Open Skies - The new and Innovative Airline from British Airways

nycgirl in ny, New York said: i know youre kidding right?! omg i love you guys! we will all have to meet up soon somewhere!!!!!!!!!!!11

You know you'll always have a guest room in my house in Florida! I love you too !!!! :-)

congrats to THOMAS!!!! YAY!

NYCgirl,

How long did it take Jetblue to call you after your telephone interview?I did the phone interview the day before yesterday and still haven't heard from them...

Thanks! It's great that this board exists. I wish I would have found it earlier. It was totally great meeting all of you. What happened to the hot red head from Ohio? She was really nice as well. Oh yes....Posh!!! A total hoot. Loved her energy. All the best to all of you as you follow your wild endeavors.

Thomas in New York, New York said: Thanks! It's great that this board exists. I wish I would have found it earlier. It was totally great meeting all of you. What happened to the hot red head from Ohio? She was really nice as well. Oh yes....Posh!!! A total hoot. Loved her energy. All the best to all of you as you follow your wild endeavors.

I'm not sure who the redhead from Ohio was. Was she the FA with short hair and eyeglasses? Everyone was super nice that day, yes! :-)

Natasha in Pompano Beach, Florida said: Well, my friends, I just received the OS email thanking me but, no thanks!
I'm okay with that; yesterday I accepted a courtroom position in my county courthouse, as I had decided already that a FA position was not in the cards for me. I haven't heard from DL yet but it's only because they're slow in sending the dreaded emails.
I'm looking forward to starting my job, I'll get to schmooze with all the judges, lawyers....and cops! I love those hunks! hehehehe!

Natasha,

First I want to congratulate you on the courtroom position that you are taking on. Natasha, you would be a grand addition to any company. I am only sorry for selfish reasons- that I will not be meeting you and Nycgirl as you have both been such a wonderful part of this forum. Please stay in touch.

NYCGIRL- The JetBlue opportunitiy sounds good. Keep us posted on that - I am always interested.

Congratulations to Jayne, Todd, and Thomas! (so far)

I just received my 'Congratulations Letter' from OS stating that they will advise again with additional information on the 14th of March. It also states that they will be contacting referees 'when they receive my acceptance.' I assume from this that I would need to log on to the application site and send the selection team a formal acceptance note.

Congrats David See you in London !

Congrats David, Thomas, & Todd look forward to meeting you all soon

Hey Thomas , Feb5, Open Skies ... It's Adam. Sadly I misplaced your contact information ... perhaps in the Mini Cooper! ... could you drop me a line at pers-583068931@craigslist.org and then I'll reply from my email address ...

Thomas,

yes, for some odd reason EVERYONE thinks i look like POSH! i dont see it but i will take it! energy...well, i have a lot of it. not sure the red head was from ohio tho.... hummmm, crush?

Pilot,

my situation is a bit different than yours with jet blue. i was actually given a conditional offer at the jan 5th open house. i missed the jan 23rd class due to my passport being packed up and moved to fla by a family member. she had a file box of mine and by mistake took it with her. i couldnt get it in time...

CONGRATS to David, Jayne, Thomas and Todd!
i'm hoping the list gets longer!!!!!

hey, has anyone heard from our friend rob?

Oh I see.But before being invited to open house didn't you have to go through telephone interview?And if yes then how long it took them after the interview to invite you to open house?I have also appllied to Quantas for UK based crew and got invited to interview in March.still thinking to give it a try or not....

Pilot in Orlando, Florida said: Oh I see.But before being invited to open house didn't you have to go through telephone interview?And if yes then how long it took them after the interview to invite you to open house?I have also appllied to Quantas for UK based crew and got invited to interview in March.still thinking to give it a try or not....

that particular open house was just that. open interviews. i went on sat the 5th, and was called that thursday for a screening. i never had a phone interview.

