flight attendant

dispatcher

first officer

scheduler

recruiter

Republic Airways

I spent about a year at Republic before the pandemic hit. Started off in a fairly low-level department with the expectation of advancement. Company culture was not very welcoming, as there are typically two main types of people you will find at a regional airline:
-People who are there to gain experience in the industry before moving on to a company that pays them better
-People who were either unwilling or unable to move on and remained in the smaller company as "lifers"
The "lifers" don't really bother to make much of a connection newer people, because they have spent 10+ years of their lives watching a revolving door of young people come and go. There is very little camaraderie in a work environment such as this, and it shows. People often don't take the job seriously and will do the bare minimum that's necessary to cover their own butt.

Management is also a serious problem with the company, as mangers are very hands-off and will refuse to correct "lifers" who don't pull their weight. It often felt as though people who were relatively new (only with the company a couple of years) had a better work ethic and put in more effort than the "lifers" who had basically given up. More senior employees use their resentment of the company as an excuse not to pull their weight, and will often try to shift blame onto newer people even when the newer person isn't at fault.

And now, finally, we come to the reason that so many people leave: The pay is simply awful. Even compared to other regional airlines, Republic consistently underpays in one-to-one comparisons of jobs and departments. Management and HR would obviously tell you otherwise, but the simple fact is that pretty much all of Republic's direct competitors pay better for the same work. There is basically no excuse for this since Republic is one of the largest and most profitable regional airlines. So it's no wonder that people skee-daddle the second a better opportunity presents itself - they simply are not paid what they're worth.

Overall, anyone starting their career in the airline industry will most likely have no choice but to be funneled through a holding tank such as Republic to "gain experience" before moving on to a better company, and you should not expect people to be very serious or friendly, or for management to really bother policing people's bad behavior. 

I worked in their headquarters in Indianapolis in an operations role. I took the job after being suddenly laid off elsewhere because I was desperate. The pay was far below both the national and local average for the same position at other companies—like $20-25k/year less than the LOCAL average. I only accepted it because it was the first job offer I received, and I have children and needed to continue paying my bills. This is a place that had a spacious, nicely outfitted swipe-access-only e-suite on the top floor and executive-only parking that took up the entire front of the building—those things alone should tell you all you need to know about this company's culture. I was stuck in an overcrowded office with one break room, one coffee machine, and one fridge to be shared by about 35-45 people. I was micromanaged by my supervisors because as an adult I apparently couldn't be trusted to manage my own time or prioritize my own workload. While I was asked if I was interested in advancement during my time there, the only reason was because they had such high turnover in the department. The most senior employee in the department underneath the supervisors had only been there 3 years when I started, and that person quit and went to a higher-paying position at another company within a month of me being there. Everyone else in lower positions had been there for under a year. The supervisors, however, had been in their roles for 15+ years, and it was clear they would never leave, so there was a low ceiling to how far you could even advance within that particular department. Also, very confusingly, the supervisors did not advocate for either themselves or their employees. I supposed they are so entrenched in their roles that they are fine with receiving low pay and poor benefits, so they do not demand more for their subordinates, either. The only thing good thing about this place, for me, was that they bought us lunch more than your average company. But you know what they say about places that throw you a pizza party instead of giving you a raise... Anyway, I got a better job about 3 months after I started, thank god.

