HVYMETALDRVR

I figured that. Friend of mine flew for a another now-defunct ACMI and that's what he told me.

NightIP

I made $56k gross my 3rd year at Omni as a 767 FO. FWIW.

HeavyDriver

Captain's pay at Omni needs to be higher...I spend too much time training Regional Captains how to fly in remote areas of the world...Not that the RJ guys are bad...Omni's training doesn't prepare them for worldwide flight operations...That burden is on the shoulders of the Captains...

KhalReblic23

You may love it during IOE, but once the kool aid is out of your system...well....

This thread is rife with company men. The truth, I'm on 5th year pay and make about as much as a PSA Captain on his 1st year after soft time (I'm at 61k/yr) and other regionals are comparable (if not better) as well. There is no soft time at OAI. If you feel like working more than 18 days straight in the month you might get called for extra flying, you might not. There is no system for trip trading, open time, etc.. That sort of thing doesn't exist here. There is no trip rig or minimum day pay. Breaking guarantee from your regular 18 days away from home is a rare occasion (it happened twice for me in the last 5 years).

You'll get about 30hrs (on average) of actually being in a seat every month. Depending on who is more desperate for landings, because someone always is, you may spend more of that 30hrs in the jumpseat as a relief pilot. If you get the 777 and not the 767 it's worse....a brief example, I just talked to a very senior 777 CA and he has had 10 landings since January....10. That speaks for itself.

Homelife is difficult, you will be tired and destroyed when you finally get home and you'll make less money than you do now assuming you're coming from the RJ CA position you mentioned. This job is best for old men who hate their wives (not exaggerating here) and single guys that are apathetic about everything like hotels with no air-conditioning and have no problem getting stuck here since you'll have no currency to apply somewhere else with.

If you want to fly big jets, keep your applications up to date at the majors, RJ captains ARE finally getting hired, be patient. Shiny Jet Syndrome is no reason to throw a wrench in your career progression.

If you want to see the world, use some of those travel privilages you have now, because if you come here you will have none at all (except for CASS Jumpseat). You can't even bring your spouse on our own flights (like our regularly scheduled LAS-HNL service). Of course, if you're on the 777 you'll get so many frequent flier miles from the continuous deadheading you can probably get a real ticket for you and one other after a year or so.

I'd be happy to send a copy of our CBA to you. It's a short easy read since there is nothing in it to protect us from anything.

These are the facts. If you want my personal opinion on things or the story of how I ended up here you can PM me directly and I'm open to sharing.

TL;DR Would not recommend for anyone under 60, or anyone over that loves their family/having a life outside of work (unless you're a Syrian refugee and it's the only job you can get).

robxjt27

I see you posting on the FedEx forums. What is stopping you right from going after a direct entry CA position at one of the regional airlines offering that. I'm assuming that you have no TPIC or very little. But you have a 767 type. If it's so bad, why haven't you left?

KhalReblic23

Been waiting for this question! Anyone that knows me knows I am trying!

I assume getting stuck here is a currency issue. I work the lines that average the highest time over the year and I'm pushing 260 hrs in the last 6 months. It looks like I'm a part timer and I think it drastically effects computer scoring. In the last 5 years here I've accrued about 1300 hours total.

People do not give a **** if you have a 767 type.

As for DEC CA...Right now I think PSA is the only one with true DEC program (TSA CQFO is sort of bunk from what I'm understanding) and when more start offering I will be taking a serious look. I have had interview offers at two regionals and am currently weighing the pros and cons to make a decision that would be good for my family and not just for me.

I'm doing my part to increase my odds of getting out like a lot of guys have this year already ahead of me...so many Omni pilots talk about getting out of here like they're reaching the end of a prison sentence. Think about that.

Edit: This post was originally about 2x as long but I cut out the personal **** since it's irrelevant to anyone making their own choice.

HVYMETALDRVR

In defense of the Omni guys, having right seat time in a big jet isn't that big of a deal.

I'm on the MD-80 at G4, and I haven't heard a peep at anywhere worth going too, and no I don't have any DUI's or other black marks on my record. We have FOs typed in the 757 and AB here with the same problem as well. Hell, I've flown with some 10 year CA's here that are trying to get out and haven't heard anything. That said, some lucky people have left for Legacies from here (and I'm sure OAI as well) but the floodgates aren't open, at least not yet. Unfortunately, unlike China and the Middle East, the Legacy carriers don't hire based on whatever shiny type ratings you have, but more based on TPIC, references, and other extraneous stuff like volunteer work.

Sorry for the hack, but I thought I should point this out. We also have a few OAI refugees here at G4, they didn't have many nice things to say.

Damn shame, I'd love to do that type of flying.

Flyboy7242

So I guess you were just born with the knowledge of flying all around the world. Just remember some Captain was teaching you and saying the same thing.

HeavyDriver

I guess that would be a yes and no answer...The Captains I flew with only yelled at you for not knowing how to do your job...It was a time when CRM wasn't about asking about how your feelings are today...And the training was much better...Sink or swim times...not this touchy feel'y anyone can do lifestyle of today...

CRJ700Master

5 years and still not a Captain?