Hi Paola,

I am 42 and have completed the interview process. It went very well. good luck.

tsue

Paola in Diamond Bar, California said: Hi

I have just submitted for this position

I would like to know if any of the people that have been invited to the interview are 40 years old or above

David in Arizona--would you be so kind as to email me at iflyrob@yahoo.com Thank You Rob

Congrats to all. I am very happy for you.

Hello Everyone,

I, too, am very fortunate to have received a congratulatory E-mail conditionally offering me a position with OpenSkies.

Best wishes to all!

JFKGuy

David, wonderful news for you!!! Now, you have something great to look forward to... and your mother would be proud!

I have a question: I haven't received an email on "no thanks" from my lovelies at Eos... does this mean... ummm, they may be extending some love my way? LOL...
Should I get my butt over to William Sonoma and sign up for cooking class?!?!
(I'm past the rejection notification days..that's why I am wondering...)

A big congrats to everyone that heard great news from OS!!! You should feel quite accomplished. Remember... you were picked to be one of the first 45...
that is a true honor. =)

I hope to join you all... in the July session. For me.. my spring will be spending time with my son and having Yorkie puppies.
I am so excited! I can't wait for the little ones to arrive.

malti in HHI, South Carolina said: David, wonderful news for you!!! Now, you have something great to look forward to... and your mother would be proud!

I have a question: I haven't received an email on "no thanks" from my lovelies at Eos... does this mean... ummm, they may be extending some love my way? LOL...
Should I get my butt over to William Sonoma and sign up for cooking class?!?!
(I'm past the rejection notification days..that's why I am wondering...)

A big congrats to everyone that heard great news from OS!!! You should feel quite accomplished. Remember... you were picked to be one of the first 45...
that is a true honor. =)

I hope to join you all... in the July session. For me.. my spring will be spending time with my son and having Yorkie puppies.
I am so excited! I can't wait for the little ones to arrive.

Hello Malti- I happened to be on the forum when I read your post.

Thank you and yes- she would be proud. Regarding EOS: I am thinking that they may be considering you. I heard back in a week fairly promptly that I was not being considered further in the process. Also- check your junk-mail in-box as that is where they come in sometimes. So brush up with Julia Childs and practice with that plate presentation my friend.

It is always good to hear from you and I hope that you will be joining us in the Summer session. Please keep posting with any updates.

OS was very kind and responded to my email requesting information on my status. My status was a 'no go' when I didn't get called back the next week.
They feel strongly to get their airline up and running they need to go with individuals currently in the industry or have extensive hospitality experience.
Neither of which applies to me.
However, the next session for hire will be for individuals skilled with many variations of customer contact.
That's me!! =)
I plan to apply with them again..
as I do like them very, very much.
The staff could not be any friendlier..
and the fact they took the time to answer my email speaks volumes of their integrity.

I hope you'll keep in touch with this forum... and let us know how training is.. and where you'll be going on your first flight!!
I'm very happy for you... :)

I think you all should have a laugh with this!!www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ta9ltJGxjk&feature=related

Hey...Hope all are doing well.

I just came across this other website for Openskies trainies...

Check it out...OSCrew@groups.msn.com

Hi Guys,

Just got back from work, I didn't have internet access so i was out
of the loop here...
Anyway, I was also one of the lucky ones to get the conditional offer from
OS!!!! I'm so excited! I'm also very happy for all you that will be training
in London, specially JAYNE because we went together to the "Atlanta-based major carrier" Interview and neither of us got it! So glad it turned out that way.
I'm really looking forward to meeting you guys soon!
NATASHA, please keep in touch and good luck with your new job!!! :)
MALTI, hope to see you on our 2nd plane with OS!!!
NYCgirl, keep in touch!
I will keep you informed on what's going on with OpenSkies... Now wait, wait, wait. (again)

oh angie... YAY!!!!

i am sooo excited for you!
believe it or not, i wasnt that disappointed in getting the no thanks. it was great meeting everyone there and was worth it meeting natasha and malti! made a lot of quality friends on this journey. i'm thrilled for that!!!!

i was screened for jet blue this past wednesday so we'll see if i will pursue a FA career.. have offers from the NYC DA's office and a few others. pretty excited about it so i need to think long and hard.... that i believe is my true calling since i am in the "law enforcement" field. LOVE to fight the bad guys!!!

i always want to know whats going on with my indeed friends and would never leave! i want to know the scoop and how you all are!!! i doubt any of us will leave here!!!!

