TradeWinds

[NoahWerka]

Anybody know anything about TradeWinds Airlines out of GSO? Did a search, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of info on them.

 

[CSY Mon]

There should be plenty of postings on this forum about Tradewinds (TDX)

Try that search again....

 

[80for80]

A buddy of mine's friend was a 747 captain there. Last week he just up an quit Tradewinds. He got a job outside of aviation. If a guy is willing to quit a 747 captain job, that should tell you something about the type of operation Tradewinds is.

 

[CSY Mon]

that should tell you something about the type of operation Tradewinds is.

So what type of operation is it?

Curious minds would like to know.

 

[NoahWerka]

Interrviewed with them today. Normal stuff. The only news is that the previous mgt.crowd hired a bunch of low time pilots. Some of them can't even upgrade for a while. Now they are looking for experienced pilots in the 9-18k hour range to bring the average TT of their pilots up. Three days of interviews with 4-5 prospective new-hires each day for a pilot pool. Primiarily looking for 47 pilots, but they will expand their Airbus fleet soon. They e-mail a bunch of forms to fill out, so the paper work is just a quick check to make sure everything is filled out correctly. Then a 2 on 1 talk with the CP and Asst.CP, and a 1 on 1 with the DO. They expect to start a class in July.

 

[mushroom]

Well that's good news for those of us who work there, anyway. More hiring is always good. Also I have never heard of anything called an "assistant chief pilot." Do you mean a program manager?

 

[big_al]

47 pilots??? where did this come from? They have always been a small operation and just lost a 742

 

[cargoflyr69]

I also thought they had guys on furlough...

 

[PlaneDrvr]

47 pilots??? where did this come from? They have always been a small operation and just lost a 742

Not sure, but I believe that he said that they are looking for "47 pilots" that means that they are looking for 'B-747 pilots' and not that they are looking for "47" individual pilots. Duh!

Good thing that he did not say, they are looking for "74 pilots" (as I have also heard it referenced), then you would think that they were doing some Big Time Hiring. lol

I believe it is just 'pilot shorthand'

 

[CRACKHEAD]

Big time hiring.

PlaneDrvr,

Did you say 74 pilots?!? Well, heck I better get my stuff in to them quick!

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

PlaneDrvr,

Did you say 74 pilots?!? Well, heck I better get my stuff in to them quick!

No No No..I saw 747 pilots!! They must be buying KAL!!!!!!!

 

[NoahWerka]

Well that's good news for those of us who work there, anyway. More hiring is always good. Also I have never heard of anything called an "assistant chief pilot." Do you mean a program manager?

Never really found out what his function was, so I used that term loosely.

They are looking for Boeing 747 pilots, not 47(the #) pilots. Currently have 7(the #) pilots on furlough. Planning on adding 6 crews.

 

[Thedude]

Noah, I think I may have waltz through the office when you where filling out paperwork and I was on a fishing expedition. You intereviewed with the chief pilot and the 747 program manager. I understood that 8 crews where to be hired, might be a little wrong that could be 6. But we are going to grow the pilot group in any event.
Outta curosity, what are you quals since you where told we have such a low TT pilot group (I heard the same thing but I pretty sure it was in refrence to something else.)

80for80,
The capt in question has personal reasons other than the company.

 

[Flybet3]

A buddy of mine's friend was a 747 captain there. Last week he just up an quit Tradewinds. He got a job outside of aviation. If a guy is willing to quit a 747 captain job, that should tell you something about the type of operation Tradewinds is.

Never really heard anything bad about this place...I mean, if you dont mind being gone for a good amount of days. It always seemed to be a good operation.

 

[CSY Mon]

if you dont mind being gone for a good amount of days. It always seemed to be a good operation.

Now that is funny:

TDX gives ya more days OFF than any other company I have worked for.
Are ya thinking of the Connie boys, or perhaps Southern? Them guys are gone for longer than the TDX boys..

I was on a fishing expedition.

Looks ya ya caught something: Yer name is on the August Domicile Awards.

 

[CWI]

CSY Mon,

Good point indeed.

I've been home 6 days since May 20th, and have only worked on 3 of my days off.

That was June 1st, 2nd and 3rd to cover a pop up charter for the earthquaker victims in Java.

