AirSprint?

[bluenote]

doesn't want to fly anymore because of the company!!

Is Air Sprint that BAD!

[TopperHarley]

They used to have a bad rep, but it seems to have improved over the years. I dont have any first hand experience, just know some folks who used to/currently work there. Overall they all enjoyed it. If you're single, the lifestyle would be a lot easier to handle.

[Air Sprint Pilot]

It is easier to be single as we do spend a fair bit of time on the road. Having said that, with 10 GDOs a month it ain't bad. 10 reserve and 5 off is the best schedule I've seen for this kind of operation with an average of 16 days worked a month, maybe sometimes 18 occasionally 14.

They have though, no problem firing someone that they don't feel is fitting in. That's a fact. It's a raw deal I guess to lose a job, that I understand.

As for upgrades it depends on what base you're at. The YYC base has REALLY fast upgrades, in YKF not so much. We fly about 4-500 hours a year and upgrades are done at a minimum of 18-1900 hours although they like 2000 and at least 4-500 hours on type. FOs have at least 1000 TT, less than that it's dispatch or groomer for a year. Not a bad way to start a career, 1 year groomer, than 1-2 year PC12 FO than jet FO followed by PC12 captain than jet captain.

Things have improved ALOT over the years both in treating pilots and schedule. More jets are on the way and 20 PC12 NGs. Should be fun, overall a great place to work.

[bluenote]

airsprintpilot

I am 41 years old with a brand new instructor rating. I want to learn more about flying and my ideal gig for me that is as I live near YKF is to hopefully get on with Sprint as a pilatus FO.

Would they hire somebody like me that if given employment and living nearby as well the spouse makes more than me anyway to hire me as a permanent employee where I will tell them that I do not plan to move onto another flying position, so they don't have to worry about losing me to that airlines or other jobs.

Do you think I might have a chance with some more time under my belt.

Currently I have 500 hours of time spread over a long time period with 19 years airline experience.

Your opinion will be appreciated

thanks
bluenote

[xsbank]

Bluenote, our opinions may be useful (or not) but the only way to tell is to apply!

[yukonflyer]

Having to wait 'almost a year' to be upgraded on a PC12 when you only had 1500hrs ( I read that as mostly SIC ) seems fairly reasonable to me. That is not actually very much experience, I know it seems like it is to those of you that are in that ball park, I did when I was there, but its not. Be patient.

[aerosexual]

Just curious if anything has changed in the last couple of years at AirSprint? Can pilots still expect to fly roughly 500 hours per year? What are the upgrade times both to the right of a jet and left of the Pilatus? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[nortont]

Curious to know if anyone has already heard from them for their recent job postings ?

[AirSprint HR]

Just curious if anything has changed in the last couple of years at AirSprint? Can pilots still expect to fly roughly 500 hours per year? What are the upgrade times both to the right of a jet and left of the Pilatus? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

PC12 pilots can expect to fly between 450 to 600 hours a year with 500-550 being more common. Citation pilots fly closer to 350-400 hours a year.

Upgrade hours for the PC12 Captain are 2000 total time. For the Citation First Officers, the minimum can be as low as 1000 hours depending on the individual but usually between 1500-3000. Citation Captains are considered at a minimum of 3500 total time with 500 on type (otherwise 4000) for internal upgrades only. Actual time to upgrade can be quick depending on location, but I would plan on at least 6 months to 1 year as an approximation if you had the flight time requirements above. A lot has to do with the economy and future growth.

Nobody has been contacted regarding the Montreal positions yet. Probably mid next week is when the first calls will be made.

PS. This thread is really old...

AirSprint HR

[JohnnyDrama]

A few questions for Sprint HR...

Do you guys even consider people with less than 1500TT? Do most of the people you hire have an aviation diploma?

I know it depends on the economy and how many pilots are applying but I'm talking about in this economy.

BTW I appreciate that you guys are able to post correct info about your company. I wish more companies would do this.

[AirSprint HR]

A few questions for Sprint HR...

Do you guys even consider people with less than 1500TT? Do most of the people you hire have an aviation diploma?

I know it depends on the economy and how many pilots are applying but I'm talking about in this economy.

BTW I appreciate that you guys are able to post correct info about your company. I wish more companies would do this.

Hi JD,

We do consider pilots with less than 1500 hours, however, it depends on the percentage of pilots that we have below 1500 hours already. We try to balance the experience level. About 50% of our pilots join us with a diploma or degree, and yes even in this economy. It's not a must, but it does help in the selection process.

AirSprint HR

[Oldnrusted]

Thank you for the information. Just curious, what are the wages like on the PC-12, and what kind of schedule is it? For example, is it some days on call and then some more days off like it was a few years ago? How many nights a month do the pilots spend away from home on average? Has it gotten any better over the last few years?

[AirSprint HR]

Thank you for the information. Just curious, what are the wages like on the PC-12, and what kind of schedule is it? For example, is it some days on call and then some more days off like it was a few years ago? How many nights a month do the pilots spend away from home on average? Has it gotten any better over the last few years?

Schedule is 10 days reserve, 5 days off. Pilots spend an average of 8-10 nights per month away from home.

