SATSair

[Huggyu2]

I didn't see any pay/benefits on the company website. Can you answer:
- pay scale
- retirement
- stock options
- medical/dental
- schedule: # of days working vs. off, etc..
- any else that is pertinent?

 

[Flywrite]

I didn't see any pay/benefits on the company website. Can you answer:
- pay scale
- retirement
- stock options
- medical/dental
- schedule: # of days working vs. off, etc..
- any else that is pertinent?

-pay scale-not 100% sure this is right, but I think it's $27k to start, $31k after 6 months, and around $35k 2nd year.

-retirement-nothing yet, though I've heard vague rumors of a future 401k.

-stock options-nope.

-medical/dental-yes

-schedule-the schedule has been mostly 5 on/2 off, but the goal is 4/3. As more pilots come online the schedule is slowly moving in this direction. Your days off are 'golden' and are not touched by the company and you WILL get home for your days off, not spend them in a hotel somewhere. There are a couple of pilots who occasionally want fly on their days off if they are needed, but they are generally the only ones who are even asked. If the company is in a bind and happens to ask a pilot about flying a day off, a simple "no thanks" ends it right there, no questions asked.

-other pertinent infomation-lots of positive rumors and lots of growth coming. From what I've seen pilots often work long days and often spend 3-4 nights away from home, though some of this will get better as staffing levels increase. The company honestly makes an effort to make life easier for the pilots. While 12 hour duty days are not unusual, 14 hour days are not that common since managment approval is requred to schedule a pilot longer than 12 hours.

Maintenance is good-if something breaks it gets written up and fixed. Hotels are decent, and the company gets rental cars if there is nowhere close to the hotel for food, or if there is no shuttle. If a pilot has a long day with few chances to get food, a crew meal is ordered.

As an example of how the pilot group is treated, in the past few weeks one pilot reqested that he get home on Halloween to T-or-T with his kids and another asked for a schedule that would allow time at home to vote. Though I dont know if it was possible to accomodate these requests, I do know for a fact that an honest attempt was made to work both schedules out. At many 135 operators the requests would have been laughed at and forgotten.

 

[brett]

-pay scale-not 100% sure this is right, but I think it's $27k to start, $31k after 6 months, and around $35k 2nd year.

This is based on 4/3. We are paid extra when we have to work the fifth day. I believe it's 33K after six and 36K after 12. After two years the company can't force the fifth day, but you can volunteer to work it if you want extra $$.

 

[OPECJet]

Bases?

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

Honestly, whats it like flying single pilot? For me the appeal is you are a CA and make the decisions on your own. Am I correct or is SATS AIR regulated to the point that dispatch will make the calls for you. Just seeking information on a what sounds like a good post AF retirement job.

Sincerely,
LAFF

 

[brett]

Single pilot, like most things, has its positives and negatives. It can be challenging dealing with everything on your own; although flight coordination helps by dealing with the pax, setting up hotel room, car, etc. The well integrated systems and capabilities of the SR22 help a lot.

We don't have a true dispatch like a part 121 operator does. Our dispatch is a group of "flight coordinators" and even though some may be licensed dispatchers they have no authority on initiating or terminating flights. They wear a lot of hats and do a fantastic job in my opinion. The ones that are actual dispatchers and/or pilots will offer helpful info and suggestions, but will never argue a pilot's call.

BTW -- SATSair was on CNBC the other night; here's the link:

Taking a taxi in the sky

Honestly, whats it like flying single pilot? For me the appeal is you are a CA and make the decisions on your own. Am I correct or is SATS AIR regulated to the point that dispatch will make the calls for you. Just seeking information on a what sounds like a good post AF retirement job.

Sincerely,
LAFF

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

Single pilot, like most things, has its positives and negatives. It can be challenging dealing with everything on your own; although flight coordination helps by dealing with the pax, setting up hotel room, car, etc. The well integrated systems and capabilities of the SR22 help a lot.

We don't have a true dispatch like a part 121 operator does. Our dispatch is a group of "flight coordinators" and even though some may be licensed dispatchers they have no authority on initiating or terminating flights. They wear a lot of hats and do a fantastic job in my opinion. The ones that are actual dispatchers and/or pilots will offer helpful info and suggestions, but will never argue a pilot's call.

BTW -- SATSair was on CNBC the other night; here's the link:

Taking a taxi in the sky

Thanks. I acutally like doing that type of coordination work. I've done my share of executive officer and aide-de-camp tours for senior officer in the USAF. I was one of those that made the best of the opportunity and it paid off big time career wise and on a personal level...

SATSAir sounds like my type of job...

-LAFF

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

I got another question...I'm trying to find and track SatsAir planes on flightaware. What call signs do they go by?

Thanks,
LAFF

 

[BlackPilot628]

Their callsign is "Aerocab" and thier ID is SYK.
They normally use single to double digit numbers.

IE" SYK5, SYK17

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

Their callsign is "Aerocab" and thier ID is SYK.
They normally use single to double digit numbers.

