AirNet: Do they still hire into the piston SIC program?

[BYUFlyr]

Their website shows their minimums at 500 with some FAA approved SIC program to build time, but I've heard they've done away with that. What's the update on that? Thanks in advance, and please no "Airnet pilots think their company is better than everyone else" bashing.

 

[meyers9163]

A few more questions

Also to add to the previous post, what do a lot of the pilots who go to Airnet typically do as far as their future? Is it typical to go to a place like Airnet at 500TT and then once getting Mins of a regional to apply and move on? Or do most stay and move up? Also where are most placed? IND a pretty senior base? Just wondering. Any input would be great, just looking into information about places nothing too serious. Oh and what is the hourly rate for a SIC?

 

[Princedietrich]

We're hiring into the SIC program for the props, typically we see 900 to 1000 hours but I've seen as low as 600 on occasion. Most people end up staying with us long enough to get some time in the Learjets and then move on to regionals or whatever else they want, but sometimes we get some "lifers." IND is actually a very junior base and is a pretty common run to have an SIC on.

Oh and we don't think we're better than everyone else. We know we are. Hehehehe, sorry couldn't resist. :beer:

 

[Photoflight]

Have a friend starting class this week for the SIC gig. Got on around 1000TT.

 

[USC328]

Hey Prince,

If I were to get furloughed, you think AirNet would take me back? My first choice would be Jetride, but I will HONESTLY say, I MISS FLYING THOSE AIRNET PROPS. You taking care of my baby? N400RP I hear she has had a nice makeover.

Seriously, I'm not worried about furlough, but watching Delta closely. Say hi to everyone for me. I miss working there. I"ve been sitting reserve and have not flown or done ANYTHING since November 1.

Fly Safe Everyone!!

USC328

 

[Princedietrich]

Ok, I'll give ya this one in that it's cool to make money by just sitting on your arse. Hell, I've made a career of it.

If you get furloughed you might be able to come back, although you'd be at the bottom of the list again (we're up to 530 now) and you'd have to put up with G007 and the others laughing at you. :beer:

 

[troy]

for you existing Airnet guys, are there bases in the Co, Ut, or Mt area? I see that Airnet flys there, but are the crews based there? Also, where are they on the bid? (Under/over bidded?)

 

[Princedietrich]

Any of our bases west of the Mississippi river are jet only, you won't find any props out that way.

 

[starchkr]

Except for OMA...at least i think we still have a van there.

Purvis, i don't think they would let you come back...ahhh man just messin' with ya. I am sure they would love for you to start over from the bottom again...with a seat and base lock in BUF or TEB for 3 years.


meyers...we have some of our jet guys who have been here as little as 5 years going to places such as Airtran and JetBlue right now, with others who have interviews other places so we will have to see how those go. So, in all actuality, you can stay here and move on to the majors/nationals instead of coming here for a year, moving to a regional with an upgrade of say 2-3 years, then building your PIC time (turbine) for the next 2 years to reach hiring mins at the same places...I guess what i am saying, is that while you may make it going through the regionals as well, you might just do it faster by sticking it out here.

Now as far as the pay goes...well that is the kicker after a couple years here...that is where i feel it actually might be better to go somewhere else if you REALLY NEED money...otherwise i would say airnet would be a better route.

 

[meyers9163]

starchkr thanks for the information. Like i said just wondering about the company a little bit and seeing what other options there are out there. It sounds like a reasonable plan. The pay would be the down side but like you said you have guys after 5 years applying for the same job that some regional guys would love, yet they could very well be sitting right seat 5 years at come regionals (Eagle) with low upgrade times? I guess another question would be what are like your routes or what's a typcial night of flying for you? Sounds like you guys have a heck of a time doing what you do, so even with a lower pay gaining the hours and having fun is always a great incentive to work for a place.

 

[meyers9163]

Safety at Airnet

Just a question about the safety at Airnet and how the record is for you guys the last 10 years? All the people I have spoken with say "watch out" for those light freighters because it can be horrible out and they say keep going. Just wondering what thoughts on that would be. Also someone on another thread quoted Airnet as getting ready for UPS, would anyone agree with a comment like that? A job such as airnet as a stepping stone to getting a good look from UPS in the future? Just wondering

 

[Princedietrich]

Safety record, considering what we do and how much we do it, is pretty much impeccable. I don't have any numbers for you off the top of my head unfortunately, but I think we've had a total of 18 (I think) accidents in a 31 year history and 4 fatalities.

As for the notion of the Airnet powers that be shoving you out the door in horrible weather without a care, that's baloney. Granted, you are going to fly in cruddy weather with us, but you'll be very well trained in how to deal with it safely and smartly before you go out the door. And when those times do come up when it's just too nasty out there to fly safely, nobody will give you any guff for saying "no"

 

[FrozenPilot]

Seems like AirNet is a nice place to work, a schedule, a town I'm assigned to for more than a month, basically the stuff I'm missing from the aerial photography flying, plus I'm a bit of a night owl anyways. Money isn't a problem as long as I can pay the bills and have some fun now and then. Once I build a few more hours and I'm ready to leave LAI, AirNet is probably my next stop.

