Freedom Air (Guam)?

[momalley81]

Anybody have any info on these guys? Good/bad? Just got a hit on my resume from them, from what I can tell it's a pax 135 outfit flying tourists around in Saipan. Though with 1600 of SEL time and little multi I wonder if I'd be spinning my wheels there though.

Before I pack my bags and move half way around the world, anybody know anything?

Thanks

 

[dash8driver]

Anybody have any info on these guys? Good/bad? Just got a hit on my resume from them, from what I can tell it's a pax 135 outfit flying tourists around in Saipan. Though with 1600 of SEL time and little multi I wonder if I'd be spinning my wheels there though.

Before I pack my bags and move half way around the world, anybody know anything?

Thanks

if your door is being beaten down by airlines trying to hire you, then i guess you could afford to be choosey. who else is "hitting" on your resume that you are trying to decide between?

what does this company fly? you say you have little multi, do you have a better op to build multi time right now?

where would you be moving from?

 

[Vik]

At 1600 hrs, you are too valuable for part 135. Hold out for a 121 job.

Anybody have any info on these guys? Good/bad? Just got a hit on my resume from them, from what I can tell it's a pax 135 outfit flying tourists around in Saipan. Though with 1600 of SEL time and little multi I wonder if I'd be spinning my wheels there though.

Before I pack my bags and move half way around the world, anybody know anything?

Thanks

 

[hawkerflyer]

I did the Marianas thing for a Freedom competitor during 1998. The Cherokee Six operation does nothing but fly locals between Saipan & Tinian. As a low-time pilot, I actually enjoyed my time there. Kind of liked the whole island thing, made the best of it, and it sure beat CFIing. As for the flying, 7 minute legs, no cross-country except for the occasional mx trip to Rota or Guam, no IFR, no night. 135. After a while they may dangle you a carrot in the form of a right seat slot on the Shorts that flies Saipan-Rota-Guam. The thing I can tell you is the longer you stay, the harder it is to return stateside. With your flight times, there should be other options. Good luck.

 

[Guam360]

I also flew for both airlines there, Hawker is right mostly, I happen to live in the Marinanas for 15 years, loved it, it is not for everyone, back then(1998), flying there and building time for the pilots that flew there from the mainland was a good thing at the time.

Pacific Island Aviation is the other airline, you can do as alot of others, jump ship if you want to fly the shorts 360 for PIA, after your Cherokee commitment at Freedom. Shorts 330 flying for Freedom is possible., I think they have a 360 now, the 330 was destroyed in the last Typhoon, plus, Cape Air is there flying ATR's for Continental. Once you are there, then maybe you can score an ATR job!!!

Both airlines ARE, 121 Flag carriers, the cherokee flying is 135. Jaoquin Flores is tough to work for, if you lay low and do your job, then you can get in and out without any troubles, TRY IT!, if you need a job, you may enjoy it for the short term.

Hafa Adai,
guam 360

 

[RipCurl]

What kind of times are we talking about to get hired flying out there? This sounds like my dream job (for a little while, anyways).

 

[whereamI]

Cnmi

Freedom will hire you right at the VFR 135 mins (500hrs) to fly the cherokee 6's between Saipan and Tinian. Getting on with PIA flying the SD3's basically requires knowing the right people. Starting at Freedom (with an 18 month trainging contract) is a good way to get your foot in the door at PIA, but the working environment is changing thanks to Cape Air and their newly started operation. Upgrading at Freedom from the cherokee to the SD3 (they are now using a 360-300) is never a for sure thing, and completion of the training contract is almost always necessary. Living on Saipan isn't for everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 years I spent working for the two carriers. And so you know, it isn't half way around the world, it is the other side of the globe. Without using vacation time you will not ever get enough time off to make the 20hr flight back to the US. However, you are a short flight from many exciting destinations you might not see otherwise. It's a tiny tropical island with a lot to offer if that's what you want, but it ain't like livin' in the states. I have been back on the mainland for 8 months now, and I am ready to go back tomorrow.

 

[RipCurl]

My sister has lived in Belize and Hawaii, and spent some time in Fiji as well. I hear many people say that it is not for everyone. My biggest question is this: what are the locals like?

 

[rumpletumbler]

This makes for interesting reading but the title of the URL suggests perhaps some bias http://www.saipansucks.com/about.htm

 

[Guam360]

I also worked for both as I said before, I have more local friends than I can count, some actually consider me family as do I.

There are tough situations, it is all how you make of it, open mind, patience, helps.

Or just go with the flow, it is a great place!

Guam

 

[RipCurl]

This makes for interesting reading but the title of the URL suggests perhaps some bias http://www.saipansucks.com/about.htm

I emailed him, as I was curious about his background. He is a lawyer from New York, who lived on Saipan for 2.5 years. This info is not supposed to imply anything, but I just thought I would share.

This Guam thing really seems like an amazing opportunity for us low time guys who are willing to look outside of the box...

 

[rumpletumbler]

I find no web site with any mention of Cherokee 6's however. You would really have to hate teaching to move to Saipan I'm guessing. The 7 minute legs would be fun though.

 

[RipCurl]

You would really have to hate teaching to move to Saipan I'm guessing.

Either that, or you would really have to want to live on a south pacific island...

BTW - Do a google on Saipan Tinian "Freedom Air" and you will find lots of pics of the aircraft, and also lots of travel websites that mention it.

 

[Sir Humpalot]

The lifestyle in Saipan is awesome and you will make great friends over there. But most of your friends will be howlies or asians and not the locals. The locals are very friendly but most people you meet at the bars (strip clubs) are from mainland.

Flores is a tough mother to work for, either he hates you or he likes you depending on the day of the week. THe manager in saipan is a prick and is known for roughing up couple employees. The best thing is that you will make really good friends with the pilots at PIA and hopefully Cape Air; thus, contacts for the next job.

The transition to saipan takes couple months and maybe you will get hired in the mainland by then.

 

[RipCurl]

What do you mean by transition?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just REALLY curious about this

 

[Sir Humpalot]

Well if you work for Freedom, the training will be in Guam and that takes about 2 weeks or more. After that, getting settled in Saipan and finding a place to live and transportation takes about a month or so. A time to get used to the island. So hence my word of transition. Its a great place to be but you will miss mainland and after awhile, saipan will grow on you and then you will miss saipan when you move to the mainland. If you like snorkeling, outdoors, good weather, then saipan is for you.

 

[dash8driver]

But most of your friends will be howlies or asians and not the locals.

haha.. spelt like a true haole!

 

[rumpletumbler]

Not to mention the underage girls who want to "love you long time." You would have to be careful of determining someones exact age I think there.

 

[Sir Humpalot]

dash8driver,

yuu wann beef brah.

 

[whereamI]

Sir Humpalot

Humpalot can talk the talk, but he can't walk no haole walk! Yup Yup. Heard ya found yourself a new flying job, ya done with groundschool yet?