Gemini

[RunningMan]

Can any folks in the know tell me about Gemini? Curious about schedule, pay, quality of life, etc. Thinking about applying and trying to gather more info. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Rook]

Can any folks in the know tell me about Gemini? Curious about schedule, pay, quality of life, etc. Thinking about applying and trying to gather more info. Any info is appreciated. Thanks.

Everyone else will tell you to do a search but as far as schedule, 17 days on. Some (me) have been out for a month but I hear it's not that common. QOL? Life is pretty much what you make it bro. If your sig other has co-dependency issues then forget it. Lots of good guys here that are willing to help out the newbies. Hiring into the MD-11 and DC-10.

 

[2LT]

"G" spot...

Pay sucks...

On the brighter side, pay doesn't suck so much at UPS...

Although, you'll make more during your first year at GAC vs. your first year at UPS.

GAC is fast becoming nothing more than a training ground for 'folks' wanting to get on w/ UPS.

Best of luck...

 

[DA-20]

c'mon and join "Team White Pelican"!

 

[fokkers&beer]

There are quite a few threads about this if you do a search. I can tell you about my experience at the G-Spot. I was a DC-10 FO and can not really complain about the A/C and the crews are second to none in the industry and keep that place in business.
As for the QOL, it can be improved. In the DC-10 world we were getting 18 day lines that were paying for 16. The hotels were fair, and the homebasing works pretty well.
Like Rook said if you have a somewhat dependant spouse this job ain't for you. My wife wasn't new at this freight gig but the back to backs were a little much for her (and honestly it was for me too. its hard to be away from home for 30+ days in a country that doesn't speak your language, and half of that time in Africa).
As for a stepping stone the place is second to none. You will get hired at your next job and people won't believe where you have been and what you have done.
Don't get me wrong I have and would recomend Gemini to my friends, but I won't sugar coat it either.
The place could be an outstanding company, the crews are there, and the aircraft are there. It just seems like the management doesn't want to make it that way.
I'm sure others may get mad at this, but its my .02.

 

[2LT]

There are quite a few threads about this if you do a search. I can tell you about my experience at the G-Spot. I was a DC-10 FO and can not really complain about the A/C and the crews are second to none in the industry and keep that place in business.
As for the QOL, it can be improved. In the DC-10 world we were getting 18 day lines that were paying for 16. The hotels were fair, and the homebasing works pretty well.
Like Rook said if you have a somewhat dependant spouse this job ain't for you. My wife wasn't new at this freight gig but the back to backs were a little much for her (and honestly it was for me too. its hard to be away from home for 30+ days in a country that doesn't speak your language, and half of that time in Africa).
As for a stepping stone the place is second to none. You will get hired at your next job and people won't believe where you have been and what you have done.
Don't get me wrong I have and would recomend Gemini to my friends, but I won't sugar coat it either.
The place could be an outstanding company, the crews are there, and the aircraft are there. It just seems like the management doesn't want to make it that way.
I'm sure others may get mad at this, but its my .02.

All of that is spot on...

Didn't realize you were a UPSer F&B...are you on the -11? ANC?

I'm circa '05-'06 at GAC. -11 guy...lots o'Africa.

Gemini is worth it...if you're offered a position, take it. Tell your s/o to 'buck up,' and drive on. Assuming you're hired today, UPS will come-a-knockin'.

 

[Rook]

. Assuming you're hired today, UPS will come-a-knockin'.

Unless your application is :uzi: 'on file'

 

[fokkers&beer]

I made the jump to UPS last month, I'm loving it.

 

[2LT]

GAC to UPS

Unless your application is :uzi: 'on file'

PM me.

Lots of 'us' over here...most good.

 

[2LT]

F&b

I made the jump to UPS last month, I'm loving it.

Ah, ok. I know who you are from the union page...

Didn't fly w/ you/know you/etc. Welcome aboard man!! More of us to follow...

Coming up on my year here...

GAC to UPS is alive and well...

 

[RunningMan]

Thanks for all the responses and the candidness. I had done a search for threads in the forum but most of the info seemed to be a bit dated. So thanks to those of you all who took the time to answer!

 

[Fedora]

Hi RunningMan!
Thanks for the interest in Gemini. The latest posts about Gemini on pages 2 and 3 of this forum are dated this September, with some of the more informative posts made in August. Just because it's not on the front page here doesn't mean it's "dated", just that no one has posted for a couple of weeks.
The cargo industry carriers just don't change that rapidly, (especially Gemini) so anything less than six months old is probably representative of what the guys are experiencing out on the line here. You might want to go back and scan those posts again and get some good info.
The only real new thing here is that some of the new hires are being assigned to the DC-10. Hiring is expected to continue through the first quarter of next year. (depending on how long UPS keeps it's hiring window open .
What you WILL find here are some of the best crews in the industry and some pretty interesting flying.
Good luck in whatever you decide, but I will warn you that frieght dogging isn't for everyone.
Waldo

 

[DA-20]

Oh, and lets not forget that $54.00 a day US per diem. And no Intl. over ride.

 

[unwashed]

I went to the "Careers" page but no openings for Pilot's? Is there another avenue to getting your resume in the door?

 

[shortbus driver]

hiring mins

I am wondering what some ideas are for the mins that they are hiring with as a standard. I have gotten to be just over 2000 with over 1500 multi turbine and 800 ish in the crj 200. I am planning on staying here for a while to get my pic time, but wondering what u guys are looking for.
Oh and Rook...is the grass really greener on the other side?

 

[30West]

One thing to ask yourself why the company is shrinking, yet at the same time running new hire classes.
The company is one aircraft smaller as of my flight there back in June. (We parked it).

 

[Rook]

Oh and Rook...is the grass really greener on the other side?

What is this 'grass' of which you speak? I've been in the freakin' desert for so long all I know is sand 360 degrees.

But seriously,
I miss my buds at 9E. Miss the money but I do enjoy the flying. No doubt about it.

 

[Fedora]

Please guys, read the posts on this subject on page 3 of this cargo thread. It has the email address, the mailing address, and a lot of other information that is not "dated", but mostly August posts, so is just found a few pages back.
It lists the requirements right out of our manuals, and some interesting views on QOL issues listed by a couple of different crewmembers. Just check it out.
Good luck to all in whatever you decide.

 

[tjsatter]

What is this 'grass' of which you speak? I've been in the freakin' desert for so long all I know is sand 360 degrees.

But seriously,
I miss my buds at 9E. Miss the money but I do enjoy the flying. No doubt about it.

Hey Bro! What's this remark about the great state of AK in your tagline?! Who you calling a freak? You folks livin "oustside" don't know what heaven really looks like. Detroit?! Now, there's a freak state for ya'all!


And speakin of grass, yes, saw lots of it in Amsterdam on a 6 day layover (life is so hard) but none of it was green ;-) I am bidding another sandbox trip next month with the long Shanghai layovers. The Riyadh Soukh has some good Xmas shopping goodies for m'lady in AK. This job beats the shiite out of 7 leg days with 3 ORD turns. Presently suffering thru a J-Burg layover.

tj

 

[Fedora]

Hey guys and gals! We better start posting on this thread. If not, we'll soon
be on page three, and all this information will become "dated".
So let's all get out and post something and work our way back to the first page where we can be current info again.
Let's see.... Oh yes! Gemini is hiring new pilots. Experience is nice but not required. Ability to live on 35K per year a must.
MD-11 type rating included, but must be able to answer new employer's question about why you left Gemini after six months.