Pros
Benefits are excellent including Health, Dental and Vision, 401K (some matching based on years of service), Standby flight benefits on Client Airlines. Largely knowledgeable supervision and co-workers with extensive industry experience. Most co-workers are friendly. Pay is acceptable for a regional airline. Company starts at $14.00 per hour with no experience. Yearly pay increase/cost of living increase is $1.00 per hour until topped out. $3.00 per hour cost of living adjustment for Chicago station. $0.25 per hour pay premium for taxi qualification (up to two aircraft types) and R.I.I. (required inspection item) qualification. Aircraft maintenance dept. is non-unionized at this time. Management and labor relationship is largely good. Uniforms are on par for this segment of the aviation industry. Equipped and tooled better than some regional airlines but worse than others. Used to be 12 hr. shifts now 10 hrs. Overtime is abundant on evening shift.
Cons
Company works very lean for an airline aircraft maintenance dept. (not a lot in way of parts, chemicals, tooling, ground support equipment and personnel.) This leads to delays, grounded aircraft and working without _____ . This sometimes means working on the edge of the envelope of safety. Aircraft Maintenance Dept. is not unionized. Work load is heavy per person due to the number of flights handled at this station. Chicago is a line station with no regularly leased hanger so most work is done outside on the ramp year round, unless the job dictates it be done inside or the conditions outside are so bad it has to be done inside. There are no merit based pay increases, the only way to get a raise beyond qualifications and the yearly cost of living increase is to be promoted.