lack of attention

[welle036]

whats up with white airs lack of attention. They seem to offer an outstanding price. Is the location(seems to be in middle of nowhere, w/o a tower) and the small number of planes too big a factor? Also, does anyone know if the housing is one person per room or do they put multiple person per room?

[desertdog71]

They are actually quite busy, just not much traffic on the forum is all. The housing is one person per room. Just a basic bed and dresser, the living area is community. Hey its only 6 months and you can't beat the price.

I had a great experience there and have moved ahead with my career. The $20,000 you save will be helpful on first year pay.

[welle036]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

They are actually quite busy, just not much traffic on the forum is all. The housing is one person per room. Just a basic bed and dresser, the living area is community. Hey its only 6 months and you can't beat the price.

I had a great experience there and have moved ahead with my career. The $20,000 you save will be helpful on first year pay.

Hey desert dog,
Which program did you do? I have been saving money for a while now and am being tempted to do there course that offers instrument through mei w/ about 45 hrs multi. I have been planning for awhile to do a course that offers more multi >100hrs, but don't know how much longer I can stand putting off my training. I would have to work until the end of april to do the higher multi hour course, but could start the 45 hour mulit course in january. Any thoughts?

[desertdog71]

That is a personal decision that depends on your goals really. The 100 ME is valuable and also a requirement at a lot of places. If you want to get your ratings now and test the waters that wouldn't hurt, just keep in mind you may need that ME time later.

[welle036]

I figured the rest of the multi time would come with instructing, but I don't know what the future holds for a new MEI. I might look into doing the 45 course and then trying to purchase the additional multi time at a block rate.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by welle036

I figured the rest of the multi time would come with instructing, but I don't know what the future holds for a new MEI. I might look into doing the 45 course and then trying to purchase the additional multi time at a block rate.

There are lots of MEI's all trying to get ME time. Although its not really too tough to get the CFI gigs these days. The market has changed quite a bit.

[JDMcFly]

White Air is still one of the schools I am highly considering going to, I'll see where things stand in 6 months.

[Doug Taylor]

I wouldn't say a quiet forum is necessarily a bad thing!

[Capt.Spock]

Hello,

Has anyone got information about the current fuel surcharge or whether tax is included in the rental price?

Regards,
Spock

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by Capt.Spock

Hello,

Has anyone got information about the current fuel surcharge or whether tax is included in the rental price?

Regards,
Spock

1-866-359-2239

[Capt.Spock]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

1-866-359-2239

I'm European.. and that's really not a big problem but making the call from the country where I am at the moment through my home country to the US might turn expensive.

I will give them a call when I get home. Thank you for your input Desertdog. It seems like a decent school from what I have read from this forum and their website.

[FlyingMonk]

Originally Posted by welle036

whats up with white airs lack of attention. They seem to offer an outstanding price. Is the location(seems to be in middle of nowhere, w/o a tower) and the small number of planes too big a factor? Also, does anyone know if the housing is one person per room or do they put multiple person per room?

Definitely lack of attention!!

Since dersertdog71 left, no one at White Air seems to care about business coming to them from the internet. It's like night and day compared to Mike at Career Pilot School. I was supposed to go to White Air, but I'm about to change my mind. There was absolutely minimal customer service in the last month I've dealt with them. I certainly don't want to throw $30K-$40k into a flight school that has such poor service. Wake up White Air!!!!

[Ryan110175]

I feel the same way about White Air. I've tried emailing them, and I never get a response back from them. I tried giving them a call, only to get no answer. I hear they have a good reputation, but when prospective students cannot make contact with someone who knows the operation, it makes them look like they don't know what they're doing.

