Unfortunately they are a reality now...

[klr1395]

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2007-08-07-virgin-america_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

 

[michael707767]

The day they hired Fred Reid I stopped worrying about Virgin America.

 

[klr1395]

We can only hope history repeats itself..

 

[regionalcap]

Man, their pay rates suck. They are better than Skybus but that's about it.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Lovely.....

 

[Getter]

Anyone know who they are hiring? I have to wonder where they are finding their left seaters.

 

[calfo]

• Future routes: SFO-IAD on Sept 26; SFO-LAS on Oct 10; LAX-IAD on Oct 24
• Launching first flights on August 8th from LAX and JFK
• 18 channel satellite in-flight satellite entertainment
• Tentatively planning on serving several Canadian cities
• Hourly pay rates: $95/hr for captains, $44/hr for FOs
• Upgrading captains return to Year 1 pay
• Upgrade to captain is merit based
• $5/hr yearly raise
• Reserve guarantee: 70 hours/mo
• Two 5-day blocks of vacation per year
• Focus will be on transcontinental flights
• Inaugural route: SFO-JFK
• Fleet plans: 34 A319/A320s
• Eight seats will be First Class
• Chairman of Virgin America is Donald Carty, ex-AMR CEO

Where do they find such underachievers?

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

Welcome to New York VirginAmerica-- now get in line with everybody else!!!

 

[Kharma Police]

Don "Elmer Fudd" Carty will do a good job running that place into the ground; all the while making himself and RJ Fred rich.

 

[PCL_128]

• Chairman of Virgin America is Donald Carty, ex-AMR CEO

Now there's something that gives you confidence in the organization! [/sarcasm]

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Saw Branson on the Today show yesterday. He basically touted their "new" planes and their inflight "entertainment" systems. He alluded to the fact that delays will be incredibly comfortable onboard as well. Seems he's using this as a big selling point to travellers.

 

[AA717driver]

A lot of the first captains hired were former Indy Air pilots. A few were laid off USAir/AA-TWA. One guy from AA (SFO/S80/CA) retired to go to VA.

A lot of the FO's came from Skywest. That's all I know. TC

 

[Andy]

A lot of the first captains hired were former Indy Air pilots. A few were laid off USAir/AA-TWA. One guy from AA (SFO/S80/CA) retired to go to VA.

I'm not surprised that it's mostly Indy alumni. A bunch of Indy alum also went to Skybus.

 

[ferlo]

• Future routes: SFO-IAD on Sept 26; SFO-LAS on Oct 10; LAX-IAD on Oct 24
• Launching first flights on August 8th from LAX and JFK
• 18 channel satellite in-flight satellite entertainment
• Tentatively planning on serving several Canadian cities
• Hourly pay rates: $95/hr for captains, $44/hr for FOs
• Upgrading captains return to Year 1 pay
• Upgrade to captain is merit based
• $5/hr yearly raise
• Reserve guarantee: 70 hours/mo
• Two 5-day blocks of vacation per year
• Focus will be on transcontinental flights
• Inaugural route: SFO-JFK
• Fleet plans: 34 A319/A320s
• Eight seats will be First Class
• Chairman of Virgin America is Donald Carty, ex-AMR CEO

Where do they find such underachievers?

I didn't know it was that bad...

 

[GuppyWN]

You upgrade and lose all longevity. And you get a whole 10 days a year vacation and a biggo 5 bucks a year raise?

Damn! I'm one lucky dude.

Gup