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QOL at Airnet?

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Ilikeairplanes

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Posts
63
I have a interview coming up at Airnet. I also have one coming up at ASA. I realize a regional is a better place to work, but if that doesnt pan out I will take the job at airnet(if hired). Im just wonder how the QOL is? Is it hard working that night shift? What is a typical night like? Are you so freaking tired you have to sleep all weekend? It seems that this single pilot night IFR twin time would look excellent on a resume.. Seems like a great place to build some quality time fast.
 
Ilikeairplanes said:
Yeah but you work nights and you dont make much money at all...

Sorry dude, but if you cant stay up all night while on the clock or your worried about being tired after your done flying then flying for a career may not be for you? Most people are tired after they work and working nights is just part of the job....the money??..thats gone dude, will be for a LONG time. Go to Airnet...
 
Take the job at ASA. The way you asked the questions on this thread I can get the feel for your personality and you would fit the mold perfectly over at ASA. See you on the Sinca 3 Pal!!
 
I don't work for Airnet, but I do fly night freight. As far as the schedules go...yeah, they're at night. But you know what? You ADJUST to that. It sucks, but you have to sleep during the day. Flying at night can be pretty nice: less traffic, you get Direct nearly everywhere, nice view of the sky and shooting stars, and it's usually nice and smooth.

The run that I'm on right now has me leaving the airport around 7:30pm or so, fly 4 legs, done by about 8am. We have runs that are a few hours shorter too. As far as pay? Well, we all know Regionals pay shat the first year. A lot of cargo jobs pay equally shatty, but there are a lot of cargo gigs that will start you around $30k/yr, but generally you're going to need at least 2000TT and/or 500ME to get those.

As for QOL, well that does suck. I see my wife for maybe an hour each day and sometime, if I'm lucky enough, I make it home early enough to crawl in bed with her for a couple hours a night. From what I hear from everyone at the airlines though, the QOL can be equally as bad the first year. You never know how long you'll be on reserve and commuting (if you choose to) can be horrible.

Our planes all have stormscopes, but I don't know how many operators have them in their a/c. I'd rather have radar, but I'm not in the 'Van anymore. If you fly freight, you'll probably end up flying a beat up old turd of an airplane with no autopilot and no GPS and, if you're lucky, maybe an HSI. Fortunately, my company has equipped all our planes with VFR GPS, but I don't know how many companies do that.

Even though the schedule does kinda suck, I do enjoy flying freight. Single pilot, night, IFR and all the crappy weather that goes along with it will sharpen your skills. Like the others above me have said, you're not going to get rich no matter WHERE you go. Apply for what suits you best, do your time, then get out and find a nice, cush, high paying gig.........if you're lucky! :)
 
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Thanks for the reply.. Im just trying to get a feel for what flying night freight is like.. I love flying at night. Thats why I applied there
 
Airnet has one of the best fleets in the 135 cargo world. 85% of our props are equipped with GPS and radar. 95% of them are known icing certified and have great de-ice equipment. I flew the props for 14 months and never had a complaint at Airnet. The maintenance is second to none, everything gets fixed when squaked.

Airnet pay is very good compared to first and second year regional pay. I grossed about $35K my first year and would have grossed about $38K my second year. However, I moved to JetRide Private Charter and am now making $52K plus per diem.

Yes, the airplanes are old, but they are the best maintained in the industry. Most have GPS and those that don't have two NAV/COMS with DME. The schedules vary but the flying is great regardless. It make you an awesome pilot and you will not regret coming here.

If you feel like single-pilot IFR is not for you, then steer clear of Airnet! Upgrades to the Lear are still running about 10-14 months depending upon how picky you are with base selection. Good Luck!
 
i heard they make you fly through ice and thunderstorms.;)
 
extra dough...

Overtime and 5th days are where most people make the extra $$. All runs are scheduled 4 days (usually Mon-Thur) and if your run flies on an extra day, it's all overtime.
 
jaybird said:
i heard they make you fly through ice and thunderstorms.;)

I used to work at Airnet and have been through a few thunderstorms and a couple of good winter storms. All I can say is that there is a huge learning curve. You will get valuable real life experience flying in all kinds of weather. As far as the "making you fly" statement which I will assume was sarcasm, in two years I only had two situations where I refused to fly through something. Obviously the flights were not canceled, I just left when I felt comfortable. To quote the dispatcher, "Just let us know when you are leaving." No preasure or anything. Now if I said I wanted to wait because my destination was 100 and 1/2 then that would be a different story but I think when the METAR says FC they won't mind if you wait a bit.
 

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