CommutAir Pros and Cons
02-07-2019, 06:03 AM
#11
Passed Recurrent
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Position: FO
Posts: 209
I don’t know that we’re not allowed to give it out, but I’m not gonna be the one to post it publicly...
02-07-2019, 06:17 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 399
Part of the reason why its pointless to send someone a contract is because its all about interpretation. The union and the company have agreed or disagreed on interpretation of certain sections, but because it's such an old contract many precedent have been set.
02-07-2019, 06:19 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 133
hmm
Ok so I guess I should have used more words to clarify what I mean by Direct entry Captain. Im aware we come in as an FO and then get awarded upgrade during training.
So it seems around 3-4 after completion of training it is expected to no longer be on reserve? I'm guessing from what I've read this is in the KEWR base and does not apply to IAD?
Ok so CQF means you come in as an FO and continue to possibly be assigned FO trips after you have upgraded correct? Or am I uncorrect and your contract only allows captains to fly as captains?
I remember reading something in the past threads that said you can bid as an FO line holder but that didn't make since.
Apologies, I did read a fair amount in the threads, but I am aware information becomes old and appreciate your time and help very much everyone.
So it seems around 3-4 after completion of training it is expected to no longer be on reserve? I'm guessing from what I've read this is in the KEWR base and does not apply to IAD?
Ok so CQF means you come in as an FO and continue to possibly be assigned FO trips after you have upgraded correct? Or am I uncorrect and your contract only allows captains to fly as captains?
I remember reading something in the past threads that said you can bid as an FO line holder but that didn't make since.
Apologies, I did read a fair amount in the threads, but I am aware information becomes old and appreciate your time and help very much everyone.
We do not have direct entry captains. This has been mentioned time and again.
We upgrade in seniority order, and allow new hires to bid upgrade.
The last 4 upgrade classes have only filled about 50% of the posted vacancies. The junior line holder in Newark is a 11/17 hire as of the 02/19 bid.
But we just started awarding captain to new hires in December of last year, so expect that to drop dramatically as they begin to hit the line this month. There is one reserve, and 8 CQF's below him, the junior CQF is a 10/18 hire.
I would imagine all of them will be line holders by April as the first wave of captains upgrading in indoc complete IOE this month and bid for March.
We upgrade in seniority order, and allow new hires to bid upgrade.
The last 4 upgrade classes have only filled about 50% of the posted vacancies. The junior line holder in Newark is a 11/17 hire as of the 02/19 bid.
But we just started awarding captain to new hires in December of last year, so expect that to drop dramatically as they begin to hit the line this month. There is one reserve, and 8 CQF's below him, the junior CQF is a 10/18 hire.
I would imagine all of them will be line holders by April as the first wave of captains upgrading in indoc complete IOE this month and bid for March.
02-07-2019, 07:02 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 399
So it seems around 3-4 after completion of training it is expected to no longer be on reserve? I'm guessing from what I've read this is in the KEWR base and does not apply to IAD?
Ok so CQF means you come in as an FO and continue to possibly be assigned FO trips after you have upgraded correct? Or am I uncorrect and your contract only allows captains to fly as captains?.
Ok so CQF means you come in as an FO and continue to possibly be assigned FO trips after you have upgraded correct? Or am I uncorrect and your contract only allows captains to fly as captains?.
After the systems test it becomes official that you're in the left seat if you have bid for and are qualified for it. You are then sent to the sim and fly from the left seat instead of the right. Depending on if your sim partner is an FO or CA you may or may not have to swap seats. You'll take your type ride from the left seat. Then you'll head to IOE and everything will be done with you as the CA. Once your line check / fed ride is complete the company will then figure out if you're still below the 5% line of Captains. If you are below 5% then you head back to the sim to do a right seat check out. You'll also do some sort of OE from the right seat. At this point you are now a CQF and the company can utilize you as a CA or as an FO.
As for bidding, you are considered an FO until you are above the 5% CA line. If you purposely bid a reserve line then thats what youll be awarded. Youll then be paid as a Captain but can be used in either seat. If you are senior enough to hold a line you can decide to skip reserve and bid an FO line. At this point you are paid as an FO. If for some reason scheduling needs you more as a Captain then they can utilize you in the left seat, in which case you are then paid at CA rate for all time flown in the left seat.
Its as simple as that. With the rate that we are hiring guys and putting them into the left seat during new hire training I would expect only 1 - 2 months as a CQF.
02-07-2019, 07:54 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Posts: 61
I have a buddy in training now, so I feel as though I can answer the process for guys awarded CA while in new hire class.
After the systems test it becomes official that you're in the left seat if you have bid for and are qualified for it. You are then sent to the sim and fly from the left seat instead of the right. Depending on if your sim partner is an FO or CA you may or may not have to swap seats. You'll take your type ride from the left seat. Then you'll head to IOE and everything will be done with you as the CA. Once your line check / fed ride is complete the company will then figure out if you're still below the 5% line of Captains. If you are below 5% then you head back to the sim to do a right seat check out. You'll also do some sort of OE from the right seat. At this point you are now a CQF and the company can utilize you as a CA or as an FO.
