Updated and Accurate Lynx Info

[Soverytired]

This is truly a different animal.

No, it's just another airline that pays jack squat.

There are many reasons to take it anyway (quick upgrades, Denver basing, etc.), but don't kid yourself. It's just another regional . . .it will be better than some, worse than others.

But the "different animal" talk is just sipping the kool-aid. You'll realize this after a few years when the planes aren't all shiny and the excitement of using a new callsign wears out.

 

[Cloud F9]

Well Said T-Prop.

To add just a bit: They currently pay 40 hours credit during training. Not sure if that will adjust after certification. Also - its nearly 4 weeks in Toronto. Lynx also provides a rental car for every 4 pilots on average. So you are not stranded in the hotel the entire time.

The salary argument - it can never be perfect. As the industry changes constantly - we hope the regionals will adjust. From a guy already on the inside at Lynx- - I want to get accurate info out there to the people who are interested. Like any big decisions - get as much info as you can and weigh the pros and cons.

Safe travels.

 

[T-prop]

No, it's just another airline that pays jack squat.

There are many reasons to take it anyway (quick upgrades, Denver basing, etc.), but don't kid yourself. It's just another regional . . .it will be better than some, worse than others.

But the "different animal" talk is just sipping the kool-aid. You'll realize this after a few years when the planes aren't all shiny and the excitement of using a new callsign wears out.

Ya, after the paint fades and the call-sign gets old I would STILL be extremely happy in the "next few years" being one of the top 10 pilots on the seniority list picking my schedule and living in a base that isn't east of the Mississippi.

As far as pay:

For an "experienced" pilot what is entry level pay at the "other" regionals? What about years 2-9, you know, the years you will spend as an FO waiting to upgrade there?

It could be better, of course, and it will improve. So sit, b#$% and watch it get better from the seat and airline your at.

For a person that is looking to escape their current predicament and/or make that move to the airlines. This is one of the best deals right now, and is one of the best opportunities to come along in a while.

5 years ago, everyone was complaining about the hiring and furloughs and were excited to get a call from Great Lakes.

3 years ago, everyone was complaining about upgrade.

Now, you complain about how bad it is for an experienced pilot to start at an airline with seniority and four stripes, capable management, sound business model, etc.

People on this board amaze me...

 

[Soverytired]

Ya, after the paint fades and the call-sign gets old I would STILL be extremely happy in the "next few years" being one of the top 10 pilots on the seniority list picking my schedule and living in a base that isn't east of the Mississippi.

Now, you complain about how bad it is for an experienced pilot to start at an airline with seniority and four stripes, capable management, sound business model, etc.

People on this board amaze me...

Glad to amaze you. Sometimes I even amaze myself.

Hey, I think there are some very valid reasons to go to Lynx . . . I seriously considered applying myself, because flying a Dash is fun and Denver as a base rocks. But since I got something better in the very near future . . . .

No matter how great your management is, their business model isn't anything special. In many ways, it's "niche" nature is a huge minus . . . Lynx is not going to become the next Southwest; it will for the foreseeable future be a very small regional and for most pilots will be a training ground for future majors pilots.

I've been at two start-ups now. Very exciting in the beginning. Everyone works their butt off (this gets old real quick). Everyone thinks they're doing "something special." However, at the end of the day, their success comes from bringing themselves up to profitability by being pretty much like everyone else.

Try to imagine a successful Lynx, 5 years from now. Then 10. Then 20. It's a niche Part 121 turboprop operator based in Denver with payscales lower than many other jet regionals. But QOL may or may not be better, so that's good. It's certainly not a career carrier for most pilots though; management knows this and will try and keep costs and payscales down because they don't really want to have a bunch of 20-year high cost pilots on payscale when they can market themselves as a "quick upgrade, up then out" carrier.

I also think it's a big mistake to gauge the quality of the airline (from a pilot standpoint) based on how well the top 10% are treated. The true test is how well it treats the BOTTOM 10%.

