Gulfstream First Officer Program

[Apache54]

Does anyone have any info on their First Officer Program as far as interviews and hiring? i don't mean specific hiring within Gulfstream Int Airlines, but graduate hiring in general?

Also, for those that are already out there in the RJ/Regional world... How are Gulfstream grads looked upon? I'm a military helo guy with over 1000tt, working on my fixed wing stuff and looking at the Gulfstream FO program for the 121 training and the 250 hrs as a SIC in a beech 1900d. I know this is a "pay for training" deal if offered a spot to stay, but I was curious on how the community as a whole views the program.

Thanx for the input.

 

[CRJ puppy]

Oh man...

Brace yourself for the stream of negative comments that will follow! You opened up a serious can-o-worms!

 

[jaybird]

At least this guy paid his dues and isn't looking for an easy way out. Apache, do a search on Gulfstream and you will get a lot of info. There's probably a more respectable route you can take IMO.

 

[GCD]

Apache,

Take the advice of this old CW4.

Get your airplane mel and keep looking in Trade a Plane or Climbto350.com. There are a lot of entry level, low timer mel jobs you get get to build your time. There's one right now for CV 440/580 in Texas. Look to APTAP to share time with other APTAPers. If you want to get into the business, you've got to go where the jobs are to build the time. Your family has to be supportive of that, too.

I know of one Army Aviator who got his mel, flew night freight for a year, and is now a captain at ASA, and in the NG in F-16's. You can do it, you have the basics, and you are flying a highly complex machine right now.

Email me, if you'd like.

 

[WhiteCloud]

At least this guy paid his dues and isn't looking for an easy way out. Apache, do a search on Gulfstream and you will get a lot of info. There's probably a more respectable route you can take IMO.

Apache54-Don't pay to work somewhere. When times are bad for hiring these programs surface. You now the crap...get a jump on your competitors.....invest in your career.....Bribe us to hire you! You know we'd never let you darken our door and fly our airplanes (work-not play) without an upfront payment. You'll fly there until the next pigeon comes along and then you are history. You can find a better route if you look hard enough. Ziggy1

 

[bobbysamd]

Gulfsteam and P-F-T

One thing you absolutely, positively, do NOT want to do is P-F-T. Make a pot of coffee and run a board search of that subject. You'll learn very quickly how people view that controversial subject. While you're at it, run a search on Gulfstream. You'll get abundant opinion about the place.

I like your military helo quals. In my 2¢ opinion, you would be lowering yourself by P-F-Ting. You need to get your airplane ratings and build about 200-700 hours of multi airplane time for an airplane job. There are better ways to do it than by P-F-T.

I'd recommend that you get with some guys in your unit and pick their brains about airplane transitions. Any chance for you getting a C-12 transition, either in the Army or in a Reserve unit? That would be the ideal situation and would indeed "jump start" your civilian career.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with your plans.

PS-Perhaps you can use G.I. Bill benefits to pay for your airplane ratings. You would have to get them at a 14 CFR 141 school, but it would be worth it.

 

[Apache54]

More...

Thanx to all for replying. It's my second day on this forum and I learned how to search old posts... Many on GIA and PFT.

I was only looking at GIA for the time - I did the math... $25000 for 250hrs in a 1900 - that's $100/hr - but I get GI bill, so that's down to $40/hr - Not even Ari Ben could beat that.

Regarding the PFT - I am not interested in staying with GIA as a FO after my 250. I am researching the best and fastest way to get my multi time to become marketable. Of course I want quality time - Renting a plane is expensive and at best, I tool around looking for clouds at night to fly actual IFR. I just thought that getting 121 time was a bonus.

By the time I finish my ratings and actually enroll (possibly) in the GIA FO program and finish it, I'll have 1600+tt, 1300heli, 300AMEL, and about 900+pic - all of which makes me "barely" marketable to the regionals... I just don't want to be labeled a scab or a PFT-er when all I am looking for is the quick way to good multi time. My primary concern is that when I interview, the CA/hr people will ask when/where did I get the 250SIC 121 time. I will be honest and also caveat the reply with I did it for the program and that was all. If I don't get hired anywhere then I'll look at freight, etc...

I guess to make a long post short - Do interviewing CAs really see GIA grads (not necessarily GIA FO's for years) as persona non grata, ie hands off, "he got the plague"???

PS - GCD - your prefs have it so I cant email you - I'll change my prefs to allow it. I'd love to hear what a senior warrant has to say.