I love my job. I love how unconventional it is and the travel benefits. But you don’t get paid well at all, and you are the companies “b word” for a while when new. So it is not an easy start. $27 an hour sounds great until you realize it’s only per flight hour and typically you’d only be getting 75-80 hrs a month as a new hire. Expect your first check of the month to be 900-1200 depending on your hours, and your second one to always be smaller at 740 ish. if you can’t live off of this do not do it. many in my class quit because they did not realize how low the pay was and couldn’t afford bills. Trips are east coast, mid west, and canada. Expect to do a ton of New york, boston, and newark trips. republic charges the most of any regional and has the best on time performance so they are sent to the more “difficult” airports. If you are looking to do international or even “fun” trips to the caribbean or bahamas as they advertise this isn’t for you. If you want to be a flight attendant and can do it I recommend American or southwest. we operate for delta, american, and united and delta is great but they have no union, expensive to live in bases, and snobby passengers. United is unorganized, passengers are the most unruly, reserve time can be 15-20 years, and customer service is not good. American is a good middle ground if you want to be mainline and do international trips. Southwest doesn’t do as much international however they are great to their employees and take their feedback. Also republics union is a joke. I have reported things that were done to me where others have broken contract and they did not care and did nothing about it. But regardless i do love my job, if i could i’d definitely work mainline though, better pay, and better trips! i currently don’t because i don’t wish to commute. 

As an airline the company is pretty typical and actually has much going for it.  it has the best and largest aircraft in the regional fleet, and has plenty of hard working individuals who honestly like their work...but they all hate their jobs and the company.  The pilots have been out of contract for years, and now recently they canned out per diem which in my case amounted to a 10% pay cut. The pilots are the lowest paid in part 121 and yet we fly a rough combination of both mainline routes and regional routes.  What makes this hurt even more is the fact that the company is very successful financially.  The sick rules basically charge you as absent even if it is justify.  I've already flow with many people who were sick with the flu, sinus infections and yet had to suffer through in some cases 14 hour days.  Also the company has no respect for its employees what so ever, and that frustration and stress is filling the average worker.  The turn over rate for new hires is the highest in the industry which makes it worst for those who stick around.  As a reserve pilot, you will be worked harder and longer than someone with a line, often time sitting reserve out of base and given line work even though you can't win one come bidding time, and there is no shortage of this. The company sees that if they can get you back to base at night, then they can work you as much as they want.  They fly in the face of FAA policies and their own often times breaking both regularly. 
While this company is definitely here to stay, we are in fact growing...I wouldn't recommend coming here.

Honestly the job is great for some and for most not so much. For those that have been in the company 10+ years and are supported financially by someone else then this is the job for you as you can esentially make your own schedule and actually somewhat enjoy the job as a whole. If you are not this person I suggest you dont apply. You get benefits from all 3 airlines, however it's hard to use them because you are at the bottom on a standby list, most of the management doesn't help or you can't even reach, the union is in the company's pockets and only help with things when they are mad at the company for the company screwing them over, the money ?? Let's just say the first like 3-5years AT LEAST you can get approved for food stamps and section 8 housing, crew scheduling WILL screw you ESPECIALLY if you don't know your contract, contract is trash by the way, and as far as work/life balance you can throw that out the window. Those that should be fired aren't and those that shouldn't get fired way too often first over the smallest things. I will say that your coworkers are typically great lifelong type of people (but there are a handful of crazies for sure like any job). You can create great memories here if you can afford it or even have time for it. Medical/Dental/Vision benefits are OK..well better than most but could use some improvements as well. This is probably the third best regional airline if you are going that route. If you don't like to be repetitive and deal with crazy passengers all day on top of the other everyday struggles, this job isn't for you.

My day started with commuting (by flight) from Memphis to Chicago to start work. After confirming schedule changes (if any), I'd proceed to traverse airport to wherever my aircraft was parked. Pre-flight checks included jumpseat, interphone, cabin lights, seatbelts, demo equipment, emergency equipment, working water, lav supplies, catering and supplies, and crew briefing. Greet passengers boarding, assist with information, serve 1st class drinks, ensure compliance with Federal Regulations (stowed bags, seatbelts, electronic devices), make announcements via intercom, secure and lock cabin door, strap into jumpseat, takeoff. Most flights I performed cabin service with beverage cart, collected trash, fill out catering slip for next flight, prepare for landing. Post flight duties included check for same equipment as in pre-flight. Secure any locks, proceed to shuttle bus for overnight hotel scheduled by the company. Management was mostly friendly and effective, but limited in power. My co-workers were some of the best people I've ever met. The hardest part of the job was constant changing of schedules, but it was also the best part. The part I enjoyed most was getting to meet so many new and wonderful people, it gave me a more positive view on life in general.

