Mountain Air Questions

[generaltso]

What are pilot bases?

Do many of the runs have overnights?

Is it mainly PM flying?

How long for multi turbine PIC upgrade?

Thanks guys

 

[CaptElmo]

Dear General, responding to your questions; The pilot bases are where the a/c are located or in certain cities if you are a floater pilot. Most of the flying is at night except the Caribbean runs. There are a couple of overnights, specially in the Fokker runs. The upgrade to multi-engine PIC... well it can be kind of tricky. The easiest way would be, to be hired initially as a C-208 captain and when the bid comes out for the Fokker(or ATR pretty soon) to make the bid. If you are hired to the right seat of the F-27, your route to upgrade would be longer, since the company requires F-27 f/o s to spend a year in the Caravan before they can upgrade to PIC in the F-27. Hope this answers your questions!!!

Elmo

 

[sewerpiper]

Capt Elmo,
What is the story with the brazil runs? Is it a junior place? When would they start hiring again do you think?
Thanks

 

[CaptElmo]

Dear Sewerpiper:
The Brazil runs are Fokker runs. We got two one that does Buenos Aires Campinas(Sao Paulo) and the other one that goes Campinas Buenos Aires. The F-27 will be replaced with ATR 72. As far as the pilot corp, you have a little bit of everything. Older guys that are capts. on the Fokker who like their runs and don't wanto to go anywhere else (like anybody could these days anyway=)).But you also have younger guys as capts. and f/o on the Fokker as well as in the C-208 and the Shorts. As far as hiring, I am not really sure but it better be sometime soon (just my opinion) because we are a bit short of people, at least in the Fokker. I couldn't tell you in the Caravan or Shorts side of the house(Part 135). Hope these answers you questions.

Elmo

 

[skyride56]

MAC bases:
sgf, bna, lft, lck, mem, ind, mia, ewn, bqn

F27 PIC:
I've been in the F27 for over 3 years now and there has been only one person move from the caravan to the left seat in the F27. The rest of the new captains come from the street. Because MAC doesn't have a union and FEDEX is their customer their main concern is keeping costs down. Unfortunately its cheaper to pay someone off the street 1st year captain pay as opposed to 4 year captain pay to someone who spent 2 years in the right seat of the F27 then 2 years in the caravan. The only movement I've seen is from SIC to that caravan. Believe it or not, there are caravan drivers bidding SIC slots in the ATR.

If your hired as an ATR or F27 FO, MAC is a good company to work for if your content to building SIC in the ATR/F27or PIC in the caravan. Right now the latest FO's are going on 3-5 months without a week off with no relief in sight. They are being floated out of their homes, which is very good for them, unfortunately their only home for 8-10 days a month.

good luck,

SR