Porter Airlines

windshear · Post by **windshear** » Sun May 07, 2006 5:53 am

Calls were scheduled to go out by the end of last week for pilots who were interviewed. Anybody's phone ring??

windshear · Post by **windshear** » Sun May 07, 2006 4:42 pm

Bueller....Bueller.....

intenze · Post by **intenze** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:19 am

I didnt get a call yet. What's going on?

pointyertoes · Post by **pointyertoes** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:10 pm

You'll probably get a package before the call...

boomer1028 · Post by **boomer1028** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:50 pm

Do you mean getting a job offer package in the mail?. I would only imagine that they would call you first.

SittinPretty · Post by **SittinPretty** » Wed May 10, 2006 4:49 pm

No, they send you a package, with the job offer.
It has about nine pages of information. Very comprehensive. This is a letter that you do want to get.
I figured because of the size of it that it was not a PFO letter.
Another grand adventure begins.
Good luck to all!

boomer1028 · Post by **boomer1028** » Wed May 10, 2006 6:21 pm

When did you get this package?.

I am guessing it was sent via email?.

blue-sky · Post by **blue-sky** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:29 am

I just got the package basicially its a contract to sign. More specfically a $20,000 2 year training bond and a $3000 2 year uniform bond. To be signed and returned by June 12. Anybody else got it.....what do you guys think????

dream chaser · Post by **dream chaser** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:58 am

Bluesky...you're pullin our fakin chain right? Please say yes. When are people going to grow up and realize that these types of jokes just ain't funny anymore. Especially for those who've got dinged with bonds before. The flight schools should start publishing this in their fancy orientation packages. When you graduate, you will be able to secure employment with a commercial operator* At the bottom of the page in fine print.... *If you bring another 20g and a tube of lube to the table. Is it just me or does it seem like pilots can't and won't stop having to take it in the pooper. When times are bad, the companies dick us around with shiit money and schedule because pilots are a "dime a dozen". When times are good, every company wants a training bond. When will the operators have to start bringing the lube to the party. Can anyone stop the madness???

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:06 pm

If that's true.....sure glad I dont have to EVER fly with anyone stupid enough to sign a "uniform bond"......give me a break! It will be an airline flown by MORONS!!!

gr8gazu · Post by **gr8gazu** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:36 pm

I know of a fellow that just quit Jazz to go to WJ and the cost of his Jazz uniform was deducted from his final pay.

Is this not what Porter is doing? If you leave within a 2 year period, you pay for your uniforms on a pro-rated basis??

I don't know and I have no close ties to either company but it sounds like the same scheme to me..

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun May 14, 2006 8:55 am

blue-sky wrote:I just got the package basicially its a contract to sign. More specfically a $20,000 2 year training bond and a $3000 2 year uniform bond. To be signed and returned by June 12. Anybody else got it.....what do you guys think????

Gentlemen, A bond is fine but please don't sign a bank note or a co-signed loan, because you'd be screwed if Porter goes down.

Also I think 3K for a uniform is f@cking retarded. What the hell does it come with? a Breitling watch and silk shirts?

what are they offering for pay? cause they sure are expecting alot from there employees.

copper · Post by **copper** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:11 am

Unbelievable, another startup asking for a bond? Very disgusting

disco · Post by **disco** » Sun May 14, 2006 10:36 am

I wish every success to Porter and think they have some potential, however:

I was quite surprised to go through the interview process spending the whole time telling them what I had to offer them and they never offered one minute detail of what they were offering me. Except, that I might have to help groom planes on turns....wanted to know - how I felt about that.

I had to ask them what the pay would be like, schedule, benefits etc at the end of the interview...why wouldnt they want to offer me this info? I was definitely a qualified candidate? Was professional, on-time and courteous?

When I very politely and cordially turned them down recently...they never bothered to respond with anything whatsoever...didnt have 20 secs to say thanks for your interest- best of luck...

Therefore, I wish them the best of luck...but feel they are a long way from having the feel of a professional outfit ....in fact...they have struck me as kinda bush league...

neophyte · Post by **neophyte** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:07 pm

Congrats Disco,

You sound like a class act. It doesn't sound like Porter deserves you.

Regards,

N

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun May 14, 2006 12:18 pm

Now before everybody jumps on me for the above post...it's Bob Deluce we're talking about here...he got twenty-five mil from the city of toronto for NOT building a bridge...and he needs a training bond??? Ya, Okay. Screw him!

