Air Sprint Questions

[AirSprintInc]

Hi Matt,

I am interested in AirSprint, some websites have Victoria listed as a base, but I cant find it listed on your advert or in the career pilot guide.

Is it still a option on the CJ?

Thanks,

Pearce

Hi Pearce,

Victoria is a pilot sub base for us, although right now we're focusing our efforts on our Eastern bases. Feel free to reach out directly to me if you like and I can provide more details for your specific circumstances.

Kind regards,
Matt
mrolleman@airsprint.com

[Xani96]

Hi Team,

I have been following AirSprint for some time and I am considering submitting an application. Before I do that, I was hoping to get some insight.

As someone who values stability and a healthy work-life balance, I am interested to hear what aspects of AirSprint's culture help foster a positive environment and strong pilot retention.

Thank you for your time

[UndisputedTruth]

Hi Team,

I have been following AirSprint for some time and I am considering submitting an application. Before I do that, I was hoping to get some insight.

As someone who values stability and a healthy work-life balance, I am interested to hear what aspects of AirSprint's culture help foster a positive environment and strong pilot retention.

Thank you for your time

Onex is in the final stages of purchasing airsprint. This has just hit the press.

The new corporate overlords will most likely to squeeze every drop cash out of it before it sells it off saturated with debt. Will do this by gradually restructuring the pilots QOL and remuneration packages. The time to unionize unfortunately has come and passed and the race to the bottom has begun. The pilots will have no protection against a company bent on profiting before anything or anyone else.

Airsprints best days are most likely now behind them. Don’t believe that? Just look at WestJet and Sunwing.

Think carefully before signing a 2 year performance agreement under these new conditions.

[Canadaflyer46]

Hi Team,

I have been following AirSprint for some time and I am considering submitting an application. Before I do that, I was hoping to get some insight.

As someone who values stability and a healthy work-life balance, I am interested to hear what aspects of AirSprint's culture help foster a positive environment and strong pilot retention.

Thank you for your time

Onex is in the final stages of purchasing airsprint. This has just hit the press.

The new corporate overlords will most likely to squeeze every drop cash out of it before it sells it off saturated with debt. Will do this by gradually restructuring the pilots QOL and remuneration packages. The time to unionize unfortunately has come and passed and the race to the bottom has begun. The pilots will have no protection against a company bent on profiting before anything or anyone else.

Airsprints best days are most likely now behind them. Don’t believe that? Just look at WestJet and Sunwing.

Think carefully before signing a 2 year performance agreement under these new conditions.

Couldn’t agree more. Onex sucked every drop of blood from the WJ stone. Killed all growth and career progression for years to come. I was incredibly sad to hear this news about Air Sprint as it had a reputation of being a place to hang your hat in the corporate world. Those days are sadly behind us now.

[digits_]

I was incredibly sad to hear this news about Air Sprint as it had a reputation of being a place to hang your hat in the corporate world.

What percentage of pilots has been there over 3 years? I know they have a few long time pilots but it seemed like a small minority.

[skybluetrek]

How bad could pilot quality of life realistically get over the next couple of years (essentially the length of the training bond)? What are some examples, given that AirSprint is different from WestJet?
More frequent schedule changes after publication?
Increased expectation to remain available on off-days?
More repositioning legs and longer duty days?
Reduced flexibility for vacation approvals?
Increased pressure to accept extensions due to staffing shortages?

Is it possible that attrition alone could increase and lead to many of these problems, even if the new management doesn't make any major changes?

[av8tour]

How bad could pilot quality of life realistically get over the next couple of years (essentially the length of the training bond)? What are some examples, given that AirSprint is different from WestJet?
More frequent schedule changes after publication?
Increased expectation to remain available on off-days?
More repositioning legs and longer duty days?
Reduced flexibility for vacation approvals?
Increased pressure to accept extensions due to staffing shortages?

Is it possible that attrition alone could increase and lead to many of these problems, even if the new management doesn't make any major changes?

