My Dream Job is Posted

[Captain Morgan]

For those of you looking for a job, check out the Ameriflight Pilot Employment page. There is a SA-227 Captain job opening in Louisville, and Cincinnati. If I already didn't have a job now, and I was sure my wife wouldn't kill me for leaving a job in this economy, I'd be all over it. I hope someone who is in real need get's it. They also have a EMB-120 FO posting in PR and CVG as well as a PA-31 in PDX and OAK I think. Good luck!

 

[AgreenFO]

Dream Job indeed, it just looks too good to be true.
mmmmm yah......

 

[Way2Broke]

I put in for the Puerto Rico position, seeing how I already live here, but I have not heard squat. I know a very good guy that is looking for work in Louisville. What does he need to do to get noticed?

 

[Captain Morgan]

I put in for the Puerto Rico position, seeing how I already live here, but I have not heard squat. I know a very good guy that is looking for work in Louisville. What does he need to do to get noticed?

Honestly, I don't know since I have never worked for Ameriflight specifically. Nowadays, you probably need a shuttle rating but there was a girl that I had talked to in the past who had something to do with hiring. I was looking into it but couldn't do a commute to the west coast at that time (Marriage, house, etc.) I'll try and find her number though and PM you.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Dream Job indeed, it just looks too good to be true.
mmmmm yah......

"One man's trash is another man's treasure..." I don't know if you've flown single pilot freight in small piston or turboprop aircraft but if you try it, you just might like it.

 

[spitfire1500]

"One man's trash is another man's treasure..." I don't know if you've flown single pilot freight in small piston or turboprop aircraft but if you try it, you just might like it.

Been there done that and hated it. Too dangerous! No one to back up approaches, flying VOR approaches with a VOR thats thirty miles from the airport, and having things written up all the time... No thanks.

 

[Princedietrich]

Once you go freight, you'll never be late

 

[3blade]

I usually don't post but I had to chime in on this one.


I interviewed for this position, was offered a training date which I politely declined and heres why.

1. You are not based in CVG or SDF, you will most likely be on TDY the entire 3 weeks on as they are very short of pilots right now, you will be based in these cities on paper only...they own you for those 3 weeks with no guarantee of ever getting home.

2. The Metro program has a high washout rate, probably due to the fact that most candidates are lacking single pilot experience, combined with the fact the Metro is just a lot of airplane to handle by yourself. The issue I had here was the attitude of the company...they seemed proud of it and the difficulty of the overall program, almost like each failure in training was a notch on their belt.

3. First week of training is unpaid but you're lodging is taken care of. After that, Metro candidates are compensated at 63% of PIC pay until the checkride is done.

4. You must find your own way to the interview and for the the first week of training. For us east coasters thats an airline ticket and it can get a little expensive, I just thought this was a cheap move on the company's part.

5. You will be placed at the wonderful airport Ramada inn (double occupancy) for the first week of training, after that the company will provide travel to the sim, for Metro drivers this will be in Seattle BFI.

6. Business professional attire throughout training (yep..shirt and tie every day.) Also it is my understanding that you wear a shirt and tie on the line when flying. I thought this was funny and ridiculous.



I've flown for 2 different 135 freight haulers, and it was the most fun and rewarding experience I've ever had in aviation. Ameriflight seems to be doing all they can to make the training and work experience as unenjoyable as possible, hence the high turnover rate.


I personally know some people in mamagement at this company, and they are good people. If it came down to it I think they would do the right thing, and side with you if it hit the fan..but thats just my opinion.


I didn't like the corporate culture and some of their policies, considering that along with having a family I decided this was just not a viable option for me.


If you have only flown corporate or 121 (I've done both) 135 single pilot may not be for you, flying single pilot night IFR in the crap will positively eat your lunch if your not on your game. These guys/gals out here doing this type of flying night in night out are simply the best there is. Short of going to war...there is no environment that poses a greater challenge to a PIC...if your not good, your dead, I've seen it happen.


I hope this helps those of you who are considering this process if anyone has any other questions feel free to shoot me a PM.


3blade

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Imformative post, 3Blade.

 

[xspud]

the Metro is just a lot of airplane to handle by yourself.

Thanks for the candid post about Ameriflight. As a furloughed guy with 4800 hours in the Metro, it's one I've considered. But I don't think I want to go back to single-pilot in that airplane. My flying skills were at their sharpest during the years that I flew it. The challenge of the airplane plus the places/approaches we flew reinforced a high level of proficiency--or else!

