I'm a former pilot for Southern Airways Express. It's worse than how that sounds too, they pay you $12 (per flight hour) and generally you don't fly more than 25 flight hours per week which is actually a ton of flying. My paycheck when I was a First Officer was less than a full time minimum wage worker...with 100k of flight school debt over my head!
@@CJPanichi343 hey! there’s any way I can get in contact with you? I have a few questions about southern express. I would appreciate the help, thank you.
I really like to commend the level of research you put into this video. A few details for the finances were not very accurate but overall an amazing in depth review in a short length video. Great job and hope to see more airline reviews soon!!!
I actually work for southern airways dfw and I have to say, this is not recent, this flight had to be months ago. We no longer have the Tv nor do we allow watching Netflix.
Flew with them recently on the pc12 to pueblo and main marks against it is the plane itself. Avoid if youre a really tall person or nervous flyer as the turbulence is way more noticeable on stiff wings
Another super interesting video. Definitely one of my favourite aviation channels and a fairly unique style compared to that many airline review channels.
I’m so glad that you did a deep dive video on these guys. Had to take a flight from Jackson, Tennessee to Atlanta for work earlier this year. Was pretty cool being in a tiny plane flying into the world’s busiest airport. But man did I find some of their practices to be questionable.
I just flew this airline from Quincy, IL to Chicago. It was quite an experience. Mostly positive. I just didn’t like the turbulence. You feel everything in those small planes!
This “airline” is a Part 135 operator (smaller, scheduled charter carrier), as with many of these lesser-known operators doing hopper/feeder routes. They don’t abide by the same rules of a Part 121 carrier (bigger airlines with jetliners and regularly scheduled service you see at international airports). When it comes down to it at the end of the day…low-time pilots use these “135s” to basically build hours so they can get their ATP certification and then on to the 121s. You can partly (or mostly) blame the FAA for that 1500-hour nonsense (quality over quantity is completely over their heads) that makes most pilots desperate for a job like this or flight instructing to gain those precious hours. The sacrifice/trade-off is giving up your basic rights such as earning a livable wage, or signing your soul over to the devil in the form of a service contract as payment for the cost of covered training. It’s sad and bleak, and until the FAA decides to do something about it…135 operations will stay the wild, wild, west as it is now. The silver lining is, just know tnat every time you board one of these flights, you’re helping a younger commercial pilot get one step closer to his dream of becoming a true airline pilot. Because that’s the goal of 99% of the pilots under their employ.
Welp, at least someone in El Dorado has this option if they really need it- and I'll assume it happens from time to time. It's also neat that these pilots can get commercial hours in as they (likely) work towards their ATPL while getting paid.
Many years ago when I was a kid, my family was traveling on the old Piedmont Airlines, a mainline airline, from DCA to RDU. We arrived early at DCA, and the agent offered an earlier flight to RDU. Little did we know it was on a little puddle jumper airline called Mid-South. It was a tiny plane and we stopped in some place called New Bern, NC. The terminal was even smaller than the one you stopped at in Arkansas. Even as a kid, I was not impressed.
I live in DC, which has always been Southern’s east coast hub (First BWI but now Dulles), and I’ve always seen aircraft from the airline, but never really known how they work. Finding out has been… well… interesting.
There used to be a much larger Southern Airways back in the 70's that had a hub in Memphis. It was merged with North Central to form Republic which was bought by North West. That's why North West had a hub in Memphis (that Delta quickly disposed of when they bought North West). Now, I know this airline isn't associated with the old one...but I thought it was interesting. They have a Wikipedia page under Southern Airways
This is completely legitimate. The reason why it wouldn't be economical to fly to El Dorado is simple. Its a small community they would never have enough passengers for any airline to go there. The only way it is economical is with government subsides by having stops in these small airports. This may come as a shock but the government subsidizes a lot of things. As far as the training thing. You might want to look into what pilot training costs especially when you get to commercial levels. Pilots do their time get their certifications then move up to the next level. If you can get a job that will pay not only for the training but pay you as well, you are gold. You could take an alternative route. Then you just have to be able to become a pilot in the military where you still have to work for the branch long enough to pay for your training.
I work as a mechanic for another EAS commuter airline… In the industry, Southern is the SCARIEST company out there… Ive heard horror stories from their maintenance and pilots, I would highly recommend avoiding them if you can!
You should do videos on some of the mainland Chinese airlines. They have the cheapest business class from Australia to Europe. I’m keen to fly with them next year. Be keen to know what’s like flying with them all the way to Europe.
@@FlightFormula Yes, or even high speed rail. Super affordable too. I'll be using it in guangzhou to hong kong in Nov. But with Chinese Airlines, JuneYao, Sichuan, Hainan, Xiamen and the big 3 comes to mind
So the AI thing is probably the only part of this that might end up being valuable, given recent history with the widespread outages with Southwest and Delta systems. The whole model fits into the Wall Street arbitrage / agent model where you seek rents however you can. It's very hard to do anything about the essential air services program, because there are plenty of representatives whose constituents are affected, regardless of whether they take advantage of the services. But much as with Boeing, when Wall Street steps in, safety suffers. Fascinating.
