Month: March 2004

Flying the Line: Pinnacle Airlines

Describe your Airline

Pinnacle is a regional airline that has changed significantly in the past few years, originally operating Jetstream 31s and Saab 340s out of Memphis. In April 2000 their first CRJ was delivered. Now Pinnacle is an all-jet fleet of CRJs operating out of three hubs. There are two variations of the CRJ flown by pinnacle, the CRJ-200 and the CRJ-440. The CRJ-200 is a 50 seat and the CRJ-440 is a 44-seat airplane. There are no differences in the cockpit or training, only the airplane max gross weight. There are two companies providing the Northwest Airlink (regional airline) service, Pinnacle and Mesaba. Pinnacle, with all its growth, currently has 700 pilots. There are 129 CRJs on order for Pinnacle, with options by Northwest for more. There are approximately 82 now, with at least 3 new CRJs being added each month.

What is your position at the company?

I am a First Officer flying the CRJ.

What was your flight time, and what ratings and certificates did you hold at the time of your interview?

When I interviewed, I had 1561 hours total time, of which about 1220 was multi-engine. I instructed for ATP where I built the multi-engine time before getting hired by Pinnacle. I have single and multi-engine Commercial licenses as well as my flight instructor ratings. I also had ATP and FEX writtens, an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit, a first class medical, and United States Passport.

How did you attain your certificates, ratings, and flight time?

I received my private pilot rating in my hometown at an FBO. While pursuing my private rating I worked full time at a 9 to 5 job, and discovered flying was extremely gratifying. Researching alternatives to continue my training to become a professional pilot, I mentioned to my instructor that I thought ATP was the best choice. His response was that he wished he had gone to ATP. With that kind of recommendation and my investigation, I decided to attend ATP as soon as I got my private pilot rating. After just 3 months and receiving all of my ratings including instructor certificates in ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program, I was invited to instruct. I spent just over a year instructing, building multi-engine time before being hired by Pinnacle.

Briefly describe the interview and selection process.

Currently the published minimums are 1500 total time with 300 multi-engine. Pinnacle strictly adheres to their established minimums. No one that interviewed had lower than the minimums. Other pilots recommend all interviewees.

The interview is a one-day process. Applicants arrive in the morning, and after an introduction by HR and a little info about the company, everyone takes a written test. After successful completion of the test, the interview process begins. One by one, the applicants are taken into a room with a panel of five, consisting of an HR person, a Flight Standards pilot, 2 line pilots and a check airman. Qualified applicants usually go immediately to meet the chief pilot for a final decision. Acceptance phone calls or emails usually take about a week. Rejection letters take a little longer. Applicants can expect a class date at least 2 months away from the interview.

What was the experience level of those in your class?

The experience level of new hires in my class ranged from furloughed airline pilots to instructors with the bare minimum hours.

Briefly describe the new-hire training process.

All new hire ground school, including simulator training at Flight Safety, will occur in MEM. New hires will finish all training within 2 to 3 months. Training consists of one week of indoctrination, 3 weeks of systems and jet flight aerodynamics ground school, followed by 3 CPT sessions before flying the simulator. After 9 simulator sessions and a successful checkride, pilots are released for 30 hours of initial line operating experience.

Was housing provided during training?

During training, new-hires are responsible for their own housing. Some stayed in an extended stay hotel, others grouped 4 to an apartment rented on a short term lease.

What is the pay and/or per diem during training?

During training, new-hires do not receive any compensation.

What is the pass rate among new-hires in the simulator?

In my class of 16, two did not pass the sim training. One was asked to leave before the 6th sim session and one did not pass the check ride the first time but was offered another chance. Sadly, he did not pass the second one either.

Describe the pay structure for line holders.

The current pay rate for a first year F.O. is $20.13/hr. Captains usually in their third year of employment start at $53.47/hr. There is a 75-hour guarantee for reserve pilots and for line holders. Lines range in hours from 74 to 95 hours of block time varying with 10 to 18 days off a month. Per diem is $1.40 an hour.

What is the current projected time required to upgrade to Captain?

With the current rate of growth, a new hire can expect to upgrade to Captain in 2 years. 3000 hours are required with 1000 hours in type.

What is the approximate time a new-hire spends on reserve?

New hires are only sitting 1 to 2 months on reserve, with some bases not at all. The reserve lines are built with a couple of 12 day off lines for airport reserve and 10 days off for airport and home reserve. Airport reserves can expect to sit at a domicile airport with a 15 minute call out. Home reserves are expected to report within 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What are the current domiciles, and what is seniority like at each?