I'm a little confused at the terminology on the sheet Open Skies handed out at the interview. For example, I'm unsure of what sector pay is and how it differs from per diem. In addition, unlike most airlines they didn't give a per hour rate of pay. They did not talk about minimum hours guaranteed or about overtime so I'm assuming that overtime pay doesn't exist as they didn't break it down. Does anyone have any idea about these details?

New OpenSkies Group...at OSCrew@groups.msn.com

Hey Guys,

We should start looking for crash pads in the JFK airport area
(Maybe Kew gardens...) Do you know of any available?
I will start doing my homework for those interested in
sharing a crash pad for OS!!!

Rob, I'm having problems with oscrew@groups.msn.com I can't seem
to see any or find any group...

Thanks.

NYCgirl,
Thank you and Good luck with JB... I'll be using JB to commute from Houston to
JFK... I think we can get a deal with them. I hope I can meet you then! :)
I'm looking for crash pads around JFK and they have some for around 250/month. Not bad! Let's see.
Any suggestions?

Angie can you please email me? Thanks love. Rob iflyrob@yahoo.com

Rob,
I'm leaving right now, but I will drop you an email tomorrow after
work. Look forward to meeting you soon and congrats!!!
See you soon! :)

Angie in Houston, Texas said: Hi Guys,

Just got back from work, I didn't have internet access so i was out
of the loop here...
Anyway, I was also one of the lucky ones to get the conditional offer from
OS!!!! I'm so excited! I'm also very happy for all you that will be training
in London, specially JAYNE because we went together to the "Atlanta-based major carrier" Interview and neither of us got it! So glad it turned out that way.
I'm really looking forward to meeting you guys soon!
NATASHA, please keep in touch and good luck with your new job!!! :)
MALTI, hope to see you on our 2nd plane with OS!!!
NYCgirl, keep in touch!
I will keep you informed on what's going on with OpenSkies... Now wait, wait, wait. (again)

ANGIE, how wonderful that you got an offer!!!! yeaaaaaaah!!!! :-) I am so happy for you, you beautiful woman!! :-) I will definitely keep in touch!

David in Sedona, Arizona said: Natasha,

First I want to congratulate you on the courtroom position that you are taking on. Natasha, you would be a grand addition to any company. I am only sorry for selfish reasons- that I will not be meeting you and Nycgirl as you have both been such a wonderful part of this forum. Please stay in touch.

NYCGIRL- The JetBlue opportunitiy sounds good. Keep us posted on that - I am always interested.

Congratulations to Jayne, Todd, and Thomas! (so far)

I just received my 'Congratulations Letter' from OS stating that they will advise again with additional information on the 14th of March. It also states that they will be contacting referees 'when they receive my acceptance.' I assume from this that I would need to log on to the application site and send the selection team a formal acceptance note.

DAVID, I can only hope that if I ever take a flight on OS that YOU will be there giving me a great big smile and making me feel like all is good! CONGRATULATIONS to you, wonderful gentleman! :-)

JFKGuy in New York, New York said: Hello Everyone,

I, too, am very fortunate to have received a congratulatory E-mail conditionally offering me a position with OpenSkies.

Best wishes to all!

JFKGuy

CONGRATS JFK AND JAYNE!!!! :-)

Hey guys If you remember from the open house for OS. There will be no jumpseat agreements. That mean no Jetblue. So if you dont live in NYC you going to have issus. That turn me off. No so much getting to work. Yet going some where on my days off. I am JFK base. I have many issus getting to and from work. I even had to take the train from DC. Yet i did it. Yet i am moving there this spring. Also 250 is not cheap for a crash pad. ON a 30,000 year.