 

[AFELLOWAVIATOR]

We at Comair had a rather large number of pilots who paid for initial training at Comair go to the Majors a few years back when they were hiring. Those airlines include Delta, Northwest, American, Continental, USAirways, and United.
Hope this helps.

 

[aewanabe]

Apache54:
I think you'll find that the 250 hour people are actually the ones most of us have the problem with. Those 250 hours of bought SIC time mean that GIA does not have to hire a person to fill that seat, and under 121 that right-seater is a REQUIRED crewmember. So people are paying for the privilege of filling a seat that otherwise would provide another job in this marketplace. As an aside for those who are more knowledgeable about Gulfstream: is there any such thing as a long-term GIA FO? I thought everyone was 250 hours and then out. Good luck in your pursuits, Apache. I think as you continue to research you'll find that your military service and networking will provide you with more opportunities than a place like Gulfstream will.

 

[BoredToDeath]

Apache54,

Although this would make you "a little" more qualified for a regional job, know that right now and for a very long time to come there are "Thousands" of pilots on the street with more than double your flight time. Doing this program for you right now is, in my opinion, a complete waste of time. Not to mention that PFT is for sc*mbags! And those of you who did it @ Comair are no better!

Don't come into this industry with the attitude of, "I love to fly and will do anything to do it", cause that attitude is why our pay and benifits are decreasing. Too many people love this job way too much. The love has to come out before our quality of life will get better. GIA is selling seats that should be flown by an employee not a student!

Now I realize that you are one person and one person not going to GIA will not change the world, but imagine if it started with you. Then sooner or later we just might be able to get rid of these POS operations.

On a side note, you really should consider breaking into the 135 world when you meet the mins. I actually made a heck of alot more flying charter than I do at the regional level. I'm just now getting my head above water. Charter was alot more fun too.

 

[RFtech]

GI BILL

Hey Bro,

Are you sure that FO program is VA approved. I wouldnt think so, but I am no expert. I would make sure before dropping the cash.

 

[RFtech]

Time and PFT

Regarding the PFT - I am not interested in staying with GIA as a FO after my 250. I am researching the best and fastest way to get my multi time to become marketable. Of course I want quality time - Renting a plane is expensive and at best, I tool around looking for clouds at night to fly actual IFR. I just thought that getting 121 time was a bonus.

By the time I finish my ratings and actually enroll (possibly) in the GIA FO program and finish it, I'll have 1600+tt, 1300heli, 300AMEL, and about 900+pic - all of which makes me "barely" marketable to the regionals... I just don't want to be labeled a scab or a PFT-er when all I am looking for is the quick way to good multi time. My primary concern is that when I interview, the CA/hr people will ask when/where did I get the 250SIC 121 time. I will be honest and also caveat the reply with I did it for the program and that was all. If I don't get hired anywhere then I'll look at freight, etc...

I guess to make a long post short - Do interviewing CAs really see GIA grads (not necessarily GIA FO's for years) as persona non grata, ie hands off, "he got the plague"???


as far as racking up 250 hours fast. You are probably looking at 2-3 months of ground and the 4-5 months for the 250 hours. Thats what I have gathered from marketing and speaking with others that have been thru the program. Thats a long time for 250 hrs and I wont get into the PFT debate.

 

[BoredToDeath]

**Regarding the PFT - I am not interested in staying with GIA as a FO after my 250. I am researching the best and fastest way to get my multi time to become marketable. Of course I want quality time - Renting a plane is expensive and at best, I tool around looking for clouds at night to fly actual IFR. I just thought that getting 121 time was a bonus.**

Try getting an entry level job like banner towing, teaching, traffic watch, ect. Those that have half a brain do it all the time without helping these POS companies avoid having to actually hire and train an employee. There are many ways to make yourself marketable other than being a SCUMBAG. Plus re-read my above post, in this day and age it will take a veryyyyyyy longgggggg time for you to be marketable and 250hours playin with yourself in the right seat of a 1900 ain't gonna give it to ya.


**I guess to make a long post short - Do interviewing CAs really see GIA grads (not necessarily GIA FO's for years) as persona non grata, ie hands off, "he got the plague"???**

I and very many others would and though I'm not on any interview boards right now, you never know when I or someone like me will be.

If I was, I would make it so you understood what a disgrace you are and throw you the F$#k out. Then make the H.R. Dept. screen the resumes a little better so as to keep people who do these programs out of the interview all together.

