A few weeks ago, I made it rather apparent my feelings on the TSA. As a recap, I find them to be a bloated agency whose original intentions may have been noble, but are now bogged down by bureaucracy and unionizing. With the number of employees they have, they are likely to have some bad apples, but when it comes to the type of job they are doing, there should be no room for error or mistakes, especially with their own employees.
In late October, a news article ran in the New York Daily News about a TSA agent who opened checked baggage and found a 'sex toy'. Well, this agent thought it would be amusing to leave the required tag with a note that said 'Get your freak on girl'. Though amusing, it was entirely inappropriate. These individuals are supposed to uphold the highest professionalism. They are tasked with 'touching our bodies' in the event of a pat-down, and searching through items that are private in nature. In my opinion, it is entirely uncalled for. Luckily, the TSA is in the process of terminating the individual in question. I've no issue with this. This is a person that should have never been given a position within the TSA.
My overall issue with this is that, once again, this is not a situation that should have even been given a chance to happen. Perhaps a more thorough evaluation of an individual should happen before they are given a final go ahead to accept employment into the TSA. It seems like anyone can get a job with the TSA. In the same article, it also gives a snippet about two former TSA agents that pled guilty to conspiring to steal $40,000 from a cash bag on an American Airlines flight at Kennedy Airport. This makes me wonder how many of these incidents happen that we don't know about, and are gotten away with. How many times in the last ten years have you lost your luggage on a flight? Kind of makes you wonder now, doesn't it? I think I'll just carry on my luggage for now on.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Personnel Profile: Richard Branson
Richard Branson is, by almost all accounts, a venture capitalist. He has made his fortune buying, selling, and creating businesses. It likely wouldn't come as a shock that his estimated worth is roughly $4.2 billion. His brand name, Virgin Group Limited, is a conglomerate of over 400 different companies, utilizing the travel, entertainment, and lifestyle industries. The various companies involve products from soda to airlines, and then some. It's truly awe inspiring to see his brilliance at work, and the passion he has for doing it.
In 1984, Brandon launched Virgin Atlantic Airways, and now offers flight between England, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Ironically, their services do not offer domestic flights, but instead are strictly international flights. A quick lookup on a flight from New York to London also shows some pretty amazing airfares, as low as $450.00. For a round-trip fare to London and back, that's certainly not bad. He has been able to capitalize on a need to fly overseas at a reasonable rate.
In 2004, he formed Virgin Galactic, a new space tourism company. He is wanting to capitalize on what is a fledgling industry at this point. However, as luck would have it, there is apparently strong interest. Even at $200,000 per ticket, over 430 individuals have purchased these tickets, wanting to be one of the first to go into space as a typical civilian. Branson has also decided to make Spaceport America home to his vision, building the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space facility and hanger on site. Branson's dedication to this new venture is apparent, working tirelessly for years on the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles. SpaceShipTwo is starting to see trial runs now, with a few mishaps, but each mishap being overcome. As well, as of October 27th, 2011, Virgin Galactic has now chosen its first astronaut pilot, former USAF test pilot Keith Colmer. Colmer joins a community dedicated to finding new ways to bring humans into space, and I'm sure he is thrilled.
Richard Branson is the definition of entrepreneur, and apparently has a fondness for the world of aviation. He has a passion and dedication for trying to find better technologies for mankind. It is obvious he has a true love for aviation, and respects what it can do for all of us.
In 1984, Brandon launched Virgin Atlantic Airways, and now offers flight between England, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Ironically, their services do not offer domestic flights, but instead are strictly international flights. A quick lookup on a flight from New York to London also shows some pretty amazing airfares, as low as $450.00. For a round-trip fare to London and back, that's certainly not bad. He has been able to capitalize on a need to fly overseas at a reasonable rate.
In 2004, he formed Virgin Galactic, a new space tourism company. He is wanting to capitalize on what is a fledgling industry at this point. However, as luck would have it, there is apparently strong interest. Even at $200,000 per ticket, over 430 individuals have purchased these tickets, wanting to be one of the first to go into space as a typical civilian. Branson has also decided to make Spaceport America home to his vision, building the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space facility and hanger on site. Branson's dedication to this new venture is apparent, working tirelessly for years on the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles. SpaceShipTwo is starting to see trial runs now, with a few mishaps, but each mishap being overcome. As well, as of October 27th, 2011, Virgin Galactic has now chosen its first astronaut pilot, former USAF test pilot Keith Colmer. Colmer joins a community dedicated to finding new ways to bring humans into space, and I'm sure he is thrilled.
Richard Branson is the definition of entrepreneur, and apparently has a fondness for the world of aviation. He has a passion and dedication for trying to find better technologies for mankind. It is obvious he has a true love for aviation, and respects what it can do for all of us.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Enter Chinese Aviation
China's aviation industry is one of curiosity. In recent years, they have made strides to become more open, and it would appear they are gearing up to open their low altitude airspace completely to more private based aviation, according to this report. This is a far cry from it's current status, which is pretty much restricted airspace over most of China.