 

[T-prop]

Good points, good luck on the next gig!

 

[ponder]

Who owns Lynx? Where is the money coming from?

 

[Cloud F9]

Who owns Lynx? Where is the money coming from?

Frontier Holdings is the "umbrella" company that owns both Frontier Airlines and Lynx Aviation.

Similar structure to Alaska Holdings and its two airlines.... Alaska and Horizon.

 

[Blucher]

Cloud9, are they really planning on putting baby animals on all the tails?

-Blucher

 

[Cloud F9]

Cloud9, are they really planning on putting baby animals on all the tails?

-Blucher

Not all the tails will have babies... I believe the first 3 or 4 will.
Of course the first one is a baby Lynx...

 

[Blucher]

That's a nice touch, I didn't even realize that was a baby lynx. Now that everyone seems to be slowing down on the 1st year pay arguments, is there any info on what 2-10th year pay will be? Just curious because it seems to me that arguing over 1st year captain's pay is silly due to the fact that almost nowhere are there 1st year captains (nor, quite frankly, should there be). Also, what is the per diem rate? And what is the logic behind only paying 35 hours while in training? In my experience training requires far more 'work' than any other part of our job.

-Blucher

 

[Cloud F9]

is there any info on what 2-10th year pay will be? Also, what is the per diem rate? And what is the logic behind only paying 35 hours while in training?
-Blucher

I will get an answer this week for ya. They are paying 40 hrs credit during training. I am not sure if that will change after we are hold a certificate. I know the training department is working toward having more and more new hire training in Denver rather than Toronto. Again, things are changing often as needed.

Right now everyone is working in preparation for the proving runs and certificate deadlines. The 1st aircraft arrival coming quickly and we are gearing up for it. Soon after it is here- the second one is right behind it. There will be a handful of cadre pilots selected for the proving runs.

 

[Blucher]

Cloud F9,

Thank you, I look forward to hearing more about it. I still firmly believe these aircraft should be flown by pilots on the F9 seniority list (as should the 'regional jets' they're outsourcing), but I looks as though that ship has sailed. At any rate I certainly hope this strategy helps keep F9 alive and even (dare I say it?) profitable in the near and distant future. Good luck.

-Blucher

 

[StaySeated]

I know for a fact that they have been interviewing for the past 6-9 months. The fact that they have a total of 30 new hires should tell you something about the situation. Before you consider the "stability" of lynx, every potential applicant needs to read the last four quarters of financials for frontier, at a minimum. F9 has lost 60 million dollars over the past 36 months and has seen their debt to equity skyrocket to 80%, the third highest in the entire industry. Is a turboprop feed to and from the mountains a great idea, sure. Is lynx the synthesis and execution of this great idea, not even close. Just my two cents. Good luck to everyone involved.

Oh yeah, I forgot to chime in on the "DO and chief get to decide who upgrades" goat roap. Let me get this straight, you are barely going to pay me during training, I am taking on ALL the risk joining the TEAM, and when my number comes up I have to kiss your arse from here to next week if I want a chance to make a livable wage? Where do I sign up?

 

[Blucher]

Bump....

 

[meatwallet]

Hey all. I just wanted to send out some real info on Lynx. I know there isn't much out there yet- but coming soon. This is intended to get real information out there for people to draw there own conclusions & not a flame war.

As you know they are continuing to hire - CA and FOs. Apply through Careerbuilder.com
Average 10 pilots per class.. with basically one class per month.

70 hr guar. Training in Toronto, Canada.
Denver based.
First plane arriving on property July 20. AC #2 & 3 following quickly thereafter. 10 aircraft due by end of December. Options for 10 more.

Chief Pilot -- Dana Floyd

Passenger service forcasted in mid August. 650 nm radius from DEN. Destinations to be announced soon.

Looking for experienced pilots - especially with mountain flying experience and turboprop time. Dash experience a big plus. FOs could potentially upgrade quickly. Jet time and EFIS/FMS also helpful.

