Ameriflight or XJT

[citabriapilot]

Ok...if given the choice of both what would YOU do? Both seem to have their pros and cons, although no turbine PIC at XJT for a while. In the hopes of advancing to a Southwest, Airtran or UPS/FedEx in a timely manner, which would be the best choice for career progression? I would love to work at Express Jet for the environment, travel benefits and location, but with airlines going bust all the time, it seems like a scary place to be. Ameriflight seems to be pretty stable.

What are the pros and cons of each? And what do you think is the best route to take to the bigger planes and bigger $$$?

 

[Wasted]

Check runs are going away. That's a significant portion of Amflight's business. Unless they figure something else out, many planes will probably go away. At Xjt, we have about 2500 pilots right now. Once we get the 274th plane, growth will stop here unless there is some significant change in the business plan. That means there should be about 3000 pilots on property here at the end. Figure about 400 will flow to CAL. At best, you will be 2100 when the music stops. Captain will go to about 1800. You will be an FO here for years and years. If you think you are getting into this business to fly bigger planes and make bigger $$$, you are probably going to be sorely disappointed at your career choice.

 

[PCL_128]

If you want to fly cargo I would recommend Air Cargo Carriers. They hire lower time guys into the Shorts 360 and apparently they are getting some Falcons added to their certificate in a few months. Mostly flying freight for UPS and DHL, so you wouldn't have to worry about the whole Check-21 thing that might be a problem at check haulers. A friend of mine works at ACC and says it's a pretty decent place to work. Here's their website: www.aircar.com

 

[AZaviator]

I would say it depends on your long term goals. If you want to try and get to a major quicker, then Ameriflight would probably be a better choice. Some guys are advancing into the Beech 99 in as little as 6-8 months. The Check 21 thing is a concern, however, I've seen nothing but additional routes (UPS and bank runs) being added to our schedules, and have yet to see or hear of any rumors of bank flights being reduced. The pay is a bit higher at Ameriflight, even if you start on the Lance, sad but true. Overall, a very stable company. You won't have to worry about checks balancing or being furloughed if you go to Ameriflight.

On the other hand, if I were going to a 121 Regional, I think Express Jet would be one of the very few I'd consider going to. Only downside in my opinion is the pay and the long upgrade.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[psysicx]

Everyone says that single pilot time is not worth much.Will majors not hire because of this.

 

[AZaviator]

Everyone says that single pilot time is not worth much.Will majors not hire because of this.

Ask some former AMF pilots currently flying at UPS, SWA, Am. West, this question.

 

[DirtyBeech]

well, i can think of 4 guys who were flying single pilot metro who are now flying southwest from my base alone, and know a few more who have interviews. nobody sneezes at single pilot, twin/twin turboprop, night ifr experience.

i also have a former f.o. who is now in the latter part of XJT training, and raves about it. he told me the upgrad is down to around two years. maybe so, maybe not.

if you want to get into jets NOW, and fly people in pretty planes in a two pilot environment go to the regionals. you'll have a shot at the left seat in a few years. if you want to fly for the majors NOW, then go to someplace like amflight and fly cargo birds through all of god's weather. you'll have a shot at the right seat in a few years. if you want to fly the regionals, but your multi-time isn't competitive, go to a place like amflight and fly the chieftain for six months and then hit up the regionals.

 

[psysicx]

Thats what I thought.

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

Check runs are going away. That's a significant portion of Amflight's business. Unless they figure something else out, many planes will probably go away. At Xjt, we have about 2500 pilots right now. Once we get the 274th plane, growth will stop here unless there is some significant change in the business plan. That means there should be about 3000 pilots on property here at the end. Figure about 400 will flow to CAL. At best, you will be 2100 when the music stops. Captain will go to about 1800. You will be an FO here for years and years. If you think you are getting into this business to fly bigger planes and make bigger $$$, you are probably going to be sorely disappointed at your career choice.

With only four Lear 35's that are going to be affected by Check 21, the future the impact to AMF is negligible. We are picking up UPS and DHL runs like they are going out of fashion-so we are not going anywhere.

In fact we are needing pilots, so if you want a job come and apply.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Maybe in Seattle, but other bases have lots of bank runs. Sure they are mainly the smaller planes but AMF is probably still 40% bank runs. Sounds like you are still pretty tied to bank runs to me.