Freight job in Florida.

[flyer31]

Does anyone have info on Flightexpress? I'm looking in that direction but wont to first do my homework. Anything will help, thanx in advance.

 

[citabriapilot]

210's and Barons. Not sure what the upgrades are, but probably about 6 mo. I know they were hurting bad a couple of months ago, but maybe they hired enough guys. Lot's of threads on here, just do a search.

Why Flight Express? Do you not want to leave Florida?

I'd suggest Ameriflight. You'd have to move, but most likely start in a Chieftain with a quick upgrade to turbine stuff if you are willing to move. I have a buddy who spent 2 months as a Chieftain guy in Burbank and just finished Beech 99 training.

 

[wheelsup]

The flightexpress recruiter posts on here from time to time. They were hurting for pilots bad a few months ago like citabria said, not sure what the deal is now.

They have runs all through the southeast. The pay is decent for their operation - they pay $10.00 per DUTY hour as oppposed to some places that pay per day. That means you're getting paid while you're waiting for cargo. Not bad. The shortest run they have is like 3-4 hours of duty time, but you still make the minimum $75.00/day.

Not a place to stay for awhile, but there is NO CONTRACT. You can get in and out quickly. Upgrade to the baron is 6-8 months. Ram air is slowly taking over their florida runs it seems though. I think they might have a contract though.

~wheelsup

 

[starcheckdriver]

If you want cargo and are willing to move, I would suggest Airnet. You start in a Baron, 310, Chieftan or Caravan -- or you might get more than one plane like most do. Upgrade to the Lear 35 is only 12-15 months. It took me 13 months. The pay is good and the company is great. Maintenance is top notch and we are hurting for pilots right now. PM me with any questions. Good Luck with the search.

 

[icefr8dawg]

Why do you want to work for Flightexpress? Better Eq, Mx, and upgrade potential at AirNet.

 

[jafo20]

I worked for FLX. They were pretty good to me. I came in with only ten hours of multi. I spent 8mos in the C-210 before getting the Baron. You need to know that it's night freight, so you're going to be tired and you're going to be in the weather. If you have any questions, PM me.

 

[jafo20]

Oh yeah, FLX doesn't just operate in florida. I spent most of my time flying around the Midwest. Usually, you can easily bid into a "northern" run.

 

[8inMan]

Get in with a good, growing company... come to Ram. Upgrade to a twin in a month most likely. Good people, good mx, decent equipment. We're starting a class on the 15th and I think there's an opening left.

 

[flyer31]

What kind of schedules do the guys like Flx, Ram and Airnet have? Days, nights, weekends?

 

[starcheckdriver]

Typical Airnet schedule is Monday-Thursday with weekends off. Most guys work nights, but there are some day runs. Some work Fridays and a few work weekends, but 75% are night runs Monday-Thursday. Why go to a comapny where an upgrade is to a twin piston? Airnet starts you in a piston twin and the upgrade is a Learjet. We hire guys as low as 25 multi.

 

[flyer31]

"Why go to a comapny where an upgrade is to a twin piston? Airnet starts you in a piston twin and the upgrade is a Learjet."

Good question, I asked myself the same thing. I am still just looking at the options but am a little reluctant to sighn the year agreement deal. Thanks for the info though.

 

[rubicon789]

As Starcheckdriver said, I too work @ Airnet come here we need good pilots and it is a great place to work.

Really the year contract is nothing, think of it this way... In a years time you will have been exposed to everything mother nature has to throw at you. Your confidence level will increase 10x's, and your time will be much more marketable. Then at the end of 12months you'll have some options, either go to a regional or upgrade to the Lear but at least you have choices. Airnet also has a pretty respectable training department so thats another plus. Some of these fly by night companies just give you 2 days of school then your on your own. Airnet has a 5-6 week training program, call it overkill but I am glad I learned what I did. Good luck!!! Hope this helps

 

[Art Vandalay]

Why go to a comapny where an upgrade is to a twin piston? Airnet starts you in a piston twin and the upgrade is a Learjet. We hire guys as low as 25 multi.