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:59 pm

Awesome offer- NOT. I have to humbly quote myself from Apr 14

next newest startup that may or may not want me to pay for my own training, pay a Captain $50K to fly a 70-seat airplane, or work me 25 days a month.

Zero info available, none forthcoming on the phone, and a charged political climate surrounding their startup. Deluce has already made $25mil for NOT starting this airline- that he will get richer is a certainty one way or another. I just think it's a little bit, how to politely put this, "old school" to on one hand say they want 3000-5000 hrs as a minimum, while at the same time conveniently forgetting that people with that experience weren't exactly born yesterday.

This is a ret@arded way for an airline to start up. Signing a bond with a startup is suicide- dollars "in trust" or not. A bond for a uniform?!?! That is probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

The signs are all here men:
1. Pay your own way to the interview
2. Company cagey about releasing even the most basic info
3. BOND
4. ...for your uniform too!
5. Political powder keg surrounding startup
6. The prospect of having to wade through protestors just to get to work.

Ughhh. Take a BIG PASS on this one!!

Valhalla · Post by **Valhalla** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:00 am

Just to add a little bit of information here... They are NOT asking for any money up front to the company, in a trust or in the form of a loan. The bond is a 2 year pro-rated contract. Therefore, if things go bad, the pilot is liable for zero dollars. I'm not saying it's a good thing, but it's not Jetsgo.

Doc and Dockjock - you guys sound bitter as hell...

nofoodforyou · Post by **nofoodforyou** » Mon May 15, 2006 8:39 am

hum...they must be working for Air Canada, the attitude is definitely there...and DOC, aren't you supposed to be MODERATOR??? I mean, you can have an opinion, but shouldn't it be more "moderated" to show the example....

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:07 am

Ya I can come across that way sometimes. It just kills me that this kind of thing can happen over, and over, and over again and pilots just don't learn. If you think it's a good deal- have at 'er man, maybe you see something I don't.
Cheers

stupido · Post by **stupido** » Mon May 15, 2006 9:12 am

If I lived anywhere near 416/905 I'd be jumping all over Porter. Nice new airplanes. Pay probably not half bad. Bob Deluce at the helm, so you know the homework has been done. I'll bet they get a few TC guys going over, who are getting tired of pushing paper, and not throttles? A lot of the "young Turks" will be holding out for jet jobs at Jazz and WestJet, but for some of us "grey hairs", Porter would be a pretty pleasant place to be. Worry not, they'll have no problems filling the seats. Kind of makes me want to throw a leg over the old Hog, and head down to the island for a look-see!

Doc do you remember ?

Dockjock, next time spend 600 $ for a trip .

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Mon May 15, 2006 11:34 am

Ah yes....but that was before I heard the "B" word.

stupido · Post by **stupido** » Mon May 15, 2006 1:19 pm

To "B" or not to "B" ?

pointyertoes · Post by **pointyertoes** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:40 pm

I find the sanctimonious rants of a few pilots here about Porters perceived work conditions to be quite ironic.

How many of you would gladly “bend over” and take the pay cut to start at $37000 to work for our illustrious FLAG CARRIER?

Or are you still under the illusion that AC is the Top Gun of the airline industry.

It is exactly this sense of bitterness and entitlement that I am trying to avoid by wanting to join Porter.

Yes, joining a new airline is a risk. But, I’ve been in the industry long enough to know what calculated risks to take. Just as Porter is managing the risk that many pilots would bail a week after their Q400 ride when AC calls. A no upfront money, no loan amortization contract is perfectly legit. If I were running the show, I’d do the same.

I know enough about Porter now to be very impressed with their business plan and the expertise and enthusiasm of their managers.

If taking the chance on something new isn’t your cup of tea, then have fun waiting for AC to call…

…but remember, they only take “the best”

wrenchturner · Post by **wrenchturner** » Mon May 15, 2006 3:45 pm

From what I see, pilots are so afraid of the magic Bond word, it gets used in situations where it shouldn't be. From what I read of the above posts, its not a bond, there is no exchange of money anywhere. It's a PROMISARY NOTE, where you sign on a line saying that in return for them investing $20,000 in your training, you promise to stay for 2 years and not bail on them when AC calls in 6 months. I don't see any problem with that, they just want a guarantee on their investment. You aren't out any money, they don't need to worry about replacing you for a couple years. It's a win/win. If I was a pilot, I'd wish more operators used that method.