Airnet/Ameristar vs. the Regionals...

[On Your Six]

I have a nephew who has amassed some good instructing time and he is now debating whether to apply to Airnet/Ameristar or regional airlines like COEX, CHQ, etc.

He has asked me for advice (probably not a good idea) and some pros and cons of each. I have referred him to this website (probably mistake #2) and I would appreciate any advice from people who have considered these options in the past. He is well aware of the terrible state of the airline industry and the constant threat of either furloughs or declining wages/benefits. He is willing to move anywhere to get the right flight time...

He claims that he ultimately (pie in the sky dream) wants to fly for either a leading LCC or UPS/Fedex.

So, what are the pros/cons of flying for Airnet or Ameristar vs. the regionals? At Airnet, how soon could you get into the Lear as an FO and then move to Captain (3-5 years?)? For those who have chosen between the two options, what were the factors that caused you to make that decision - and do you regret the path you chose?

Thanks for any help.

 

[gkrangers]

From what I've read here..1 year till FO on the Lear, and 2-3 years till CA. Its pretty quick.

 

[Windsor]

Pros with cargo
1. Quicker upgrades
2. Better first year pay than most regionals
3. No having to deal with passengers
4. Its fun and challenging flying
Cons
1. Schedual if your on-demand
2. Being on the road a lot
3. Hurry up and wait
4. typically old equipment

It all depends on what your nephew is looking for out of his job. Flying small jets part 135 isnt going to be a straight shot to the LCC's or UPS/FedEx, there needs to be another step in the ladder flying bigger equipment.

Personally I enjoy flying frieght. Its a great job for people that dont mind a few years of low quality of life in a trade off for quicker pic turbine time. Theres a lot of waiting around in the on-demand game, but never knowing where you going from one day to the next is pretty fun and keeps you on your toes.

Regionals typically have really long upgrade times. Up to 6 years at some of them. But they fly nicer equipment, better scheduals and part 121 time is required at some of the larger carriers.

 

[MNR]

The thing with Airnet is its not on demand. Its scheduled. The basic schedule is Monday through Thursday night. Many runs have a Friday or Sunday night as well but basicly its 4 or 5 nights of flying and home every day. There are exceptions to this but in general that is what the schedule is like at Airnet. You are never "on-call" so to speak.

The equipment is definately older but it is well maintained. With the amount of flying the aircraft do at Airnet its in their best intrests to keep the planes up and running. They do a good job of that.

I never regretted working there. I know people who have gone from Airnet to pretty much anywhere. The flying is fun. Your home every day. I have never flown for a Regional so I can't say which is the best route for your nephew. I would however follow the same career path if I had to do over again.

 

[uscpilot]

Pros with cargo
1. Quicker upgrades
2. Better first year pay than most regionals
3. No having to deal with passengers
4. Its fun and challenging flying
Cons
1. Schedual if your on-demand
2. Being on the road a lot
3. Hurry up and wait
4. typically old equipment

It all depends on what your nephew is looking for out of his job. Flying small jets part 135 isnt going to be a straight shot to the LCC's or UPS/FedEx, there needs to be another step in the ladder flying bigger equipment.

Personally I enjoy flying frieght. Its a great job for people that dont mind a few years of low quality of life in a trade off for quicker pic turbine time. Theres a lot of waiting around in the on-demand game, but never knowing where you going from one day to the next is pretty fun and keeps you on your toes.

Regionals typically have really long upgrade times. Up to 6 years at some of them. But they fly nicer equipment, better scheduals and part 121 time is required at some of the larger carriers.

I agree with most of what Windsor said, except for the part about not being able go from 135 to an LCC or UPS/Fedex. In the past month we have lost 2 to SWA. Over the last year more to Jetblue, CAL (Jetride pilot), and one to Airtran (that took some doing what with the 121 time requirement, but no body ever said anything worth doing was easy). I know that the origional poster said nothing about fractionals, but we have lost numerous people to NetJets, Citation Shares, and a couple to Flight Options. Others have moved on to highly sought after part 91 corporate jobs. Sorry for the tangent.
I have been with Airnet for 5 years and I do not regret my decesion to come here over a regional. Had I taken that route in May 01 I would have taken a job at Home Depot or Red Lobster by October 01.
WDR11

 

[Windsor]

I agree with most of what Windsor said, except for the part about not being able go from 135 to an LCC or UPS/Fedex. In the past month we have lost 2 to SWA. Over the last year more to Jetblue, CAL (Jetride pilot), and one to Airtran (that took some doing what with the 121 time requirement, but no body ever said anything worth doing was easy).
WDR11

Yeah, your right about that. We've had people leave to the same places direct from my company. I was thinking more along the lines of FedEx and UPS that are going to want to see heavy time. Everyone I talk to seems to think a jump from lears and falcons is going to be a hard sell. I'm not saying impossible, but extremely difficult. Besides, with those guys, its who you know, not what you know that are the most important factors in getting an interview.

 

[VSI9k+]

My choice was based on the fact that I like to put some bread on the table...and even butter too. I had a pizza brought to my house by a guy from Pizza Hut...he saw a Simuflite manual on my coffee table and asked if I was a pilot. I told him I was and it turned out he flies for Eagle. Ive got nothing against the guy for doing what he has to do...but having to deliver pizza's to make ends meet...while flying 50-70 people around during the day??? Something seems a little wrong with that picture. I really didnt choose the regionals for the fact that Im not going to work for pennies. Im only one person...but if enough guys do it maybe they will get the message one day and actually pay those guys what they are worth. I love flying freight and, as Windsor said, it keeps you on your toes not ever knowing where you are going to be going. Hope this helps in some sort of way, good luck.

 

[uscpilot]

Yeah, your right about that. We've had people leave to the same places direct from my company. I was thinking more along the lines of FedEx and UPS that are going to want to see heavy time. Everyone I talk to seems to think a jump from lears and falcons is going to be a hard sell. I'm not saying impossible, but extremely difficult. Besides, with those guys, its who you know, not what you know that are the most important factors in getting an interview.

Very true. We had one guy that I know of get an interview with Fedex last year, but he did not get the job. He had some help on the inside like everyone else. One Jetride guy went to UPS, but he had prior airline experience. The current Jetride ACP left Airnet back on like 2000 or 01 for Airborne was furloughed right out of class, and came back Airnet. I ran into a guy about 4 years ago with Fedex who also came from Airnet. I said all that to say that it can be done, but it is a bit of a long shot. But if you have the times a clean record, and are persistent, then one would have a good shot with UPS/Fedex.
WDR11

 

[jobear]

OYS,
I'm leaving the commuters to go fly 121 freight; if that don't answer your question I don't know what will.

Jobear

 

[Ready2Fly]

Yeah, your right about that. We've had people leave to the same places direct from my company. I was thinking more along the lines of FedEx and UPS that are going to want to see heavy time. Everyone I talk to seems to think a jump from lears and falcons is going to be a hard sell. I'm not saying impossible, but extremely difficult. Besides, with those guys, its who you know, not what you know that are the most important factors in getting an interview.

Like an RJ is a heavy! I know of guys that went from Ameristar and Airnet to UPS directly with the falcon and lear jet the biggest things they have flown up to then.