Omni Air International
- Thread starter Dan208B
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ZWflyer
Well-Known Member
I just had an Omni Jumpseater the other day that said it was the worst place that he had ever worked for, and he had no intention of going back for his next trip. He said that you routinely spend your days off stuck in a hotel somewhere in the Middle East with no pay other than per diem....$2 an hour. Now, I don't work for Omni so take this info for what it's worth. I just thought I would pass that story along. Whatever you should decide, best of luck to you!
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
That's not entirely accurate...days off are paid at $250/day plus the minimum of 3.3 block or better. If he's sitting in a hotel room on days off in the Middle East (it does happen), he'd be making $418/day on top of guarantee if he was a first year FO.
The rest of your post...treading lightly here...I won't defend Omni for. It's checking some good boxes on my resume, for what that's worth. Things are going to change here one way or the other...very soon. Keep an eye on this thread later this week. The union hasn't made certain things public yet, so I won't divulge them until there's a press release.
Avalon781ML
Well-Known Member
I know one person that works for Omni and his take was that it was a step in the right direction for him. He was flying 135 previously in smaller turbine equipment... and that this afforded him the opportunity to get into large aircraft/international flying/Class II Navigation... etc. He does grumble about a few things but he did say that the company was pretty upfront about how things were prior to him being hired... overall he is pretty satisfied... although change wouldn't be a bad thing (read incerases in pay etc).
jynxyjoe
Queso King
Had an Omni guy stop by our jumpseat a few days ago. Was a little ambivalent but he seemed to enjoy flying around big metal, liked living in base (I guess they buy your ticket or something), but the kind of days he was talking about being away would wreck my (someone like me) QOL, strain my engagement, kill the side business, and I'd make less money flying an airplane wildly larger than mine and it would never catch up(but I'm on 4th year pay so not exactly the same thing). Although if you are stuck away from home on your day off you would make about $88 more an day than I would being jr manned away from home. If Omni can get a respectable contract it'd probably be worth a lot of guys leaving and going there. Doesn't seem like something that's for everyone.
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
I know we've discussed this before (and I'm not trying to start anything with you), but last month's pay as an FO was the same as a 5th year Pinnacle CRJ900 CA at min guarantee, without including per diem. I don't like publicly talking about money matters, nor am I bragging (our base pay is low, I was out way too long last month, and I still consider that underpaid for what I do), but I wanted to set the record straight. Unfortunately, in order to make big jumps on base pay, you have to work days off. I don't like it as much as anyone else.
However, you are right: If you need to be home a good amount of the time, this job probably isn't a good idea. Big airplane, big suitcase, etc.
Like I said guys, stay tuned to this thread if you'd like...Whenever the union has something to say in public, I'll post. I should also add that even through the not-so-good stuff, this was a good move for me in terms of career. However, my personal situation allows me to handle the schedule well enough. There are times though, when I'm being attacked by the shower curtain in Shannon after a week of reserve, that I wonder...
jynxyjoe
Queso King
I know we've discussed this before (and I'm not trying to start anything with you), but last month's pay as an FO was the same as a 5th year Pinnacle CRJ900 CA at min guarantee, without including per diem. I don't like publicly talking about money matters, nor am I bragging (our base pay is low, I was out way too long last month, and I still consider that underpaid for what I do), but I wanted to set the record straight. Unfortunately, in order to make big jumps on base pay, you have to work days off. I don't like it as much as anyone else.
However, you are right: If you need to be home a good amount of the time, this job probably isn't a good idea. Big airplane, big suitcase, etc.
Like I said guys, stay tuned to this thread if you'd like...Whenever the union has something to say in public, I'll post. I should also add that even through the not-so-good stuff, this was a good move for me in terms of career. However, my personal situation allows me to handle the schedule well enough. There are times though, when I'm being attacked by the shower curtain in Shannon after a week of reserve, that I wonder...
Dasleben doesn't like publicly talking about money, but he's left the large clues (all one must do is multiply), so it is done:
Dasleben last month: + 5514.75(73.53*75)*
For comparison, last month, I worked about 342 hours away from base (too much in my opinion but if there were more day trips in open time I'd pick them up) and made the same as a first year (65.33*75) -900 captain at Pinnacle.**
*Daselben says check, so numbers assume his inclusion of his entire per diem check for whole month amount (hours credited*payrate+perdiem). This comparison is a bit apples to oranges because the chosen example only compares check, not the fact the -900 captain base pay does not include any work done and (consequently) no per diem. Never mind we don't have any 5th year -900 Captains. A more valid example would be monthly check of first year 757 FO Omni (hours credited*payrate+perdiem), vs first year 757 FO (hours credited*payrate+perdiem) with International pay overrides. Dasleben's example chooses to compare a very narrow slice which serves no purpose but to tell everyone what he makes. There is, unfortunately, no real breakdown in numbers on credit and per diem. It would be reasonable to assume from his remarks that "If you need to be home a good amount of the time, this job probably isn't a good idea." that he is TAFB > 342 hours.
**Assuming an exact comparison to Dasleben's described example, basepay*hourly rate vs whole check (credit earned*hourlyrate+perdiem)***. Try at home.
