Flying Freight

[8inMan]

I recently passed the 135 mins and call me crazy but I've always wanted to fly freight. I've sent out a couple of resumes but I'm not sure exactly what steps to take. There is one company that I want to work for in particular. To the freight dogs out there- If you had it to do all over again, how would you get yourself started in the cargo world? Thanx

 

[kingaira90]

be open

I would be open to any opportunity that came along. Something to get my start. When you start building 135 etc time you are one step ahead of guys with only flight instruction time. Apply and bug as many place you are willing to relocate for. What is the ONE place you really want to go to?-kingaira90


PS the above is what I did, and it WORKED!

 

[8inMan]

I'd really like to go to Ram Air just because I've heard good things about them.

 

[CaravanMan]

If I could do it over again I'd take out a loan, like I don't have enough already, and buy lots of twin time somewhere. Of course, I probably would have gotten my CFII/MEI too and that would have helped. (Runs head into wall)

I was fortunate to get the little amount of M.E. time I have now (whopping 114) at my last job by doing co-pilot stuff in King Airs and Citations, but all that got me was SIC time. I don't even know how that SIC time will help/hurt me when I look elsewhere.

Anyway, get whatever multi-time you can, because it seems most 135 freight outfits with twins want at least 200 M.E, and M.E. time is about the only way to get anywhere it seems.

I agree with Kingaira90 though, try to get your foot in the door in the 135 world however you can. I got on with my company with 1,195TT and passed my checkride at 1200.5 or so. Although I'm only flying a single-engine, at least it's turbine! PTL!

Good luck, Bud!!

 

[Fuzzy_is_Hungry]

A guy in my class at Ram: 30 hours ME total. He was in the Seneca the second week. Now I know its a Seneca and alot of people like to talk about how good airnet is, obviously they got those lears and all, but if you have little multi time, Ram is a good choice.

 

[wheelsup]

I knew someone hired at Airnet with 37 multi. This was last year, around this time.


~wheelsup

 

[flygirl_1313]

Ram is still looking for pilots and it's a great place to work... pay just went up... Come join the crew...

www.ramairfreight.com

 

[wings421]

A guy in my class at Ram: 30 hours ME total. He was in the Seneca the second week. Now I know its a Seneca and alot of people like to talk about how good airnet is, obviously they got those lears and all, but if you have little multi time, Ram is a good choice.

A guy in my AirNet class had less than 60 multi, and got hired back in summer of 03' when none of the regionals were hiring and AirNet had lots of people to choose from.

 

[Captain Morgan]

I had a guy in my class at Airnet with 37 hours ME. It can be done, be persistant!

Good Luck!

 

[exchexflyer]

Look into Airnet a little further. I don't much about Ram Air because I never worked there, but I worked at Airnet for 2 years and have nothing bad to say about them. Mx is great and I was never pressured to fly in weather that was somewhat questionable. Somewhat questionable meaning a huge squall line with tops at 60,000 feet. Good luck!

 

[milehigh6080]

airnet

I'll throw my hat into the ring on AirNet too, I've been here for a couple months and it's a really good company so far. Good maintenance, good training, great pay compared to most entry level jobs out there, jumpseat privileges, etc. And there is no waiting to upgrade into a twin, you just start off in one. Unless you get the Caravan and at least that's turbine. Where else are you gonna get turbine PIC time at 1200 hours? We're hiring like crazy, running two classes a month so put your stuff in and follow up with a phone call to Craig Washka to make sure he got your stuff, that alone should get you an invite to the interview right away.

Good luck!

 

[8inMan]

Thank you everyone for your help. I would like to fly for Airnet but as far as I understand, they do almost all their flying at night. I know beggers can't be choosers, but my fiance isn't going to look very highly on that schedule. Ram Air flies mostly during the day or evening, the pay is okay now, and they do have some sort of jump seat agreement. I'm still all about Ram unless someone convinces me otherwise.

 

[Big Dog]

Put your stuff in soon! Ram Air will be starting a new class shortly, probably within a couple weeks. Make sure you meet ALL Part 135 IFR PIC times. If you don't, you probably won't get called. I can't tell you how many resumes I've seen that don't meet 135 mins and go right in the trash. Email your resume to Jerome (our Chief Pilot) and follow up with a short, polite phone call 2-3 days after.
Ram's a great place to get experience. Maintenance is above average with all TBO engines being replaced with millennium engines. The pay scale has been up'd. You now make more your first three years than just about every regional I know of. Good Luck!

 

[8inMan]

Did a phone interview and was offered a class date at Ram. I'm looking forward to it. I gotta start studying hard so I don't wash out.

 

[EatSleepFly]

That was quick!

Congrats, and good luck!

 

[8inMan]

Thanks. Yeah it was quick. No complaints here. Can anyone tell me what I can expect that week of training?

 

[Way2Broke]

Monday is all Ops Specs and the drug test. Tuesday is flight training in the a.m. and ground school in the early afternoon, followed by a ride along with a pilot that is online. Same on Thursday. Wednesday is flight training in the a.m. ground all afternoon and hazmat training in the evening. Friday is flight training, if you need ii, in the a.m. followed by checkrides and celebrations in the evening! Good luck. Let me know if you have any other questions....

Katie

 

[EatSleepFly]

Ugh, Hazmat. What a waste of 16 hours...

 

[Big Dog]

Study, Study, Study!

You'll be getting a very extensive packet in the mail, study every bit of it cover to cover. Know the PA32 white sheets and POH cold, especially if you have little/no PA time. You'll also be getting a GPS simulator program on CD, or if you want to get a head start you can download it at garmin.com . We have the GX50 in every single aircraft we fly. Spend a solid 4-5 hours with it, especially if you don't have a lot of GPS experience. A third to half of the approaches you'll do in training are GPS approaches. Go over chapter 5 of the AIM once and the section on GPS. Do not worry about Part 135, we cover the GOM (the parts of 135 we use)extensively in class. Have Fun!