This is still a start up operation - so everything is not silky smooth. This place has a huge potential to really take off and grow into a large & successful operation. If you are interested in being based in Denver and working for a company with the same ethics as Frontier- then do apply. The flying is going to be lots of fun and the people are great.

Interview- the interview profile is constantly changing - so stay tuned.

Post any questions you may have - will do my best to give you a real solid answer. As with any forum - the info out there is questionable. I feel the primary reason is to help your peers to follow the paths that fit each individual.

Safe Travels!

I have been watching careerbuilder.com for a while...where is Lynx Aviation? It is not under "L" (there is another company named Lynx), and not listed under Frontier Airlines. How does someone apply?

Also, in training is pay 70hrs or 40hrs?

 

[T-prop]

I have been watching careerbuilder.com for a while...where is Lynx Aviation? It is not under "L" (there is another company named Lynx), and not listed under Frontier Airlines. How does someone apply?

Also, in training is pay 70hrs or 40hrs?

On careerbuilder.com search for jobs in Westminster, CO and Pilot in the Keywords.

40 hrs during training + $55/day per diem while in Toronto for 3-4 weeks. Rental Car shared b/n 4 pilots.

Good Luck

 

[Cloud F9]

More info

I have been watching careerbuilder.com for a while...where is Lynx Aviation? It is not under "L" (there is another company named Lynx), and not listed under Frontier Airlines. How does someone apply?

Also, in training is pay 70hrs or 40hrs?

Search careerbuilder.com for DENVER and LYNX Should have numerous positions posted.

Training credit is 40hrs currently. Unknown at this time if that will stay after certification. The perdiem and car is correctly stated above.

I am collecting HR new hire packet info as well. Stay tuned.

 

[Blucher]

That's a nice touch, I didn't even realize that was a baby lynx. Now that everyone seems to be slowing down on the 1st year pay arguments, is there any info on what 2-10th year pay will be? Just curious because it seems to me that arguing over 1st year captain's pay is silly due to the fact that almost nowhere are there 1st year captains (nor, quite frankly, should there be). Also, what is the per diem rate? And what is the logic behind only paying 40 hours while in training? In my experience training requires far more 'work' than any other part of our job.

-Blucher

............

 

[labbats]

I know for a fact that they have been interviewing for the past 6-9 months. The fact that they have a total of 30 new hires should tell you something about the situation. Before you consider the "stability" of lynx, every potential applicant needs to read the last four quarters of financials for frontier, at a minimum. F9 has lost 60 million dollars over the past 36 months and has seen their debt to equity skyrocket to 80%, the third highest in the entire industry. Is a turboprop feed to and from the mountains a great idea, sure. Is lynx the synthesis and execution of this great idea, not even close. Just my two cents. Good luck to everyone involved.

Oh yeah, I forgot to chime in on the "DO and chief get to decide who upgrades" goat roap. Let me get this straight, you are barely going to pay me during training, I am taking on ALL the risk joining the TEAM, and when my number comes up I have to kiss your arse from here to next week if I want a chance to make a livable wage? Where do I sign up?

Well said. Also add the fact that all the regionals are foaming at the mouth for qualified applicants and you have no reason to apply for a job that pays you $840/mo for training.

 

[Cloud F9]

............

The pay scales have not been set beyond the 2nd year rate. I feel the management did not want to lock anything in until after Lynx was operational.
This can be good for both sides of the table.
From what I have seen the second year CA is $52/hr. Now this pay rate scale was conceived back in Aug or Sep last year. Right now Lynx is doing its best at keeping the cost as low as possible to get up and running.

I believe the rates will be adjusted appropriately to reflect industry trends later on in the timetable.

As for the 40 hr pay in training - not sure of the reason other than to save some funding until certification. I will look into it some more.

THose pilots that are hired in July or so would theoretically have a shorter wait from day one of indoc until released from IOE. It will get streamlined more and more....