Ameriflight hiring?

[airpilot]

I have been trying to get on with Ameriflight since about may. Anyone know if they are still hiring at all?!? I noticed that their web site says no hiring, but after reading through some posts, I see that many people have been getting calls recently. What's the story? Should I just send a resume by mail? If so, where?

 

[AZaviator]

To the best of my knowledge, Ameriflight is not currently hiring. They interviewed 7-8 people in Phoenix last month for one open position. They hired 2-3 people and put them in a hiring pool.

I would encourage you to keep applying as there most likely will be openings in the future. Go to www.ameriflight.com for a fax number and or address where to send your resume to by mail.
They also have an online resume you can fill out and update.

 

[SW4guy]

Sorry, but they are not hiring pilots for the time being, they are overstaffed. Keep trying because things change often. It's a great place to build some real good genuine pic turbine time.

Good luck

 

[A36DRIVER]

They are going to put a pool together so do apply but they are staffed on pilots. just remember this type of aviation has full staff one day and several spots open up on the next.
the time is not just good turbine time but good time period. 135 single pilot will define your skills as a pilot and ameriflight will make sure of that.

 

[airpilot]

Thanks for all the info. I'll keep applying.

 

[qwerty]

Do sharp Ameriflight pilots go straight to the majors?
Seems like a good route right now seeing it could take forever to get PIC turbine at the commuters.

 

[SW4guy]

absolutely! I have seen a lot of our guys and gals that have gone to almost every major airline you can think of including Delta, and American. Even post 9/11, we've had people go on to Southwest, Alaska, and UPS. The key is PIC turbine. It really doesn't matter if it's 121, 91, or 135. We all shoot an ILS the same way. The key however is to stay very sharp on all aspects of aviation with regards to FAR, IFR, and other book stuff.

I have been told by a few major airline captains that they would rather see somebody that has flown a big turboprop all over the country in all weather in a single pilot environment. Believe me, having flown the metro single pilot all over the country keeps you very sharp...you will contribute a lot to a major airline's cockpit.

Additionally, you never have to worry about layoffs! you will always have work until your dream airline calls you.

Good luck

 

[AZaviator]

I have 2 questions regarding Ameriflight, for anyone who currently works there or has info that answer them:

1. Any idea what the current upgrade time is to fly the Turbine aircraft? I've heard 1.5yrs and was just curious if that was true.
I know it was much shorter before 9/11.

2. How many hours a month do pilots flying the turbine equipment average?

Thanks in advance for your response(s). I'm in the newhire pool at Amflight and was curious what things might look when upgrading into the Turbine equipment, whenever that is.

 

[qwerty]

SW4guy and GROVER, those were very motivating responses.

I fly out of airports where you guys operate and much respect to pulling all that off solo. I don't know much but what you guys do seem way more gnarly than flying an RJ with nice avionics and a FO.

Ameriflight is actually my top choice right now being a low time guy. I got a good friend who seems set that he can get me an interview. Any tips on how to get prepared would be nice. He said his interview was like an ATP oral.

Hey AZaviator, please tell me how to get ready for the interview or any info on your background or experience.
thanks!

 

[SW4guy]

Upgrades into the turbine equipment totally depends on the market. Pre 9/11, within a year you would be driving a turboprop, and if you were willing to move around...much sooner. I have seen as little as 5 months. I was hired in late 1998 and I moved to the turbines within six months. Of course, now is a different story. If you are willing to move around the west coast, I would say a year. But if you want to stay in Burbank or Oakland, more like 12-18 months. Any previous turbine time will also help.

On average, our pilots fly 70-80 hrs a month. You will be working 4-5 days a week, but you will be home everyday. With some seniority, you will have a better schedule. In my case, I work only 3 days, on those three days I am only gone 10 hrs away from home. I fly 5 quick legs with no layover. And at this point, I will only consider the airline of my choice....whenever that happens.

good luck

 

[AZaviator]

SW4guy, and everyone else, thanks for the info on the turboprops. I do have another question. What are some of the other turboprop bases on the west coast other than PHX, OAK, BUR? I've heard Billings, MT is one, but where else??

