Satsair Florida Questions

[johnsonrod]

I have a friend here in the Midwest who is from Florida originally and he is looking to return and settle there (despite the hurricanes). He is a 135 pilot with a lot of B200 Kingair time as well as about 500 hours in the latest and greatest SR22 that he flies for its owner on the side. He absolutely loves the SR22 and I think Satsair might be a great fit for him. I have some questions:

1. What pilot domiciles does Satsair offer in Florida?

2. What is the "typical" schedule for these pilots in terms of days off per week/month (is there a set pattern)?

3. What is the starting pay?

4. What's the likelihood that Satsair will eventually jump into the VLJ market (perhaps the Cirrus VLJ)? Any talk about that given that Cirrus is a part owner?

I know that some of this might have already been covered in previous posts. I appreciate any info and PMs are always welcome. I think this guy would be a great fit and he is sick of winters in the Midwest (aren't we all)...

Thanks

 

[Flywrite]

The current FL domiciles are PNS, TLH, CRG, ORL, VDF/TPF, and FXE.

Schedules are now bid by seniority if I understand correctly. 4 on/3 off is the norm with some 5/2 thrown in the mix.

Do a search on here and you'll get more info on pay, but I think it's still $27k/yr for the first 3 months, then $33k, $36k after 6 months.

There have been several articles published where the President mention the possibility of VLJs, but no real rumors flying around yet as to what and when.

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

....I don't know about Florida domiciles-- but I found this; hope it helps!

Working at SATSair

Working at SATSair is a rewarding experience for our employees, far beyond the simple pay and benefits. Our employees are pioneering a completely new way for our nation to travel. At SATSair we are the first to launch an ambitious, innovative, and life changing air travel system that will change the way people view and use air travel in America. Thanks to SATSair and its employees, 24/7 point-to-point affordable air travel as convenient as a quick phone call. But we have far to go to continue to grow this unique air travel system across America. Each and every day we receive calls from future customers asking how soon can we bring our new service to their town or city.
Our Culture
We are proud of our employees and our company's culture reflects that. Our employees feel good about the work they do and they know that their company and its customers appreciate it too. Our culture is rich with the programs that our employees value, such as travel assistance, informational and celebration luncheons and cookouts, company sponsored softball teams, employee concierge service and others.
Think outside the box and you will fit right in. SATSair encourages and enjoys new ideas and open communication. At SATSair we have brought together some of the most talented people in their fields and we will continue to hire talent when and where we find it. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we value the diversity of our employees and the merits each one brings. In return for their hard work our employees enjoy great benefits, competitive salaries, and exciting career paths.
Our company is still small, so the extra effort offered by each employee has a dynamic effect on our company's growth. This allows our employees to set the momentum of their own careers. Our company's expectations are high, and our employees continually strive to meet and often times exceed them.
Benefits
SATSair's commitment is to provide benefits and programs that support the needs of our employees and compliment the quality of their lifestyles. We enjoy benefits that include:

• Competitive salaries
• Equity/stock options (to be implemented in 2006)
• 401k Retirement program (to be implemented in 2006)
• Health/dental/life/vision/disability/ insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Direct paycheck deposit
• Paid time off
• Paid Vacation
• Business/casual atmosphere
• Employee air travel and aircraft rental program

Pilots
Our pilots' quality of life and work balance is a top priority here at SATSair. We want you to have a predictable work schedule that will maximize your performance and allow you to return home every day possible. SATSair wants you to build a positive and productive life outside of work as well.
Today we are flying the Cirrus SR-22 aircraft, undeniably the most advanced and best performing aircraft of its type. As the very light jets (VLJ) and personal jets (PJ) become available we will assess the advantage of adding them to our fleet. Our customers love our aircraft, our pilots, and the professional way we provide our cutting edge service.

Pilot Minimum Qualifications
In order to provide the very best in high quality and safe flights our pilots must have the minimum qualifications:

• 1500 hours flight time (excluding, simulator and flight engineer time)
• 500 hours as Pilot-in-Command (PIC)
• 500 hours cross-country
• 100 hours night flight time
• 100 hours actual instrument time
• FAA Single Engine Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating
• Current FAA Second Class Medical Certificate
• Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radio License
• Valid passport with the ability to travel in and out of the U.S.
• Valid Drivers License
• Must pass a background check and pre-employment drug test

While these are our minimums to be considered for a job at SATSair most of our new hire pilots have the mean average of around 2500 hours with varied background experience gained in major and commuter airlines, military, freight, corporate, charter, flight instruction and other commercial aviation activities. Pilots Pay Package

• Pilots will go on payroll the first day in ground school.
• Pilots will have to sign an employment contract. The employment contract will preclude them from taking a job with another air-taxi competitor company for at least one year after they leave us.
• While in ground school and subsequent IOE we will provide the new hired pilot with a hotel room, transportation to and from class and pay them a per-diem as if they were away on sequence.
• The Pilot annual base pay scale is: Day 1 thru 6 months: $27,000; 6 months thru 12 months: $33,000; 12 months Thru 24 months: $36,000; 24 months thru 36 months: $40,000; 36 months thru 48 months: $42,500; 48 months thru 60 months: $45,000; after 60 months: annual cost of living increase. In addition, SATSair may apply COLAs to help offset the increased expenses for pilots based in areas more expensive than Greenville, SC.
• The standard pilot work schedule will consist of a 4-day on and 3 day off sequence. At the company's discretion 5-day on and 2-day off may be required for the first two years of service.
• Pilots will be given the opportunity to earn extra money by offering to work on his/her scheduled off days. His/her extra per-day pay will equal his/her per-day salary.
• Pilots will have a seniority based bid system applicable after 2 years of service. Each pilot shall receive a seniority number based on his/her first day in ground school class. The class seniority shall be determined by the new hires birth date. The earliest birth date has the highest seniority, etc.
• The pilots will bid to hold their preferred flight schedule. The senior pilot shall have first choice at the schedule, then the next senior pilot, etc.
• During travel away from the pilots domicile the pilot will be paid a per-diem that shall be $1.50 per each hour they are away from base. For overnight stays the pilot will be provided with a hotel room and ground transportation as necessary.
• SATSair shall provide 5 medium blue oxford dress shirts that will have the SATSair embroider on the left chest and on the right sleeve, (near the cuff on long sleeve shirts) SATSair will provide 2 matching ties. Pilots wear the tie during the winter and during the summer the tie is optional. Summer is considered to be from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. SATSair will provide its pilots with a uniform coat for the winter.
• Pilots will be paid $32 per pay-period to cover the cost of job related expenses such as cell phone, calling cards, uniform laundry, tips, etc.
• SATSair presently pays an additional $2000 annually to its company instructors and check airmen.

 

[johnsonrod]

Thanks for that update - I'll pass it along.

 

[Huggyu2]

That pay seems pretty low. How does that stack up against what pilots with that kind of experience can earn elsewhere?

 

[Freight Dog]

That pay seems pretty low. How does that stack up against what pilots with that kind of experience can earn elsewhere?

SR-22 is a single engine piston plane. What kind of pay do you expect?

You can always go to Mesa and make $18k the first year, but at least you'll fly a shiny jet!

 

[Huggyu2]

Good point. I haven't been looking for a job in a while, and it just seems brutal when it comes to pay/benefits.