[Goldmember]

Come on now, just because they aren't the most internet savvy doesn't mean squat when it comes to flight training, not everybody grew up with computers engrained in their lives like oxygen. I'm only going to say this once, but PICK UP THE TELEPHONE!!! I can't believe how many people on here want to spend 30-60 thousand based on someone's website and email presence. How about YOU wake up and learn that hiding behind your computer is no way to do business and phone conversations and face to face time IS the way to do business. You know, it's just possible that the folks at White Air are busy training pilots and find it difficult to get to the internet stuff as often as they would like. Which, instead of being a negative, could be a huge positive for someone so listen close:

Instead of standing there with a check in hand ready to dump a whole ton of cash into a program, how about calling up White Air and having the following conversation:

"HI, my name is blank, I am interested in your xyz program, how much does it cost? Wow, that is a lot of money but much more reasonable than other programs like yours. I was wondering if there is any way I can perform a service for you in return for a discount or some sort of pay. Particularly, I am a member of Jetcareers.com and a lot of folks have expressed concern about a lack of presence on the boards, and also some folks have had trouble getting return emails from you. I would be happy to answer questions about your program on this message board, and would also be happy to answer your emails, update your web page and things of that nature. Does this sound like something we can work out? I just feel this would free you up to grow your program and focus on your students and their needs, and I am very savvy when it comes to internet related things and would love to help out."

Now I don't go to White Air and never will, but this approach can be used for a lot of different FBO's and things of the like. Trust me, dropping 60k at somewhere like ATP over the 35k you'll drop at White just because you didn't get a return email is gonna make you feel really stupid on down the road when you grow up.

[FlyingMonk]

Goldmember,

First of all, I doubt White Air is getting most of their business from local pilot wannabes from their small town. Why would they pay to advertise on Jetcareers? It's a waste of money, I think, to draw people in from the information posted on internet websites and then totally disregard taking care of them. This forum is international. Their customer base will come from all over the world. The world uses the INTERNET. In the end, "customer service" will build or destroy a business' reputation.

Secondly, this is the year 2007. Even an elementary school student knows how to email and surf the internet. Are you saying that White Air's staff is dumber than a sack of potatos? Would anyone want to learn how to fly from a school, whose staff doesn't know how to use the internet or emails? I doubt that they're that dumb.

Thirdly, a lot of people have weird work schedules and would prefer to email. They certainly can't call 3am in the morning, or even at 3pm if they're so busy at work.

White Air knows how to set up a website, change their prices, advertise on Jetcareers, and use emails.

The problem is truly their lack of attention. Using the phone to communicate won't make a bit of difference.

My example: I asked several questions and expressed interest in attending their school. It took a while in the beginning, but once the communication started it went back and forth fairly quickly for a few days, and I was pretty set on when I wanted to attend White Air.

I will not mention names, but the person at White Air said she'll get back to me, after talking to a CFI, with my required information. Three weeks passed. I sent her a query email again for my requested info. She finally writes back to me 5 days ago and says she's real "sorry" and will take care of it right away "ASAP" in her words. Apparently, "ASAP" takes longer than 5 days... & counting...

What drew me to White Air was their price and their no nonsense approach to flight training, especially the testimonials from this site. However, at this juncture I've crossed out White Air on my list for a possible school.

I think they can easily turn this around if they hire someone like "desertdog71," who was very enthusiastic about flight training.

[Ryan110175]

I wasn't trying to infer that they don't put out a good product. Their programs and prices are what attracted me to White Air. However, when they advertise over the internet, they MUST be prepared to communicate over the internet. That's my biggest complaint with them. When looking at spending over $30K somewhere, I feel it's neccesary to be able to communicate with someone that will give a more detailed answer than "I'll get back with you soon on that". Only to have them NEVER call or email you back. I'm sure they're very busy there, but if they're going to advertise via the internet, please be prepared communicate via the internet. With that said, I'm still considering White Air.

[jelloy]

Everybody....I'm currently attending White Air and doing thier career program. I'm having a blast and the instruction here is excellent. Their head instructor is busy all day...he flies from 0800-2000 everyday. He's one of the best instructors around, and I'm learning alot from him. The staffing here isn't that large (pretty basic) which is why maybe you havent heard back on the emails. When i was interested in comming down here, i called instead of emailed...and that's all it took. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me, I'm open to answering any of your questions.