China's airspace is currently controlled by the Central Military Commission, which manages Chinese airspace under a military doctrine. The result is very few, if any, locations for general aviation, and general aviation flights are a rarity as it is. With any luck, by opening their airspace to more private based aviation, general aviation will begin to become commonplace as it is here in the U.S.
Currently, domestic operations are primarily conducted by state operated air carrier Commercial Aircraft Corporate of China, or Comac, with the some other operations intermixed by companies like Parc Aviation, Contractair, and Sigma Aviation Services. Internationally, flights are conducted by familiar companies such as Delta, British Airways, American Airways and such. Eventually, China may open up their domestic commercial industry to the private sector, and that's certainly a promising idea with the opening of their airspace in 2015.
On the upside, the need for pilots in China continues to rise. A quick Google search brings up this website and lists a number of jobs based in China. If China is a place that a pilot would want to work, the industry is getting ready to expand drastically over there, and the prospects look very good.
China's airspace is currently controlled by the Central Military Commission, which manages Chinese airspace under a military doctrine. The result is very few, if any, locations for general aviation, and general aviation flights are a rarity as it is. With any luck, by opening their airspace to more private based aviation, general aviation will begin to become commonplace as it is here in the U.S.
Currently, domestic operations are primarily conducted by state operated air carrier Commercial Aircraft Corporate of China, or Comac, with the some other operations intermixed by companies like Parc Aviation, Contractair, and Sigma Aviation Services. Internationally, flights are conducted by familiar companies such as Delta, British Airways, American Airways and such. Eventually, China may open up their domestic commercial industry to the private sector, and that's certainly a promising idea with the opening of their airspace in 2015.
On the upside, the need for pilots in China continues to rise. A quick Google search brings up this website and lists a number of jobs based in China. If China is a place that a pilot would want to work, the industry is getting ready to expand drastically over there, and the prospects look very good.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Job Info: Corporate Pilot
Company: NetJets
What are they: NetJets is a part 135 operator that runs on a rather unique business model: Fractional Ownership. Their Who Is page gives most of the detail about what they are, but for the most part, they essentially 'sell' the customer partial ownership of a corporate jet of their choosing. The customer essentially buys a specific number of hours that it would be needed for the year, and NetJets takes care of all the operating costs of the aircraft. It's like owning the aircraft, but not having to worry about the logistics. They fly everyone from sports teams to CEO's of major corporations.
Job Description and details: Their requirements for pilots are not too far fetched, at least when compared to the big airlines. Their requirements can be found here.
New Hire Training:
Sadly, at this time, NetJets is not hiring, however fear not. The need for pilots is beginning to grow, and they are always accepting applications. The best the to do is to submit your profile at their website. I plan on doing it. How about you?
What are they: NetJets is a part 135 operator that runs on a rather unique business model: Fractional Ownership. Their Who Is page gives most of the detail about what they are, but for the most part, they essentially 'sell' the customer partial ownership of a corporate jet of their choosing. The customer essentially buys a specific number of hours that it would be needed for the year, and NetJets takes care of all the operating costs of the aircraft. It's like owning the aircraft, but not having to worry about the logistics. They fly everyone from sports teams to CEO's of major corporations.
Job Description and details: Their requirements for pilots are not too far fetched, at least when compared to the big airlines. Their requirements can be found here.
- Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (Multi-Engine Land)
- Current FAA First Class Medical certificate
- 2500 hours total pilot time
- 500 hours fixed wing multi-engine time
- 250 hours instrument time (actual or simulated in flight - excludes simulator time)
- Demonstrate an unwavering dedication to safety
- Focus on exceeding the expectations of each passenger as the norm
- Act as an ambassador for the Company
- Are open and flexible to ever-changing flight schedules
- Empower and respect fellow team members
- Strive for continuous improvement and increased profitability for the Company
New Hire Training:
- Basic Indoctrination at NetJets Operations Center in Columbus, OH (approximately 11 days)
- Minimum of 5 days off to follow - Initial Aircraft (Simulator) Training – Location varies and duration can exceed a month for certain types of aircraft; however, the average is usually 11 to 25 days
- Minimum of 5 days off to follow - After successfully completing training, pilot will be released to begin initial operating experience
- Cockpit/Pilot station size – Pilots must fit and be able to fully function in NetJets aircraft
- Aircraft assignments or changes to assignments are not based upon pilot size
- Owners will bring baggage and cargo of various sizes and weights that will be loaded by crewmembers
- Owners and passengers can and will smoke during flight
- Animals (including, but not limited to dogs, cats and birds) can and will be carried aboard the aircraft in the main cabin. Animals are not usually in cages. This means NetJets pilots have direct contact with animal hair, feathers, etc.
- With few exceptions, the maximum required duty day is 14 hours
- The minimum rest period is 10 hours
Sadly, at this time, NetJets is not hiring, however fear not. The need for pilots is beginning to grow, and they are always accepting applications. The best the to do is to submit your profile at their website. I plan on doing it. How about you?
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