Custom Air Transport

[GIANT KILLER]

It's amazing what a narrow view most have about how ones career progression should take place in this profession. Anything short of flight instructing for a number of years to get to 2000 or so hours is just unacceptable to them. And we have to listen to these self-righteous guys telling us how they made it to where they are and how they "paid their dues", about all their type ratings and thousands and thousands of hours they have. But they bounce around from Capitol, to ExpressNet, to Amerijet, to Champion, to Planet, to Cat, etc etc etc, never making it to a career airline like Air Tran, JB, FedEx, UPS, SWA, all which have been hiring even after 9-11. I sympathize with these guys not experiencing what they had hoped for in a career, but don't take it out on those that have taken a non-traditional path to progress their careers. Apparently the "traditional" path doesn't always work.

For those complaining about the PFT at Cat, and how it brings down the profession, let me ask you this. How is working for a regional at $17 to $22 an hour topping out at a whopping $40 or so after many years on the job as an FO, which is where you will be at most regionals for quite some time (Eagles junior Capt. is a 98' hire) and flying routes that mainline pilots used to do at decent wages and at a career airline considered ok? The PFT at Cat has the potential to increase ones earnings significantly over the course of a lifetime by positioning themselves for a career airline much sooner. They will have the quality of flight time at 3000-3500 hours that a "traditional" minded pilot will need 5000-5500 to achieve. Think about it?

Most people I know, pilots included, look out for numero uno first. These holier than thou pilots who dictate to us what career path is acceptable and not acceptable...... Ironically, thats the only way to get the best jobs in the industry right now at FedEx, UPS, and Continental. FedEx doesn't care about anything except how many squadron buddies you have. Does everyone have their sponsor lined up?? What a joke!

I Agree with you !00% however i must say though that not everyone who get's into this industry has the connections or the motivation necessary to pursue the majors...( and yes some can't because of their past).. but what ever the reason we must respect that.

But the old saying is eternally true."it's not what you know or who you know but who Knows you!!"

Happy Landings

 

[SevenDos]

Now thats rich.... A Custom Air Transport guy taking stabs at an equally sh!tty 121 supplumental.....seriously man, WTF?!

So you made the right seat of a 727 at 24, big friggin' deal. Your not unique in the industry. So don't get all cocky about yourself.

You seem to be all full on the kool aid that Tommy D. and JJ have been serving in Dayton. Where exactly are all theese contracts that CAT has that they can call in at any time? You care to share specifics?

I'll agree, CAT is not FED EX by far, but at least we pay our bills on time and get our paychecks. CAT has several South American contracts, which are now being flown by other companies such as Arrow Air, and Centurion. I've also heard we have a BAX contract for a couple planes that is contracted out as well. We also have several horse charters out of Ocala and Miami.

I'm not gettin' cocky, it sounds like someone is a still a little upset that they got canned from TWA.

 

[Midnight Flyer]

It is truely amazing that all you young New hire 727 puke's all of a sudden have become Officianados and industry analyst's.
But to answer the question......Bax global wants to replace Capital Cargo's flying
by the end of the year apparently their proformance has droped to less than 96%for two consistant months.
My advise is to complete your training get on the line wait 6 months then you may be taken seriously.
maybe then you may have something to say!

Remmember Bob Dunton and company normally live in La La land ....that is when he is sober!

Giant Killer,

Why do you appear to not like Capital or Bob Dunton. Did you try to get on at Capital or something? Just curious. I'm not wanting to get into a pi$$ing contest or anything, but it seems like all of your posts are negative.

 

[Vref+Factor]

I can't stand when people buy there ticket, it takes a good job away from someone who has been working in the trenches getting paid sh!t money. There isn't too much respect out there for them, I personally would never do it, but aside from that, it bye passed 5 years of sh!t flying and money, and you can pay it back on two months pay. That is if the company is still around or doesn't furlough you, lol.

In short is this 25 year old 727 pilot an idiot for bye passing 5 years.......I'm going to have to go with No on that one!

In one way shape or form, we all pay our dues, ... regardless of how we got our jobs. If someone has the means, or takes out a loan to get to an airline quicker than having to be a CFI for 2 years, isn't it up to that person? We are well aware that everything in this business revolves around seniority, who gives a ******************** how you get there, just as long as you get there asap right? The stigma attached to PFTers like ... they can't fly worth a ********************, and they don't belong, is such a load of crap. I have personally taken the controls from several pilots that were never PFTers, just because they were gonna kill us if I didn't. I'm a PFTer and ********************ing fine with that. Very few people care. As long as I'm a good pilot who does my job well, ... that's all that matters .... whores.

 

[wmudriver]

CAT accident excerpt

Here's an excerpt from a CAT accident down in ELP in 2004.

"950-hour first officer, of which 650 hours were in make and model, was at the controls during the approach and initial touchdown of the airplane "

a 300 hour wonder in the right seat of a 727...I wonder if he bought his ticket?

Here 's the rest of the NTSB report. Glad no one got hurt on this...it could have been ugly.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief2.asp?ev_id=20040902X01347&ntsbno=FTW04LA225&akey=1

I haven't been following too much what has been happening down in DAY but good luck with that.

 

[big_al]

im no pro, but having a high time captain with only 100 hrs in the 727 in charge w/ a FO whos total time is less than 1k is asking for trouble, no?

 

[boomlrd]

I think most people at CAT know who the captain was, so that needs to be factored in.

 

[Ready2Fly]

Who was it?

 

[kevdog]

Who was it?

Someone who isn't there anymore.