Why do some Airnet guys feel the need to act superior to ANY other freight company? We all do the same thing, and basically have the same job. FLX, RamEx, Airnet, etc. all have pro's and cons. We are all going to be working for the same companies soon anyway, whether it's a regional, fractional, or corporate. Lighten up, we'll probably be flying together someday, and I just don't need to hear how cool you are...................


Art Vandalay

 

[rubicon789]

Dude, myself and driver never said we were superior or that Airnet was the best company out there. I just know of a few that I wouldn't fly for. Just trying to share that info w/ everyone... happy flying

 

[Capt. JD]

As Starcheckdriver said, I too work @ Airnet come here we need good pilots and it is a great place to work.

Really the year contract is nothing, think of it this way... In a years time you will have been exposed to everything mother nature has to throw at you. Your confidence level will increase 10x's, and your time will be much more marketable. Then at the end of 12months you'll have some options, either go to a regional or upgrade to the Lear but at least you have choices. Airnet also has a pretty respectable training department so thats another plus. Some of these fly by night companies just give you 2 days of school then your on your own. Airnet has a 5-6 week training program, call it overkill but I am glad I learned what I did. Good luck!!! Hope this helps

A year would be along time if I had to be flying a C-208... I love how airnet pilots think there building turbine PIC time that is usefull flying a C-208! You tell an interviewer at FedEx you got 1000 turbine PIC, they will say Great! What in? A C-208... Ohhhhh, haha...

 

[jaxpilot]

Execstar out of FXE was a pretty reputable company. Maintenance was top notch as well. Lot of guys made a careers there.

 

[yzf6]

Execstar out of FXE was a pretty reputable company.

hahaha

 

[USC328]

The mighty Caravan PIC time might not be good, but with alot of Lear Captains getting on at majors recently, the Lear upgrade time sounds like it is shrinking at AirNet. If I was still at AirNet, I'd be 2 spots from upgrading to Lear Captain. I started groundschool in December 2003. So less than 2 years from newby to Lear Captain is what I would have been looking at. Now that is some PIC turbine time that is more respectable. But if you want to fly a 210 and have no where further to progress than a Baron, by all means, go for it. I will also chime in and say that AirNet is a GREAT Company. I spent 4.5 years with them as a ramper (3 years) and pilot for 1.5 getting a chance to fly the Lear 35. Best flying I ever did. I'm now sitting reserve at a regional, but long term pay will be better here and I get to live back home in Denver. Look at what you want in a career and find the best company that suits those desires. GOOD LUCK!!

USC328

 

[icefr8dawg]

Caravan no but LR35 hell yea. If I had to do it over again I'd go with Airnet if not ASA circa 1996.

 

[Capt. JD]

Foward or Lateral Moves....

The mighty Caravan PIC time might not be good, but with alot of Lear Captains getting on at majors recently, the Lear upgrade time sounds like it is shrinking at AirNet. If I was still at AirNet, I'd be 2 spots from upgrading to Lear Captain. I started groundschool in December 2003. So less than 2 years from newby to Lear Captain is what I would have been looking at. Now that is some PIC turbine time that is more respectable. But if you want to fly a 210 and have no where further to progress than a Baron, by all means, go for it. I will also chime in and say that AirNet is a GREAT Company. I spent 4.5 years with them as a ramper (3 years) and pilot for 1.5 getting a chance to fly the Lear 35. Best flying I ever did. I'm now sitting reserve at a regional, but long term pay will be better here and I get to live back home in Denver. Look at what you want in a career and find the best company that suits those desires. GOOD LUCK!!

USC328

I guess it depends where your at in your flying career... I want every job move to be a foward career move. With 2100tt, 350 multi at a stable FAR 135 company flying scheduled freight & pop-up pax charters in a C-310R. I would not sign a year contract to fly a twin piston (PA-31, BE-55) or single engine turbo prop (C-208). That a lateral move... Now a Multiengine Turbo Prop job as PIC in a (BE99, BE1900, SA-227, etc...) That would be a foward move especial in the airplanes that require a type rating...

