Scenic Airlines

[Go Ugly Early]

I've looked at previous threads about Scenic and I was curious about what's currently happening there.

Overall how is it working there these days? What is the morale/work enviornemt like?

How fast is upgrade these days?

What is the typical take home pay for a first year FO for a month/year?

How much flight time per month are people averaging?

Is the operation still 121 or has it been switched to 135?

How is the operation going now that it is in Boulder City?

Is training still done in VGT?

Where are people living these days? Vegas, Henderson, Green Valley, Boulder City? What does an apartment cost?

Also just out of curiosity what is going on with Vision and Grand Canyon Airlines? Are either of them hiring and how are either of them to work for?


Thanks

 

[lemtjones]

Here goes...

Overall how is it working there these days? What is the morale/work enviornemt like?

There haven't been any big changes yet for the pilots. We've been told that big changes (like pay) will not happen until Jan. next year, but people are leaving at a pretty good clip.

How fast is upgrade these days? As soon as you can get your hands on an ATP certificate. Actually, you need at least 100hrs in the right seat first, but if you are hired as a street capt you would be paid capt pay. There is a rumour that the company might start paying for ATPs but I can't confirm this. They do give you a 2500 bonus to offset the ATP last time I checked. I think it's 1500 upfront and 1K after a year. There is also a rumour about no training contracts, this I also cannot confirm. Last I heard we were still requiring something like a 6K training contract pro-rated at 6 mos and 9 mos.

What is the typical take home pay for a first year FO for a month/year? I think I made about 20K -it's pretty bad. I mean awful. As a captain you make about 40K, both numbers are pre-tax. You make a lot more in the summer, so the pay can be deceiving. I think the pay for f/o is 13.50 in the air and 6.75 for ground.

How much flight time per month are people averaging? Right now I would say about 60-75 hrs/mo, but with the amount of people leaving you could easily fly 100-120/mo in the summer.

Is the operation still 121 or has it been switched to 135? 121, this might change in Jan, but once you go 135 it is hard to go back, so who knows.

How is the operation going now that it is in Boulder City? It can be a cluster*#@!$%!

Is training still done in VGT? Nope, mx is up there but all training is out of Boulder, approaches at LAS.

Where are people living these days? Vegas, Henderson, Green Valley, Boulder City? What does an apartment cost?

A lot of people in Henderson, some in Boulder. Not hard to find a room for about 500/mo incl util.

Also just out of curiosity what is going on with Vision and Grand Canyon Airlines? Are either of them hiring and how are either of them to work for?

I don't know much about Vision, last I heard they were PFT and then you could possibly upgrade. I do know they fly some sweet birds -the Dornier 328 around the southwest, but you'd probably start out in the 228. Grand Canyon Airlines is our new owner. The same family that owns them and Papillon helicopters bought us. The rumour mill says their pilots make less money, so there will probably be even more people leaving early next year. No idea how they will integrate the pilot lists.

I've been at Scenic for 2.5 yrs and it has been a fun company to work for, really great people and a great introduction to the world of 121. Whether it stays that way, only time will tell.

If you're looking to upgrade quickly and start logging PIC turbine, this place is a good choice. Every company has its pros and cons. Not sure what you're looking for as far as pay/domiciles/PIC/SJS/days off, etc.
Hope this helps, feel free to PM me if you need any more info.

 

[check6]

I don't want to state the obvious, but more specifically, where are people leaving to? Majors, other regionals, fractionals?

 

[MoreDaysOff]

Sounds like things have improved. When I was There 12 years ago I made $8000.00 my first year.

 

[pgcfii2002]

I think many move on to SkyWest.......

Most of the people I have spoken to recommend Scenic for the experience.

 

[lemtjones]

Right now a lot have been going to Expressjet and Skywest. A few captains have been finding corporate gigs.