Ameriflight Lifestyle/QOL

[airhermit]

Could you various AMF guys weigh in with some "the best thing is.../the worst thing is..." about working at Ameriflight and the lifestyle/quality of life issues that one should consider if seeking employment with the company?

Seriously considering giving it a go. Thanks for your input...

 

[barnyard]

The best thing is talking to some of the frieght dogs from the other companies and realizing that they've got to hang out at an FBO all day from 8am to6pm because their company is too cheap to give them a hotel room/transportation. When all of SLC got weathered out a few weeks ago, we all (AMF) went and ate dinner on the company, crashed at the La Quinta and arrived the next morning at the FBO to find our competitors sleeping on the recliners and floors.

The worst thing is that the schedules kinda suck for everyone...My bid all winter kept me away from home 4:40am-8:45pm. More senior guys usually do the overnight trips which give you more time off and keep you at home during the day.

I don't have any experience with Airnet, but i'm willing to say that AMF offers the best QOL as any 135 cargo company out there. It is the largest 135, and offers plenty of room for advancement. My upgrade to the -99 was 6 months.

However I do have a few minor complaints about the company, but it is a solid freight job.

 

[AZaviator]

Best thing(s):

Job stability and the being able to upgrade to turbine aircraft in a relatively short period of time. The schedules vary depending on your base and equipment, however one thing that is common with most is that you are home every night. As the last post stated, the company does take care of you and provide you with a hotel during your day layovers, compared to some other companies who dont.

Another good thing is the possibility of earning the 1,000hrs of PIC in 2-4 years (or less) compared to the 2-4 years it takes to upgrade a most regionals. Plus the pay is higher than at most regionals. The possibility of going directly to a major from Ameriflight and not having to fly for a regional is a big plus as well. In addition, the job stability is very good and there are no contract issues as there can be with the airlines.

Worst thing(s)

Long days. Expect to be gone away from home for 12-14hrs a day, again, depends on the schedule.

Flying to the same place for a week or two at a time.

Overall I have no regrets coming here. The flying can be a lot of fun. I think its a great place to build up time and experience.

 

[DirtyBeech]

as far as 135 cargo goes amf is pretty much as good as it gets. good pay, good benefits, and quick advancement to turbine equipment. you'll get real quality time here. now for the bad part. cargo schedules generally suck, and though you might not be on duty from 4am to 8pm, you might be stuck in fumbuckdeepsticks for the day. that being said, it is one of the best stepping stones around.

 

[airhermit]

Thank you much for the responses so far. Also...

1) 401(k)?

2) If you are based at an outstation and fly into the hub at night, what are the crew quarters like and can you get any sleep?

3) Are you ever forced to relocate to a different base due to "juniority"?

4) Maintainance of equipment/safety culture?

5) Turnover of pilots? Are there many/mostly timebuilders that go on to regionals/majors?

6) Thoughts on management?

7) Future of the company?

Sorry. I know I loaded it up with questions, but I guess I just have a lot. I have been a voracious reader of the other AMF-related posts and you who post there have been very gracious with your time to answer so many queries that others have. I do appreciate any info/insight you might provide.

I have had 2 years of midwest corporate/charter (BE20, FA10) and 4 years of east coast regional (CL65) and am seeking something different. Hoping that this might fit the bill.

Gracias...

 

[I'm42]

Thank you much for the responses so far. Also...
1) 401(k)?
2) If you are based at an outstation and fly into the hub at night, what are the crew quarters like and can you get any sleep?
3) Are you ever forced to relocate to a different base due to "juniority"?
4) Maintainance of equipment/safety culture?
5) Turnover of pilots? Are there many/mostly timebuilders that go on to regionals/majors?
6) Thoughts on management?
7) Future of the company?
Gracias...

1) yes...I think that you can enroll after 6 months of employment, but they only enroll once a year (December).
2) it dependes on the base...usually not that bad, though...it's usually a 2 bedroom apt that you may have to share with another outstation guy....fully furnished with cable, and it might even have a washer/dryer...but it might not have maid service.
3) not likely to happen
4) I wouldn't work here if the mx wasn't good....problems are usually not worse than an occasional deferred autopilot, strobes, a fuel flow gauge, or a radio....but those things are usually fixed asap. As for failures that are more significant....I've had a flap failure a couple of times, a single nav failure, a single PTT switch failure, various fuel quantity gauges crapping out, and a couple of other age-related mx issues -- not bad for 3000+ hours of flying....engines keep on going when you want them to.
As for safelty culture...if you don't feel it's safe, then you don't have to do it. You may or may not have to explain yourself later, but I've never seen anyone get in trouble for safety-of-flight issues, though operations might not be happy about it.
5) It's generally not a long-term job, but at least 80 of the approximately 200 pilots have been here for over 4 years....50 for >6 years, and the top 10 or more >10 or 15 years. The bottom 50 or 100 will most likely stay for a year or less to get multi time to go to regionals.
6) Management is management....not much different than from most other companies.
7) Future looks good right now. The check runs that have been lost have been more than replaced with new UPS and DHL routes.

 

[psysicx]

How long does it take to get 99's in Phoenix?

 

[AZaviator]

How long does it take to get 99's in Phoenix?

My guess would be approximately 10 months to a year.

 

[psysicx]

Thats not to bad.I know people can got to Oak or Bil and upgrades at six months.But I think Phoenix is nicer place to live.Is there a base lock or can you transfer if there is an opening.And how hard is it to get outbased to Vegas or Kingman?