I am glad for the ones who made it.

There are many issus with a start up airline. I have good friend that work for ba inflight. They tell me this strike may slow down there start up. They have seen the pilots get there way. In year past. As you see training has already been push back.

best to all.......

I have a friend in Kew Gardens who will be renting out a room at the end of March if anyone is interested. He is a flight attendant with JetBlue. If anyone is interested please let me know. Thanks.

airways in Wheeling, West Virginia said: Hey guys If you remember from the open house for OS. There will be no jumpseat agreements. That mean no Jetblue. So if you dont live in NYC you going to have issus. That turn me off. No so much getting to work. Yet going some where on my days off. I am JFK base. I have many issus getting to and from work. I even had to take the train from DC. Yet i did it. Yet i am moving there this spring. Also 250 is not cheap for a crash pad. ON a 30,000 year.

I am glad for the ones who made it.

There are many issus with a start up airline. I have good friend that work for ba inflight. They tell me this strike may slow down there start up. They have seen the pilots get there way. In year past. As you see training has already been push back.

best to all.......

This is a quote from an earlier post- this may help for commuters:

NATASHA, DAVID and whoever else wanted to know,

"I checked with a JB flight attendant and you would as an OS employee be able to fly JB for $25 plus tax.
So if you are in a JB city (Natasha I know you are not sure if they go to PHX or not though for David) this gives you some commuting options."

David in Chandler, Arizona said: This is a quote from an earlier post- this may help for commuters:

NATASHA, DAVID and whoever else wanted to know,

"I checked with a JB flight attendant and you would as an OS employee be able to fly JB for $25 plus tax.
So if you are in a JB city (Natasha I know you are not sure if they go to PHX or not though for David) this gives you some commuting options."

Hello David....I was also hired by Open Skies and I know that they've been having issues with the pilots. Did the training really get pushed back? The email I received from them said training was to start sometime in late April or early May... does that still hold true?

Stef said: Hello David....I was also hired by Open Skies and I know that they've been having issues with the pilots. Did the training really get pushed back? The email I received from them said training was to start sometime in late April or early May... does that still hold true?

Hello Stef,

There is nothing published to my knowledge stating that training will be pushed back. The latest article I have read in the Friday issue of Business Week indicates that BA has agreed to hold 'emergency talks' directly with the pilot's union to avoid the strike. The 'late April to early May' initial class date still holds unless Open Skies would advise us offically otherwise.

Congratulations Stef!

David in Chandler, Arizona said: Hello Stef,

There is nothing published to my knowledge stating that training will be pushed back. The latest article I have read in the Friday issue of Business Week indicates that BA has agreed to hold 'emergency talks' directly with the pilot's union to avoid the strike. The 'late April to early May' initial class date still holds unless Open Skies would advise us offically otherwise.

Congratulations Stef!

Frankly I'm a little concerned about this airline sinking....in a figurative way that is!! I was and still am a little unclear about the objective of this airline. I mean why start a whole new airline with flights from NY to various points in Europe? It's not like there aren't already a million flights leaving out of JFK which take you everywhere and anywhere in Europe. I just don't see the concept as being that innovative...why try to rinvent the wheel? Then with this strike it just seems like there is trouble even before the airline gets off the ground. The only consolation is that BA is a strong company and hopefully, Open Skies will be as well. I've never worked as a flight attendant and I'm so used to a job with 99% job security, that taking a leap like this unnerves me a little. I see that other flight attendants, however, don't seem to sweat over it much. Were you hired by the airline? What do you think about it?

