Unfortunately all of the above statements are true. However, there is a new sheriff in town. The old POI was extremely accomodating to the company. After an FAA shake down a new POI was assigned and has done a remarkable job of staightening up this place as far as legality matters go. This place will never be a place you want to hang your hat for a carreer. The employees are on the bottom of the priorty pole so it seems that we are always getting the shaft. I was in truck driving school after being furloughed from a major when they gave me a Captain's slot so I'll always be grateful for that. Just the same though I'm trying like hell to get out. You have to have a lot of integrity and moxy to work here. You have to watch your back and not be afraid to stand up to the powers at be even if it does mean your job. So no I would'nt suggest this job to anyone only the strong and the brave and only for the shortest possible.
For those of you that are still interested, We no longer work for apple vacation, we have our own non-scheduled (that happens to run 2-3 times a day seven days a week) to ABE,EWR, SWF,FLL,SFB,PIE, GPT. We have 4 DC9's ,2 MD82's and 2 MD88's. All in all I can't complain about the maitenence or the condition of the ships. Just because the DC9 are old does not make them junk. Its a very proven bird that will always be around in some form or the other ie. 717's. Thats the reason Midwest Airlines still holds onto the oldest fleet of them, if it were'nt for public perception on aging aircraft, they probally wouldn't be replacing them either. But hey, us Americans have got to get a car every four years to replace our piece of junk in the drive right?
Thanks for all of your honest and true inputs ,if I were at a reputable regional I'd stay where you are at. But if nobody will give you a job and you are tired of driving a truck were hiring.