Just wanted to see if anyone has any actual new info on VA. Still hiring? minimums? start date? I think I pretty much heard why not to work for them because of management and payscale, so anything beside that would be great. thx

Website: http://www.virginamerica.com


Date of interview: November 12, 2006
Date interview was submitted: November 20, 2006
Were you hired as a result of this interview? yes
Total flight time: 12700
PIC flight time: 4900
PIC TURBINE flight time: 3900
Total multi engine flight time: 12000
Did someone walk in your application/ resume? no
How many letters of recommendation did you bring? 0
Are you a CFI? yes
Are you a CFII? no
Are you a MEI? no
How long after you sent your resume were you called? 6 weeks
Do you have a college degree? 2 year
Do you have a military background? no
What is your current job? 121
What is your age? 47
What aircraft were you assigned? A-320
If you were hired what is your training date? December 04, 2006


Interview experience:
First let me say Virgin America is a first Class operation.The people that I met on the day of my interview were all so nice and excited about the future and liked seeing future pilots in the building interviewing. I recieved a phone call from one of the check pilots and went over my current qualifications and gave me the companys pay scale and benefits that they offer.I was advised that Virgin does not pay for transportation or hotel to the interview in San Francisco. I was then given the number to call and schedule my interview. I arrived at the company headquarters at 0830 and met with 8 other pilot applicants interviewing that day.The ladys in charge of recuriting met us all and introduced us to the head check airmen who collected our logbooks for there review.We were taken to a large training room and introduced to the Chief Pilot Joe Houghton who told us the plans for VA how the certification was heading and the amount of pilots they plan to hire over the next year.He then answred Q&A from us. After Joe finshed the Recruiting ladys had us sit at tables in groups of 3 each and explained that we were going to play an exercise in working together as a crew. We were given a senerio that might happen on a trip and we were to play the roles of Capt,F/O and FA and handle the situation given us. i can say it was fun and intertaining. After this they had a catered lunch for us in the employee break room and we meet alot of VA employees along with another class of pilots who had just completed there first day of training.I can say they are hiring alot of experinced pilots from lots of airlines. After lunch we had a one on one interview with the head check airman who basicly asked about my flying time and then a few TMAT questions.It was real relaxed and he just is trying to see if you will fit into the VA family.I was then interviewed by the head of recruiting and another check airman>This interview again was very laid back and just questions on how you handle certian situations again very laid back. After this we were given a tour of the head quarters and met a few people that were in charge of various departments.The facilities were very impressive.When the tour was over we were free to leave and they would let us know withn a week if we were selected for the next class. Good luck to all who get an intrview it\\\\\\\'s going to be a fun place to work.

**F.A.A. proving runs are completed to A.T.O.S. standards, and Class II E.F.B’s approved and ready to go. We are now looking for Captains and First Officers to launch the Airline in 2007. We plan on hiring over 100+ Pilots in 2007. An A320 Type Rating is highly preferred. It is a great time to join Virgin America as we are on the leading edge of a very exciting time!



What we can bring….We are a brand new airline….and a new airline brand. We’re building a business by doing something we truly believe in; creating an airlines people love. To get there, we’re hoping to make the flying experience and guest service offering both outstanding and unique.



The VA work environment encourages initiative, rewards innovation and values individuality. Our team is friendly and helpful. We really do believe in hospitality. Perhaps most importantly, we all crave the opportunity to be part of something bigger than being “just another airline.”

FO seatlocked for 2 or 3 years while street captains are hired
No work rules
No contract
Gutter wages
$90 an hour for an A-320 captain
Yeah it's going to be a lovely place to work

And with quality management like Carty and Reid you're bound to be screwed and hard. Don't worry. They'll walk away with millions. Pilots will be on street wondering how it all went downhill so fast.

Run and run fast would be my advice. Some of those hiring slots are to fill vacancies created by some of the early hires bailing now that they see the writing on the wall.

whats the benifits and F.O salary, any additional info
thanks

Virgin America Cleared for Take-Off
-- Airline Receives Final Approval to Launch from Dept of Transportation --

Burlingame, Calif. (May 18, 2007) -- The Department of Transportation (DOT) today granted final approval for Virgin America, a new low fare U.S. airline, to begin operations.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be cleared for take-off and for the opportunity to serve San Francisco, the Bay Area, California, and the American public,” said Virgin America CEO Fred Reid. “I applaud the DOT for approving our application and fulfilling their long-standing commitment to competition and new choices for travelers.”

In its final order, the DOT found that the company fully complied with all requirements regarding fitness, U.S. citizenship requirements and control. The DOT also acknowledged that this final approval had been contingent upon the Company's acceptance of several additional conditions that were made public in March when the DOT tentatively approved Virgin America’s application.

One of these additional conditions included a requirement for Mr Reid to step down following launch. That condition will remain although he now will be permitted to stay on as CEO for six months following airline certification.

“This has been quite a journey but I’m truly happy that we will be able to launch our airline. I plan to spend every minute of my time between now and then supporting my 200-plus talented teammates in that endeavor,” said Mr Reid. “When I said that this was never about one person, I meant it. Virgin America has a wonderful team who will take this airline to great heights, bringing exciting innovation and competition.”

Now that the company has been formally approved, the next step will be to seek a waiver to start selling tickets. The company is planning a mid-summer launch.

Virgin America’s first flights will be between its home base of San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK). The airline also plans to serve Los Angeles (LAX), Washington/Dulles, San Diego and Las Vegas within its first year of operations.

The airline expects to serve as many as 10 cities within a year of operation and up to 30 cities within five years of service. Additional cities under Virgin America’s consideration include: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, Newark, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Portland, Ore., Raleigh-Durham, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Jose, Calif., Sarasota, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

# # #

Media Contact: 650-762-7187

media@<hidden>

Who do you think will get thier A320 crews to work for less money and worse T&C, VA or Skybums...I meant Scumbus, sorry one more time, SkyBus?:ugh:

Read your post about Virgin. Also checked the sites and I think too the package is on the lower end in the US market. However, working in the sandpit, and I am sick and tired of it :yuk:, I am thinking to go for it. A lot less money but at least you are home. Did they tell you details about:

1) Salary
2) per diem 1.50$ per hr, how many hours per month?
3) Health Insurance included?
4) Pension fund
5) Vaction
6) Rosters?

Thanks