I know what you Airnet pilots are going to say, "The Lear, The Lear!" Yes LR-35 would be nice...

 

[Boris Badenov]

Been at FLX for about three months. Let's just say that I would be shocked if we weren't hiring. Even at the best of times it seems like they're pretty much always looking for pilots, and as mentioned above it was quite recently not the best of times by any stretch of the imagination. Upgrades seem to run about 6-8 months but of course that's very dependent upon your willingness to relocate. Pay is pretty good, at least compared to other 135 operators some of our guys have come from (and they were flying twins). Management is about as good as anywhere I've worked, and while that's faint praise, it seems that if you're willing to work hard, you'll be treated fairly. There is no pressure to operate illegal or unsafe airplanes. That being said, you'll be expected to fly if it's legal. Maintenance is excellent, at least at CPS. I can't speak to the rest of the system. In my experience there are few 8 or 9 hour runs. Most runs are either short, for which you're paid the minimum daily 7.5 hours, or 12-13 hours with a lot of sitting around during the day. In fact, I'm sitting around as I write this. Very few night runs, at least where I've been. The runs I've flown have been ~1pm-7pm, ~5am-6pm, and 7am-7pm. Equipment is very basic IFR minimum, so a handheld GPS is a nice cushion.

Obviously, I don't know anything about airnet so I'll leave the comparisons to the airnet guys who evidently know everything.

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions, and good luck.

Regards,
Boris

 

[1flier]

Flight Express is worthwhile

Airnet is good no arguement there, but I currently work for FLX after deciding to not go with Airnet (not because of reputation it was simply a money issue and possible location being Teterboro where 24K a year would not work. I worked 135 before and I can tell you the management at FLX is great, everything they said on the phone, the website was right on. No surprises. Ram Air, its a flip of the coin with them. I have friends that fly or flew with them and know other pilots that flew there. 50% enjoyed it and the other 50% feared for their life everyday for 6 months. I've been at airports where the tey would shot a single engine approach in a twin not on purpose but they didnt lose a plane. Great place to build multi in a fast time though, 3 week upgrades happen even straight into a multi on occasion. Pay is what you make it, $80 a day no matter how long you are on duty with Ram Air. I hear the avg Airnet guy starting off can make 30K if working 5 days a week instead of 4(chime in on this Starcheckers if I am wrong). FLX is $10 per duty hour and some runs go right up to 14 hours and others are 4.5 with a $75 minimum. No guarentees on runs until the end of ground school after 5 days because it changes daily with pilot attrition. I lucked up and have a day run to evening of 12.5 with weekends off. $125 a day isnt alot to jump up and down about but compared to others where it works out almost half of that its better. Cant get rich of it but no starving student issues either. 3.5 hours flying and 8+ sitting, I'm not complaining. They never push you if its questionable, no body on your back everyday, even in Orlando the DO is taking care of other business where he doesnt and really shouldn't have to be on the pilots day in and out. Upgrade is 6-9 months, sometimes earlier depending if no one else wants a certain Baron Run that opens up. Minimum instruments, some of the 210s are older than you, some no DME, but that make sure you know your stuff before you leave training or you are dropped and the maitenance department is on the job. They dont just throw pilots out there to get themselves killed and if they have to drop someone from training they will. It builds your confidence and skills. We are all frieght dogs, the companies expect us to fly to mins across the board whether its Ram Air, Airnet, FLX or Central Air Southwest. Some companies may ask you to bust mins or bend to the needs of the company, I never saw that with FLX and never heard of it with Airnet guys either. Take whichever one is best for you overall, QOL, family and outlook and just overall happiness. Also, they will try to get yo time off for an interview and even encourage it since they see themselves as a steeping stone mainly. Fun atmosphere, relaxed flying even though it is IFR and a good bunch of pilots to work with.