Why don’t others start these regional airlines? It seems that west Texas would be a good place to find a slot machine airport connecting cities to, say, Las Vegas. It’s just a good example of the government getting involved and making a profitable market selling dollars for fifty cents.
Keep up the interesting videos, man! Re EAS here in the USA, I think it's warranted in places (such as Alaska, where the vast majority of communities are NOT on the road system at all), but in the contiguous 48 states, I kinda think it's a bit of a waste. I mean if there aren't enough people in El Dorado that want to fly regularly, then...... why is the taxpayer paying for it? Or many other EAS cities.
Cool review. Australia has only 25 cities above 100k to justify air route viability The US has 250 and Europe 400. Rex and probably other regionals also get state subsidies for their Aus regional routes but not to justify ghost flights. Management connections to the National Party probably helped Rex at least. Thanks Simon.
@Harmonikdiskorde every airport manager I've talked to hates southern because we was always canceling flights or late for mechanical issues that wouldn't exist if they actually took care of the aircraft
Nice video, but I will stay with a regional airline that flies jets like American. I don’t trust prop Plains maintenance on them and not as strict as they jet engines are.
First time I’ve heard about this airline. I’m even more shocked that a company can get away with paying a pilot of all professions $12 an hour.
I'm a former pilot for Southern Airways Express. It's worse than how that sounds too, they pay you $12 (per flight hour) and generally you don't fly more than 25 flight hours per week which is actually a ton of flying. My paycheck when I was a First Officer was less than a full time minimum wage worker...with 100k of flight school debt over my head!
@@CJPanichi343 hey! there’s any way I can get in contact with you? I have a few questions about southern express. I would appreciate the help, thank you.
I really like to commend the level of research you put into this video. A few details for the finances were not very accurate but overall an amazing in depth review in a short length video. Great job and hope to see more airline reviews soon!!!
Care to share the accurate finances?
Middle seat on a full van, the most schoolbus-iest flight I’ve seen in a while
I actually work for southern airways dfw and I have to say, this is not recent, this flight had to be months ago. We no longer have the Tv nor do we allow watching Netflix.
Flew with them recently on the pc12 to pueblo and main marks against it is the plane itself. Avoid if youre a really tall person or nervous flyer as the turbulence is way more noticeable on stiff wings
Another super interesting video. Definitely one of my favourite aviation channels and a fairly unique style compared to that many airline review channels.
I’m so glad that you did a deep dive video on these guys. Had to take a flight from Jackson, Tennessee to Atlanta for work earlier this year. Was pretty cool being in a tiny plane flying into the world’s busiest airport. But man did I find some of their practices to be questionable.
WOW. Fascinating! Thanks for another highly informative video, Simon.
I live in hawaii, and southern operates between all islands and are pretty solid, but their pilots double as flighty attendants
Presque Isle Maine (PQI) is one of those ESA airports. They just landed JetBlue with service to BOS which is a real step up!
I wish I'd flown with (and filmed) Air Choice One for my channel, before Southern took over. Oh well!
nice videos! keep it up! can you do an airline review on link airways in melbourne
Any plans to review New England Air? Rhode Island is beautiful in the summer.
I just flew this airline from Quincy, IL to Chicago. It was quite an experience. Mostly positive. I just didn’t like the turbulence. You feel everything in those small planes!
This “airline” is a Part 135 operator (smaller, scheduled charter carrier), as with many of these lesser-known operators doing hopper/feeder routes. They don’t abide by the same rules of a Part 121 carrier (bigger airlines with jetliners and regularly scheduled service you see at international airports). When it comes down to it at the end of the day…low-time pilots use these “135s” to basically build hours so they can get their ATP certification and then on to the 121s. You can partly (or mostly) blame the FAA for that 1500-hour nonsense (quality over quantity is completely over their heads) that makes most pilots desperate for a job like this or flight instructing to gain those precious hours. The sacrifice/trade-off is giving up your basic rights such as earning a livable wage, or signing your soul over to the devil in the form of a service contract as payment for the cost of covered training. It’s sad and bleak, and until the FAA decides to do something about it…135 operations will stay the wild, wild, west as it is now. The silver lining is, just know tnat every time you board one of these flights, you’re helping a younger commercial pilot get one step closer to his dream of becoming a true airline pilot. Because that’s the goal of 99% of the pilots under their employ.
Welp, at least someone in El Dorado has this option if they really need it- and I'll assume it happens from time to time. It's also neat that these pilots can get commercial hours in as they (likely) work towards their ATPL while getting paid.
Well done, Simon
Many years ago when I was a kid, my family was traveling on the old Piedmont Airlines, a mainline airline, from DCA to RDU. We arrived early at DCA, and the agent offered an earlier flight to RDU. Little did we know it was on a little puddle jumper airline called Mid-South. It was a tiny plane and we stopped in some place called New Bern, NC. The terminal was even smaller than the one you stopped at in Arkansas. Even as a kid, I was not impressed.