As for bidding, you are considered an FO until you are above the 5% CA line. If you purposely bid a reserve line then thats what youll be awarded. Youll then be paid as a Captain but can be used in either seat. If you are senior enough to hold a line you can decide to skip reserve and bid an FO line. At this point you are paid as an FO. If for some reason scheduling needs you more as a Captain then they can utilize you in the left seat, in which case you are then paid at CA rate for all time flown in the left seat.
Its as simple as that. With the rate that we are hiring guys and putting them into the left seat during new hire training I would expect only 1 - 2 months as a CQF.
After the systems test it becomes official that you're in the left seat if you have bid for and are qualified for it. You are then sent to the sim and fly from the left seat instead of the right. Depending on if your sim partner is an FO or CA you may or may not have to swap seats. You'll take your type ride from the left seat. Then you'll head to IOE and everything will be done with you as the CA. Once your line check / fed ride is complete the company will then figure out if you're still below the 5% line of Captains. If you are below 5% then you head back to the sim to do a right seat check out. You'll also do some sort of OE from the right seat. At this point you are now a CQF and the company can utilize you as a CA or as an FO.
As for bidding, you are considered an FO until you are above the 5% CA line. If you purposely bid a reserve line then thats what youll be awarded. Youll then be paid as a Captain but can be used in either seat. If you are senior enough to hold a line you can decide to skip reserve and bid an FO line. At this point you are paid as an FO. If for some reason scheduling needs you more as a Captain then they can utilize you in the left seat, in which case you are then paid at CA rate for all time flown in the left seat.
Its as simple as that. With the rate that we are hiring guys and putting them into the left seat during new hire training I would expect only 1 - 2 months as a CQF.
I am one of the Immediate upgrades; The above is almost spot on. The only difference is there was no OE for the right seat, just a sim event, and that's it. My very next block of reserves was in the right seat with normal line captains. I did the right seat sim in the end of Dec, and have been CQF Jan and Feb, but will be the junior Capt in the March bid. Hope that helps. I flew about 50/50 from each seat.
02-07-2019, 10:50 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 133
thanks for all of your responses I believe that answers my questions in full. I appreciate the help and will hopefully see yal on the line.
I am one of the Immediate upgrades; The above is almost spot on. The only difference is there was no OE for the right seat, just a sim event, and that's it. My very next block of reserves was in the right seat with normal line captains. I did the right seat sim in the end of Dec, and have been CQF Jan and Feb, but will be the junior Capt in the March bid. Hope that helps. I flew about 50/50 from each seat.
02-07-2019, 11:02 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 802
I've been with CommutAir for over 10 months now. Just want to share with those of you thinking of joining what it's like here:
Pros
I've heard people complain about the scheduling, and had plenty of weather or pilot's causing in sick induced delays, these I can't really blame schedulers for. The training scheduling for both initial operator experience and ground/sim instruction is a complete train wreck.
All in all I have to say it's been a good experience for me, though the financial insecurity of not knowing if I'll get paid is a big negative.
Pros
- The interview process is straightforward. As long as you're qualified you can get a job without jumping through arduous hoops.
- If you want to fly you'll get hours, even on reserve I got a good number of flight hours.
- The pilot group is friendly and professional.
- We get four Commuter hotels a month, which makes commuting much easier. If it's a busy month it's enough that you don't need a crash pad even on reserve.
- Communication within the company is crippling. Trying to get someone to actually talk to you on the phone is basically impossible. You'll hear non-stop how busy everyone is. Unfortunately they're busy with someone else's problem all the time.
- Getting paid is very challenging. The only thing worse than the constant short shifting is trying to get it fixed (see con #1).
- The sim instructors are hit or miss. Some are professional and will turn you into a great pilot, if you can get Troy he's the absolute best for training you to be safe. Some are like children, throwing tantrums when equipment breaks or you don't get something right on the first attempt.
I've heard people complain about the scheduling, and had plenty of weather or pilot's causing in sick induced delays, these I can't really blame schedulers for. The training scheduling for both initial operator experience and ground/sim instruction is a complete train wreck.
All in all I have to say it's been a good experience for me, though the financial insecurity of not knowing if I'll get paid is a big negative.
The transparency report comes out a few days after the pay period closes. Check for errors (which happen during irregular ops)
Send an email which is available at bottom of report. It gets fixed in a day or two. I don't believe I have ever had to make a phone call.
I love this feature. It is first airline I have worked at that provides a chance to correct payroll errors prior to the check being issued. Every other airline I have been at you wait till payday, then try and figure out where the missing hours were from, etc.
This system is easy as pie.
For what it's worth, and to any who are at other airlines or new to a scheduled airline: At my first airline I was grousing once about "how come the errors are always shorting me, never the other way around!?" Huff and grump!....A wiser Zenlike pilot pointed out that it is very easy to miss paying someone for something they did do (especially if out of ordinary). Not likely they will pay you for something you didn't do. It made sense, and has seemed to be the case everywhere I have worked. (so keep track of those irregular ops days!)
And so it goes.
02-18-2019, 07:28 AM
#18
New Hire
Joined APC: Jun 2018
Posts: 9
Can a Commutair pilot PM please. I’ve been trying to get a hold of any HR/recruiter and nothing but crickets...email, Application= crickets. I’m captain qualified ... wanted to see about the “Direct entry” program. Thanks in advance!
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