Stef said: Frankly I'm a little concerned about this airline sinking....in a figurative way that is!! I was and still am a little unclear about the objective of this airline. I mean why start a whole new airline with flights from NY to various points in Europe? It's not like there aren't already a million flights leaving out of JFK which take you everywhere and anywhere in Europe. I just d
on't see the concept as being that innovative...why try to rinvent the wheel? Then with this strike it just seems like there is trouble even before the airline gets off the ground. The only consolation is that BA is a strong company and hopefully, Open Skies will be as well. I've never worked as a flight attendant and I'm so used to a job with 99% job security, that taking a leap like this unnerves me a little. I see that other flight attendants, however, don't seem to sweat over it much. Were you hired by the airline? What do you think about it?

Stef,

I truely understand you being nervous as have been through that with an airline called Now Airlines.The new airline that come with a lot of promises but once we've got done with training then told us that the airline wasn't going to happen and to look for other option..It is a bit risky but that is the risk one have to take by joining new airline.I would recommend if you have this option to keep your present job at least till you are done with OS training and start actually flying...

I thought that too....everything seems kind of "up in the air" (no pun intended)! I was not hired, but it made me kind of nervous that there's only one plane so far and 45 people are all expected to get all the hours in that were guaranteed.... and then there is this ongoing potential strike issue...and up until a day or two ago it wasnt even clear what route they would be flying......and there's only one route....and it's nearly impossible to be a commuter....etc, etc.,etc.

I'm usually pretty optimistic, but I think these are all valid concerns.

The recruiting team was cordial, friendly, and pleasant, but there are a lot of "what ifs" with this airline, I think.....

Flight76 said: I thought that too....everything seems kind of "up in the air" (no pun intended)! I was not hired, but it made me kind of nervous that there's only one plane so far and 45 people are all expected to get all the hours in that were guaranteed.... and then there is this ongoing potential strike issue...and up until a day or two ago it wasnt even clear what route they would be flying......and there's only one route....and it's nearly impossible to be a commuter....etc, etc.,etc.

I'm usually pretty optimistic, but I think these are all valid concerns.

The recruiting team was cordial, friendly, and pleasant, but there are a lot of "what ifs" with this airline, I think.....

Hello and thanks for your responses. I definitely plan on keeping my current job for right up until the last minute and hopefully beyond that if I play my cards right. The more I read the blogs on here and on the OS site, the more I inquire, and the more I get the feeling that this is all rather risky. Exactly how many flight attendants were hired? Was it really only 45....I feel so honored! But all joking aside, I'm also bothered by the fact that they are only going to have this one lonely aircraft.That being the case, will we be able to work enough hours to support ourselves? Maybe I'm just ignorant to this profession but I don't see how that's possible. I don't remember what they said about overtime, if there was any. To be honest with you, I was very confused about the pay because I'm used to the other carriers breaking it down to an hourly rate, per diem rate, overtime rate, etc. and being very clear on it. Are there guaranteed hours? Is there an overtime rate? I went to an open house this past weekend with North American and they broke everything down to hours and explained it in a clear and concise manner. I did not get that from the Open Skies team. I left Open Skies a little confused. In addition, I'm not sure what is meant by sector pay either...never hea

Don't know why my entry got cut off but as I was saying.....I'm not sure what is meant by sector pay....never heard of it, but then again I've never worked as a flight attendant.

Hi stef There is no over time. You are salery. You can only work 900 hours a year.UK rules. That 75 a month. Sector pay is 50 usd each way. It take the place of night pay. So on. perdeim is 100usd. I would not count on make 30,000 a year. The base salery is 18,000 to 19,000 year. You only make 50 and 100 only when your on a trip. Also they sound like they are useding fare-assignment. Which mean you dont bin your trip. You most like will be able to request one or two day off. Yet you other days off will be up to the computer. Yes you can trip trade. Some people like it some dont. It not like what the US airline work with . Most European airline work with. I wish you good luck.

airways in Wheeling, West Virginia said: Hi stef There is no over time. You are salery. You can only work 900 hours a year.UK rules. That 75 a month. Sector pay is 50 usd each way. It take the place of night pay. So on. perdeim is 100usd. I would not count on make 30,000 a year. The base salery is 18,000 to 19,000 year. You only make 50 and 100 only when your on a trip. Also they sound like they are useding fare-assignment. Which mean you dont bin your trip. You most like will be able to request one or two day off. Yet you other days off will be up to the computer. Yes you can trip trade. Some people like it some dont. It not like what the US airline work with . Most European airline work with. I wish you good luck.

