AlphaFlying ????

[CRJ2008]

Hi all,

I just got an application from Alpha Flying out of nowhere. doesn any one work there?.

thank you

 

[nwa_contrails]

Good company...I don't work for them, but know lots that do. 91 Part K Fractional operator they fly PC-12s out of MHT (Manchester, NH). Everyone who works there seems to really enjoy it. I think you have to live within an hour of MHT, but don't quote me. Single engine turbine time...yum

 

[rattler]

I worked there several years ago, good company and great people. It's all single engine stuff with good overnights, great hotels and a rental car. Schedule was 6 on 4 off, and I almost never worked. I sometimes would call to see if I still had a job. Yep, I definately miss those days.

If your already at SkyWest, I would stay where you are. I think pay tops out at around $60K at Alpha. You should easily do much better than that in a couple years at a regional.



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[Piper877]

I just relocated to Poughkeepsie, NY from Nashua, NH. There was an Alpha Pilatus that was in Nashua waiting for their passengers. Talked to both the captain and FO and both were very nice guys. They said they loved the Pilatus and that a 2nd pilot is required under 91k. I don't know that much about 91k but I figure since they're the ones doing it every day they know what they're talking about. I mention it because with a single pilot airplane there's always an issue about logging SIC time. Shouldn't be a problem there.
They said upgrades are based on merit once you get the absolute minimum of 1500. Also it seems kind of dependent on getting noticed for doing a good job etc.
Overall, sounds pretty rosy except for maybe the pay and lack of larger equipment. Hope that helps a little from my second hand standpoint.

 

[Rollo Tomasi]

As rattler said, it was several years ago. Not so many days off now. But, in the winter there are some cycles you'll only work a couple days. In the summer everyone works all six of their days on and they're usually long days, 10-14 hours.

I think most people here are pretty happy, particularly all who are from NH and won't be moving away. I think if you're from this area, it's a pretty good gig. Per Diem is $2.00 an hour and health benefits are mostly paid for. Pay does not top out at 60k as rattler mentioned but you'd have to be here for six plus years to make over 60k. Overall pay is horrible. The FO's only get 25k and some get raises after a year. The Captain pay is mid-thirties to start.

There is an FO contract that runs 1.5 years and a contract to be Captain that is two years!! For a single engine turbine this is a bit much. Says something about the company when they require people to sign these things.

Pilots are a good group. Operations usually does what they can to help the pilots out. Depends on who you're working with. Management at times borders on pathetic. There have been some good changes but if a couple of them left, it would be a big improvement. All of the management you would deal with outside of the CEO, CFO, etc, are pilots and could use some relationship management courses or training. Serious egos at play. To put it bluntly, there is one management pilot with twice the numbers of hours as the other four management pilots combined and he has the smallest ego.

The upgrade is as reported is based on merit. There have been a few issues with this as each Captain applies their own criteria for writing a rec. Some Captains will write 5-6 recs a year or more, some only one. You can move ahead with the right brown-nosing here. To some this is a good thing, some others not so good. Depends on your outlook.

If you're already at Skywest, I wouldn't bother as you're either in a jet or going to be in one relatively soon. Just curious, how did you receive the application??

 

[av8orboy]

Pilots are a good group. Operations usually does what they can to help the pilots out. Depends on who you're working with. Management at times borders on pathetic. There have been some good changes but if a couple of them left, it would be a big improvement. All of the management you would deal with outside of the CEO, CFO, etc, are pilots and could use some relationship management courses or training. Serious egos at play. To put it bluntly, there is one management pilot with twice the numbers of hours as the other four management pilots combined and he has the smallest ego.

Gotta love it.