Domiciles are:

  • DTW—Detroit (junior)
  • MSP—Minneapolis (mid)
  • MEM—Memphis (very senior)

What is the jumpseat/buddy pass policy?

Pinnacle employees and parents and children of employees are eligible to ride on flights as standby passengers. Currently, Pinnacle employees are considered off-airline jumpseaters for travel on Northwest mainline flights, which means that there is no policy especially for Airlink pilots. We are treated as any other airline pilot wishing to ride on those flights. Pinnacle pilots can buy passes for $25 to use if the jumpseat has been taken. Airlink pilots are allowed to ride in the cockpit of northwest mainline flights if there is no room in the cabin. Buddy passes can be purchased for friends traveling on Pinnacle but are not inexpensive.

How many days do you fly in a 30-day period?

Typical lines are built with two, 2-day trips together. There are few 3-day and 4-day trips. MSP and DTW bases also fly day trips, and what we refer to as high-speeds. High-speeds, or continuous duty overnights, are flights that start at 9pm and fly to an outstation then fly out at 6 am, once you reach your domicile you are off duty until later that night.

Do you have a 401(k), and if so, what is the maximum amount an employee can contribute?

Pinnacle offers pilots, after 6 months of service, the option to contribute up to 16 percent of their salary. Depending on the years of service, the company will match 25 percent on 5 percent of employee salary after 6 months of service. Through 13 or more years of service, a 75 percent match on 7 percent of employee salary is offered.

What is the attrition rate per year?

The current attrition rate is slow due to major airline hiring being relatively slow. Most of the Captains that have been at the company for over 10 years are planning on making Pinnacle a career airline.

Is there a union?

ALPA represents the Pinnacle pilot group. The current contract expires in May 2004.

What is the vacation policy?

Vacation is honored in the order of company seniority. Paid vacation is considered at base salary or hourly rate of pay in effect at the time of vacation. First year vacation is earned at 1.54 hours bi-weekly. The second year employee is entitled to 5 days of vacation. With 3 to 5 years, 10 days off a year is planned. In year 6 to 15, 15 days are planned. Year 16 and up is 20 days.

What is the sick leave policy?

Unplanned absences due to illness require a doctor’s note. Paid sick time accrues at a rate of 4 hours or half day for each month of employment.

What benefits are provided/offered to pilots?

Pinnacle offers full medical dental benefits with optional vision, life, and homeowners insurance.

What is the work environment like?

Pinnacle Pilots are generally happy, however crew scheduling is the most discussed weakness within the company. Crew room conversations have been focusing on new ideas for our upcoming contract negations.

Flying the Line: Trans States Airlines

Describe your Airline

Trans States Airlines is a growing regional airline that currently employs approximately 600 pilots. TSA has a fleet of 62 aircraft including 35 EMB-145s, 25 J-41s, 1 ATR-42, and 1 ATR-72. TSA is currently experiencing expansion due to growing contracts with two of our code share partners, United and American. TSA is adding aircraft monthly and is expecting the fleet to increase by at least 18 by the end of 2004. The EMB-145 fleet for United is expected to increase from 7 to 20 and an additional 5 EMB-145 aircraft are scheduled for the American operations, making a total of 33 EMB-145s for American. TSA also currently operates 13 EMB-145s and 6 Jetstream 41s for US Airways. In an October 2003 class, the Chief Pilot stated the long-term business plan for TSA was to be a 50-90 seat, all jet airline. While he mentioned no specifics for implementation of that plan, he did say that the company intends to park the J-41 aircraft as their leases expire beginning in 2005. The TSA pilots, represented by ALPA, are also currently negotiating pay scales for 70-90 seat aircraft.

What is your position at the company?

I am a First Officer in the EMB-145. I was originally hired in August of 2001, furloughed in October 2001, and returned to work in October 2003.

What was your flight time, and what ratings and certificates did you hold at the time of your interview?

When I interviewed in 2001, I had 670 hours total time, of which about 550 was multi-engine. I held single and multi-engine commercial and instrument instructor ratings. I also had an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit and a first class medical with no restrictions. Since I was hired in 2001 there have been several changes in the selection and hiring process.

Briefly describe the interview and selection process.

Currently the published minimums are 1500 total time with 500 multi-engine. The hiring department reports that the lowest time pilot recently hired had approximately 1100 total with 200 multi.