I see people are already fussing about this single sourced news. There is no point in starting the doom and gloom speculations as nothing has been confirmed yet. This could also end up being the news of Onex purchasing private shares in a successful company to gain exposure in this sector of the industry (non controlling), which is probably to be utilized by AS to finance future growth. But regardless of whether the news is accurate or not, do not discount the role that direct management plays in creating the conditions that pilots experience at AS.

For transparency, I have just completed 1 year at AS. So far my experience has been very positive. My direct management (Chief pilots and DFO) who are active here by the way and always answer questions, have always been good communicators, supportive and helpful. You can call them or walk in unannounced and interrupt their lunch and they will be happy to talk with you and answer your questions and help you with your concerns.

I am not worried about the news, at least not yet. As long as these people I mentioned earlier remain in their positions and keep steering the ship and advocate for us (they are all flying pilots btw), then I am not concerned.

Time will tell what comes of this, but lets practice some restraint and avoid the unnecessary speculations, this is not helpful for us who work here.

Cheers!

[Checkspeed]

I was incredibly sad to hear this news about Air Sprint as it had a reputation of being a place to hang your hat in the corporate world.

What percentage of pilots has been there over 3 years? I know they have a few long time pilots but it seemed like a small minority.

BINGO! That’s the metric that any pilot looking at Airsprint needs to look at. I don’t know about 3 years, but more than 5 years is like 10-12%. Pretty abysmal.

And from what I’ve heard, the purchase by Onex is a done deal.

[AirSprintInc]

Hi Everyone,

It has been an exciting few days at AirSprint as we are all learning about the news and nature of this new partnership with Onex and TriWest, as well as continued partnership with many of our current owners and investors. Although there are many details, and finalization isn’t expected for another 60 days or so, here is what I can share.

AirSprint has been actively seeking partnerships to invest in the company, employees, and our fractional owners to support our next phase of growth. Onex, TriWest, and all our investors/owners, are inline with the AirSprint growth plan and onboard with the direction the company is and has been going for many years. There is no intent to change the company, cut corners, reduce employee compensation/benefits, or anything of such. In fact, it is quite opposite. The support and investment with the new owners and structure will help AirSprint grow faster and better than we would have been able to in the past, thus allowing more opportunities for our employees in all departments.

Having many questions myself, and once the AirSprint leadership team was in a position to speak openly about the change, I was able to understand the decisions, and that this is an AirSprint initiative directed by the very people who have lived and bled AirSprint for decades. James Elian, Judson Macor, and all the senior leadership have nothing but the best intentions for AirSprint, our fractional owners, and all employees. This sentiment is equal amongst the flight department team. I, the Chief Pilots, and all management at AirSprint want nothing but the best for our people and work hard every day to ensure our crew members have the tools and support they need to complete, what at times, is a very demanding, but rewarding job.

So, I am excited about the future possibilities. I am excited about adding more airplanes, including larger cabin aircraft. I am excited about the potential opportunities for our employees. I am excited about these new partnerships, and I encourage our staff to feel the same way. For anyone looking to join the AirSprint team, this is going be an exciting time as we push into the next phase of AirSprint’s evolution.

In regard to comments on length of service times with AirSprint:

About 50% of our pilot group has been here less than 3 years.
About 24% has been here 5 years or more.

In the last 3 years we’ve added 15 airplanes. That’s an increase of 50% of the fleet that we had in May 2023, and a required 72 net growth pilots. We currently have about 211 active pilots, So yes... Many of our pilots are of 3 years or under, that’s just the math of growth, especially in a booming aviation industry with jobs a plenty in the last few years. AirSprint’s attrition levels have always been consistent around the 13-15% for the last 15 years I’ve been tracking those statistics. Some pilots stay; some move on to different experiences. I truly just want people to find what makes them happy in aviation.

Being a pilot is an awesome career, and I feel sorry for those who have become jaded and toxic towards everyone and everything in this industry. Especially those who feel it necessary to spread their toxicity and often misinformation anonymously online. All you’re doing is insulting a large number of your peers who have found enjoyment in the areas of the industry they have chosen. But I digress.

Thanks for reading this long post, and I truly am excited about the future of AirSprint, its employees, and our fractional owners.

Cheers,

Adam Fallwell
Director, Flight Operations
E550 Captain
afallwell@airsprint.com