Avantair QOL and information?

[mainiac]

Like RollandPull, I have been at Avantair for over 2yrs and my goal is career. While the company is FAR from perfect, There have been steady improvements since I started. Unlike what Flybet claims, crewmeals are now provided if you have less than 90min between turns. No questions asked, no deduction from your perdiem. Yes the financials are a little rough right now, but we don't have uncle Warren. If the company keeps in the right direction, it will be a career in my opinion. And no, I'm not Mgmt just check my posting history.

Second all that CorpFlunkie has said here. Very hopeful to stay for the long haul. 2 yrs, and QOL is great for me. Great bunch of co-workers, and the way the industry is moving, hopeful for even more increased QOL$$ as we grow!
Looking fwd to my 21 days off (vaca) at the end of this tour!
CorpF: you better make it up to go skiing next week!

 

[Geronimo4497]

I was just wondering what anyone knows about Avantair. There doesn't seem to be much information that I can find other than their Corporate home page and airlinepilotcentral. I haven't heard anything bad about them here and that sounds encouraging. Does anybody work there and if so do you like it? What are the duty days and rest periods like? How are you generally treated. I remember sitting inside an Avanti at the Oshkosh EAA event about 15 years ago and thinking that it was a really cool airplane and ahead of it's time. It must be a good bird if they are still buying more new ones. Any information is appreciated.

I'm a newbie at Avantair and so far, all is well. There are some things that I don't like, but that would be true at any company. I took the gamble that things will work out here in the long term, and I believe that this year will be very telling as to the future of this company (financially speaking).

Like some of the others have said, you will work long hard days here right up to the limits of duty or max flight time, for the most part. I've also done my fair share of hotel rotting, but that beats the hell out of FBO rot (have NEVER done that since I started). APC has a somewhat accurate breakdown of the current goings on at the company. I would encourage you to listen to the financial conference calls listed on www.avantair.com to help make your decision. [email protected] is the place to send your cover letter and resume.

 

[Heavy Set]

I'm a newbie at Avantair and so far, all is well. There are some things that I don't like, but that would be true at any company. I took the gamble that things will work out here in the long term, and I believe that this year will be very telling as to the future of this company (financially speaking).

Like some of the others have said, you will work long hard days here right up to the limits of duty or max flight time, for the most part. I've also done my fair share of hotel rotting, but that beats the hell out of FBO rot (have NEVER done that since I started). APC has a somewhat accurate breakdown of the current goings on at the company. I would encourage you to listen to the financial conference calls listed on www.avantair.com to help make your decision. [email protected] is the place to send your cover letter and resume.

What about flying the P180 - has that been a good experience? I can hear them coming from a few miles and they look like they would actually be fun to fly.

Without trying to sound pompous or flip, do you guys ever get "jet envy"? Not suggesting that people need to fly jets - some jets are terrible to fly. But for those of you who came from the regionals with RJs or corporate operators, are you happy with flying the P180? I know that Phenom jets are on order down the line.

I do think the growth with quick upgrade time there is a big plus.

 

[glasspilot]

I came from flying CRJs (4,000 hrs 1,500 PIC) and 727's (600 SIC). I have ZERO jet envy.

The P180 feels like a jet. The leg lengths, altitudes and whatnot. It doesn't feel like a prop.

The only envy I have now is APU envy and Flight Attendant envy. I will not bid the Phenom because it has neither.

 

[Geronimo4497]

What about flying the P180 - has that been a good experience? I can hear them coming from a few miles and they look like they would actually be fun to fly.

Without trying to sound pompous or flip, do you guys ever get "jet envy"? Not suggesting that people need to fly jets - some jets are terrible to fly. But for those of you who came from the regionals with RJs or corporate operators, are you happy with flying the P180? I know that Phenom jets are on order down the line.

I do think the growth with quick upgrade time there is a big plus.

The airplane is a blast to fly! The major portion of my background is from flying PC-12s (a little bit of King Air and Lear 35 stuff mixed in also); this airplane is a moon shot compared to the Pilatus. No jet envy here. Interestingly enough, on a similar leg distance (TEB-PBI) that I have done in the PC-12, the Piaggio did it in much less time (1.5 less) on about 100lbs LESS fuel. Cool machine.

As glass said, an APU would be nice (not so sure about the FAs, unless they are all under 30 and are RNs :nuts: ).

 

[Mr. Pebbles]

I came from flying CRJs (4,000 hrs 1,500 PIC) and 727's (600 SIC). I have ZERO jet envy.