Thanks again

 

[SW4guy]

all bases are turbine equiped. BUR,OAK,PDX,SEA,SLC,BIL,DFW,CVG,PHX,ONT.

hang in there, payoff will be very sweet. please ask more questions if you have more. We all need to help each other as much as possible.

Take care

 

[500and2]

Ameriflight schedule?

Just curious what the average day is like for an Ameriflight pilot...... fly all night.... mornings...afternoons... I'm currently hauling freight all over Alaska..... on the night shift... (new-hire).... but I grew up in Northern California (Auburn)... I'd love to be able to work on the West Coast again!

Do you have to start in the Lance for a while... or does it all depend on your time/exp....

salary/hourly....... good routes...bad routes....

I'm interested in any info available! Thanks

(where are the Junior Bases?...... do you have any choice?)

Have a great day!

 

[airpilot]

Alaska?

500and2,

Just curious who it is you work for in Alaska? I have been looking for a job up there, but no success so far. I would like to find somewhere in alaska that I could fly twins, but it doesn't sound like any of them are hiring at the moment. Any thoughts?

 

[SW4guy]

We really don't have junior or senior bases like the airlines. Each base has it's base seniority and it usually consist of pilots living in that particular location. The last guy hired for that base will be the most junior. Your schedule will be based on your base seniority and will reflect which route you can hold.

A typical day varies. We fly around the clock, night hauling makes up approx 70% of total company flights. The light airplanes will typically have a day sched...I.E. leaving BUR @ 0700 and arriving SAN or BFL @0800, spend all day at the company layover ( car Included) you can jog, sleep, surf, complete your degree...... and the return home @ 1900. Heavier equipment will usually fly at night with certain exceptions and will usually fly multiple legs with little or no layover. It's a lot of fun!

Pay is as follows....

Lance: $ 1750/ month

Navajo: $ 1900

BE-99: $ 2400

SA-227: $ 3000

EMB-120 $ 3750

LR-35 $ 4000


per diem is 35.00 a day when you're away for at least 24 hours from your base.

Plus there is an annual turbine bonus, approx $ 2500-3000.

and last but not least, you will always have a paycheck that will clear the bank.

Good luck to all

 

[AZaviator]

Another question for SW4guy. Is the Lear the most senior aircraft in the company? Any idea how long its taking people to upgrade as a Lear FO at Amflight? Is Burbank the only pilot base for the Lears?

Thanks in advance for any info

 

[AZaviator]

Hey Groover, thanks for the info. Just curious, where did you fly at after your days at Ameriflight? Did you go directly to SWA or did you fly somewhere in between?

Thanks again for the response.

 

[AZaviator]

But still why after 250 as captain in an AMF turboprop would you switch seats? Yep, still a joke. PIC turbine = PIC turbine.

Yea, I totally agree. I figured if anything, getting into the Lears would be quicker than the turboprops, for the fact its not PIC turbine time. I mean, what's the advantage of getting turbine SIC when you could get the PIC??

 

[500and2]

Alaska Flying

-first... thankyou for answering my questions SW4guy... I'll be in touch!

Hey Airpilot and anyone that's interested...

I'm flying for Alaska Central Express (little "ACE") (They have 1900's and 207's in the Bush)

-I flew for LAB in Juneau for a year... which gave me ~900 Alaska time in a PA-32...... I had 1500tt and only ~100 multi when I interviewed with ACE..... Their requirements were 1000tt 250multi...100alaska...... Soooooo...... it pays to go talk to the Chief Pilot in Person... (if possible).. and BE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WORKING FOR THEM!!!.......

-I think most carriers up here still require some alaska time... (usually 100hrs or so).... but that shouldn't prevent you from making contact.....

-I know Pennair just hired 8 guys to fly the Caravan right seat.... (weird upgrade schedule... something like F/O 208..then F/O Metro...then Captain Cherokee....then Captain Metro????)

-Anywho..... If you can deal with COLD wx... then I'd look at "Cape Smythe" in Barrow (B99, PA1040)..... or "Bering Air" (208's, PA-31's)......


Email me if you want more info!...

Take Care......

 

[airpilot]

Alaska time

500and2,

Thanks for the info on Alaska flying. I have sent resumes to all those you listed, but no reply yet. I'll have to try contacting some of them again to see if they are still hiring or not. Any suggestions on the best starting point?