No more than 75 hours a month!! I work more than that in 2 weeks! I could understand there being no overtime intially since they will only have one aircraft in their possession but how is a person supposed to live on that kind of salary? How can they even offer the flight attendants the measly 75 hours if there are 45 flight attendant to one aircraft? They're not going to get any flight attendants to work for them at that rate. So far I see a whole bunch of cons and no pros with this airline. Tell me if I'm wrong.

Stef said: No more than 75 hours a month!! I work more than that in 2 weeks! I could understand there being no overtime intially since they will only have one aircraft in their possession but how is a person supposed to live on that kind of salary? How can they even offer the flight attendants the measly 75 hours if there are 45 flight attendant to one aircraft? They're not going to get any flight attendants to work for them at that rate. So far I see a whole bunch of cons and no pros with this airline. Tell me if I'm wrong.

Remember that 75 hours is FLIGHT hours. These are the hours that you are in the air and this does not include (hours) before the aircraft pushes back or layover time or any other ground time. 75 hours flying hours is al ot, believe me. I have 21 years experience as a F/A and 75-80 hours a month leaves me exhausted. You cannot compare flight hours to a regular job schedule. If you are looking at real time hours you will be at work, i.e at airports, traveling to and from airports, at your hotel.........believe me it's a lot. Hope that helps. Also, there are 5 F/A's to each aircraft. There is formula that every airline uses to calculate how many crew members they will need per aircraft. Keep in mind there will be one complete crew flying to and from Paris every day, crew on days off, and reserve crew and standby crew and a crew on layover in Paris!!! OS figures that they will need 45 F/A's to operate each aircraft, so figure they will hire 45 F/A each time they add another aircraft to their fleet.

Congrats on the OS offer Stef!

How did you like North American? I have an interview with them this Sat...They seem to be a good company? Thanks...

Jazz

Stef said: No more than 75 hours a month!! I work more than that in 2 weeks! I could understand there being no overtime intially since they will only have one aircraft in their possession but how is a person supposed to live on that kind of salary? How can they even offer the flight attendants the measly 75 hours if there are 45 flight attendant to one aircraft? They're not going to get any flight attendants to work for them at that rate. So far I see a whole bunch of cons and no pros with this airline. Tell me if I'm wrong.

Stef,

I am planning on attending a North American Airlines open house on Saturday.Can you tell me a bit more about how does the recruitment goes?
Thanks a lot Stef.

Hi There,

I am also planning on attending the open house for North American on Saturday, and would like to know more about the recruitment process.

Hi Pilot: Question, its not very clear as to where the open house is confirming its at the JFK federal circle venue correct?

Cheers
Sara

Sara,

This is the exact address:

NORTH AMERICAN AIRLINES
JFK International Airport
Building 141, Federal Circle
Jamaica, NY 11430

Weds., Feb. 27, 2008

4:00pm SHARP

and

Sat., Mar. 1, 2008

10:00am SHARP

For today-Feb. 26th the locagtion is different but I would imagine you are asking about the ones on the 27th and march 1st.
Hope that answers your question.

Thomas in New York, New York said: I was. I remember meeting you there. Were others on this board there as well? I really liked the candidates that were there that day. A really nice group of people.

Hi Todd, I was at the Feb.5th interview. I wore the red suit, are you the gentleman that I rode in the shuttle with?

Thanks so much for the info Pilot, I'm hoping to make the open house on March 1st. Good Luck to you.