...

Dont forget dondk, that it helps a lot if they work for Gulfstream

Rook(didnt go to Gulfstream)
600' AGL
Autopilot on.
'WHEW!'

 

[BoDEAN]

Thanks!

Great board, Great posts, Great bunch of guys on here, really appreciate all the help!

 

[dondk]

you are RIGHT

Rook...

Thanks for reminding me... I guess I have not seen enough GIA crew tags in the crew room lately to remind me.

And.. no I am not GIA either, I flew 1900's for the company that just passed the TA that did nothing but increase managements bottom line...

 

[ERJpusher]

If you are going to send an application to Pinnacle, it may be in your best interest to spell the company's name right...

 

[BoDEAN]

Caught that a while ago, but thank's for the heads up

 

[Rook]

The only thing that rubbed me the wrong way about the GIA guys stepping over to Pinnacle is the Crew tags. They wont take off their GIA CREW tag. I know it's petty and i'm being a baby and need to call the Waaaahmbulance, but, crew tags are only 2 bucks at the stopover store.

Oh and one more thing,

I can't get my buddies in that have more than enough qualifications (type ratings included) because the company is making money off of the GIA guys. Not sure how much though but I guess if they're making a profit then it must be right. Right?

That's my 10 cents
my 2 cents is free.
Nuisance who sent?
You sent for me?

Rook
600' AGL. Autopilot on.
'WHEW!'

 

[dondk]

rumor

I have heard the "inital" few did PFT to get to our jets. Then there was a group who did not. Many did not pay, and that is confirmed. Cannot tell you who did or did not, and I am sure they don't want to tell us either!


We have/had a HARD 1500/300 minimums or $10K to give to our mgmt if your less than that.


There is some deal, but the pilot group is the last to know... Do you expect anything different?

 

[dondk]

Hmmm...

I will say there "may be" a little animosity. Many of us watched our buddies get let go (they were in training and already spent several weeks unpaid in MEM) and GIA came in ahead of them. Our referrals were/are getting second billing to the GIA.

All in all though.. most of the GIA people are down to earth, they had no idea that these things were going on while they were getting hired and trained. Attitude makes the difference... They all have decent attitudes...

Now only if we could get them to get rid of those GIA bag tags

 

[Jiminmem]

Come on, with the number of different uniforms we have here, what's wrong with a few different bag tags. Enjoy and fly safe

 

[1.3XVso]

Re: rumor

I have heard the "inital" few did PFT to get to our jets. Then there was a group who did not. Many did not pay, and that is confirmed. Cannot tell you who did or did not, and I am sure they don't want to tell us either!


We have/had a HARD 1500/300 minimums or $10K to give to our mgmt if your less than that.


There is some deal, but the pilot group is the last to know... Do you expect anything different?

Dude I mean you've seen me post some threads and likewise but IF i do get hired with your company i'll let you know so that maybe we can meet at the crew lounge or whatever and i'll tell you that i PFT if it makes you feel better. For those that will bash on me YES i do have my CFI and yes i have some instruction time thank you very much good day.

 

[T-Gates]

Re: Re: rumor

Dude I mean you've seen me post some threads and likewise but IF i do get hired with your company i'll let you know so that maybe we can meet at the crew lounge or whatever and i'll tell you that i PFT if it makes you feel better. For those that will bash on me YES i do have my CFI and yes i have some instruction time thank you very much good day.

Chill dude.... He is cool.... Don't worry about that PFT crap once you get here. Just do your job and go home. Get over it, 100 of us already have....

 

[another cfii]

I'm gonna start class in couple weeks in MEM, any suggestions as to where to spend the holiday seasons?? Will IHOP give us a group discount if 20 of us go together??

 

[T-Gates]

I'm gonna start class in couple weeks in MEM, any suggestions as to where to spend the holiday seasons?? Will IHOP give us a group discount if 20 of us go together??

The holidays? In MEM?

Load up on the Prozac....

Seriously, when I was there for 3 months it was Hooters and BBQ.... Thats about it....

AVOID THE CHINEESE BUFFET NEAR THE CEC AT ALL COSTS!!!!!

Some people swear by it.... It tore me up on multipile occasions...

Shoot me a PM if you have any Questions....

 

[dondk]

I second the chinese buffet on Elvis Presley.. Crap, crap and more crap.. There is another "fav" buffet just a few block down from the chinese joint, also crap... I would also add the "deli" in the corporate park the CEC thinks is good too... Pricey and not nearly as good as a real sub.

For me it was Sonic, Hooters, BBQ, rally's, Wendy's and Costco... (can't beat the $2.00 hot dog and 32oz drink)

Where to spend the holiday season.. If you have money.. Platimum Plus (purple palace). If you don't have money, find out if they have a FA class going through and that would be the second best choice...