 

[General Lee]

1) yes...I think that you can enroll after 6 months of employment, but they only enroll once a year (December).
2) it dependes on the base...usually not that bad, though...it's usually a 2 bedroom apt that you may have to share with another outstation guy....fully furnished with cable, and it might even have a washer/dryer...but it might not have maid service.
3) not likely to happen
4) I wouldn't work here if the mx wasn't good....problems are usually not worse than an occasional deferred autopilot, strobes, a fuel flow gauge, or a radio....but those things are usually fixed asap. As for failures that are more significant....I've had a flap failure a couple of times, a single nav failure, a single PTT switch failure, various fuel quantity gauges crapping out, and a couple of other age-related mx issues -- not bad for 3000+ hours of flying....engines keep on going when you want them to.
As for safelty culture...if you don't feel it's safe, then you don't have to do it. You may or may not have to explain yourself later, but I've never seen anyone get in trouble for safety-of-flight issues, though operations might not be happy about it.
5) It's generally not a long-term job, but at least 80 of the approximately 200 pilots have been here for over 4 years....50 for >6 years, and the top 10 or more >10 or 15 years. The bottom 50 or 100 will most likely stay for a year or less to get multi time to go to regionals.
6) Management is management....not much different than from most other companies.
7) Future looks good right now. The check runs that have been lost have been more than replaced with new UPS and DHL routes.

Just curious, which is more senior, single pilot SWM or BE-1900? Are there certain runs that are more senior? (day vs night) Any choice layovers? Do people like flying the Lance? Do the senior pilots fly the E120? Is there a big pay difference? Where are the E120s flying? I thought I saw one in Jackson Hole(we do 757 turns on Saturdays from ATL). Thanks, I never flew cargo and I have always wondered about that side of the business.....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[1800 RVR]

Some additional questions...

I have some questions as well. Just trying to get an idea of things...

1. The website says that you are hiring CA for the 1900 if you meet the stated mins. Is this still going on?

2. Where are the 1900s based? Anything in the midwest?

3. Who do you guys have recip JS agreements with, if you need to commute?

4. Is everyone outstation based, or are some based in the hubs, i.e. CVG?

I appreciate any answers to the above. I've got plenty of time in the 1900, and I will need a job very soon. Always kind of liked the night cargo thing. I've done it before, I guess making me a sadistic soul. Thanks for helping out.

1800 RVR

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

I have some questions as well. Just trying to get an idea of things...

1. The website says that you are hiring CA for the 1900 if you meet the stated mins. Is this still going on?

2. Where are the 1900s based? Anything in the midwest?

3. Who do you guys have recip JS agreements with, if you need to commute?

4. Is everyone outstation based, or are some based in the hubs, i.e. CVG?

I appreciate any answers to the above. I've got plenty of time in the 1900, and I will need a job very soon. Always kind of liked the night cargo thing. I've done it before, I guess making me a sadistic soul. Thanks for helping out.
1800 RVR

Direct hiring to the 1900? Call Jerry Clark in pilot recruitment for more info.

1900's are based at BFI,BUR,PDX,SLC,BIL,San Juan.

Runs are both outstationed & hub based, there may be a run outstationed in Walla Walla, WA opening up soon-good schedule.

We have jumpseat arrangements with SWA and Horizon, more to follow hopefully.

Commuting tends to be discouraged by management but some people still do it-have a back up.

 

[I'm42]

Just curious, which is more senior, single pilot SWM or BE-1900? Are there certain runs that are more senior? (day vs night) Any choice layovers? Do people like flying the Lance? Do the senior pilots fly the E120? Is there a big pay difference? Where are the E120s flying? I thought I saw one in Jackson Hole(we do 757 turns on Saturdays from ATL). Thanks, I never flew cargo and I have always wondered about that side of the business.....

Bye Bye--General Lee

There aren't many 1900s, so they seem to be more senior spots than the plentiful metros. The run seniority tends to change as the pilots change, since everyone has a different preference. (of course, shorter schedules with more days off seem to be higher in seniority most of the time) Every base seems to be different for day/night preference, though at some of them there's only night OR day routes, so there's not always a lot of choice. I thought the Lance was fun, but I wasn't in it very long....no one seems to stay in in that long. E120 placement seems to be more chance than seniority (ie your outstation route is switched from a metro to an E120, so you get it). The FO position in the E120 is very junior, since most people at the company are not interested in SIC time. The E120 in JAC is Corporate Air's, and it parks right next to the AMF BE99.

 

[jparks]

What are the BE99s like maintenance wise. I really want to fly the 99. Are the 99 schedules good? Is the pay the same as the pistons?

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

What are the BE99s like maintenance wise. I really want to fly the 99. Are the 99 schedules good? Is the pay the same as the pistons?

99 pilot's are payed more than piston pilot's.

 

[RogerMOSA]

Looking for some info...

I'm contemplating Ameriflight for about 1 - 1.5years as a possibility. Looking to stay in OAK as #1 priority.
What are the chances of seeing some turbine time?
What are typical lines out of OAK for both recip and turbine A/C?
Any military reservists there? If you are, please PM me.

Thanks in advance,
RM

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

AMF E120s

E120 placement seems to be more chance than seniority (ie your outstation route is switched from a metro to an E120, so you get it). The FO position in the E120 is very junior, since most people at the company are not interested in SIC time.

This answer was true when we first put the E120s on the runs. But there has been turnover now and 2 of the three line E120 captains in Dallas moved into it from the SA227 (one had flown the brasilia before) and a couple of the captains in CVG are upgrades from the right seat.

And we have had at least one guy who hired on right seat in the E120 and left from there to go to Skywest. Never flew left seat the entire time he was here.