Salary is:

CAPT
45,000
47,500
50,000
52,500
55,000
56,000
57,000
58,000
59,000
60,000

FO
27,000
28,500
30,000
31,500
33,000
33,600
34,200
34,800
35,400
36,000

AirSprint HR

[AirSprint HR]

As there are two open threads I'll combine the two with the below post.

--
Quote:
When I saw that AirSprint HR replied I had to chuckle. Wow.. most companies wouldn't even dare to comment on here in fear of getting chewed out. I have been on this forum for years and see it time and time again. I bet you the HR department reads this thread and regrets ever replying.
..

No regrets. My expectation is that there will be more negative replies than positive. The goal is to provide accurate information regarding the company, and available positions, to pilots who are interested. We recognize that it can be really tough for pilots at the start of their career (or after losing a job), and we try to provide them with some answers to make their lives easier.

Quote:
That's the whole point, Beaverdude, "pilots coming out of there." Its such a badly-paid job that nobody stays. Pension? Dental? 2 weeks off a month? Holidays? Per diems? You guys continue to set the bar low and you will easily attain it. $60 grand anywhere except oh, Botswana, sucks.
..

Not really sure what this is referring to but I'll address a few points for people who are interested:

Per-diem: $2.63/hr
Holidays: 2 weeks per year initially, then 3 weeks per year after 3 years
Benefits: 50% premium payment (100% payment after 5 years) for (usually 80% coverage) medical, prescription drugs, dental, travel. There are also short and long term disability benefits. We have an RRSP matching plan (3% after 3 years with a vesting period, 5% after 5 years with no vesting period).
Schedule: 10 days of reserve, 5 days off (no pilot in the company has flown more than 180 of the 240 reserve days in the last year)

We do not expect that everyone will stay for their careers. Our pilots contribute greatly to the success of our company and should they choose to pursue another dream, the least we can do is help them attain it. Many times over the last few years, we have written letters of reference to Westjet, Air Canada, and Cathay to help our pilots attain their dream. We are sad to lose them, but happy that we can help. It is a goal of ours to become an alternative to the airlines much like the industry in the US. We are not there yet but with continued growth, over the next few years we hope to get closer to that goal.

AirSprint HR

[nortont]

AirSprint HR


Were the recent posted positions filled or are you still looking a few good men...

[Oldnrusted]

Thank you Airsprint HR. You didn't have to take the time to respond to all these questions, yet you did. You were straightforward and have nothing to hide about your company. It's not perfect, but which company is? If the rest of the Airsprint management runs the operation the same way you reply to these threads, I think you're on the right track.

[AirSprint HR]

AirSprint HR


Were the recent posted positions filled or are you still looking a few good men...

Calls were made today for interviews over the next few weeks. Not sure if all the calls are complete.

AirSprint HR

[CSk3RampBOY]

Air Sprint HR

Just wondering if you guys are still calling for interviews? I applied several ago and was hoping to get a chance, since I live in the Montreal Region. If an applicant has only 1200hrs, does he still qualify for the position?

Regards

[AirSprint HR]

Air Sprint HR

Just wondering if you guys are still calling for interviews? I applied several ago and was hoping to get a chance, since I live in the Montreal Region. If an applicant has only 1200hrs, does he still qualify for the position?

Regards

I believe that most calls for booking interviews have been made but I don't know if they are all complete. We would look at someone with 1200 hours but my understanding is that for this round we are looking for someone with a few hundred hours more. Please do not take it personally if you are not called for an interview. All that it means is that in this specific situation, we are looking for someone with a different level and possibly type of experience. Not getting a call does not mean that we "do not want you." I can add that we expect our Montreal base to continue to expand and to keep applying for future positions if you are not selected this time around.

AirSprint HR

[scopiton]

I don't know if this is sensitive but how many aircraft do you have @ yul = 2 PC12 and 1 Jet ?
are some of your aircraft operated 604 ?
thanks and good day

[AirSprint HR]

I don't know if this is sensitive but how many aircraft do you have @ yul = 2 PC12 and 1 Jet ?
are some of your aircraft operated 604 ?
thanks and good day

In a fractional program like ours, planes don't really have a defined base. As demand increases in a certain location (over the medium term), the amount of pilots based in that same location will increase. It's more complicated than that but hopefully you get the idea. We are now increasing the number of PC12 pilots in Montreal from 4 to 6. Currently there are no Citation pilots in Montreal but we expect that to change in the future (no plans as of yet) as we have a number of jet clients in the Montreal area. We do have some POC clients, although we primarily operate 703/704.

AirSprint HR

[lowapproach]

AirSprint HR

While on reserve, how close to their home base does a pilot need to be? Thanks.

[AirSprint HR]

AirSprint HR

While on reserve, how close to their home base does a pilot need to be? Thanks.

Pilots have 90 minutes to report to their base. 2.5 hours to be airborne, or 2 hours if there are no clients on board.

AirSprint HR

[Beachparty]

Does anyone knows if a training bond is required ?

[AirSprint HR]

Does anyone knows if a training bond is required ?

There is nothing required for a First Officer. For the direct entry Captain position, there is a $12000 performance agreement if you do not come with a previous PC12 Simcom course. It is pro-rated over 24 months and the pilot only has to pay the remaining amount if they leave within that time period.

AirSprint HR