***It should be mentioned the Mesaba paycheck method would actually be hourlyrate*earned credit+per diem+premium pay. The author is not aware of everyone's pay methods and felt it would be too confusing to toss a premium override
jynxyjoe
Queso King
Also it should be added there are many ways of looking at things, here are two:
My way: I give up on airline pilots (as a whole) ever being professional or professionally compensated due to lack of unity on every level. Get the best QOL you can, save your money, do something on the side with those days off that makes you money. If you can get some rich guy to pay you to fly six figures to fly once every other month that's the best you will ever do. I knew a guy with that job for just under ten years in a small citation, his other business made him the majority of his fortune.
Another way: if you "pay your dues" and work hard enough for very little someday you will be rewarded with a mainline job which will have job security and appropriate pay.
Going to Omni may give your resume "the boost" it needs to get on with your dream company. You do risk a lot of tangibles and intangibles, and this is a step up on equipment. With that said, there are plenty of 1900 CA and Saab CA and EVEN SJS spikey haired CRJ CA that made it to the "final level" without going to an Omni type group. Everyone is different, everyone makes their own choices on where to go.
My way: I give up on airline pilots (as a whole) ever being professional or professionally compensated due to lack of unity on every level. Get the best QOL you can, save your money, do something on the side with those days off that makes you money. If you can get some rich guy to pay you to fly six figures to fly once every other month that's the best you will ever do. I knew a guy with that job for just under ten years in a small citation, his other business made him the majority of his fortune.
Another way: if you "pay your dues" and work hard enough for very little someday you will be rewarded with a mainline job which will have job security and appropriate pay.
Going to Omni may give your resume "the boost" it needs to get on with your dream company. You do risk a lot of tangibles and intangibles, and this is a step up on equipment. With that said, there are plenty of 1900 CA and Saab CA and EVEN SJS spikey haired CRJ CA that made it to the "final level" without going to an Omni type group. Everyone is different, everyone makes their own choices on where to go.
ZapBrannigan
If it ain’t a Boeing, I’m not going. No choice.
It's also worth saying that not EVERY ball player makes it to the major leagues. Don't make choices based on a shiny jet, or improving your resume. You might be there for the duration of your career.
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
Wow, this was all terribly unnecessary.
Jynxy: Your pay calculations are off. I didn't include my per diem in the figure I quoted, simply because that would have been misleading. I'll let you noodle that over if you wish, but I'm not going to give a breakdown for the class. I mentioned my pay because you gave an incorrect idea of what it really is; if I'd have said "All 4th year regional FOs make $17,000/year," you'd have corrected me as well.
Anyway, if anyone has any real questions about working here, let me know.
Jynxy: Your pay calculations are off. I didn't include my per diem in the figure I quoted, simply because that would have been misleading. I'll let you noodle that over if you wish, but I'm not going to give a breakdown for the class. I mentioned my pay because you gave an incorrect idea of what it really is; if I'd have said "All 4th year regional FOs make $17,000/year," you'd have corrected me as well.
Anyway, if anyone has any real questions about working here, let me know.
jynxyjoe
Queso King
Fair enough. Also, to those doing the math at home I must now take $564 (spreadsheets not on this computer, away from home computer right now trying to fix car AC so I don't bake like a Dorito in the Memphis heat) off of my calculation above. That leaves base pay * earned credit, and that appears to be 108 credits with a base of 60 credits per month.
*should also be added if Omni can get a nice fat contract these numbers for Dasleben should soar, with total work going down (hopefully).
SIUav8er
Narcosis
I absolutely think Omni is the place to go for someone at a regional or 135. Its a HUGE boost to the resume and experience to fly heavy jets internationally. I would be all over it if I had the opportunity. Who looks better to a major? guy from Omni flying the same equipment or a guy from Colgan flying a turboprop?
While Im all about working for the best companies possible at each step of the career, you still have to keep improving your resume... even if it might be better in the SHORT term to stay where youre at.
While Im all about working for the best companies possible at each step of the career, you still have to keep improving your resume... even if it might be better in the SHORT term to stay where youre at.
CFIT99
I'm probably commenting ironically...
agree!...I would jump all over this if I had a shot...little short on the TT, maybe I'll stop on by to get my name/face in there!
DE727UPS
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Last time UPS hired they wanted heavy jet over water experience. Actually, the rumor was the FAA wanted it because ANC is the junior base and new hires were going there on the MD11 or 747/400. You won't heavy over water time flying for a regional or most corporate jobs.
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
Here's hoping!
Like I said, I felt this was a good move for me, but I can handle the schedule without having to worry about a wife/kids at home. Of course, eventually I'd like those things, and being out 18+ days a month doesn't lend to much of a personal life. I'm not thrilled about that, but our negotiators are working for our pilot group 110%. I really hope that this place turns into someplace I'd be comfortable hanging my hat for a little while; the flying is a lot of fun, the crews are great, and seniority movement is quick.
By the way, this is by no means a shortcut to the majors; if you come here, you'll work for every hour you put in your logbook. Trust me.