 

[Captain Morgan]

Thanks 3Blade for the insight. I found it very good. In any case, I still would be interested in it because I love freight, but I'm sure someone out there needs a job and that's why I posted it in the first place. Perhaps the title of the post is misleading and it should of read, "job opening" instead.

 

[skyking]

Ameriflight

I think 3blades response was dead on about what ameriflight is about. Anyone interested in going there should read that post before considering going there.
They do pride themselves on washing out newhires.

 

[ksu_aviator]

2. The Metro program has a high washout rate, probably due to the fact that most candidates are lacking single pilot experience, combined with the fact the Metro is just a lot of airplane to handle by yourself. The issue I had here was the attitude of the company...they seemed proud of it and the difficulty of the overall program, almost like each failure in training was a notch on their belt.

As a successful candidate in the metro "program" I have to tell you that the failures are generally result of the training and not the candidates. I had the benefit of being a type rated pilot with airline training when I took a very similar job to the one that is posted. A lot of what I needed to know was not introduced to me by the trainers. They don't cover CRM even though most of the training is two pilot and they don't cover how to use outside resources. They just expect pilots with no experience outside their company to know about this stuff. How, I don't know.

3. First week of training is unpaid but you're lodging is taken care of. After that, Metro candidates are compensated at 63% of PIC pay until the checkride is done.

Don't forget you don't get one dollar for meals either. The double occupency at the Ramada is pathetic. No real operator would ever even consider such an unprofessional situation. Oh, and you have to have your own transportation to the training center.

6. Business professional attire throughout training (yep..shirt and tie every day.) Also it is my understanding that you wear a shirt and tie on the line when flying. I thought this was funny and ridiculous.

Why? Professional attire is something every pilot from cargo to Air Force One should wear.

Just to add some things, if anyone goes to AMF you need to know:

Never....and I mean never...use your own money for trip expenses. They don't always pay you back.

Don't expect to get the job you are offered. They will tell you what ever you want to hear to get you in the door and once you are there and your other job is gone, they will change the job offer and it is rarely for the better. Ask for a written job offer. They'll balk at it, but do it anyway.

 

[waka]

Why? Professional attire is something every pilot from cargo to Air Force One should wear.

Oh really? So DC-3 pilots should wear ties with their oil stained white shirts and yellowed armpits from sweating while pushing pallets of steering knuckles up an incline because the winch broke? How about an ag pilot? Are they not professionals? What is professional attire for them?

 

[Captain Morgan]

I used to wear jeans, or khaki shorts with a polo shirt. I thought I looked pretty professional. I'm all for a uniform on pilots, but it has it's place. I don't think freight is one of them.

 

[timeless]

Why? Professional attire is something every pilot from cargo to Air Force One should wear.

Somehow I wonder if you've ever loaded much of your own cargo.

 

[FearlessFreep]

SA-227 Single Pilot Freight = Old School Flying.

Not for the faint of heart or those weaned off fancy dancy electronicized, EFIS'ed, FMS'ed, multi-crewed RJ's working out of major airports with all that operational and ATC infrastructure available.

Did the SA-227 Single Pilot Freight, the ones I flew were seriously clapped out, did not have an autopilot or FD in them. Hand flying right up to the 8 hour limit - fun.

Yes, the SA-227 single pilot type rating is not easy. Since our aircraft were not autopilot equipped the Designee gave the ride without use of autopilot or FD.

Have to say that it was very good experience. After flying in challenging conditions always made you feel like you really accomplished something.

 

[cargoflyr69]

Yes, the SA-227 single pilot type rating is not easy. Since our aircraft were not autopilot equipped the Designee gave the ride without use of autopilot or FD.

Do the AMF metroliners have autopilot or FD?

 

[FearlessFreep]

My SA-227 experience was a while ago and I did NOT work for AMF. I met a bunch of their guys (you would always run into competing companies doing some of the same contracts) and from my understanding they dispatched with an operable AP. I believe it was an S-TEC model. Pretty basic system though.

Don't hold me to this - like I said I did not work for AMF.

 

[SPBRIAN]

Yes, all amf Metro's have installed autopilots, most of the fleet are basic STEC wings leveler/altitude holder... Some of those work really well, some well... Bring along a monkey and let him fly, he'll do better.... Expediter models typically have a FD/AP setup which are quite nice, work good, last long time...

What some people fail to understand is that when you are the one signing out the paycheck you can dictate what to wear, if you don't like it look someplace else, nobody likes it but come on, there re bigger things to complain about really... Plus atleast everyday I go to work I know what clothes i'm going to ruin, and honestly they are fairly cheap...

-Brian