SouthernAir

[John Galt]

5 Star everywhere we go? I have to call BS on that one 1800RVR.

Since when is that filthy Hampton Inn in ATL or the Wingate in DFW a five star or the aiport Ramada in China we use????

Five Stars? That might be a bit of a stretch. Especially in ATL and DFW. I can honestly say I have only been in 2 “close to” 5 star hotels. HKG and DBX. We no longer stay at the ATL Hampton. For the most part the hotels are good, clean, quiet places. My only gripe with the DFW hotel is: NO BAR!

For those not on the property some interesting info. The SAI flight crews formed up an informal “Crew Group”. They started a “dialogue” with the company with the primary focus (ouch) to improve QOL issues. Especially the 20 day issue. Pay was backburner because everyone knew how the owner felt about that issue. The talks were a bit rocky at first, but actually went quite well after that.

What surprised all of us was the outcome. Right now there is an agreement in concept on many issues. But basically it goes for 5 years. Pay increase of 5% upon acceptance and another at year 3. Per Diem from $2 to $2.25 at year 2 and to $2.50 at year 4. As always, the devil will be in the details when this is all incorporated in the GOM (which we will vote on). As far as the 20 day issue goes: it did not change, but a “rig” system was devised that gets us to 70 hours if we are out the whole 20 days (more efficient scheduling). Guarantee is still 60.

Focus pay is still a bit better per hour, but SAI pays on a 30 day cycle and not 60. Unlike Focus SAI pays actual block flown and not the scheduled wheels up to wheels down. Home basing is here to stay, so we get flown to work. True: first year no DH pay (and it does add up), however Per Diem starts/ends with the commute.

Candidates to left seat can expect a tighter “screening” process in the future. I think that right now the junior Captain in training is a Sep or Oct 05 hire.

I have not heard that the Jan/Feb classes were PFT. I don’t think so. SAI learned their lesson the hard way and no longer “types”. In the past, PFT candidates were a 50/50 proposition. SAI had 2. One passed IOE and one didn’t.

Can you stay out more than 20 days? I flunked bidding once. It happens. Just turn your underpants inside out.

All in all, we were surprised at the company’s willingness to work with the Crew Group. But when you lose 5 well qualified Captains in a week to a competitor I guess the bells start going off.

The “sunshine pump”, Mr. 1800 (just joking) has pretty well summed up the rest.

 

[xspud]

lifestyle in MIA question

John Galt speaks! Seems like you should be working for "Giant"...

Anyway, I have a totally unrelated question for you MIA folks. Please feel free to direct me to a more appropriate thread if you know of one.

I'm thinking about moving to MIA but I'm worried about the traffic. Not so much for myself (working the frtdog sked) but my wife isn't too excited about that part of South FL life. Any suggestions?

Also, anybody have any advice about liveaboard slips/marinas in South Florida? Key Largo works, too.

 

[Dream2fly]

Does anyone have information about the new hire training for Southern Air? I would like to get how long, how many days a week and more. Thank you so much for any help that I can get.

Jimmy

 

[1800rvr]

Hello, sorry about the late reply; just got in from Shanghai.

1 week of indoc (40 hours) in Miami at Aeroservice building with SA instructors, 2 weeks (80 hours) ground school on a/c systems, followed by a systems final.

1 week of CPT cockpit trainer time appx. 12 hours, followed by 6 sim sessions in the 747 simulator, w/ a checkride, followed by a LOFT, and then assignment to a line IOE check airman for enroute IOE in the aircraft.

Expect to be in Miami appx.45 days. best wishes; see you on the line. Remember, SA is not the best and far from the worst operator............so take it for what it is worth to you.


1800rvr.

 

[weasel_lips]

Expect to be in Miami appx.45 days. best wishes; see you on the line. Remember, SA is not the best and far from the worst operator............so take it for what it is worth to you.


1800rvr.

Who exactly is the worst?

SA is far from the best and close to the worst would be more accurate.

