aircraft mechanic

service technician

mechanic

entry level service technician

aircraft maintenance technician

STS Technical Services

Wow where do I start! 

1st I was lied to about the job. I was told that it would be for Delta Airlines the It was NOT Delta Airlines. 

2nd This particular position was for Delta Material Services which is a subsidiary.  So that means that the benefits were very watered down. I mean no flight benefits or holiday pay. The LEAST they could do is give you flight benefits as a temp. 

This was the warehouse supply attendant position. The job wasn't bad. But they are very whiny about cell phones and you are being watched on camera while you work. So if you are not working it looks bad. Sometimes work is slow so now you have to panic to find things to do. Work does involve using a forklift/cherry picker which I was a little uncomfortable with at times but I did it anyways.

You can be a temp for over a year or longer & that is a long time to wait. I know because I asked the people whom have been there. Not only that you wont get a raise after being hired you will stay at $15 an hour. I looked in travelnet for a DMS pay scale & I saw NOTHING!

I hated being in that warehouse it was so hot. Theres only 2 parts that are air conditioned which is the front area where the cubicles & offices are along with the shipping/inspection area. If I had known it was DMS & I would not have taken the job. But I had already quit my current job.

It was very quick paced, management is okay. I got fired like it was nothing, I was there for 2 weeks and a day. I couldn't work because I didn't have access to SAP EWM I begged and pleaded with them for access but never got it in time so I spent a lot of my time sitting around & actually TRYING TO HELP coworkers but they didn't need my help like I said Its a pretty easy job. Next thing I know I get home & I get a phone call saying "your assignment ended today with no feedback"

I don't know EXACTLY what I did wrong. I was told by people whom have been there that you will get fired if youre not doing anything. But i couldn't do anything because I didn't have the necessary access to software in order to do my job. And other people do not like sharing there credentials with new hires which is completely understandable. 

There is a SUPPLY ATTENDANT posting for delta airlines  where you do no have to be at DMS in the warehouse but I do not know how to confirm that it is Delta Airlines. I asked my recruiter several times & they did not know the difference between the two. I am telling you all  that that position with Delta Airlines is much easier. I had 2 colleagues tell me that. I had never heard of DMS until I went in for my interview. I would rather my manager pull me to the side and tell me what he wanted me to do than just fire me like that. That is not good work culture and that's kinda why I don't like contract jobs. 

Lastly, Delta Airlines has much better benefits.

In terms of STS itself they move very quickly to get you started on your assignment. You will start in less than 3 weeks if you get the job.

Guys please be careful out there. You're welcome for this review.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Structure, logical chain of command, entry-level with good benefits that are competitive for the area/field. Good supervisors, and coworkers that were productive. Ability to promote or change careers is an option, and supported with good hiring practices within company, and even to other sister/partner companies such as Kalitta Air.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Sometimes you'd be given a job that might have asked a bit more than you could do, or have much higher expectations of you than reality. Guidelines, and rules are strictly enforced with it feeling at times you have to worry about your job security over relatively minor things. Sometimes you might be assigned work that requires a team, but assign your team to other tasks for an extended period when you might have needed them, spreading people thin at times, and you'd be the reason things are behind. All the while, your taking work orders directly from a different company that's treated as the parent company (Kalitta) and STS is typically only seen as HR/Management and rarely interacted with our crew amongst other crews as well.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
A bit stressful at times, as you're treated as a bit of a intern for Kalitta. After you hold your position for a certain amount of time and prove your worth they would then 'promote' you to Kalitta where benefits get much better, as well as pay/hours. Guidelines and rules are much more strictly enforced especially for those still with STS and are given less 'chances' than others. Aside from that most of your coworkers will be supportive of you, and hope you do get said position. The culture is mainly from Kalitta that trickles down a bit to STS workers.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Clock-in, wait for team to all arrive/gather and plan out the tasks for the day and divvy up the team in pairs typically to take care of certain parts of the equipment we'll be cleaning. During this we might also check stock, and have to make a run for supplies such as cleaning chemicals, and various cleaning tools. Equipping the correct PPE, such as harnesses, gloves, masks etc as needed. Using various lifts/cranes to reach certain areas on some aircraft to clean the entire surface. Sometimes expected to do light cleaning in the aircraft as well as the crew shop where the aircraft are typically brought. Breaks are given intermittently depending on weather (so in extreme heat/cold be expected to work in it but be given more breaks). Usually sticking to cleaning said aircraft (or multiple depending on size/day/schedule) up until 30 minutes or so before end of shift where we need to return all equipment used including lifts, cranes, chemicals, and cleaning equipment amongst other items we may have needed.

STS misrepresents job opportunities to their employees.  The ads they place are not accurate and they will interview you for positions where the pay is less than you can accept and for positions with more travel than you can do.  They do actually have job assignments so.....if you NEED a job.....give it a shot. Keep applying for outside jobs because your STS assignment can end at any moment.

Management and recruiters actively avoid their employees on assignments. It wasn't always like that, but we really noticed a shift in 2018.  It can take weeks to receive a reply to an email.  Employees have to hope their fellow employees have the information they need.  The standards STS excuse for ignoring employees is "I was on vacation."  How are they getting that much vacation?  It takes more than a year of working full time to earn 5 days of vacation.    Most of us don't actually get paid vacation days off. We get paid for 5 days in a lump sum.  A few people seem to earn actual days off - but no one in my group does - and we've asked.   