Resumes can be submitted via www.airlineapps.com, fax, mail, or e-mail. Pilot Recruitment contact info can be found at www.transstates.net. Currently, the interview is a one-day process. Applicants arrive in the morning, fill out an application, take a written exam, and then proceed to a panel interview after successful completion of the written exam. The panel is typically a three-person panel consisting of an HR person, a Flight Manager, and member of the training department. Sim evaluations are no longer required unless the applicant has less than the 1500/500 time requirement. Upon successful completions of the interview, applicants are typically awarded a class date within about a month of the interview. Roughly 60% of new hires are assigned the EMB-145 and the rest are assigned to the J-41.

What was the experience level of those in your class?

The experience level of new hires in my most recent class in 10/2003 covered the full range from lower time flight instructors to furloughed major airline pilots. There were also a couple of military helicopter pilots in my class.

Briefly describe the new-hire training process.

New hires will typically take 2-3 months to complete training before being fully line qualified depending on whether there is a wait for simulator training. Training consists of Indoc, GOS, CRM, and Systems classes, which take approximately five weeks to complete. Then each crewmember completes 8 simulator sessions and a checkride before being released for 20-25 hours (depending on aircraft) of initial line operating experience and a final line check. In 10/2003, ground training was held at TSA headquarters in STL and the sim was at Flight Safety in STL. There was talk at that time of conducting some additional sim training in Flight Safety in Texas as well to meet the growing demand for EMB sim time.

Was housing provided during training?

During training, new-hires are responsible for their own housing.

What is the pay and/or per diem during training?

The pay is a 60-hour guarantee during training. Per diem ($1.40) for new-hires starts once actual line flying begins during IOE.

What is the pass rate among new-hires in the simulator?

The pass rate for new hires in the sim is very high. The company is investing a lot of time and money on new hires and they want to see a return on their investment. If someone is struggling, the company will provide limited extra training and time to help see to it that new hires succeed. There is also a list of TSA Pilot Volunteers who are willing to act as mentors for anyone needing additional assistance during training. In my class, everyone succeeded and is now on line.

Describe the pay structure for line holders?

The current pay rate for a first year F.O. is $21.22 regardless of aircraft. Second year F.O. pay is $24.24 in the ERJ and $24.23 in the J-41.There is a 70-hour guarantee for reserve pilots. For line holders, there is a 74-hour guarantee. Lines are averaging around 90 hours per month with a 95% guarantee once the final bid is awarded.

What is the current projected time required to upgrade to Captain?

With the current rate of growth, a new hire can expect to upgrade to captain in 15-24 months provided the time requirements are met. To upgrade in the EMB-145, 3200 total time is required with at least 400 hours in company aircraft. For the J-41, 2200 hours are required with at least 400 in company aircraft. Once upgrade is complete, a third year captain in the EMB will earn $55.75. A third year J-41 captain will earn $41.97.

What is the approximate time a new-hire spends on reserve?

A new hire can expect to hold a line on the jet within a couple of months and within about 6 months in the J-41. Reserve lines are built with 10 days off per month and pilots are required to report for duty within 1½ hours of being called.

Is a strict seniority system in place?

Trans States does operate using a seniority system.

What are the current domiciles, and which aircraft are based there?

The current domiciles are St. Louis (STL) and Richmond (RIC) for both the EMB and J-41 aircraft. The ATR crews are based in STL.

Are the bid lines structured so that pilots can commute?

About 1/3 of the lines are commutable.

What are the jump seat reciprocity agreements?

TSA has reciprocal agreements with most major and regional carriers. TSA pilots may jump seat internationally as well.

How many days do you fly in a 30-day period?

The lines in the EMB are built with an average of 15-19 days of flying. The majority of the lines fly 17-18 days in a 30-day period.

Do you have a 401(k), and if so, what is the maximum amount an employee can contribute?

The 401(k) program allows a maximum contribution of 17%. TSA will match 1% of employee contributions.

What is the attrition rate per year?

The current attrition rate is fairly slow due to industry hiring being relatively slow. A majority of attrition historically takes place when majors are hiring, rather than retirement. In 2003, Trans States lost 80 pilots total due to attrition.

Is attrition expected to accelerate?

The trend in the industry seems to indicate attrition will be on the rise in the coming months/years. The current movement and opportunity at TSA is primarily from the fleet and contractual expansion taking place between Trans States and their code share partners.

Is there a union or consideration for a union?

The TSA pilot group is represented by ALPA. The current contract expires July 31, 2006.

What is the vacation policy?

Paid vacation time accrues at a rate of 7 days paid for 1 year of service, 14 days paid for 2-7 years of service, 21 days paid for 8-14 years of service and 28 days paid for 15+ years of service.

What is the sick leave policy?

Paid sick time accrues at a rate of 2 hours for each full month of active service for 1-3 years of active service and 3 hours for each full month of active service for 4+ years of service.