Freight Operators In Phoenix area

[B GUMPS]

Just looking for some info about Ameriflight ops in PHX area. I noticed that they have been hiring for entry level positions in the Lance for awhile now. I remember some years back I heard that they were not the best company to work for. Anyone know about their current situation,working conditions etc... Im looking to get back into flying after a few years out it and was trying to avoid instructing. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Westwindflyer]

I have known a few people that have flown for them and they seem to enjoy it. They are both based in Montana as far as I know flying Beech(forgot whichone).

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Is that pronounced "Pah-hon-ex?" as in the biggest city in Arizona? As in the capitol of Arizona?

 

[User546]

I knew a guy that was flying a Piper Lance with them a couple years ago out of Vegas. He was always real happy about his job, and really enjoyed the fact that he flew the same route (daytime) everyday, and was always home in-time for dinner with his wife everynight. Said he didnt regret it a bit.

Now that poor ole Lance with duct-tape that he was flying, thats another story!

 

[DashTrash400]

I flew for Amflight, and another 135 outfit before them. As 135 Freight Ops go, Ameriflight is high class. Those Lances are used and abused but well cared for. Even in Owens Valley severe turb, they held together just fine.

I don't know much about the PHX operation, I was based in BUR. Most bases are going through pilots fast enough that you'll be in the Be99 within a year. They recently gave turbine pilots a raise, you'll be making more than at a regional fairly quickly.

 

[HMR]

Those Lances are used and abused but well cared for. Even in Owens Valley severe turb, they held together just fine.

I used to fly a BE20 up and down the Owens Valley. I thought I was pretty hot stuff in that turbulence watching the wings flap like a bird while I kept one hand on the yolk and the other on my seatbelt with a bullrider grip. I'd saunter onto the ramp at KMMH only to be completely humbled by the AmFlight guy taxiing out in that Lance. What are you guys thinking? Do you get hazardous duty pay for that run? I've seen downdrafts out there that the Space shuttle couldn't climb through. You have my respect.

 

[DashTrash400]

That run - AMF132 - is kinda legendary in the company...people have quit on the spot after especially bad Owens Roter. When I did it I'd literally get bruises. It makes for some great stories but I can't say I'd want to do again. If I had to, though, the Lance is about as sturdy as they come.

Yeah when you have days with really bad up/downdrafts you just ride them out, no attempt to hold altitude. A little glider-pilot technique goes a long way in those conditions...knowing where to be in relation to the ridges, pitching way back to slow down in updrafts & accelerating through the downdrafts, etc.

When it got really bad we'd just go way down low...sometimes that'd keep you beneath the rotor. At night you had no choice but take an altitude that'd guarantee getting the crap beat out of you. One night I was flying BIH-IYK at 7500, fighting it the whole way...finally got to Inyokern and start my descent and it just gets worse and worse as I go through 6500'...suddenly everything goes silky smooth...I look down & airspeed is like 170, altimeter winding up like mad, VSI is pegged upwards. Only time I've ever seen wave that low, even in the southern sierra. I went from 6500' to 9500' in about a minute, poweroff...turned downwind and got into the downdraft, it was about 2500 fpm as well.

Like I said...good stories but nowadays, no thanks

 

[HMR]

Wow! You AmFlight guys are brave. You can fly my canceled checks anytime