That brings me to benefits.  I've worked with at least 40 STS employees - some of whom have been on assignment for 5 years - no one ever gets a raise.  Also there are no personal days.  There is a 401k but STS does not contribute.  There are health insurance plans but STS does not contribute. There are several convoluted health plans and they are terrible (i.e. don't cover the emergency room or prescriptions) or insanely expensive (more than a week's pay for one person's insurance).  Again - STS does not contribute to the cost of health insurance.  We earn paid sick days - but that might vary by state.  Holiday pay varies by assignment.  A worker generally gets the same holidays as the workers at the company they're assigned to.

I started working there in January and was looking to advance through the ranks, but quickly learned is was more about who you know than the work that you did. I even volunteered to work night shift twice to show I was there for what ever the company needed.The Leads are clueless most of the time and rather divert you to someone else than actually help. Parts are always on order and never in stock, not to mention the corners they cut in order to get these planes out on time which never happens.

Also I have no clue why they even bother with an HR department, there is harassment all over and no one bats an eye. On the plus side they have man and scissor lifts in order to do your job better, but only 10% of the employees are allowed to use them. 

A typical day of work would be showing up 10 minutes before the starts and report to Dock for your corresponding plane. We'd stand there for about 20-40 minutes while the leads dish out the work orders. Then after finally getting to clock in we would go get the parts needed in which case they were mostly out of stock and had to use substitutes or find another job. Then we would go check out the tools needed (torque wrench/dial gauge...) and yes you guessed it, not in stock or already checked out. 
 So after getting everything needed for work you then get a visit by your lead wondering whats taking so long, but no offer to help. 

So in short to me this place was nothing but a paycheck but met some really cool mechanics. Would only recommend this job if you have no other options.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Learning other tools I've never used before and doing things I haven't done. Building connections with each individual while working together.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
It gets very hot while working, pushing and pulling over dried lamination which makes it difficult to push molds from one place to another, not being able to advance like I would like while I was there.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It's very hot during the day and cold in most days but the culture a little tense with the boss but everything else was informative, respectful and good teamwork.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
My typical day is usually not so busy, it's smooth transaction when I show up and I go in take a 5 minute sit down in the break room than go change into my working clothes for the last 5 minutes. I clock in then walk straight into the back get to working early, mid day take my break for an hour, after that clean up a little and assist other workers nearby for 20-30 minutes and  than all workers help get everything ready for lamination. When that's finished I just cut loose ends for about 30 minutes then clock out and go home.

Well first off, most of the Gen Fam Training Provided by the company is fake, you will have to "accumulate time" on a 1000 page pdf document, which usually means leaving the computer on for a few days, then taking a test for that airframe. If you don't have 40 hours, the training department will send it back. Not sure how this inadequate training has slipped past the FAA. Furthermore the company does not like to invest in the proper tools and equipment, you are expected to scrape by using a broken nitrogen cart, using torque wrenches that aren't calibrated, there are no access to any maintenance manuals or any technical data whatsoever, you have to depend on maintenance control from whatever airline to send you a proper reference, The management is very poor, often times leaving you abandoned at the station by yourself to take calls, you are expected to work through your lunch break, and stuff something down your face when you find the time, these people could care less about their employees, they will offer you reasonable pay at first, then offer the new hires much more, leaving you in the dust, with no chance of getting a raise. 

Expect low pay scale.
Expect your pay to be cut when coming back, off per diem break..
Expect STS recruiters to keep you on the road as far away from your home area as possible.
Expect STS recruiters to work against you when you ask to change job locations.
They will give you "face" but not submit you or work against you. Then tell you that job has been filled.
Do not expect to transfer within the STS Line Maintenance groups.
STS is an incestuous contract house.
Do not expect STS to help you if you are discriminated against or abused at a job location.
You are a piece of meat to STS / recruiters.  
The pay is as low as they can pay you.  
STS does not care if you have good experience.  If you are a experienced, top of the line A&P mechanic you will get payed the same rate as a A&P right out of A&P school. Then STS expects you to help and train them.
I do not recommend STS.
If you are a A&P looking for work I suggest you shop around with the other contract houses.

As part of management I will say it is a great place to work. It is a position that will broaden your abilities as Line Maintenance is a fast paced environment. Sure, benefits can always be better but they are acceptable compared to other companies. This is truly a great place to work with constant emphasis on improving the culture. If you are looking to just do a shift and not care there is not place for you. Aircraft maintenance is a serious position and requires dedication to doing things right; airline customers safety is in your hands. The people I work with are the greatest. The senior leadership care about what's happening and has a great interest in you and the bottom line. The only employees that dog the company are normally the ones that want something for no output. Will always be here!

They lied to me. I know recruiters will stretch the truth, but these guys outright lied. I had to pay my own moving expenses, but that seemed reasonable since it was a three year contract. Three months later, I was told they were cutting labor. They did say I could be on a different contract several states away. That was supposed to be a minimum of one year. At that contract, 2 months in, they asked me to stay at half my pay while it was slow, and they would pay the other half in 4 weeks when work resumed. Two days before I was scheduled to resume work, they said they were only bringing back 5 people, and the rest of the 30 were told to move several states again. They MIGHT reimburse relocation this time IF I am still there in another 90 days. OH - and each time you move, you are rehired, so forget any medical benefits you might need for your family,

Working as a contractor for a defense company, this place is a revolving door. Benefits are terrible and don't expect pay raises. Hours are decent and you get federal holidays off. 
Organization and communication is terrible. 
As soon as the contract is up, so is your job. Wouldn't depend on this for long term.
Recruiters will push hard to get you hired and tell you what you want to hear to get you in. As soon as you're hired, good luck getting a hold of anyone at STS if you have questions on anything.  This is literally a dead end job.
Tools needed for the job are constantly broke or missing.
Overtime really isn't overtime, it's based off your base pay.  Your health and wellness pay is not included in your overtime pay for being a federal contractor.

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