Never flown Southern, but I have flown Mokulele, who thet own, before all they issues started this summer.
You're incredibly lucky the flight even operated at all. I've been at that terminal at DFW many times just to have the flight cancel last minute.
I live in DC, which has always been Southern’s east coast hub (First BWI but now Dulles), and I’ve always seen aircraft from the airline, but never really known how they work. Finding out has been… well… interesting.
Delta airlines killed Memphis airport after the merger with Northwest. From Memphis you used to be able to fly all over the world!
Nice Season 5 Wire reference at 3:33
Quickly becoming my fave avgeek channel. Keep it up Simon! ✈️🛫
9:42 is the best part😂
There used to be a much larger Southern Airways back in the 70's that had a hub in Memphis. It was merged with North Central to form Republic which was bought by North West. That's why North West had a hub in Memphis (that Delta quickly disposed of when they bought North West). Now, I know this airline isn't associated with the old one...but I thought it was interesting. They have a Wikipedia page under Southern Airways
This is completely legitimate. The reason why it wouldn't be economical to fly to El Dorado is simple. Its a small community they would never have enough passengers for any airline to go there. The only way it is economical is with government subsides by having stops in these small airports. This may come as a shock but the government subsidizes a lot of things.
As far as the training thing. You might want to look into what pilot training costs especially when you get to commercial levels. Pilots do their time get their certifications then move up to the next level. If you can get a job that will pay not only for the training but pay you as well, you are gold. You could take an alternative route. Then you just have to be able to become a pilot in the military where you still have to work for the branch long enough to pay for your training.
Love your videos ❤
I work as a mechanic for another EAS commuter airline… In the industry, Southern is the SCARIEST company out there… Ive heard horror stories from their maintenance and pilots, I would highly recommend avoiding them if you can!
Saw them at KHOT. Seem to have a lot of flight going to dfw
You make the week worth living for
🫡🫶🫶
A pretty obscure outfit and I have never heard of them until now.
You should do videos on some of the mainland Chinese airlines. They have the cheapest business class from Australia to Europe. I’m keen to fly with them next year. Be keen to know what’s like flying with them all the way to Europe.
Yeah, I’m hoping to do some China stuff especially now that it’s way easier for Aussies with visa free travel, hopefully early next year.
@@FlightFormula Yes, or even high speed rail. Super affordable too. I'll be using it in guangzhou to hong kong in Nov. But with Chinese Airlines, JuneYao, Sichuan, Hainan, Xiamen and the big 3 comes to mind
I can tell you from when I was flying with China eastern and it was miles better then Qantas Economy! Better legroom and the food was great
Will you fly the C919 or have you already? Seems like it would be a good video to see from your style of videos.
Hopefully early next year!
So the AI thing is probably the only part of this that might end up being valuable, given recent history with the widespread outages with Southwest and Delta systems. The whole model fits into the Wall Street arbitrage / agent model where you seek rents however you can. It's very hard to do anything about the essential air services program, because there are plenty of representatives whose constituents are affected, regardless of whether they take advantage of the services. But much as with Boeing, when Wall Street steps in, safety suffers. Fascinating.
Why don’t others start these regional airlines? It seems that west Texas would be a good place to find a slot machine airport connecting cities to, say, Las Vegas.
It’s just a good example of the government getting involved and making a profitable market selling dollars for fifty cents.
Simon and his videos are getting me through my thesis
its the land of opportunity and Southern took it haha
Check out cape air…pretty much same thing
Harrowing. The Diet Coke, that is...
Keep up the interesting videos, man!
Re EAS here in the USA, I think it's warranted in places (such as Alaska, where the vast majority of communities are NOT on the road system at all), but in the contiguous 48 states, I kinda think it's a bit of a waste. I mean if there aren't enough people in El Dorado that want to fly regularly, then...... why is the taxpayer paying for it? Or many other EAS cities.
Cool review. Australia has only 25 cities above 100k to justify air route viability The US has 250 and Europe 400.
Rex and probably other regionals also get state subsidies for their Aus regional routes but not to justify ghost flights.
Management connections to the National Party probably helped Rex at least.
Thanks Simon.
Need to put in the video how the pilots literally make less than someone working at mcdonalds and every airport hates southern
Why do airports hate southern?
@Harmonikdiskorde every airport manager I've talked to hates southern because we was always canceling flights or late for mechanical issues that wouldn't exist if they actually took care of the aircraft
If Southern Airways Express took the same naming route as Australia's former Regional Express, they's be called SEX 😊
first🎉
Nice video, but I will stay with a regional airline that flies jets like American. I don’t trust prop Plains maintenance on them and not as strict as they jet engines are.
Fourth😂
Wow im early
11:32 Simon??? You're a snitch!!! Southern Airways Express won't be welcoming you again any time soon 😢.
I used to fly that route. You mispronounced El Dorado (I honestly don't care). That company is sketch. Lmao.
Hey Chris ❤️
Hm yea. That was a bit of a weird video honestly.
I know that name Palantir;aren't they (or some of their leaders) associated with Israels aggression against the Palestinians?
Corruption.