 

[mrvmo]

When you say close to the worst, what catagory are you speaking of? If you are comparing us to FEDEX then yes it sucks here..........your right. If you are comparing us to ATLAS or POLAR or WORLD..........yea I would agree that they pretty much got us beat in most of the important things that we as pilots want (not by that much though).......other than a quick upgrade (9 months). But if you compare SA to the likes of Kalitta, Gemini, Traidwinds, Evergreen, or ATI I think SA compares pretty well, and believe it or not they are actually improving. Granted this place stunk pretty bad when I started a few years back, but the newly formed association in unison with the company are making changes for the better(pay raise, QOL improvements.) It's a step in the right direction, which is far better than a step in the wrong one which we are seeing industry wide. If you can tolerate being gone an average of 16 days a month on the road straight (Sometimes more and sometimes less...that is the average) it's not a bad pace to be. If you need anymore info let me know. Please do not succumb to the folks that don't know. I don't recall ANYBODY saying that SA was the best place to work.

 

[Kikuchiyo]

mrvmo and 1800rvr: I recognize that there's no "typical" schedule (anymore than there's anything like a typical schedule in military airlift). So instead, could you tell us what your last trip(s) looked like? Where to, how long on the ground at each stop, did you deadhead on a company jet or pax airline anywhere? Thanks,

 

[nfinity8]

a quick ?

I know that Southern is homebased and isn't CASS, but do they have jumpseat privileges with other 121 carriers? Just curious...

 

[ironspud]

I know that Southern is homebased and isn't CASS, but do they have jumpseat privileges with other 121 carriers? Just curious...

No.....

 

[ironspud]

When you say close to the worst, what catagory are you speaking of? If you are comparing us to FEDEX then yes it sucks here..........your right. If you are comparing us to ATLAS or POLAR or WORLD..........yea I would agree that they pretty much got us beat in most of the important things that we as pilots want (not by that much though).......other than a quick upgrade (9 months). But if you compare SA to the likes of Kalitta, Gemini, Traidwinds, Evergreen, or ATI I think SA compares pretty well, and believe it or not they are actually improving. Granted this place stunk pretty bad when I started a few years back, but the newly formed association in unison with the company are making changes for the better(pay raise, QOL improvements.) It's a step in the right direction, which is far better than a step in the wrong one which we are seeing industry wide. If you can tolerate being gone an average of 16 days a month on the road straight (Sometimes more and sometimes less...that is the average) it's not a bad pace to be. If you need anymore info let me know. Please do not succumb to the folks that don't know. I don't recall ANYBODY saying that SA was the best place to work.

MRVMO:

What you say is not "entirely" true. As a side benefit, some of our "younger" captains get to sleep with fat Russian .....women(?). (OK..OK..perks are perks).

 

[nfinity8]

No.....

Thanks for the reply ironspud. Do you think there is any chance of Southern getting jumpseat privileges with anyone any time soon? I know most of the cargo airlines have aggreements...that's why it was a little surprising that Southern doesn't have any jumpseat privileges. I'm considering applying there and you have been helpfull with your info. Thanks again.

 

[Iron Man]

I resemble that remark!

 

[ironspud]

Thanks for the reply ironspud. Do you think there is any chance of Southern getting jumpseat privileges with anyone any time soon? I know most of the cargo airlines have aggreements...that's why it was a little surprising that Southern doesn't have any jumpseat privileges. I'm considering applying there and you have been helpfull with your info. Thanks again.

Jeez, how do I put this "politely"?

Probably no chance of that happening at Southern Air. I commuted for over 14 years at my last "real" airline job - on my own company - and hated it.

SA now provides me a guaranteed seat to get to work and back home. Every time. I love it.

If we go CASS, or reciprocal - we will most definitely lose that. I can think of noone here at SA that wants reciprocal jump seats or CASS. Surprisingly enough - even management.

Home basing is wonderful.

Oh! Incidently: Apply here. You will work hard, but with great crews.

 

[embpic1]

For you Kalitta bashers, give it a break. Every company has its pros and cons. I actually like working here. I am traveling the world and having a blast flying the king of Boeings.

With regard to the engine in Lake Michigan incident, it was a manufacturer's defect in the part. It was not a failure of Kalitta mx. I have seen our engine overhaul shop in Oscoda and I was impressed. Connie has really done a nice job with it. We also overhaul engines for other carriers.

 

[ironspud]

For you Kalitta bashers, give it a break. Every company has its pros and cons. I actually like working here. I am traveling the world and having a blast flying the king of Boeings.

With regard to the engine in Lake Michigan incident, it was a manufacturer's defect in the part. It was not a failure of Kalitta mx. I have seen our engine overhaul shop in Oscoda and I was impressed. Connie has really done a nice job with it. We also overhaul engines for other carriers.

Good for you. Tell Adnan "I love you, man".