Sun Country questions

[usairbus01]

Anybody out there know how it is over at Sun Country since they have become a scheduled carrier? QOL? Pay? How is the overall attitude and treatment?

 

[1031Guy]

Good place to work.

 

[usairbus01]

Can you tell me why it is a good place to work?

 

[fredthead]

Great people to work with. If you live in the local area and want to be home every night it's the place to be. Currently only layovers are DFW, ANC and an occasional Laughlin, NV. 95% of flights are out and backs from between 5.5 and 7.0 hours of pay. Pay rates are at www.airlinepilotcentral.com. Oldest airplane was built in '99 with a new one's coming in July and Aug. Once here, very few ever leave so upgrade is solely based on retirements and new aircraft. For commuters we have 12 and 24 hour reserve lines and they go pretty senior.

 

[1031Guy]

Fredthead...I don't think he's a pilot. Check out his info...

 

[fredthead]

1031 you're right, my bad. But the Flight Attendant's and Dispatchers are good people too. I know they were interviewing for a dispatcher position last week.

 

[1031Guy]

Your're right about that. Good group of people all around!

 

[Desert1]

Any chance of improvements in pay now that Petters has bought out Sun Country? Reason I ask is Allegiant is the next one up the ladder in the lowest pay category and we are in the process of negotiating another raise (3rd consecutive year). Unfortunately, every time we do an industry analysis, our CEO likes to point out Sun Country as a 'comparable carrier'.

According to airlinepilotcentral.com, Sun Country was bought by Petters to 're-capitalize and expand'. Was it in financial trouble? Any details? Do you see any improvements on the horizon?

I appreciate any info you can provide such as add'l forms of compensation not mentioned in airlinepilotcentral, retirement, QOL. Also, any info on on-going negotiations, if any, would be greatly appreciated.

I mean no disrespect, just trying to gather info for our own negotiation.

D1

 

[usairbus01]

Thanks for the info. I think MN would be a nice place to live. Awhile ago (4 years +?) the company scaled back to rebuild the company. There were no new hires for a long time. From what I know, the company is on solid ground again and is beginning to grow.
Is this correct?

 

[fredthead]

Desert1, we just signed a new contract in Dec 06 so I don't see any pay raises coming soon, unless all other employees get a raise. We do get a small match to our 401K.
USairbus01, we are near break even and getting new equipment. The trouble with a private company is you never know the truth. That being said, Petters track record with the other companies he owns seems to suggest we will be around for a while.

 

[ThisistheDream]

when do you see them hiring off the street again? I have heard they have a recall class for end of july that is full and that ends the recall list. I also heard that they will need around 6 more new hires in a september class to fill the spots for the 2 new Aircraft this year since they only got 10 total recalls to comeback. does this still sound right or is there any other opinions on this. thanks

 

[A-Track]

Not sure when we're supposed to hire people, but we will eventually need more people company wide with the 2 planes coming this summer and we're supposed to be getting several more next year along with the dutch planes that are leased in the winter, the whole place will be getting short staffed.

 

[usairbus01]

I have an interview on 6/28/07. Any tips you can give me? I'll report back what their plan is for growth, etc.

 

[temcgrew]

Any chance of improvements in pay now that Petters has bought out Sun Country? Reason I ask is Allegiant is the next one up the ladder in the lowest pay category and we are in the process of negotiating another raise (3rd consecutive year). Unfortunately, every time we do an industry analysis, our CEO likes to point out Sun Country as a 'comparable carrier'.

D1

How about asking for captain pay to be equivalent to sun country's 6th year and up? Even F/O pay is better from 3rd and up.

 

[Desert1]

How about asking for captain pay to be equivalent to sun country's 6th year and up? Even F/O pay is better from 3rd and up.

Good observation UEJ. I'll admit I overlooked the latter years on the SC payscale. I wonder if we mentioned that in response. Good point to pass along to our negotiators.

Thanks.

D1

 

[johnsonrod]

Any rumors as to whether Sun Country will change its fleet to Airbus from Boeing? I know the owner just bought an A319CJ. Perhaps they could get a deal worked out.

Also, when will the last of the furloughees be expected to be on the property (if they elect to return)? Anyone know what percentage of furloughees have elected to return - any estimates?

 

[ThisistheDream]

The furlough list is supposely done and they got around 10-11 out of 40 to comeback in the last round of call backs. I dont see them getting any airbuses for the airline, yet?

 

[IHateMgmt]

Any rumors as to whether Sun Country will change its fleet to Airbus from Boeing? I know the owner just bought an A319CJ. Perhaps they could get a deal worked out.

Petters made a company announcement a while back saying the only Airbus he is buying is the 319 for himself. That doesn't mean it's never gonna happen, but that's what he said.

 

[1031Guy]

Petters currently has ordered 6 318's. These are for Petters Aviation and do not have anything to do with SCA. No plans for SCA to switch to AB.

"Also, when will the last of the furloughees be expected to be on the property (if they elect to return)?"

End of July.

 

[Allen1]

What do the retirements look like there?

 

[1031Guy]

Old, wrinkley, and gray-haired...j/k:laugh:

Quite a few in the next 3-4 years if the law don't change. Maybe 25-30 out of 160 pilots (15%-20%)...just ballparking the numbers.