CWI

 

[Draginass]

One guy I know there told me that TDX has a severe attrition problem on the 747 side. Something on the order of 40%. Many have left to go to Focus, Southern, and Kallitta. That blown-up engine and hull loss in Medellin in combo with losing crews to other 747 companies makes you wonder what's going on there.

 

[CSY Mon]

The official atrition over @ TDX is 45% on the 747 side.

With crew scheduling trying to screw guys over days off and pay issues, not many crew members see a future for themselfs.

If one fights hard enough, results can be had, but guys are tired of fighting for their basic rights. And rightly so.

Top managment are also tired of guys leaving in droves and have promised changes...

We shall see, it can't get any worse considering the August bid lines....

 

[NoahWerka]

Noah, I think I may have waltz through the office when you where filling out paperwork and I was on a fishing expedition. You intereviewed with the chief pilot and the 747 program manager. I understood that 8 crews where to be hired, might be a little wrong that could be 6. But we are going to grow the pilot group in any event.
Outta curosity, what are you quals since you where told we have such a low TT pilot group (I heard the same thing but I pretty sure it was in refrence to something else.)

80for80,
The capt in question has personal reasons other than the company.

121 Capt. current on the 737. 17,000hrs.

 

[federico]

With all that flight time what would you ever come here. 121 capt 737. 17,000 to come to the second generation whale.

 

[NoahWerka]

With all that flight time what would you ever come here. 121 capt 737. 17,000 to come to the second generation whale.

Supposedly going to add to the Airbus fleet also. Live 80 min. from GSO. Tired of the half-day one leg commutes that have turned into day and and a half two or more leg commutes. Want GSO base on the Airbus only. Currently on furlough.

 

[CSY Mon]

With all that flight time what would you ever come here. 121 capt 737. 17,000 to come to the second generation whale.

Ya asked me the same a while ago.

Everbody have a different reason.

Hours is good but no guarantee of happiness.

Some of us have been around the block on once or twice and just looking for a temprorary home with a steady pay check.

Again, if I have to explain, ya probably won't get it anyway.....

 

[federico]

Maybe theres some new info I dont know but Gso is the senior base If you ask my opinion thats the last one you will get. if your lucky maybe taipei or f/o miami 747 good luck.

 

[Draginass]

Ya asked me the same a while ago.

Some of us have been around the block on once or twice and just looking for a temprorary home with a steady pay check.

Given the atrocious attrition rate, "temporary" is very applicable.

 

[federico]

Tradewinds is hiring 747 crews interviewing more crews next week. They want to hire people off the street to the 747 before giving the senior Airbus people the option. The word going around is the 747 crews dont want any Airbus crews to crossover since all the Bus guys are senior. Its their latest plant to keep 747 guys frm going elseware.

 

[Thedude]

I was told in new hire class that the 2 airframes would be opereated with a different senority list, ie no more guy from the Airbus would be allowed to come over and if some were allowed they would start at the bottom of the current 747 list. A few came over earlier this year and a few of us ended up being furloughed because of it. Not to mention the fact there is a 36 month seat lock (or there is supposed to be). It shouldn't bother you Freddie, since you have about 1 yr to go.

 

[federico]

The seat lock does not exist if not look at the last transition class case per case. TDX has one seniority list and one opec specs. Who ever told you that did not think before he said it. last I knew there was only one Tdx and I know of guys who have been on furlough longer than you have been at TDX.

 

[Thedude]

The seat lock does not exist if not look at the last transition class case per case. TDX has one seniority list and one opec specs.

What does ops specs have to do with a senority list. Not to mention the fact a senority list doesnt mean anything if you dont have a union with a contract. But failing to follow their own policy is a whole other matter.

Who ever told you that did not think before he said it.

It was the previous chief pilot.

I know of guys who have been on furlough longer than you have been at TDX.

Now your just making stuff up and I now guys that have been shot outta cannons for a living......what does that have to do with anything

 

[federico]

No Im not. Just ask one of your senior CAPT QUALIFIED F/O or PFE. Some guys out of five years have been out a total of two.
And your previous question is simple. Have you ever heard a company that had one approved certificate and opecs and two seniority list.

 

[Thedude]

Have you ever heard a company that had one approved certificate and opecs and two seniority list.

Sure have, they are called Ryan International.