Air Methods.......Cj systems.......?

[Rotorhead]

Any comments on life on the inside of either of these companies? Benefits? Wages? Politics..........

I am considering a switch from 121 ops to EMS. Having the luxury of 3300RW 2500 PIC RW turbine in the books. Who has done and and what comments might you have?

 

[up frnt]

I worked for Air Methods for 8 years in the fix wing division. I really enjoyed my time there. Good company and great equipment to fly. Maintenance is great. EMS is a very demanding occupation but very rewarding. Pay is about average, I think the pilots just unionized. Go to Airmethods.com to get the requirements for getting hired.

 

[Rotorhead]

I am familiar with the requirements and have offers from both........just looking for insights.

 

[psysicx]

I talked to the recruiter and he said that they are so short on pilots there worried.With the Vietnam era retireing and most going to fixed wing side they don't know what to do.It sounds like a great company with tons of bases and good pay.At least you will be home everyday.Good luck

 

[Checks]

If location isnt an issue, be aware the medical/dental benefits are expensive at CJSAG. They are a good company in many aspects but I noticed the pay and benefits are much better at the other big vendors, so I left CJ to work for someone else.
Summary: make sure you compare all the benefits prior to switching=medical cost and deductible(VERY pricey with 1000 dollar deductible), 401K match(2% I think), mileage reimbursement(CJ=26 cents a mile), relocation allowance(CJ-=none), and overtime pay(CJ=straight time)

Air Methods would be my choice considering they voted in a union recently.

 

[Devil 49]

Air Methods is a very well run business with one glaring weakness- They're absolutely clueless as to how to manage their employees- they're a small company that got big, all of a sudden. They also bought into the blankety-blank "Matrix system" of evaluating pilot compensation when they bought Rocky- your initial compensatiion is IT. For pilots, these issues are moot- there was a successful union vote a year and a half past, and a contract is in negotiation.

My experience in EMS is that the local program is a bigger factor in job satisfaction than the company, and this is especially true for AMC.

Summing it up: good company, horrible HR, and I'm optimistic on the union- they're the umbrella organization at Rucker, Air Log, and PHI. If the program you're considering looks good, AMC would be a fit.

 

[Rotorhead]

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately the super program, not requiring moving, is the CJ job and the unknown program, requiring a move, is the AMC job. Maybe I'll just keep the office job for now...... Being home and not commuting is such and unbelievable benefit. The current directions of 121 wages and workrules will keep me from ever returning. It just is NOT worth the personal toll. The right EMS job might work. Good thing is RW time is very valuable and currency does not seem to be the issue it is in the airlines.

 

[psysicx]

Rotorhead did you take the job with Air Methods?

 

[Rotorhead]

I have decided to pass on both. Not enough money.

 

[mudkow60]

So, may I ask, what are you going to do now? I found that all of the helo jobs starting out pay A LOT less than I make now. And they all require a bit more PIC time than I have.

 

[Rotorhead]

Stock broker. After 18 years of flying I could take it or leave it, Army IP/IFE, 121 PIC, all fun but not worth the personal toll of time away, especially considering the current and future state of work rules and compensation. I am leaving professional flying. I should be able to easily afford to fly for FUN now. So much for the last 18 years.........

 

[psysicx]

Can I ask what kind of pay they start and end at?

 

[Rotorhead]

Both start in the high 40's, max out in the mid to upper 50's. Then your site loses the contract and you either move and stay on the payscale or change employers and start over. Not pretty.

 

[psysicx]

Thanks for the infnly bad thing is Air Methods is the only EMS provider in certain cities like San Diego.

 

[cubflyr]

Yes the pay is low to start, but you do move up the ladder relatively quickly with opportunities to fly some of the newer type of aircraft out there with pay increases!! Once you are in EMS it is very hard to get out.. the job is extremely fulfilling, i love working with the people, i have made friends with people worldwide and i am just a mechanic. No I don't work for Air Methods, but for another reputable EMS operator in the Chicago area and once you are in the door with them, they do take care of you. As for the pilot positions, the requirements are so high not because of the operator, or (believe it or not) insurance companies, but due to the Medical board of that particular state. Illinois requires 3000hours Helo, 2500 PIC, 1500 IFR now who in the world other than military pilots or someone who has a lot of money is going to have that amount of time. Especially in twin turbine helicopters and IFR time. If you don't love to fly, or enjoy your job, than it is not a good career choice. The dreams of anything over $100,000 a year only come with corporate flying an S76 somewhere around New York City.

Just putting my 2 cents worth in.

 

[Birdstrike]

Rotorhead, what was the 121 outfit you were with and what were the downsides of 121 flying there?

 

[Rotorhead]

Wow 10 years has passed since I started this thread. I was at ACA/Independence Air. I've not flown a single day since we went Chapter 7. The stock broker thing didn't work out but it led me to law school and I now am a partner in an estate planning law firm. I pop back here to flightinfo from time to time and the threads about concessions, carrots of new equipment that never comes, union issues, crappy work rules, lousy hiring practices, scabs, and all of the fun with reserve and crew scheduling have not changed one bit. Sorry but ya'll can have it and I'll be home every night.