Kalitta Air ?'s

[The Clash]

To all Kalitta (747) folks:

I'm starting ground school on June 6, and I was wondering if you guys could help out with some questions?

1. Do most people stay at the Candlewood Suites during ground school at YIP? I've heard that they treat our guys pretty good when we stay there. Anybody hear anything bad?

2. The "welcome" paperwork says to plan on 32 days for the hotel stay. Is that 32 days straight, i.e. about 1 month, or is that 32 days of M-F ground school, i.e. 6 to 7 weeks? I'm just trying to figure out my hotel expenses.

3. I see there is a TA and voting starts soon. What is the feeling on the line - will it pass or no, or does it seem too close to tell? What are some of the gripes so far on the new TA?

4. Did any new hires get their schedule for training before they arrived, or did you get it in class?

We'll start with those for right now. Thanks for the help and I look forward to seeing you guys on line!

The Clash

 

[mtnflyer]

1. Only one guy stayed at the candlewood in my class i think. No complaints, said everything was great there

2. First two weeks are M-F with weekends off, next two weeks are M-Sa with only Sunday off. Last week is M-? whenever you finish your exit oral.

3. TA probably won't pass the first time round from what i'm hearing. Wording isn't strong enough on some key issues.

4. Sim schedule should be handed out sometime week 1 or 2

Good Luck!

 

[Floyd R. Turbo]

Another option for lodging is the Red Roof Inn in Belleville. Tell them you are with Kalitta and the rate is 29.99 a night, and the entire place is a T-Mobile wireless hotspot. If you sign up for the Red Roof's Redicard deal, you'll end up with enough credit for two free nights.

Have fun.....

 

[HVYDRVR]

How's the quality of life at Kalitta?

Hey guys (and gals) of Kalitta.

Just got the call for an interview. Any gouge on how things go for that and how's the QOL at Kalitta? How about the commuting to and from work?

Thanks for the replies and hope to see you on the road!

HVYDRVR

 

[CWI]

The Clash,

Welcome to Kalitta Air and your new position.

In the state of MI if you stay in a hotel more than 30 days in a row all the taxes are refunded to you.

So make sure your stay is at least 30 days if you want a refund.

Ask them about it when you check in.

As far as Interview info just do a search on Kalitta, Flyer74 or CWI. You should find answers to most of your questions.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Hey guys (and gals) of Kalitta.

Just got the call for an interview. Any gouge on how things go for that and how's the QOL at Kalitta? How about the commuting to and from work?

Thanks for the replies and hope to see you on the road!

HVYDRVR

There is also gouge on the aviation interviews website.
www.aviationinterviews.com

 

[The Clash]

Thanks for the info...

Guys,

I just wanted to say thanks for the info. CWI - thanks for the heads up on the hotel tax. I had no idea that MI had that policy. mtnflyer - thanks for the sked rundown. It helps to give me an idea of what to expect during training and how long it'll be. Floyd - I have a list of all the hotels in the area from HR and that Red Roof is listed in there, but for an extra $10, I can get a small kitchen by staying at the Candlewood Suites. In the long run, I feel that the kitchen will help instead of eating out everyday. I guess they also have free hispeed internet, so that will help.

I have some more questions for you guys on the line:

1. Do any of you use calling cards while on the road and being int'l? If so, where can you find cheap ones. Is internet easily accessible while on the road? Do you bring your own laptop or use a hotel computer? Do only certain ISP providers work in Europe and Asia? (I have SBC/Yahoo)

2. Where are some of the usual crew change points? I know that the sked is constantly changing, but I'm sure there are some cities where you can expect to overnight.

3. How many hrs credit can one expect on avg? Are you lucky to get up to guarantee, or can you get over guarantee on a normal tour? (only give me an answer for a 17 day tour - no vol. overtime here!)

4. What has been your easiest leg and what has been your longest day? Just wanted to get an idea of what int'l 121 supplemental flying has in store for me.

Thanks guys for all the info! Looking forward to meeting you guys.

The Clash

 

[Afterprop]

Housing @ Ground School

Welcome,
Last year a few of us brought air mattresses and rented a two bedroom corporate efficiency apartment at Bellridge Apartments for 30 days and used it like a crash pad. For the four of us, we paid just $10/night. Helped out with the study as well. Our time to drive to Kalitta was about 10 minutes. We went back to our apartment a couple of times on our lunch breaks, but most of the time we brown bagged it.

We also had several guys stay at the Candlewood -- they were treated nicely, and the apartments are nice, but you do pay for that. The driving time from the Candlewood is ~20-25 minutes.

QOL - if you're flying, life is good. Sitting at a hotel is not so good.

Answers correlate to your most recent questions -- IMHO, no warranties implied expressed or otherwise intentioned.
1. I use ATT Calling cards for emergencies; otherwise email. Internet accessibility depends on the location/hotel. Normally you can get hi-speed every two/three days for free (more often if you're willing to pay.) Get a lap top -- most of the guys use electronic pubs now. Not sure about the ISPs . . . Overseas you just get connected and go (I use Hotmail.)
2. It does depend upon the flexible schedule, but anticipate EWR, JFK, PANC, VHHH, RKSI, OBBI, EHAM, plus others; but these are the main ones.
3. Flt hours for last six months starting with May and going to December --
~ 71, 75, 66, 43, 66, 87 (no days off flying)
4. Eye opening and closing, no pun intended. Longest was Part 91 LAX to RKSI ~ over 13 hours.
Cheers

And its all about mass management.

 

[The Clash]

Thanks...

Thanks for the info Afterprop. Lots of good stuff. Are there any layovers at ORD? Also, how often do you sit days upon end in a hotel while on the road? Does it seem to be maybe 2 days then off you go, or can there be longer stays at some places? I know that the schedule is very flexible and will change, just trying to satisfy curiousity. Thanks!

The Clash

 

[nosewheel]

The Clash

Very rarely are there layovers in ORD. Due to the incompetence of the Chief Scheduler your time in a hotel can be hour's or several days. If you ever get to fly your assigned line you may not stay more than a couple days in the hotel and this of coarse depends on which line you have. One in sevens will be issued at the discretion of screw sheduling and not in any particular order. Have fun.