Lyon188

I currently work at a Florida based airline but I have a class date for Endeavor at the end of the month. I'm making the jump because it's a much brighter future for my family but the commute is going to be tough. I live about 10 minutes away from Sanford and I have been hearing a lot of people talk about Orange Air recently. I'm very intrigued with the 737 orders and the fact it's based where I live. That makes a world of difference. My question is, how much flying will be done out of Sanford? What kind of future is coming up for Orange Air? Is it worth taking the chance now on something so new or should I give it a year or so. I also don't meet the flight time mins but I was a military pilot and it took forever to build any sort of time. I have a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and an Aviation Business Minor from ERAU. I also have part 135 and part 121 experience. My total time by the end of this month will be 1500TT. Most of it in turbines. Any positive thoughts would be appreciated.

mexipilot84

I'm going to guess they probably require more than 1500hrs. Swift, WAA, eastern usually start out at the min of 2500TT at least. I'm sure orange isn't too far on the supplemental spectrum.

Braniff DC8

Lyonn, stay away from the likes of Orange Air. Just trust me. Try Piedmont or Commutair now. Better for bonuses, command and flow thru. Just opinion though.

Lyon188

Are you saying that because someone like Orange Air isn't as stable? Not that regionals are either but I would think the regional flying is a little more guaranteed. Charter contracts come and go.

Braniff DC8

Yes, that is what I am saying. The D.O. at Orange is a bad guy and has terrible track record. Also, its hard to get off the supplemental band wagon once on it. You'll get nothing but heart ache from places like Orange Air. MD80 time is worthless and I'll be surprised if they get 737s.

Go to a regional with a good bonus, quick commands and a flow thru. As a military guy, you'll get picked up with some 121 time/PIC turbine. Maybe just stay where you are and upgrade. Don't start jumping around. It will look bad.

Again, just opinion but with your background you'll be a shoe in at the majors.

Lyon188

Thanks for the advice! I'm a little hesitant to stay where I'm at though. I'm currently flying turbo props and from what I've seen with the guys that have been here a while there's a glass ceiling between turbo props and jets. Senior guys here are having a hard time getting hired at LCC's much less legacies. I'm about a year from upgrade. If I go to Endeavor I'll be making what a five your captain makes here right away. Much better for my wife and daughter. Then she can cut back her job if she likes. I'll stay away from charter flights but I need to find a better regional. Thanks!

Braniff DC8

Welcome but you will be years longer from PIC and have to commute. Most majors won't care where a military guy got his 121 PIC turbine. Going to Endeavor will put you at the bottom of the Que so to speak. You want to stand out. I say stay or go to Commutair or Piedmont first. Endeavor has poor history. So does Piedmont but you are looking at moving ahead not backwards.

jonnyjetprop

Small class of MD-80 FOs starting Monday. Looking for pilots for a MD-80 class to start late May/early June. This will be a mix of captains and first officers.

Braniff DC8

Jonny, you really should be open and honest about Orange and your D.O. There is a reason you have to keep advertising and writing here on a forum to find crews to fly for you.

So let me help you. Almost everyone here remembers or has read about Falcon Air in Miami. Your current D.O. was the D.O. there as well as quite a number of other places. He has been fired more times than not and Falcon went under. I do not probably need to remind you of what went on there and how pilot's were treated and the lawsuits and turnover. Now he's appeared at another 121 supplemental.

It's already been covered about what type of op Orange Air is and I did not start the thread.

I am yelling from the top of Mt. Everest to STAY AS FAR AWAY AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN FROM ORANGE AIR. Please I beg of you. Nothing good will come of anyone working there.

AirHun

Can anyone talk about schedules and quality of life for someone who lives in the Orlando area?