OK now for the other side. Hillybillyplt obviosly has one of our good ATR runs. Domestically there are only two runs that fly, overnight in a hotel and fly back the next morning. Most runs start in an outstation fly to Memphis or Indy, sit for 3-5 hours in the crew lounge with all the other zombies and fly back to the outstation. Sleep in a hotel during the day, and repeat. All new FO's are floaters and there hasn't been a base bid that anyone with low seniority could get in a while. As a floater you leave your house Monday AM, travel to the outstation, and go to work Monday night. If you are on a 4 day run you will sit reserve on the fifth day at the outstation. Travel home Saturday AM and have Saturday afternoon and Sunday off, repeat for 4-6 weeks and hope for a week of reserve or the rare week off to rest up. Not trying to be negative, I do it and I do not mind it, but as a new hire FO your life will not be cushy. We higher seniority FO's are waiting to take the first cushy run that opens up.
If you want to go to MAC try to get the Caravan first then go to the ATR. You take your Caravan pay with you and it's much higher than FO pay. Check out www.airlinepilotcentral.com for the pay scale.
As far as upgrading it's whatever and whoever the company needs and wants. Senority is good for bidding vacation only. That being said the company has been good to me and I enjoy working here. My only gripe would be the family health insurance is very high- $520 per month.
FedEx is making money hand over fist so the job security is good considering this environment. Everyone I've worked with has been cool and you can work in Carribean if you want as well as South America.
The F27 is a dying breed. There are 5 routes now shrinking to 2 in the next
few months. Expect the Van or ATR. If you get the van as an option, TAKE IT.
You'll get into the ATR soon enough, and at higher pay.
So let's say you come to mountain from another 135 outfit. With less than 10 multi, but plenty of 135 and some caravan time, is there even the possibility that they'll upgrade you to the ATR with van payrates?
Tough question. I'd say yes based on senority once you were on property but you may need to ask the 121 pilot manager that specific question to get the real answer.
Thanks for the prompt response. I should have been clearer, in re-reading my post. I've no van time as of now. Let's just say that where I am now, flying the van for 6 months or even a year doesn't sound so bad if it will end in a multi-turbine upgrade at a liveable wage. I'm just trying to figure out whether or not a lack of any significant multi time will prevent that from happening, even after said Caravan service to Mountain. As you said, this is probably a question for the 121 chief pilot. Thanks again.
To be blunt, you go where you are needed. If a base is available, you can
bid it. If not, you'll be a floater, and you'll go to whatever airport that is
short a pilot.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.