Q's for Ameristar pilots...

[CFINY]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some info about Ameristar Jet Charter, such as pay scale for CPT's and FO's, upgrade, do they type FO's, bases, minimums for FO's, possibility of commuting, lets say from NYC to any of the bases, quality of life in general, etc.

Thank you very much.

 

[pilotyip]

If it was any good

If it was any good, they would post it on their web site so you could make an informed decision. From what I have heard 18K for DA-20/L J F/O and 36K for Captain. I would be glad to have anyone correct any false statements I may have made here.

 

[aa30]

pilotyip,

i was just noticing that those same items aren't listed on your company's website either.

 

[PilotAg]

Pilotyip, you are a trip. CFINY - FOs will make around 28K and CPTs around 45K firsy year. With mileage, you could make a little more. Upgrades are hard to guess at due to the slow business. On average, it takes about a year and a half. No types for FOs. Bases are ADS, ELP, and YIP. Mins are 1500 total 500 multi. Commutting is difficult but possible. At least 50% of the pilots don't live at thier base. Life quality is hard to measure, it all depends on who you ask. The schedule is 10 on and 4 off. If you live at your base, you will be home more. If you don't, you are definetely going to be gone for 10+ days from your home every two weeks. Hope this helps. Ameristar is hiring now.

 

[pilotyip]

Thank you for your correction

But your wages are still not competitve as posted, at USA Jet DA-20 pilots 1st F/O 44K, with extra hours 38-40 K, our 1st yr capts are at at 47K, but we have no 1st year Capts because of no turnover, our average DA-20 Capt is about 55K-60K. If one of pilots misses a day off, he gets 4 hours additonal pay added to his guarentee. How are you medical benfits, rumors going around about cut backs in those benes, this is causing turnover and resultant hiring.

 

[wingnutt]

Re: Thank you for your correction

But your wages are still not competitve as posted

im sorry, but when did the conversation turn to "we are better than you"??? if you guys were hiring, it would hold a little more water, but since you're not...

...i musta missed some thing

 

[PilotAg]

Like I said, PilotYip is a trip. My dad can beat up your dad. Whatever.

 

[pilotyip]

no one is going anywhere

Can Ameristar say the same thing?

 

[Buckeye]

Just curious to what the current state of Ameristar really is? I watch flight view, I see the parked aircraft at ADS, ELP, and YIP. I heard that were running low on funds. I know they made a killing back in the days of Kittyhawk and they invested well and were getting very high yeilds on their investments and were gonna try to run a lot of the 135 companies out by bidding low...etc...etc...etc. Now that they have been at it for awhile over four years I was curious to how they keep a float? Is it true that the DC-9s aren't flying? what about the 737 coming up for C check, is it gonna be parked? And how is RVSM gonna affect you guys. And does anyone know how in the he!! Grandaire is able to continue to operate?

 

[PilotAg]

Pilotyip - Did you want to work for Ameristar at some time and were turned down? I don't understand your beef with them. I work there and I have yet to post anything negative about USA Jet. CFINY wanted info and you turned it into some penis measuring contest. I have always noticed that people who give unwarrented negativety towards someone else tend to lack self-assurance.

Anyway, Buckeye - things have picked up significantly. I am not ready to say we are out of it yet, but it has been a very busy end of July and August so far. Every company is running low on funds to a point, but we are holding our own. We will see how the rest of the year pans out. One 9 is flying, two are in inspection. None of the 737s are parked, they are both flying. I really don't know about the RVSM yet, I am not sure what they are going to do. I REALLY haven't figured out Grand Aire.

 

[CFINY]

More q's...

Hi all,

PilotAg, thanks very much for the info.
I have few more q's for you:
- what destinations you guys flying to, from each base?
- what's your average flight time a day, a month?
- how is the training, and where it take place?
- how is the process of changing bases?
- if someone commute, how expensive is to live at the base?

I gues that's it for now.

Best regards.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Ameristar has an ad on flightlevel350.com for Capt/FOs in WIllow Run, and FOs in El Paso. They need them for classes in Sep.

CLiff
DTW

 

[vagabond04]

cfiny,

I worked my tail off at Ameristar for 9 mos. I made less than 19K in those 9 mos. The salary ramps up to (at the time it was 26K) full bore.
You will not neccessarily get home more if you live in domicile...after 8 days on the road, a trip will end in Toledo, and they will not allow you to 91 it to yip (50 miles, maybe) to see your family. There is no quality of life issues to speak of, you are at the mercy of the company at all times. And they usually don't care much. You will be going to bed after a long day when the pager goes off to start a 19 hour day at work. You will be so fatigued that you will be in the FBO and not remember landing.

Even though it was the most miserable period in my career, I will say this: The flying is pretty cool. From all domiciles you will cover the coasts and no part of Mexico or Canada is off limits.

Some good guys work there, and some crazy cowboys. I made some good friends there (and lost a few too). Bottom line is you must be prepared to stay put for a long time wherever you go in this industry right now. It is not a romantic job. I dont think any freight is. Just say goodby to your life as you live it in NY until you can get a good job.

good luck...but be patient with your decisions.

 

[justmeinmsp]

I will completely second what Vagabond04 said. If you are single it will be more to your liking. I lived in YIP and hardly ever made it home during a trip. Leave for 10 days and go everywhere BUT YIP.

 

[Scube3]

how Grand Aire stays a float...

Grand Aire doesn't only fly freight. They are also freight brokers. I even think they have their own trucks. I am sure that's helping them out to survive....till they change their name (that's what I hear)

 

[Xfr8dog]

So Cliff are you jumping ship for Ameristar? hahaha just kidding. That would be sheer insanity. : - )

 

[atpcliff]

Hi TF!

Yeah, that's my plan, to go from USAJ to AMeristar!

Seriously, I'm trying really hard to get into the -9s right now to get more days off.

Hope U R good!

Cliff
GRB

 

[72Longhorn]

Ameristar

Does anyone here know if Ameristar ever began that ground school class that was supposed to start sometime in September??

If so, how many guys did they pick up?

I'm just curious.

Longhorn

 

[AZaviator]

Yep, it began the first week of Sept. 7 people in the class, but now they're down to 6.