Anyone got the latest at Kalitta?

[Digital]

Training is backed up right now..

You may sit home for as little as a few days, but more than likely it will be between a week and a month. And I have heard of guys that don't start for over a month. That's fairly common though when company's are expanding quickly. The term bottle necked is exactly what they, and many others are running up against. Anyhow, anyone who's willing to sign on and put up with some of the growing pains of a company in negotiations. Will probably be happy to hang your hat here, as long as, you keep the above in mind. Things aren't perfect here, but our MEC, and other union representatives have recently changed. I for one remain cautiously optimistic for a blue book, or better contract. But that's going to take a good deal more work at the negotiating table. My guess is the hiring will continue come January of 06. So, if your interested in Kalitta, then keep your name in the hat so to speak, and best of luck!

 

[C-130 IP]

Nice folks

Training is backed up right now..

Yes, this is true.

I interviewed on Saturday (Aug 27). They confirmed they have 65 crews NOW, and NEED 110 crews NOW (NOT including future growth).

We had 12 or so people at the interview, and it was a smattering of various backgrounds (commuter, current widebody, ex-military, etc).

Ground school is 5 wks at YIP, with sims at either UAL's sims in DEN or at Aeroservices in MIA. There's UP TO a month wait before IOE, but they are looking for more check airmen, so upcoming folks in classes could go non-stop for 90 days (only a few, though).

Pay is somewhat low, but lots of hours to fly, upgrade to Captain is quick (12-24 months) and when TA is approved, it'll be more pay and hopefully better scheduling. They home base you, and when they don't buy your ticket to get to/from home, they have LOTS of jumpseat agreements, and will soon on with CASS.

VERY friendly folks, and interview is VERY straight forward. Sim was fairly simple, and interview question was: "what do you know about Kalitta."

Good luck!

 

[pilotyip]

but no class dates?

 

[C-130 IP]

but no class dates?

Several class dates!!

They really need people to start on Sept 12, more openings for the October class (either Oct 17 or 31), and a probable January class date.

The next major hiring event for Kalitta recruiting will be at Aero Service in MIA: http://www.climbto350.com/aviation-career-fairs.cfm

Good Luck

 

[Clipper12]

What's the age of new new-hires been? I've been trying to get an interview for about 8 months now by calling once a month, stopping by occasionally and having friends walk in my resume.

 

[pilotyip]

got a notice for the next class 9-12, so that must bet the next class date. And who said Kalitta does not hire USA Jet pilots

 

[C-130 IP]

What's the age of new new-hires been?

Most of them were in their 40s, although they had some young whipper-snappers in their 30s. I honestly don't think I saw a common thread, as far as age or background, in the group. Some Part 121 Commuter pilots, some cargo pilots, some military....

I do know the interviewers prefer "international widebody" experience, although they noted to me that not everyone they're looking to hire has it. They do seem to want a variety of backgrounds, as best as I could tell.

A resume submitted by either your chief pilot or someone who already works there seems to help a lot (naturally).

 

[C-130 IP]

got a notice for the next class 9-12

Congrats!!

BTW, when did you interview?

It takes a few days for the pee-test to be completed, so those who interviewed this weekend shouldn't know until Wednesday or so this week if they've been hired.

 

[iaflyer]

got a notice for the next class 9-12, so that must bet the next class date. And who said Kalitta does not hire USA Jet pilots

I would fall off my chair if PilotYIP came to Kalitta Air! From what I can tell, he enjoys his job at USA Jet.

He is not a line pilot at USA Jet - I think he meants that they received the standard two weeks notice that someone at USA Jet is in the 9-12 class.

iaflyer

 

[Junkflyer]

They normally don't like to run new-hire classes after September.The company wants as many pilots as possible to run the Christmas shedule and not tied up with training. They will hire guys in their 50's, or at least had been if they have the experience. Its an okay place to work though scheduling is terrible and maintenance does need improvement.

 

[freightdogfred]

got a phone # for Hagquist??

 

[Junkflyer]

800 521-1590 or 734 484-0088 is the company #.

 

[Crzipilot]

thought I was gonna fall over in my chair listening to the kool-aide drinkers talk of how great a place Kalitta is.... At least a couple in there set 'em straight.....wow......

 

[CWI]

I don't know if US Airways, UAL, NWA, DAL, Focus, Tradewinds, Omni, USA3000, CAL, AA, Atlas, Polar or any other airlines are any better?

But one thing I do know Connie has everything paid for and is making money.

Kool-Aid or not fact is fact.

 

[bombinha]

I have been myself in 5 airlines plus some 135 operators and Kalitta is so far the best environment.
Let's be down on earth if someone is looking for a perfect job go look in some other planet we humans are not perfect and that's why perfect job doesn't exist.
But balancing pros and cons, Kalitta is in the best side with a lot more pros than cons.
But also each one is a individual and so is our feelings. My opinion might not be shared by someone else.
But in an overall you also gonna find a lot more happy people here than sad ones. And welcome to Kalitta for those who passed on the interview.

 

[mdanno808]

Once you're done with IOE, what kind of schedule can you plan on?

 

[C-130 IP]

LMAO...schedule? You won't get a schedule. Crew Scheduling will OWN you for 17 days.

That's ok. I've been with plenty of operators that EVEN when you had a printed schedule, it didn't amount to a hill of beans anyway. Planes break, the customer wants to add more pallets, you end up loosing a trip or two and can't make it up at the end of the month, etc. If you're in the cargo business, that's life. I was a military pilot for eight years -- I sure the hell didn't have a printed schedule!

I suspect the Kalitta pilot group are doing what they can to fix this (as best as they can) in the amended TA.

 

[The Gimp]

I am in the upcoming class.

A few q's for the people who work there.

How do you comunicate with family when your on the road? Intl. cell phone plan, computer, calling cards?

Does the company provide anything to the crews?

 

[Junkflyer]

Get the MCI card from Costco seems to be the cheapest so far and can be added to while in the US. You can get local calling cards in some countries which cost even less, but they have a calender time limit .

 

[C-130 IP]

I can't speak for the places at which Kalitta stops, but for my present company which travels internationally, I use my laptop to Webcam with the wife and the kids (unless the hotel's firewall has the port blocked - grrr), AOL chat from the laptop, and Sam's AT&T Pre-paid calling card. If I have nothing else, I'll normally just use the hotel lobby's computer and "text" my wife's phone to let her know I'm alive and I thinking about her and the kids.

But most internet cafes overseas have VOIP internet phones that you can call back to the US for 6-10 cents a minute, depending on what country you're in.