The P180 feels like a jet.

That might be the funniest thing I've heard yet. "Feels like a jet?" I've flown the P180 and jets, and it feels nothing like a jet. It's a cool airplane, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't feel like a jet. I suspect your supposed past time in jets is bullsh*t??

 

[corpjock]

Mr.Pebbles I slept with Ms.BamBam last nite is that your sister,my the way your a joke,mister more than you!!!

 

[mainiac]

Well, once again, it's sad that any thread about my job seems to be invaded and degenerates into a slinging contest. Can I just say that I hope that the folks who are really interested in Avantair can ignore the BS that seems to always pop up here, usually from the same few people. Do your own research, PM the positive (and/or) negative people, and make your own choice.
I've made a great QOL for myself here, and will hope to never submit another resume. It may not be for everyone, but it has worked for me!
Good luck

(and, to all the unhappy post-ers here, no, I'm not the DO, CP, or any kind of mgmt, just a plain old Capt. I've heard that broken record every time I post positively!)

 

[Geronimo4497]

Well, once again, it's sad that any thread about my job seems to be invaded and degenerates into a slinging contest. Can I just say that I hope that the folks who are really interested in Avantair can ignore the BS that seems to always pop up here, usually from the same few people. Do your own research, PM the positive (and/or) negative people, and make your own choice.
I've made a great QOL for myself here, and will hope to never submit another resume. It may not be for everyone, but it has worked for me!
Good luck

(and, to all the unhappy post-ers here, no, I'm not the DO, CP, or any kind of mgmt, just a plain old Capt. I've heard that broken record every time I post positively!)

There is a place for professional discussion about Avantair, amongst many other topics. PM if interested.

 

[corpjock]

deleted

 

[glasspilot]

That might be the funniest thing I've heard yet. "Feels like a jet?" I've flown the P180 and jets, and it feels nothing like a jet. It's a cool airplane, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't feel like a jet. I suspect your supposed past time in jets is bullsh*t??

You don't agree that flying from PBI to HOU, HOU to MMSD, MMSD to SDM, SDM to LAX in one day feels like flying a jet?

I suspect your supposed past time in jets is bullsh*t!!

 

[CherryBomb]

I am leaving Avantair after working there a little under two years. As weired as this may sound, I can't say enough good things about Avantair. There were problems as you might expect with a growing company. However, every day I went to work I saw an improving trend in the way they did business. The pilot group and my immediate bosses are excellent people.

What people have to realize is that Avantair is in the business of selling shares of airplanes that are worth 6 million. Other companies like NJ and Flex are selling shares of airplanes that are worth 10, 20, and 30 million plus... It is because of this that Avantair will never pay like the larger fractionals, and I don't expect them to. They just don't have the money because they don't sell a really expensive product.

Go to work for a company that best suits your needs. (Bases, schedule, money, etc)

Avantair may not pay the most, but the pilot group is great and it still has that small company feel. They also have a ton of great bases.

The only reason Im leaving Avantair is because I live in DFW and there are other companies here that I can make a lot more money with and still keep the same QOL. I am in no way leaving Avantair because I am upset with anything they did to me or the pilot group. My time at Avant was a happy time.

 

[CherryBomb]

Oh, and Cameron, I know your jet time isn't BS, but come on. The Piaggio doesn't feel like a jet. If it did I wouldn't be so damn nervous about loosing an engine with a full load at high altitude airports. I guess compared to flying underpowered Barbie jets and 727's I could see the resemblance.

Fly a Lear, Challenger or any other jet with balls and you'll see the difference...

But I'm just mad cause my prop sync didn't work all last week...

 

[glasspilot]

It's not exact. It's like.

All I'm saying is the Piaggio feels more like a jet than a prop. The amount of country you cover per hour. The altitudes. Compare ORD to MCO in a 757 and a King Air. The Piaggio is closer to the 757 than the King Air. That's all I'm saying.

Oh, and yes, the CL-65 (Barbie Jet) is under powered. But the 727 certanly is not. .92 Mmo and we flew .90 all day long.

 

[AftCG182]

Well, almost six months on the job now. No complaints. Not getting as much overtime as I'd like, but I guess that I can't really call that a valid complaint.

Hey Brian-thanks for releasing me from "FNG-status". Knew I'd have to start flying the pax legs sooner or later! Enjoy your three weeks... how are you ever going to find anything to do with all that snow up there?!?!?!