[FlyingMonk]

Jelloy, I think you should apply for WhiteAir's P.R. job. Good to hear you're doing great. If you can post your progress through the program, it would help a lot of us out.

[jelloy]

I've only been here a few weeks now...and last monday (with 9hrs) i had my first solo flight, and then the next day did my solo towered controlled takeoffs/landings, and then the next day did a mini solo XCountry flight. I can accredit most of this to the flight instruction.

The good thing about Chanute, is that there are tons of small airports and airstrips within 30 miles of here, so it's ideal for short trips and practice. Also, it's windy here...i did my first solo with a 18kt headwind. With the conditions they force you to fly in here, everywhere else will be gravy.

The living conditions are pretty basic, nothing at all fancy about it...but its great because it allows you to soley focus on reading/studying.

[desertdog71]

Originally Posted by FlyingMonk

Goldmember,

First of all, I doubt White Air is getting most of their business from local pilot wannabes from their small town. Why would they pay to advertise on Jetcareers? It's a waste of money, I think, to draw people in from the information posted on internet websites and then totally disregard taking care of them. This forum is international. Their customer base will come from all over the world. The world uses the INTERNET. In the end, "customer service" will build or destroy a business' reputation.

Secondly, this is the year 2007. Even an elementary school student knows how to email and surf the internet. Are you saying that White Air's staff is dumber than a sack of potatos? Would anyone want to learn how to fly from a school, whose staff doesn't know how to use the internet or emails? I doubt that they're that dumb.

Thirdly, a lot of people have weird work schedules and would prefer to email. They certainly can't call 3am in the morning, or even at 3pm if they're so busy at work.

White Air knows how to set up a website, change their prices, advertise on Jetcareers, and use emails.

The problem is truly their lack of attention. Using the phone to communicate won't make a bit of difference.

My example: I asked several questions and expressed interest in attending their school. It took a while in the beginning, but once the communication started it went back and forth fairly quickly for a few days, and I was pretty set on when I wanted to attend White Air.

I will not mention names, but the person at White Air said she'll get back to me, after talking to a CFI, with my required information. Three weeks passed. I sent her a query email again for my requested info. She finally writes back to me 5 days ago and says she's real "sorry" and will take care of it right away "ASAP" in her words. Apparently, "ASAP" takes longer than 5 days... & counting...

What drew me to White Air was their price and their no nonsense approach to flight training, especially the testimonials from this site. However, at this juncture I've crossed out White Air on my list for a possible school.

I think they can easily turn this around if they hire someone like "desertdog71," who was very enthusiastic about flight training.

Originally Posted by Ryan110175

I wasn't trying to infer that they don't put out a good product. Their programs and prices are what attracted me to White Air. However, when they advertise over the internet, they MUST be prepared to communicate over the internet. That's my biggest complaint with them. When looking at spending over $30K somewhere, I feel it's neccesary to be able to communicate with someone that will give a more detailed answer than "I'll get back with you soon on that". Only to have them NEVER call or email you back. I'm sure they're very busy there, but if they're going to advertise via the internet, please be prepared communicate via the internet. With that said, I'm still considering White Air.

Well guys.

Your concerns have been heard and will now be handled. As of Today I will again be handling much of the internet traffic and informational calls coming in to White Air.

When I left there to go to the grand canyon, these duties were left to people that already had quite a large workload to deal with. They thought that it would not be a problem, but have found that they are struggling to keep up.

I had a nice meeting with the folks at White Air today and I have accepted a part time role in helping with the internet side of things. I am also available to answer questions via email and on this site as well. I will put a small disclaimer on this however. I am employed currently by Colgan Air and that means that it may take a couple days to respond sometimes, but I do think you will see some improvement in communication.

I still stand behind the staff and training that I received at White Air. In 19 months I have went from Intro flight to Flying for a Part 121 carrier. There are also other students that have been hired by Scenic and Piedmont. You will get the skills you need to move up, and with a personal touch.

I will make another post here shortly detailing the best ways to contact me.

Thank You