Interview W/ Boston-Maine Airways soon

[Aerosurfer]

I just recieved word I have an interview with Bos-Maine Airways coming up in the next few days? They are hiring into Casa 212 for Cargo In Puerto Rico. Any past experiences with them? what to look for in the interview? besides the mainstuff? How is puerto rico/ carribbean lifestyle? I lived down in Fl so I am very used to the warm wx and beach. any input would be great

 

[teedub]

rico

I know nada about bmaine but did spend a year in rico flying cargo and pax.......
you will love it if you like beaches and hot wx
the pilot cadre hang out around isla verde, an area v.close to the sju airport (the other one is isla grande actually in san juan proper but thats another story)...also american eagle have a big base and are good source of crashpads/apt social life etc etc....the island is very easily accessed thru basically us style roads and freeways although the inner areas "la isla" is like a latin american hill country, which is great or sucks depending apoun your view of life....

best way to scope out apts is to drive around isla verde. ocean park, condado or even old san juan and look for signs (se aquilla or for rent in english)

flying is 365 vfr and the general flow is afternoon rush to the usa out of sju.....san juan radar is very good and the whole area is much more laid back than us flying.....most of the feds there are ex local 135 operators and know the deal so as long as you keep your nose clean all will be well......

it generally easy to jumpseat out of sju than back to it....the sju airport is again a laid back affair.....I loved it all and if i could have made 50 or 60K would have considered staying......not sure your marital status but lets just say pr ladies are accurately described as drop dead beautifull........

good luck with the interview and if you make it down there go enjoy a beer at lupis bar, listen to the departures on rwy8 or 10 and welcome to the club!!

 

[ArcherB]

what is the cost of living like in Puerto Rico. Is it expensive to get an apartment etc... ?

 

[RideTheWind]

I just did a search on "Boston-Maine Airways" using the search function at the top of the page and got a wealth of info from people that have either worked for BMA or interviewed with them, give it a shot, you can usually get all kinds of info on anything buy searching.

 

[F-eagle]

Teedub,
Not to give you a hard time, but, you must love fat chicks.
Aerosurfer,
In PR the girls have a little thing called PHD!! It is a scientific fact that when 80% of PR females reach the age of 21 there a$$'s become enormous. I'm not joking, ask any Eagle pilot they will back me up, actually %80 is conservitive so they may disagree with that figure. Oh ya, PHD means Puerto Rican hip disease. As far as the other 20%go, 10% are ugly, but the other 10% are some of the most beautiful women in the world. Back to the negative, SJU is dirty, the people are lazy, and the beaches suck. Positive, easy going, lots of partying, and there is nothing better than taking a Sunday drive through SJU, what a rush. Now thats off my chest I must say congrats!!! I know nothing about Boston Maine Airways, but, an interview these days is something to be very proud of, and is very valuable experience.
The PR is an experience I wouldn't take back for anything, but, I am single. for the best info post something on www.eaglelounge.com You don't need to be an Eagle pilot to post, we welcome everyone.

 

[Aerosurfer]

Really appreciate the input. Ya I am defiantely the Beach/Sun Buffett easy going type of person and luckily Single! So it seems to be my type of atmosphere, the BMA will be operating out of Aguadilla of the other side of the island. Some one mentioned cost of living.... Can someone please give an input on that one. What did you do do for transportation. Buy a car there or have yours shipped over? I know I am very excited about this opportunity (the interview) and what could be a great lifestyle change (PR).

Any CASA 212 drivers out there, what is your input on flying that plane

Thanks again for the input and keep it coming


Darn Cubs, but what a great Game!!!!!!

 

[RideTheWind]

Are you interviewing for a captain or first officer? Sounds like a good opportunity if they're gonna type you right away.

 

[Aerosurfer]

Right Seat CASA, forgot to ask about the type. After doing a search Im a little freaked out about a possible 5 year contract!!! Ouch! Anyone know if they still require this? The guy on the phone said the Casa/PR base was permanent and didnt mention the J31 or any soon upgrades. Any how Im still N/A for Capt just yet

 

[RideTheWind]

What do you mean by n/a for captain?
To fly as captain all you need are the 135 ifr minimums, 1200 tt and a few others, don't remember exactly.

Found a pic of an old American Eagle Casa-212
http://airliners.net/open.file?id=1...NEb25uZWxs=MjAwMS0wNS0wNA==&static=yes&size=L

cockpit
http://airliners.net/open.file?id=3...NEb25uZWxs=MjAwMy0wNi0yNA==&static=yes&size=L

http://airliners.net/open.file?id=3...NEb25uZWxs=MjAwMy0wMS0yOA==&static=yes&size=L

 

[Aerosurfer]

whoops you are right, I was thinking ATP

 

[nipopolis]

I just looked at http://www.bmairways.com/ and they show an 18 month contract under the employment section. Good luck.

 

[OviedoBob]

In the past 4 weeks or so, BMA has furloughed at least 10, maybe as many as 14 pilots. The Puerto Rico Casa thing is dead. The J-31s are operating in PR, but with the furlough list, it may be a while before hiring resumes.

Still awaiting FAA approval to operate B-727s on the Boston Maine certificate. Yes pilots have been identified for the initial classes. They are all street capts with previous 727 time and the management people at BMA.

I was under the impression the J-31 pilots had a 5 year prorated training contract. The initial 727 pilots (whenever that happens) will incur a 18 month contract.

Of course the furloughees don't have to pay the contract.

 

[Capn Sac]

Turbine 135 Capt needs ATP , no? Shipping a car from Florida is about $800 bucks. Pulic transportation is unreliable. Cheap BEER and easy women.

 

[chperplt]

Last time I checked, BMA was 121, not 135...

 

[Dan]

Don't waste your time at Boston Maine..they fly junk..they keep there planes in **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ty shape...I know 2 mech. and 4 pilots there..Fact.5 year contract and after the 5th yr you still end up paying them money for training if you bail!

 

[yaks]

B & M

You don't want to work for them. Owned and operated by Tim Mellon (yes those Mellons) and with 14 billion dollars they still don't pay **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** and won't spend a cent to market or improve their **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ty operating record. They are starting up the former Pan Am operation as Boston and Maine so they can break the union who got fed up with the annual furlough and **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ty treatment. Don't waste your time.

 

[PSM727]

B-M has a 135 certificate as well as a 121 certificate. They actually started with two CASAs on the 135 cert flying freight in '99, then got Jetstreams the next year, flew charter 135 pax with them, and then got approved after that for a 121 cert. I used to instruct on the CASA there and it is a good airplane for what it does. Takes off and lands real short, very maneuverable, holds four pallets, but it's very loud and cold in the winter (no prob in PR of course).

You don't need an ATP to fly freight PIC. Just 1200 hrs along with the other req in 135.

 

[JetScreamDriver]

Thought they were furloughing guys...

We just interviewed some of their furloughed J31 folks.

They didn't have super things to say about BMA's MX or the condition of the planes. Take the interview and good luck though.

Anything you can get now a days you know.