Ameristar DC9 F/O Slots

[pilotyip]

So, you're seeing people leave a regional to come to the non-sked freight world ? Better pay ? Bigger airplanes ? Both ?

They are mostly coming from Express Jet and Endeavor. Leaving because of going back wards in seniority, going from line holder to reserve at their regional, no chance of upgrade for years. At JUS, no junior manning instead get hard days off, a nearly $20,000/yr pay raise, knowing TJ PIC is just around the corner, because JUS does not hire CA's off the street. All left seats are filled internally if a pilot meets FAA minimums. And they are telling their buddies it is a pretty good deal.

 

[bafanguy]

Yip,

Understand. The regionals genuinely suck...even worse near the bottom end.

So, you're getting some decent people coming on board ?

 

[pilotyip]

Yip,

Understand. The regionals genuinely suck...even worse near the bottom end.

So, you're getting some decent people coming on board ?

It is working right now, and our turnover is manageable, I think the promoting within for the CA seat is attractive because these new hires want TJ PIC. In fact our senior CA's almost always ride a FO in order to give these guys more TJ PIC. I mean what do they care the pay is the same and they escape the reams of paperwork

 

[bafanguy]

In fact our senior CA's almost always ride a FO in order to give these guys more TJ PIC.

Is this PIC under supervision ? So, the FO assigned to the trip is typed and they swap seats ?

Does the captain have to be a LCA to do this ?

 

[Uncle Bunkle]

What is the company policy on wearing cowboy boots in the cockpit?

 

[pilotyip]

Is this PIC under supervision ? So, the FO assigned to the trip is typed and they swap seats ?

Does the captain have to be a LCA to do this ?

Nope they are both CA's, the senior guy tells Flight Following to list the junior guy as PIC on the flight release. Doesn't have to be a Ck Airman. We staff about about 2 CA's for every F/O to make sure we don't have staffing problems where you have 3 F/O in rotation with only one CA.

 

[Deskbound]

DB,

Are you at liberty to say whether you're getting a suitable number of applicants in response to the ads ?

We are getting an acceptable amount, but not such a plethora we're turning good folks away. Admittedly it is harder to find people for YIP than our ADS base. Right now it's harder to find mechanics willing to work at YIP!

 

[bensouth]

Can someone mention how things are at Ameristar now, with the pilot shortage and so on? Any specifics on pay, what requirements there are for a first officer position on the DC-9? Airline Pilot Central does not list them.
What do they say if you want to delay a flight for weather?

 

[pilotyip]

Can someone mention how things are at Ameristar now, with the pilot shortage and so on? Any specifics on pay, what requirements there are for a first officer position on the DC-9? Airline Pilot Central does not list them.
What do they say if you want to delay a flight for weather?

I am going to bet just like us if you meet the requirements for a 121 SIC if 121.436, you fog a mirror you have the job. Our DC-9 F/O's start a $47.7K/yr base plus $225 for every trip they fly and our DC-9 F/O's average about 50-60 trips per year, so it is another around 10K-12K per year. 13 hard days off per month, so there is something to compare with. If interested, PM me for more info.