Unfortunately, the Airline lost a significant number of employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 1,500. Because of this, they are now hiring like a madhouse; and in my opinion, to their detriment. While training, I realized the company is hiring literally anyone! People who are uneducated, unintellectual, immature, and make for a horrible classroom experience including unnecessary drama and a hostile work environment. Also, the FA trainers seem to have poor co-worker relations, as they routinely disrespected one another. Management also lacks basic empathy and respect. In general, save yourself the headache, the hotel perk is nice, but it ends there. Invest your talent elsewhere.

For management, I'd say: be more extensive with the screening process before admitting candidates. Also, have adequate facilities that may accommodate such large class sizes. This is a serious job and I believe that it is injurious to Republic Airways customers to be at the hands of such incompetent trainees and inadequate facilities. Furthermore, devise harder testing (anyone can pass those tests). Lastly, update the curriculum. All the typos and errors in the slides make for some serious ethos (credibility) issues. 

If anyone want to break into the aviation arena working for a regional airline is the way to go. I wanted to be a flight attendant after retiring from the military and Republic Airways gave me the perfect opportunity to develop my skills as a people person. A typical day at work means meeting several hundred different people in one day. All passengers are important clients, rather they are on the plane for 35 minutes or 3 hours. Knowing that it is up to me to make or break their experience is always in the fore front of  mind. So, I want them to have a pleasant experience and enjoy having me as their flight attendant. Sometimes it means being creative in problem solving and always anticipating a passenger needs, stepping out of your personal space to help someone, but at the end of the day, it nice to know that I bought a military member home, or took a new born to see their grandparents for the first time. The hardest part of being a flight attendant is not to take situations personally. And to remember everyone has a bad hair day, but its how we handle those bad hair days that makes the difference. Just keep smiling and eventually someone will smile back.

I truly couldn't say enough positive things about my particular base for Republic. The people are supportive and friendly, always willing to teach the new hires something rather than shoo-ing a person away. Management is an actual pleasure to work for and easy to approach, they have their own jobs but don't act any differently from the rest of maintenance when interacting with employees. The job environment really is fun and the "work family" is true statement there.

Now for the company, the selection of benefits is quite healthy. I opted to take over the insurance for my spouse and I as they have better offerings. The flight benefits are nice for those that fly and the PTO is extremely generous. The pay is better than other regionals in the area but do not expect it to be competitive to the main lines, that just isn't possible. 

I couldn't ask for a better company to start my aviation career with. Many stay years instead of moving to other airlines because of the environment, the healthy morale and family like structure. Even the CEO is a genuine person who takes the time to know his employees and take their best interest to heart. 

Albeit, I was hired on right before the pandemic, Republic has proven they do care about their employees, whether you are a pilot or not. Of course it does become apparent who gets better treatment, but overall I think the company does its best to be fair to all.

What really impressed with Republic was the culture in the work place. every employee on the management side treats everyone with respect and does not look down on their subordinates. The flight instructors and check-airman are very compassionate in what they do and do whatever they can to make sure their trainees are successful. 

Though my experience with my first airline was not orthodox, due to the unprecedented times the industry was hit with, the culture of the company really helped me stick the job out with uncertainties around every corner.

I have been based in BOS, EWR, and SDF over the time frame of a year and 3 months, and I am still being rewarded reserve schedules. Hiring has finally started up again and I am excited to finally see some movement.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Flight attendant 7 salaries reported	$28.43 per hour
Dispatcher 6 salaries reported	$22.95 per hour
First officer 3 salaries reported	$80,833 per year
Scheduler 5 salaries reported	$17.00 per hour
Recruiter 3 salaries reported	$65,000 per year

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