Surf Air Mobility?
Posted by Individual-Elk-6759@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 34 comments
I have an interview with them on Monday for an FO position. I saw the pay was only $12-21 an hour with only 65 hours a month guaranteed. Then they have a $21,000 training contract at $21 an hour you’ll only make $15k a year. Sounds like indentured servitude to me. Is the pay really that low??
850TT CFI/CFII R-ATP 2 bachelor degrees.
Mattyice199415@reddit
As someone else mentioned, they don’t have a training contract anymore. All pilots were released from theirs in the beginning of 2026 and they were considered null and void.
Due_Algae7380@reddit
Yes! The pay really is that fucking low! Fuck that pile of shit company. I don’t care how desperate you are for hours/pay. NO flight time or any pay is worth working for a company as bad as them. They are predatory.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
Did you work for them? I don’t even know what to do anymore and I’ll take anything I can get at this point.
Due_Algae7380@reddit
I get it. It’s rough out there. Send a pm if you want my story.
KJ3040@reddit
That’s pretty damn bad. I made that much flying as a FO in turboprops in 2012 with a similar indenture contract, but I would have thought inflation would’ve doubled that wage. Training contracts are bullshit, but without a type rating or something tangible in return I’ve got to believe it’s probably unenforceable in some locales.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
It’s not even a PC12 it’s a Caravan 208. I’m unemployed and paying to fly just to keep my time current. I can’t even find a job instructing I only have 1 failure my CFI initial. I’m desperate
Due_Algae7380@reddit
Brother, I am begging you. Don’t fucking do it. They have a horrendous reputation for a reason.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
Im a worthless loser it’s better than nothing.
KJ3040@reddit
Look man. No one who tells you not to take this job is also going to pony up cash to pay your bills. I get it. But any place that points a $21,000 gun at your $12/hour paycheck is about to treat you about as well as a rented mule.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
The pay is shockingly low. Especially if they want me to move to Dallas from Florida to make $9-16k a year. I don’t even know how that’s feasible. It’s below the poverty line.
Booticus11@reddit
You’re not going to be based in Dallas, you’ll be at some small town in Arkansas or PA, they have cass so you can jumpseat. You’ll need a crash pad though
aftcg@reddit
In the 90'-2000's the pilot unions were able to get rid of training contracts at 121s. This serf air outfit sounds scuzzy af.
Unfortunately, they'll have zero problems getting pilots in the door. And I bet they expect the new pilots only last a year. Cheap labor.
Hawaiiankinetings@reddit
There is no training contract anymore
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
Could you fly for 3 months and leave then?
Hawaiiankinetings@reddit
yup
Bkclaims@reddit
When did you apply? I applied but haven't heard back.. I'm a similar situation and would probably take it if offered
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
A month ago I think at like 750TT. $12 an hour and only 65 hours a month. That’s less money than I made washing cars out of high school 9 years ago.
Booticus11@reddit
Surf air is the parent for Southern Airways express and Mokulele. It’s operated under Southerns 135 cert.
Fit_Midnight_3927@reddit
What other degree do you have? Just curious. Looking at getring a second myself.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
A Bachelors in aviation and a bachelor’s in history. I already had an associates degree as well.
Fit_Midnight_3927@reddit
I was thinking of getting one in finance. Any take on that? I am about to finish my degree in aviation up.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
I’m in no place to give advice. I’m by all means a failure. Going no where, can’t even get into a cadet program. So I guess it’s a good idea to find a back up plan. I wish I could have.
Fit_Midnight_3927@reddit
No. Dont say that. For real. Life's hard enough as is. A lot of us are there with you. Everyday is tough. You arent a failure.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
I serve no purpose and didn’t achieve the goal I set out for despite the hard work put in. Every hour of dual I’ve given away I refused to be paid. What I have to give is worthless to society and I would feel tremendous guilt charging for that. My old flight school had an internal hiring, I was one of 80 candidates to apply for only 15 jobs. I’ve realized no one in this career works hard to get hired. You have to know someone and they have to extend a charity towards you. This wasn’t the case when I started in 2023. But then again I think, only a stupid person would pursue a career with no connections in, only a stupid person would get a degree in history, and only a stupid person would spend four years getting an associates degree thinking it would make them more valuable than a car washer. Now 7 years later and a hundred thousand dollars spent my only job potential is a job making the same I made washing cars, funny. So yes I’d call that a failure.
Gold-Weather_69@reddit
Modern day exploitation
PsychologicalParty60@reddit
It’s not a good position why you’re on right now, but consider trying to get other chances. That huge bond for just 12 dls an hour is ridiculous. Best of luck man, hopefully you’ll find something good in the near future
chocolate_asshole@reddit
absolutely not worth it for that pay and training contract, especially now. market’s trash
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
Right now I pay to fly so I feel like I have no choice.
BeenThereDoneThat65@reddit
You don't pay back the training contract unless you leave before the contract term. The contracts area is also prorated. Meaning if you leave with 6 months left on the contract, you pay only 6 months' worth of the contract.
capn_davey@reddit
How much does being a CFI pay? Entry level jobs in aviation, medicine, and law all have a lot in common. And, bluntly, it’s this way because a good chunk of the people that make it to the top don’t care about trying to make it suck less for those that come after them.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
I’m an unemployed “independent” CFI I spent most of my time time building gave about 150 hours of dual given.
flyingforfun3@reddit
How does the contract work? If you leave within X amount of time you pay it back? Is it pro rated for time served? How does hourly pay vary? Is it actually 21/hour but you are figuring the contract because you plan on leaving before?
Also, I didn’t think they were still around. lol
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I have an interview with them on Monday for an FO position. I saw the pay was only $12-21 an hour with only 65 hours a month guaranteed. Then they have a $21,000 training contract at $21 an hour you’ll only make $15k a year. Sounds like indentured servitude to me. Is the pay really that low??
850TT CFI/CFII R-ATP 2 bachelor degrees.
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