Life at Ram Air Freight ?

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Col Angus, if I knew what you know back then I would have traded my DC-3 job to fly at RAM. Plus there was this one chick that worked there........

 

[CFIIer]

I just had my phone interview with Ram last week, and I could have swore that I heard the lady say that pay starts at $60 a day. Does this sound right to anyone else, because that doesn't seem like enough to live on?

Thanks

 

[spitfire1940]

what he said...

yeah, could one of you RAM guys pick up on the question about pay?

Is it comparable to Airnet? From what I've gathered talking to Star Checkers, those guys make low to mid 30s when all is said and done with over time.

 

[upndsky]

If I had just one complaint about Ram during my time there, it would be the pay.

Runs pay between $60 to $90/day. If you're "out-based" -- that is, anywhere other than RDU -- you'll make $80-$90, plus you'll also be in a twin. So it's in your favor if you are flexible and willing to move to where the good runs are. If you are based in RDU, you'll start in the Lance at $60/day. Newhires are placed where they're needed, but usually start in RDU. Again, it all depends on timing. And just like the airlines, everything is based on seniority.

After six months, you get a 10% raise. At 1 year, you get another 10%. After 2 years, you get paid max pay ($90 + 20%) no matter what the run normally pays.

Airnet pays more, but they also work longer hours in general. Our runs start around 2 p.m. and get done by 7 or 8 p.m., so the hours are really good for a freight company. At Airnet, you'll probably be seeing the back side of the clock more often.

Yes, the pays sucks but look at it as a primer of what's to come. I was at Ram for nearly 2 years and took a pay cut to come to my present employer.

 

[spitfire1940]

upndsky,

thanks for the great reply.

what are the odds of getting IAD or BWI as an out base? My wife would divorce/kill me for moving to RDU for $60 a day.

 

[upndsky]

Actually, BWI is now a pilot domicile, although the map doesn't show it (yet). The IAD run is flown out of RIC.

As far as holding BWI, it's hard to say. It all depends on when the pilot flying that run moves on and if there's someone more senior at the company who wants it. It has the longest day of any run in the company, so it's not the most desirable unless you want to live in that area, which you apparently do.

Talk to Jerome, the CP, and tell him your concerns. He'll have a better feel for how things are over there, since I only drop by occasionally to visit.