Airnet....what the...

[starcheck1]

Hey kids I just found this on aviationinterviews.com......anybody know if this guy is full of BS or not??? (the furlough part...i know the rest is coming true)

Interview experience:
Seems to be good company, however, BEWARE of the future. 75% of their business relies on hauling checks. Check21 is going to cut into that. They will laugh it off and tell you that it's cheaper for the banks to fly the checks than to buy the equipment. The bankers tell me a different story. The bankers tell me they can't wait to get the equipment because it will drop their costs to about .01 per check (it costs about .11 per check to fly them). Will it happen overnight? Probably not. But it will happen. Many of their pilots are worried about it. I've talked to several pilots who are looking for other jobs just because they are unsure of the future of the company. Secondly, they make a big point about not having furloughed any pilots. That's a lie. I know a guy who just got furloughed from Airnet two days ago. He'd just finished training. So, they are already cutting guys loose who they have just hired. And Check21 isn't a threat? Hmmmmm......

 

[T-Gates]

I read that too and the BS flag went up....

Mabye someone washed out and liked the term "furloughed" better

 

[fulcrum]

that is BS i just finished my checkride last month , i dont think anybody has been furloughed

 

[HAZ-MAT]

The bankers tell me they can't wait to get the equipment because it will drop their costs to about .01 per check (it costs about .11 per check to fly them)

Yea, bankers tell me how they can't wait either... since I go into the bank with my AirNet shirt, shorts, hat and Id into the bank and they all say "hello there AirNet guy!" "Let me tell you about all that's going on with your job."
Sure thing guy

 

[bertengineer]

Training date

I have a date to start training in january. It would be nice to know if this was crap or not. It may be someone using an excuse for washing out, but if they are starting to loose routes, that is another story. Craig was optomistic during the interview so I can only hope for great things.

 

[jaybird]

I have a date to start training in january. It would be nice to know if this was crap or not. It may be someone using an excuse for washing out, but if they are starting to loose routes, that is another story. Craig was optomistic during the interview so I can only hope for great things.

Craig can sell ice to an Eskimo in Alaska. However, I doubt that this would affect AirNet for a few years. Routes close and open all the time there. I wouldn't worry.

 

[pilotyip]

70% of flying

Checks may make up 70% of their flying, but only 40% of the revenue generated. They were recruiting to fill classes at the rate 8-10 per month into the foreseeable future. Sounds like BS.

 

[Publishers]

In 1981, a company I was with looked into buying Airnet from Jerry Mercer. The board felt that the future for check flying was very short term. Almost 25 years later, they are still flying those checks.

 

[Princedietrich]

If this guy was furloughed from Airnet, then I'm His Holiness the Pope.

This is absolute pure BS, more than likely this person just couldn't hack it in training and washed out and is now venting frustration by trying to make the company look evil and make him/herself look better.

 

[bertengineer]

Nerves Calmed

If this guy was furloughed from Airnet, then I'm His Holiness the Pope.

This is absolute pure BS, more than likely this person just couldn't hack it in training and washed out and is now venting frustration by trying to make the company look evil and make him/herself look better.

Hey your holyness! Just kidding. That makes me feel a bit better. I just could not imagine way they would keep hiring pilots with the possibility of furloughing at the end of training. BS is Right (hopefully), but if you are on the inside track, then you would know

bert

 

[Guillotine007]

what a stupid POS...how could they be bringing new guys to class every 2 weeks if there were others on furlough. washout.

 

[starchkr]

No furloughs...must be someone who could not hack training and washed out and is scared to tell his friends what really happened so he made up the whole furlough idea. I know at least one class that has gone through training and is waiting for line spots. Apparently right now we have a couple more pilots than spots which is a good thing. This just shows that we are not furloughing, we are holding on to these guys until they can get spots, and then we will continue to hire more.

 

[Whirlwind]

In 1981, a company I was with looked into buying Airnet from Jerry Mercer. The board felt that the future for check flying was very short term. Almost 25 years later, they are still flying those checks.

That might be the case, but Check21 didn't exist back then, it does now. My bank is already using it, as are several places I pay by check.

 

[Publishers]

I have been paying by computer for the last five years but they still fly every night.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

I do online banking for 50% of my stuff... the rest, hand written checks. Gotta keep the company going!! You all like rumors?? yea? I'm sure you do... so here you go.
Bank of America, which owns 10% of us in stocks, was supposed to transfer over to digital imaging pretty quick, has decided to delay till 2006 or 2007. Heard this from a Hub Manager. Juicy one huh?
Edit... Oh wait... another one...
Talked to a Bank Air pilot the other night. Their company is not doing RVSM. If they lose their customer due to Check 21, he said that they will probably sell of their Lears (all 20 of them) and split up the money amongst all the pilots as a severence/ unemployment payment.
Rumors people, don't take offense to any of my ramblings.

 

[wwiiguy]

Good stuff

Yea, bankers tell me how they can't wait either... since I go into the bank with my AirNet shirt, shorts, hat and Id into the bank and they all say "hello there AirNet guy!" "Let me tell you about all that's going on with your job."
Sure thing guy

Are you serious? Do you really walk into public institutions with your pilot uniform on??? Funny guy...