IE" SYK5, SYK17

Thanks...How many hours / how much flying on the days on? Also, can you work extra on your days off? If so - is there an adjusted pay for those times?

Thanks,
LAFF

 

[BlackPilot628]

LAF,

If you read the entire thread your question will anwsered. I do not work for the company.

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

Thanks...Sounds like a good job w/ good people around.

I presume dress code is business casual w/ company shirts or polos.

-LAFF

 

[mcjohn]

Is anyone ever hired below the 1500? I want to apply as well and wondering if I had to wait. I would like to apply sometime in spring '07 and will most likely have only the 135 mins. Would they let me take a plane back to my home (AVL) only 45-50 nm north from the GMU headquarters?

 

[FlyingSkip]

Wishful Thinking

John---No and NO! They want way more experience doing IFR flying, GPS skills, experience around Class B airspace and there is NO WAY you take a plane anywhere for personal reasons unless you pay for it---as an employee you DO get a reduced rate to rent it for personal use. Asheville would never get a plane cuz GMU is too close...

 

[BoilerUP]

John---No and NO! They want way more experience doing IFR flying, GPS skills, experience around Class B airspace and there is NO WAY you take a plane anywhere for personal reasons unless you pay for it---as an employee you DO get a reduced rate to rent it for personal use. Asheville would never get a plane cuz GMU is too close...

It might come as a suprise, but some people have plenty of IFR, GPS, and high-density airspace experience when they only have 1200 hours of total time. High total time does necessarily equal higher experience.

The SR22 I flew two years ago with the then-new Avidyne cockpit was more automated and had better electronic situational awareness than the CRJ.

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

John---No and NO! They want way more experience doing IFR flying, GPS skills, experience around Class B airspace and there is NO WAY you take a plane anywhere for personal reasons unless you pay for it---as an employee you DO get a reduced rate to rent it for personal use. Asheville would never get a plane cuz GMU is too close...

Well, what is Satsair looking for in flight hours / experience?

-LAFF

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Not sure if this is helpful, but about 8 months ago I tried to apply with them (to get out of a really bad job)-- I had 2400 hours and 350 of those was in an SR-22; I had 1700 hrs or so SE time and another 6-700 hours in King Airs, Citations, twin cessnas etc.......so, not to discourage anyone, but I honestly don't know what they are looking for-- needless to say, I never heard anything--

 

[mcjohn]

That's odd Charlie Foxtrot. Maybe find out if they have any women up in there and if not make a call to the EOC. If you had all that time plus time in type why the hell wouldn't you get a call?

Originally Posted by FlyingSkip
John---No and NO! They want way more experience doing IFR flying, GPS skills, experience around Class B airspace and there is NO WAY you take a plane anywhere for personal reasons unless you pay for it---as an employee you DO get a reduced rate to rent it for personal use. Asheville would never get a plane cuz GMU is too close...

Geeze man! Maybe the FAA will create a new set of minimums for the SR-22 and just throw the old 135 mins out. They must be useless!!

I certainly did not suggest using their aircraft for personal reasons. I was only thinking about earlier posts:

1. Got hired in my home town. SATS hires to the base instead of uprooting people and shuffling them around.

Can you explain this a bit more? You go t hired in your home town because you were lucky enough to live somewhere an aircraft was "hangared"? Or do they place an aircraft where the pilots live?

Is the location of aircraft listed anywhere?

I already knew where I was moving and it just happened that their main base was 30 minutes away; (Greenville). The way they hire is they decide they need a pilot in X town and they advertise, "we need a pilot in X, or within 60 minute drive." You pick up a plane in Greenville, and take it with you to your home base until it's due maintenance again, then you are scheduled back through GMU again and you return it for a fresh one.

Thanks for giving me an answer. It does seem to contradict the quotes I posted above though. What's the deal on this?

 

[brett]

That's odd Charlie Foxtrot. Maybe find out if they have any women up in there and if not make a call to the EOC. If you had all that time plus time in type why the hell wouldn't you get a call?

I think we have two females now and one that left about a year ago.


Geeze man! Maybe the FAA will create a new set of minimums for the SR-22 and just throw the old 135 mins out. They must be useless!!

I certainly did not suggest using their aircraft for personal reasons. I was only thinking about earlier posts:

Skip is right, AVL is probably unlikely because it's only a 20 minute deadleg for us. You could drive to GMU from AVL though if it's no more than a 60 minute drive time. I live in Easley, 25-30 minute drive to GMU. Right now there are no openings in GMU and most of the expansion is at the fringes of the service area.


Thanks for giving me an answer. It does seem to contradict the quotes I posted above though. What's the deal on this?

Good luck!

- Brett

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

That's odd Charlie Foxtrot. Maybe find out if they have any women up in there and if not make a call to the EOC. If you had all that time plus time in type why the hell wouldn't you get a call?

Nah.........got a good job now anyway-- I think it probably had to do with me not "living" where they needed me already-- but not too sure-- How's Florida?

