Pros
After writing this review, I do want to acknowledge that it was a great time building job. I met some of the greatest pilots at that job while we were all broke. You can make some good working relationships there that will last a lifetime! Just remember you are there to get your time, save money in case you want to buy yourself out of the contract and think about the long term benefit after leaving that hell hole. I believe if you can survive that place, you will do great in your professional flying career!
Cons
Things you should know before committing:
-You are going to be flying low level below 1000 ft agl all day long.
-You will sign either a 15 or 18 month contract depending on pilot role. (Kinda Predatory) Lets just say if you don't complete your contract you will owe anywhere from $3,200-10,000.
-Pay is anywhere from $18-25 depending on pilot role. (Honestly the company could pay more but they don't care) The old company before them paid their pilots more before this current economy.
-If you elect to have company housing you will live with another pilot at the company of the same sex with $750 rent every other week. Be prepared to be broke again. Midland, Texas is not cheap to live in.
-You are PIC, so you make decisions on how to fly that airplane and what ever you do make sure you follow the FARs especially 91.203
-Maintenance is spot on to responding to issues. They are always hard at work getting airplanes up and working. I never questioned their work or ethics, they handle their work great.
-Understand that the company owns and operates 50+ cessnas 172s only during day VFR ops only and they are not showroom airplanes by any means
-The flight management you will be working with will dictate your working schedule so make sure not to upset them. You are there to fly as much as possible anyways.
-This is a veteran owned company and it's run like a military installment. I personally didn't like this part of the company because not everyone has the desire to be treated like a soldier rather than a professional-entry-level pilot who went through so much flight training and paid a fortune to be where they are at. I didn't feel appreciated by the CEO or Vice President ever after making them more rich than they deserve. Pay your pilots!
-You will be flying out of Skywest Airport 7T7. Be sure you can operate out of small and narrow runways.
-The Christmas Party is a bowling alley event, ugly Christmas sweaters, and like 10 boxes of pizza and french fries with one drink. Kinda of a joke if im being honest. I never felt more humiliated in my life before attending this "party". There were no bonuses or a handshake from the owner thanking you personally.
-The CEO almost never leaves his office to come out and get to know the pilots and establish a working relationship. Poor leadership. If anything, if you are ever invited to a company meeting just know they will be announcing company business announcements that could've easily been emailed to everyone but they choose to take up more of your time because they don't value your time off.
-Two specific HR generalist who work there tried getting hitting on me. Both of them were reminded that I was in a serious relationship and didn't want any of their funny business at a work place environment. After those two conversations had taken place, one of them reacted badly with me and ignored my requests/phone calls and such and the other one was a bit more professional about it. Still something to be aware of.