 

[FN FAL]

Are you serious? Do you really walk into public institutions with your pilot uniform on??? Funny guy...

He said bank...banks are for rich people, I think he meant to say "credit union".

 

[HAZ-MAT]

No FN FAL, you have it all wrong.. Caravan pilots go to the "credit union." But pilots who no longer fly the mighty Van, cash in at the Bank. Props are for boats! Cheers brotha!!

 

[wings421]

I do online banking for 50% of my stuff... the rest, hand written checks. Gotta keep the company going!! You all like rumors?? yea? I'm sure you do... so here you go.
Bank of America, which owns 10% of us in stocks, was supposed to transfer over to digital imaging pretty quick, has decided to delay till 2006 or 2007. Heard this from a Hub Manager. Juicy one huh?
Edit... Oh wait... another one...
Talked to a Bank Air pilot the other night. Their company is not doing RVSM. If they lose their customer due to Check 21, he said that they will probably sell of their Lears (all 20 of them) and split up the money amongst all the pilots as a severence/ unemployment payment.
Rumors people, don't take offense to any of my ramblings.

Yes! Flood the Learjet market and make our aircraft worth less!

 

[bertengineer]

Awaiting Bases

Is this a first or what? As stated earlier, I do not start training until January, and expect to be in training for 6 weeks. Is there a big turnover rate on available slots, or is this a first time when you have more pilots than available bases?

Bert

 

[jaybird]

It's not the first time this has happened. When I finished training two and a half years ago some PIC's were on reserve for a few months. I was an SIC so it didn't affect me. They got paid to basicly sit at home, untill something opened up.

 

[bertengineer]

Pic Sic

I am flying my a$$ off trying to get the 1200 prior to getting to CMH, ,otherwise I will fly as SIC. Not worried though, looking forward to the whole experience. Only worried about having a constant pay check and flying duties once and "IF" I am able to get through the training.

Bert

 

[GIVDrvr]

Oh and heres some $$$ for the road...

"Talked to a Bank Air pilot the other night. Their company is not doing RVSM. If they lose their customer due to Check 21, he said that they will probably sell of their Lears (all 20 of them) and split up the money amongst all the pilots as a severence/ unemployment payment."

Oh my freakin' God that is hysterical. Johnny the owner can barely get himself to sign the $25.00 Christmas bonus checks.....HAHAHAHAHA

Dude, you made my day!

Good luck to all and Happy Holidays

 

[Correcting]

When I worked at Airnet back in '98 and '99, they knew the end was in sight for checks and began a program to diversify into medical supplies, overnight express packages and charters. The programs seemed to be going well when I left for greener pastures. Are they still doing well? Have they continued to diversify?

By the way: All you newbies, you will quickly learn to ignore everything Craig Washka says.

 

[Princedietrich]

Ok, I really have to ask.

Why does there seem to be such a high level of "I hate Airnet" on this forum coming from the Airnet pilots who are posting? I mean seriously, is the company really THAT BAD that you want to see it go down in flames and want to advertise to the world that it's going down? Granted, Craig can be a bit of a goob at times, but all the talk about "get out while you can" and "your jobs are screwed" and "check21 is going to kill you all" is a little morbid don't ya think?

 

[uscpilot]

Ok, I really have to ask.

Why does there seem to be such a high level of "I hate Airnet" on this forum coming from the Airnet pilots who are posting? I mean seriously, is the company really THAT BAD that you want to see it go down in flames and want to advertise to the world that it's going down? Granted, Craig can be a bit of a goob at times, but all the talk about "get out while you can" and "your jobs are screwed" and "check21 is going to kill you all" is a little morbid don't ya think?

What negative stuff are you talking about? Most of the pessamists (sp?) are not Airnet, but people out side of the industry that have nothing better to do than stir up trouble.
To add to the Bank Air rumor. I was told that they have been trying to sell their aircraft for a while, with no takers. Asking way to much, so says my source. Lets call him Chris T., no thats no good, C. Tranbarger, no thats no good either how about Rusty Shackleford.
usc

 

[Buddy1958]

I've been asked to call them for a telephone interview...can you offer any suggestions? Also, how's your training going with Airnet?

 

[Guillotine007]

be yourself

 

[Buddy1958]

That's easy enough!

But, how's your training going?

Take care & thanks.

 

[Quagmire]

Ans

As good of a company as AirNet once was, everyone has to face that fact that 3-5 years down the road the future looks ominious. My prediction is that they get rid of all the Navajos, C310s, and 50% of the Barons. The lears maybe down to 20 if not less. The problem is, as every AirNet pilot knows, is that upper level management is pitiful. The company is very ineficient and they HAVN'T yet diversified. Untill management starts saying "screw you" to the banks and running the company as if the banks don't exist then they will still be in this predicament. That's one scenario. The other is that the company liquidates and uses the money to grow Jetride (with their new LCK facility).

Quagmire
"O Riiiiiiiight"