 

[meyers9163]

Couple more questions

Just curious about a few more things about Airnet. First of all would be any of your stories about the worse weather you have flown in and how comfortable you felt doing so? More so just a curiosity thing than anything.

Secondly I was wondering what a typical week is for you guys. Realizing the pay isnt great how many hours do you put in per week, what are your runs like, do you start and finsih the same place. Any input on your personal runs would be great, example of a schedule etc.

And lastly what is an upgrade like right now with AirNet? If one is to start with lower times in the SIC what are the TT needed to become the PIC and then to move up aircraft and eventually landing into a jet. And then how long does it "typically" take or has taken you (of course knowing this all changes all the time)? Also IND it sounds is a Junior base so what would the chances of getting a base such as IND? Of course again i know it might be impossible to answer that.

 

[Guillotine007]

my head hurts.

as an sic, you would probably be in mem, teb, bdl, cps, or bhm. once you had 1200 you would get one of the runs that was available. IND isn't really a junior base since there is only 1 run.

every run is different. average if would say is 4 or 5 nights, with around 11 hours of duty and 5 hours of flying, say around 6 legs. averaging around 90-100 hrs a month. some runs are more, some are less. most runs at night, most have at least one quick turn a night, some legs heavy, other not. like i said, ever run is different.

upgrade time is hovering around a year, depends on what you are willing to take. in the last 30 days i've seen someone get a bid after 9months though, so strange things can happen. you'll need 1200TT for prop pic, 2000 for jet sic.

anyone like to add something?

 

[Onlyflyfreight]

After a about a year and half of instructing my career goals changed. I liked intructing, had a lot of fun, but it made me realize I didn't want to go right to a crew environment. I wanted to go out and fly on my own, have some fun and learn from having to make my own desicions. You do all of your own flight planing and weight and balance. You get training (pretty good training for 135 outfit), indoc and somebody will show you the ropes (IOE) and before you know it you are humming a long at night in a baron, all alone!

Boy did I get what I wanted!

When I came for my interview the one thing that sold me, is the way our company approaches maintanence. If it's broke it get's fixed! Simple, yes, but they stick too it!

Yes you will see a lot of weather and you probably will get your share of it, if you come here. I've had moments that made me nervous (In flight ice, T-storms, 1800 RVR 001 VV, more snow than I care for), but a fairly good portion of your training will attempt to prepare you for that. In the end, it's all on you buddy! Keep your head cool and make good desicions. It's been said above, but I'll repeat it: Our company WILL NOT force or pressure you to fly when you think it's not safe! They are going to want to talk to you about it when you make that call, but if you choose airnet, you'll see that it's more than reasonable.


I"ve been here a while now and I still get a little "giddy" after having been away for a few days. Off course there are always "issues", but AirNet is a good place to get exeperience and bulid time.

As far as getting hired by UPS (or most other companies), I firmly belive it doesn't matter that much what you have on your resume as long as it meets the minimus. It's all about who know!

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

 

[needapayraise]

Just a question about the safety at Airnet and how the record is for you guys the last 10 years? All the people I have spoken with say "watch out" for those light freighters because it can be horrible out and they say keep going. Just wondering what thoughts on that would be. Also someone on another thread quoted Airnet as getting ready for UPS, would anyone agree with a comment like that? A job such as airnet as a stepping stone to getting a good look from UPS in the future? Just wondering

Worked for me!

 

[greygoose]

The last guy that was hired into a airline, was going to Airtran. As far as I heard it wasn't easy for him getting there either.

 

[starchkr]

The reason he had a hard time getting into Airtran was because of their all important 121 time requirement. Now i know they say they do not require it anymore to "apply", but from what i have heard, if you don't have their old requirements, or in his case a very hard pull from inside people, you have no shot at all. There are still others taking our peeps though, Jet Blue looks like it might have just picked up 2 of our guys.

You know what Purvis, I was just thinking about it after reading this thread again...you know how much crap you will take if you get furloughed from Skywest!!!!!! And to think, you probably would have been next to get a jet (whoops, meant to put PIC in there) spot by now...hmmmmmmmm........

 

[USC328]

Ya, I know. However, I've been enjoying my vacation here. I will have worked 7 days this month and payed the same as a prop pic first year at base salary. Next year, well that's a different story. It looks like our attrition is about 10 a month right now. I've moved up over 40 spots since hired. Just waiting to see what Delta does with the pilots and all. Most guys are optomistic that we will get some, if not all that flying back. So, we'll just have to wait and see. Anyways, if furloughed, looks like Netjets wouldn't be such a bad option.

USC328