Of course the choice is yours. After all, are people like me the extream or the norm?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Go to www.aptap.org.

It's a site for mil helo guys that are trying to go airlines. Between aptap and flightinfo you'll find everything you need.

A fellow army aviator at ASA has set up a program to get helo guys into ASA by flying fixed-wing. I think it's a ton better than Gulfstream, or just buying ME time. His name is Gabe-you'll see it there on APTAP. You can search under ASA or Gabe and find the info.

Cliff
GRB

PS-My kids thinks it's cool that on Army Men Air Attack he has done good enough to earn the right to fly an Apache now. He says they are the best helos!

 

[B190Captain]

**I guess to make a long post short - Do interviewing CAs really see GIA grads (not necessarily GIA FO's for years) as persona non grata, ie hands off, "he got the plague"???**

Hmm let's see. How many Airlines can I name that has HIRED former GIA Pilots? (Captains and FO's)

American
Delta
Continental
Northwest
Continental Express
ATA
United
Comair
ASA
ACA
Pinnacle ( NWAirlink)
AirTran
America West
Southwest
Skywest
Colgan
Cape Air
USAir and subsidiaries.
Air Midwest

Cargo:

Fedex
UPS
Gemini
Arrow

Corporate:

Executive Jet
Citation Shares

Even Delta Airlines sent their career FE's to GIA to get PIC and SIC time in the 1900 so they can transition to the MD-80 since they dumped their L-1011's.

Need I say more?

Good luck Apache.

 

[BoredToDeath]

Hmm let's see. How many Airlines can I name that has HIRED former GIA Pilots? (Captains and FO's)

American
Delta
Continental
Northwest
Continental Express
ATA
United
Comair
ASA
ACA
Pinnacle ( NWAirlink)
AirTran
America West
Southwest
Skywest
Colgan
Cape Air
USAir and subsidiaries.
Air Midwest

Cargo:

Fedex
UPS
Gemini
Arrow

Corporate:

Executive Jet
Citation Shares

Even Delta Airlines sent their career FE's to GIA to get PIC and SIC time in the 1900 so they can transition to the MD-80 since they dumped their L-1011's.

Need I say more?

Good luck Apache.

No one argues that the SCUMBAGS won't get hired eventually. HR people are idiots. But rest assurd that anyone who has or is willing to go to GIA, or anywhere else and pay for a job is a SCUMBAG.

Those of you that have PFT'd can feel safe at night knowing that you are, at least, one part of the problem in this industry.

And that bit about big D sending their FEs there, well I'll bet DELTA PAID FOR IT, NOT THE PILOTS!!

Yes you do need to say more. How bout you start with saying your SORRY for being a SCUMBAG.

 

[B190Captain]

No one argues that the SCUMBAGS won't get hired eventually. HR people are idiots. But rest assurd that anyone who has or is willing to go to GIA, or anywhere else and pay for a job is a SCUMBAG.

Those of you that have PFT'd can feel safe at night knowing that you are, at least, one part of the problem in this industry.

And that bit about big D sending their FEs there, well I'll bet DELTA PAID FOR IT, NOT THE PILOTS!!

Yes you do need to say more. How bout you start with saying your SORRY for being a SCUMBAG.

Oh well, since you lack intelligence and maturity, you now resort to insults. It's ok man just don't hurt yourself.

 

[BoredToDeath]

Oh well, since you lack intelligence and maturity, you now resort to insults. It's ok man just don't hurt yourself.

How much maturity and intelligence did it take for you to stab other more qualified pilots in the back by supporting PFT. You know what you did is wrong. Good Job SCUMBAG!

 

[B190Captain]

Bored to Death,


You want to cry some more? Go cry to your mommy. Insulting people on the internet is truly sad.

I almost feel sorry for you...NOT!!


Do they actually let you fly the plane? Scary thought.

 

[BoredToDeath]

Bored to Death,


You want to cry some more? Go cry to your mommy. Insulting people on the internet. Truly Sad.

Do they actually let you fly the plane? Scary thought.

Whats truly sad is that thats the best you could come up with. If you haven't noticed I'm not insulting people I'm insulting PFT'ers. There is a BIG difference. Remember your not a PERSON your a SCUMBAG.

How about I go cry to your mommy, and maybe she can give me TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS so that I can be just like you.

You and the rest of the PFT'ers are a waste of airspace.