 

[mcjohn]

Right on. Thanks Brett. Your quote bracketts got all messed up in your post above but I got the jist. I fly over Easly all the time enroute to Anderson. You're right near the most beautiful foothills in upstate South Carolina. If you like white water kayaking then you should go get a Perception kayak there in Easly. That's where the plant is and they give some darn good discounts if you show up there. Also, take the drive up into the mountains on that highway that takes you to Toxaway N.C. from Wallhalla S.C. Some of the most scenic driving ever with some massive waterfalls once you get up in there. I know that territory like the back of my hand.

Charlie Foxtrot. Florida's weather is great but the living in North Cuba leaves a lot to be desired. You can get the low down on my "South Florida" thread at PPW. Plenty of great pics too!

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Right on. Thanks Brett. I fly over Easly all the time enroute to Anderson. You're right near the most beautiful foothills in upstate South Carolina. If you like white water kayaking then you should go get a Perception kayak there in Easly. That's where the plant is and they give some darn good discounts if you show up there.

Charlie Foxtrot. Florida's weather is great but the living in North Cuba leaves a lot to be desired. You can get the low down on my "South Florida" thread at PPW. Plenty of great pics too!

Saw those--
Hey, spent a year flying around GMU/GSP-- indeed, very beautiful flying !! Greenville's a nice place to live, as long as you're not involved with the BoJos--LOL

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

BoJOs?

-LAFF

 

[deadstick]

BoJOs?

-LAFF

...are those who attend Bob Jones U. Yes, the place that can't build a cast iron perimeter fence high enough for their liking, the place that always decorates for Christmas with (only) white lights, and the same place that asked the State of SC to allow their guards to carry automatic weapons during the "civil (rights) unrest" of the 1960's...or so I'm told.

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

...are those who attend Bob Jones U. Yes, the place that can't build a cast iron perimeter fence high enough for their liking, the place that always decorates for Christmas with (only) white lights, and the same place that asked the State of SC to allow their guards to carry automatic weapons during the "civil (rights) unrest" of the 1960's...or so I'm told.

yip.........it's ALL true!!

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

...are those who attend Bob Jones U. Yes, the place that can't build a cast iron perimeter fence high enough for their liking, the place that always decorates for Christmas with (only) white lights, and the same place that asked the State of SC to allow their guards to carry automatic weapons during the "civil (rights) unrest" of the 1960's...or so I'm told.

Oh...Thanks...

-LAFF

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Oh...Thanks...

-LAFF

Yeah, LAFF, whatever you do, don't go to BJU flight school--

 

[LAFrequentflyer]

Yeah, LAFF, whatever you do, don't go to BJU flight school--

Its www.allatps.com for me...I'm planning on CFIing there as well after to build time to 135 IFR mins.

-LAFF

 

[mcjohn]

Funny you mentioned Bob Jones University. That is one scary place but all the folks I've dealt with in the aviation dept have been extremely nice and hospitable (just a little weird though.) They are a hard core fundamentalist baptist very expensive private university that has a huge aviation program to create mission pilots which means the students get their A&P too. They do not allow interracial dating, no holding hands on campus, and male/female interaction is allowed only in certain areas. I heard they just accepted their first black student ever quite recently. President Bush has always made stops there on the campaign trail BTW!

I actually took my instrument checkride there. They have a DE that is the closest and most afforadable to Hendersonville NC (0A7) where I trained for the rating. When I instructed at Hendersonville I had to send my students down to GMU for a "BoJo" checkride. I had no choice. That's what the boss wanted. The DE is a good guy but he will hand you one of those silly "Do you know if you're going to heaven or hell?" pamphlets if you shoot the ******************** with him long enough.

Whoops! Thought I was over a PPW for a second there. Can't cuss here dadgumit!

 

[Charlie_Foxtrot]

Funny you mentioned Bob Jones University. That is one scary place but all the folks I've dealt with in the aviation dept have been extremely nice and hospitable (just a little weird though.) They are a hard core fundamentalist baptist very expensive private university that has a huge aviation program to create mission pilots which means the students get their A&P too. They do not allow interracial dating, no holding hands on campus, and male/female interaction is allowed only in certain areas. I heard they just accepted their first black student ever quite recently. President Bush has always made stops there on the campaign trail BTW!

I actually took my instrument checkride there. They have a DE that is the closest and most afforadable to Hendersonville NC (0A7) where I trained for the rating. When I instructed at Hendersonville I had to send my students down to GMU for a "BoJo" checkride. I had no choice. That's what the boss wanted. The DE is a good guy but he will hand you one of those silly "Do you know if you're going to heaven or hell?" pamphlets if you shoot the ******************** with him long enough.

Whoops! Thought I was over a PPW for a second there. Can't cuss here dadgumit!

Yes, you speak the truth-- I attended school there for two semesters-- worst year of my life!! And the DPE you speak of-- had a problem with female folk wanting to fly for anything other than the mission field. He didn't like me too well.....
BTW-- they do allow interracial dating, but each student has to get a signed permission slip from their parents before proceeding--
Wasn't my cup of tea- but that was a long time ago and I've forgotten alot about the whole experience...almost.