Western Air Express?

[340drvr]

Anybody got info on Western Air Express in Boise? Schedules, pay scales, working conditions? They look like the standard freight outfit. Thanks!

 

[utahpilot]

I spoke with a friend there a few weeks ago. he had nothing good to say about it, hates it, and said management leads by intimidation and fear. he's been there 2 years and still isn't CA on the Metro, but does do single pilot runs on the 402.

on the other hand, another friend I have spent 6 months there then went to SkyWest. he was glad for the experience and turbine time.

pay is very low. they are not hiring, and are in fact overstaffed, losing business to AmFlight.

 

[TRBojet]

the WAE way

I worked for Western Air Express back in 1998 for about 10 months. I never upgraded to Metro captain, or flew the C402, but they are the typical small 135 freight operator, pushing the limits on all bases. When I was there, I was paid $60/trip (part time) while also working as a courier. I think they're on salary now for all pilots. I tried to get a job there after I was furloughed. I'm glad I didn't. I THINK the pay is ~$1600/mo for FO, and ~$2200-2500/mo for captains. Lots of night flying, over the mountains, with no autopilot, doing single-engine turns throwing bank bags in and out..... I'm not complaining, it gave me great experience when I was building time for the airlines. I have heard, too, that they were losing some of their bank runs to Amflight.

Hope that helps.

 

[Metro A-Team]

Well, I know this is an old and probably dead thread but if you want it straight from one of the horses' mouths here goes...

Pay:
$75/trip as "part-time" Metro FO
$100/trip as "part-time" C-402 PIC

$1600/month as full time Metro FO
$2100/month as full time C-402 PIC (to start)
$2500/month as full time Metro PIC (to start)

Raises based on "full time status" with company
ie: 2 year (full time) Metro PIC =$3500/month
(so I wouldn't call that "very low" I guess it's all relative)

Pay scale is not published for more than $3500/month but there is no reason that a dedicated employee couldn't make more than that.

It is mostly night freight, yes over the mountain but the aircaft are in pretty good shape in comparison to other "freighters" I've seen. Yes, no auto pilots in the Metros but they are almost exclusively two pilot trips. The 402s do have auto pilots.

utahpilot:

I know "your friend" and part of what he says may be true but him not upgrading to CA in the Metro has mostly to do with his poor decision making skills not a lack of opportunity.

TRBojet:

"Pushing the limits on all bases" I think was the "Old WAE" however, after you left, the local FAA ("I'm here to help") took a pretty close look at the operation and WAE REALLY cleaned up the entire operation!! It's a good group of guys...mostly, and in todays environment it's about as stable a job as anyone could ask for. About the lost contracts, that is true but I think WAE is on the uphill climb.

To those interested in building some pretty good time in a challenging airplane I'd say check out the web site and send in your resume. (Don't let the "mins" scare you off. Very few pilots have been hired there with that much time.) With that said, be persistant, as things are slow right now and it could take some time before they are "looking" for more pilots.

SeeYA