The CEC is closed from Dec 23rd to Jan 2nd or something like that, don't get stuck in MEM if you avoid it..

Listen to T-gates.. if your from north of the mason-dixon line you will be counting the days until your paroled (OE).

 

[another cfii]

Man, and i thought the west coast is boring! I'm just a starving CFI, so I'll probably hang around walmart a lot!

I didn't even know the CEC will be closed for a whole week. Well, i'll have time to catch up on materials then. BTW, last i checked, not much of reserve in MSP and DTW? With us newbies here, i mean, is gonna make reserve almost non-existent, right?

 

[HAZ-MAT]

If you want some good BBQ in MEM, go down Beale St. (downtown) and go to Blues City Cafe, by far the best wet ribs i have had. Or nearby the training center (kinda) is Corkey's BBQ, they have good Pulled Pork sandwiches and ribs too. I 3rd that chineese place, tore me up, and couldnt wait to get to my first destination to drop the Cleveland Browns off at the Superbowl.
I have a fellow graduate friend that should be down here around the same time as you all... so if anyone drops me a PM, and you want some food or BEvERages on the days off, i wont say no.

 

[mainah]

Rendezvous downtown. Great dry ribs!

 

[dondk]

Man, and i thought the west coast is boring! I'm just a starving CFI, so I'll probably hang around walmart a lot!

Welcome to Pinnacle.. You REALLY did not expect them to tell you THAT... It is in the contract, no training from the 24th to I believe the 2nd (depends on when it falls on). The pumped in a recurrent class (usually tues to fri) that starts on the 20th and ends the 23rd. I think parts of the CEC are still open, but depending on when you start it may not give you the bang for the buck you'd like.

Personally... hanging around the nearest Walmart to the CEC.. Wear a flak jacket and I hope you were a track star in high school, if not.. you will be one

BTW, last i checked, not much of reserve in MSP and DTW? With us newbies here, i mean, is gonna make reserve almost non-existent, right?

Uhhh.. I would not go THAT far... According to the awards for Jan and March I counted some 40+ FO's for EACH base as new hires.. It would depend on WHERE you fall in that group...

Reserve will go short for a period of time next year, don't know for how long.. I have been saying DTW is due to get back down to the less than 6 months for a while.

 

[another cfii]

Thanx for the warm welcome. I know PCL has a great bunch of bafoons (as Parker puts it, and as long as I can survive the groundschool, i know i'll love it here.

I just wish to get the groundschool over with, 2+ mo. is a little grilling for me. Oh well, more time to enjoy the Graceland

Fly safe.

 

[dondk]

Thanx for the warm welcome. I know PCL has a great bunch of bafoons (as Parker puts it, and as long as I can survive the groundschool, i know i'll love it here.

Parker I think is referring to the rampers in MEM...

I think there has been maybe 3 people who have failed ground school in the past 3 years... Ground school should not worry you.. the sim on the other hand...

Don't worry you will be taught by the finest Pinnacle has to offer..

Just remember to get the bad chicken on the ground, One is one, two is two, and there's five in the aft equipment bay. Suck it up cupcake and...............

Folks, folks, this is eeeasy!

I was just a ramper when they told me to teach CRJ ground school.

if you can do that.. your in...

 

[Lear70]

You forgot three:

"Memory Items and Limitations, folks. That's all you need to know."

"Be the duck."

"I used to jump out of airplanes and kill people."

By the way, when they tell you to know your memory items and limitations cold before you walk into class (they send them to you in your new-hire packet), they mean it, it will save you a LOT of grief and I think there's still a quiz on it the first or second day of class.

As far as people washing out, we had one of those in our class. Great guy, he just simply couldn't speak the english language well enough to keep up in the sim. The other two I think were attitude problems... "Cooperate to graduate" and as one of our senior check airman told me as he signed my checkride form, "STFU and just fly the f'ing airplane. FNG (pronounced Finjee)".

 

[another cfii]

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**, that was funny..

I already got limitation and callout by heart... Any other tips?

Can't wait to smell the CRJ

 

[JJJ]

Know the systems well enough to pass the written and the oral. You don't have to know how to build the airplane. Some people get so wrapped up in systems that they don't even look at the profiles and manuvers until the day before the first CPT.

Starting on the first day of class take a few minutes and start to look over the proflies and manuvers. Study in groups and quiz each other on systems, memory items, and limitations. Don't forget to practice the walk around on the computers. Also don't hesitate to ask questions. There are always people willing to help, you just have to ask.

Good luck.

 

[another cfii]

For those of you based @ DTW or MSP, how you like it there? Is the cost of living decent? Is there much to do while not flying? Which would you pick and why? I don't intend to commute often.
Thanks for any advice.