Ameristar

[gundriver]

PilotAg,

Thank you for the clarification.

Take care

 

[PilotAg]

Hey, not offended at all. That is what these boards are for, discussion and information. Do you really think that if Ameristar ran in the red by operating below operational costs or just by breaking even that they would still be around. With the economy starting to slow in 2000, Ameristar still has added 3 DC-9s, 2 B737s, and 1 LR25. Wouldn't be able to due that in the red. Ameristar is a private company so there are no outside investors to help float Amerstar along. In trying to lure business away, name one company in the US, besides non-profit companies, that do not try to lure business away. In our industry, everytime a start-up or low cost carrier enters a market, the big boys swoop in, cut there fares, and try to drive the new carrier out. It is all part of being in a capitalist country. Ever heard the saying if we do not take care of the customer, someone else will. Do you have a link on the lawsuit? I would know and there are no pending lawsuits. Where most pilots are disgruntled with Ameristar is the time on the road and the training agreements. Because the contracts are not pro-rated, it is not a job you can try out for awhile and a lot of pilots do not like this type of flying. 10 days on the road, all on-demand, flying old airplanes, all hours of the night, etc. Its hard to blame them. And because of the contracts, the pilots feel trapped and start to resent the company. If you really listen to the applicants, most of the problems they have with Ameristar are actually problems they have with the 135 on-demand industry. You don't see to many pilots leaving Ameristar for Grand Aire, Kalitta, USA Jet, or who ever. They are trying to get on with a fractional, a national, a major, or coporate. Something with a better schedule, better hours, newer airlpanes, better lifestyle, etc. This is a mid-level job. A job to better your chances for greater opportunity. Pilots do not get sued. A pilot signs a training agreement for a specified time (18mos) and if that time is not met, they owe the costs of the training. If they complete the 18 mos or pay the costs when they quit, there are no problems. They will collect though if you try to renig on the agreement. If renigging on a contract is being sued, then you will be sued. It is pretty straight forward. I can say that the chief pilot does a pretty good job in explaining the job to an applicant about everything to expect at Ameristar. Good discussion and take care.

 

[mllflying]

PilotAg, check your PM's. I sent you one. Thanks

 

[wingnutt]

hey PilotAg, since your info seems much better than the goofball i talked to, i have a question(s)...

1- does it ever get better than 10 on 4 off, or is that the norm no matter what plane you're in?

2- whats it take to get into the bigger stuff? ive heard senority has little if anything to do with it?

3- do you have to sign another 18 month agreement to get left seat, or do they run together?

4- does your last name start with M?

 

[PilotAg]

1. The schedule seems to change a little every year. 2003 is 10 on/ 4 off then 9 on /5 off Jan thru April. 11 / 3 as stated above, and 10 / 4 Aug thru Dec. The 125 and 121 departments have different schedules. On average, 113 scheduled days off plus 7 days vacation.

2. Seniority has a lot to do with it along with company perception of your work ethic. If you created a lot of problems on the 135 side, the company isn't going to pass you along to the bigger planes just because your next. Again, it is very slow going. 121 has a total of 14 pilots and 125 has around 16. They need more airplanes to speed up the flow through.

3. Yes, but they do not run together. If you are in a FO agreement and you get the type rating 13 mos after being hired, the new agreement would supersede the first one.

4. No

Good luck to you.

Pilot