Compare 135 Companies.

[Stealthh21]

Alright. In this thread lets compare QOL here. What kinds of days off schedule do some of you get? Vacation? Does your company pay you average pay for your position?

The biggest thing I really want to know is how many days off are companies giving thier pilots.

all input would be great.

stealthh

 

[Propnose]

I am currently flying a DoJet for a charter company, and get 1 week vacation a year, and work a 7/7 schedule. I came from flying freight, and when I got hired by this company, they sent me to school and got me typed immediately.
The pay is better than average.

 

[G-force]

About 135 companies

A lot of so called " 135 companies" are really "134.5 operators"I found out about after I got there.They are in the category of bottomfeeders such as the operator at M88 in Nashville,Tenn. They fly with squawks all the time,they do maintenance only when they have to,treat the pilots like a huge liability,which is like crap and fire pilots for following reg's and also for going on interviews with other companies. I am told about 75% of all 135 operators fall into this category.

 

[partypilot1]

I work for a charter company in Nashville, Tn. I work about 4 days a week, I can except or reject any flight that is not scheduled for me in advance, we have about 14 pilots, one of which will take the flight if you don't want it. This year I will clear 38k, my first year. I usually get weekends off or any day I request. I feel retired. Thanks Colemill....

 

[SAEflyer]

I'll vouch for G Force on this one! Oh, and days off? What are those?

 

[inthewind]

Me too! Me too!
They all suck!

 

[bigepilot]

12 on two off. I'm guessing thats about mid range. Pay does not reflect the schedule. I would imagine that's par for the course as well.

 

[Hawker32]

Whats to compare-THEY ALL SUCK!

 

[t-bone]

2 weeks on, 1 week off...starting pay for co-pilot is 65k, captain is 80k, plus hourly flight bonus pay. Maintenance is top notch, nothing is deferred longer than it takes to get the new part delivered.

 

[t-bone]

doh..

 

[G-force]

About M88 & partypilot1

With all I know about M88,this guy is definitely smokin' something wierd or his Kool-Aid is laced with just enough cyanide to eff up his brain.

 

[partypilot1]

Hey G-force, what the fuc do you have against me. Just because you got fired from here, and I didn't doesn't give you the right to discredit me in anyway. I can care less if you pick on m88 but you leave me out of it..

 

[Stealthh21]

As much information that didnt come out of this. I am laughing at this moment because I agree....THEY ALL SUCK!!!! These office people (schedulers, brokers, etc) just move us around like a bunch of chess pieces. No respect whatsoever!! They don't think we have any idea about what it is like in 135, or what other companies do. I wonder if they think about the stuff when they are sitting at home on Thanksgiving with their family while we are flying so rich guy to TEB for the afternoon so he can spend time with his.

It doesn't matter how great a company is. The 135 industry is great for the single person with no ties and nothing to lose.

Anyway, if anyone else wants to offer there input! type away.

 

[G-force]

partypilot1

How about looking into an english writing course,because YOU need it,Dude!!!!!

 

[aeronautic1]

Fast Track to 135

My first full time 135 job was flying air ambulance in Lear 25/36. The starting pay was $36K per year. That was in 2000. That very same job is now paying $24K to start. And that's if you can get hired instead of some foreign scab who comes here and PAYS $25K in the guise of training and buys that SIC Lear seat.

Days off? You will find that most 135 operators are flying short handed (2 pilots to a plane); will wake you with a phone call during your rest period for some mundane task; you will fly aircraft that you have squawked the same item more than once and your 4 days off per month will be after the fact ("you know those four days you didn't fly last week? Those are you hard offs.).

If I had to do it all over again and work for less than standard pay, I would go the regional route, get benefits and passes and work a real schedule. After 5 years you can move up to Omni Air, Evergreen et al and fly big iron freight.

Just remember, it's not what you know but who you know. Get out there and network at the FBOs. Stay in touch with your flight instructors as they are a great source down the road for employment.

Good luck.

 

[Stealthh21]

Anyway, its all good I guess.

 

[MNR]

3 pilots per plane. Pilots on that plane make their own schedule. Most do 2 weeks on one week off. 2 weeks vacation, 3 weeks after 5 years. First officers start in the 50's Captians in the 70's, Lr 31s, 35s, and 60s. Maint is done asap. We use MEL's but the planes get fixed when they can be scheduled for it. Good benifits overall. Im happy where I am at. Will most likely move on eventaully but I don't want to leave the city I am living in so it will take longer to move on. When I do make the jump it will be a local fortune 100 Part 91 outfit. There are plenty in the local area.

I think the company I work for is by far one of the best 135 operators in the country. Especially when I hear some of the stories from some of you.

 

[G-force]

To Stealthh21

The reply post I made about a writing course was for "partypilot1" not you.That dude needs some help .No offense intended.
You posted a VERY GOOD thread about QOL at 135 operators,I don't think it exists but at a very FEW operators and certainly not at M88 Nashville.

 

[Archer38416]

I am new to Charter and found this thread to be very interesting

First of all, I requested 1 day off for Christamas, one day for Thanksgiving and New Years off. Expecting to get at least of of those days off I was denied for all three.

Is that normal to not get a single holiday off?


Also, our ops manual says each pilot gets 5 hards off per month (not more than two days in a row). In reality though, if our pilots do not fly on a given day, our CP/owner considers that one our days off for the month. Request for days are questioned extensively. Also, pilots are encouraged to help out in the office if they are not flying for an extended period of time.

From talking to numerous charter pilots, charter seems to suck until you make it to a company that respects their pilots.

 

[G-force]

Archer38416

It sounds like you are employed by a "bottomfeeder" . About 3 out of 4 Pt.135 operators are in this category.Its definitely time to start looking for another job.You might want to consider Pt.91 corporate operators.