Ram Air Express??

[kmunnpilot1]

Does anyone know anything about Ram Air Express out of Raleigh, NC? What flight time is competitive for them? Are their pilots happy there or not?

 

[Snakum]

Just what I heard - so take it with a grain of salt ...

135 mins are mandatory (of course) and they still like to hire right around this time. Low multi-time is a big plus with them as well because they figure you'll bolt as soon as you have an ATP and 200 - 300 hours multi.

Without exception, every pilot I have ever talked to over there has had nothing but positive things to say about them. I'm sure they have their whiners, too, but as long as you fully understand that it's a low-paying, entry-level night freight gig with no turbine equipment you'll be fine. I haven't met a d!ckhead from Ram Air yet (and I've met many of their pilots over the last four years), but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Seems like a great group of guys and gals.

I'd go in a heartbeat to get out from under this desk but I can't feed the kiddies on what they pay. Definitely my loss.

Minh

 

[kmunnpilot1]

Sounds like exactly what I need to get my foot in the door of this industry. Thanks for the info!

 

[wingnutt]

Ram Air Freight is always looking for quality candidates for pilot positions. We are currently not hiring until January 1st 2003. Minimums Pilots must meet the FAR Part 135.243 flight time requirements for single-pilot IFR 1200 Total Time 500 Cross Country (point to point, not necessarily over 50nm) 100 Night 75 IMC or Simulated IMC, with 50 in actual flight (i.e., can only count 25 hours of simulator time) However, ideal candidates must also have: legal right to work and live in the United States the current ability to fly on instruments the attitude to fly an approach to minimums in poor weather Those applicants not meeting the above, need not apply. If you are still interested in working for Ram Air Freight, you must read our FAQ page regarding hiring practices, training, and life at our company. Certain situations may require applicants to pass a pre-employment flight check

 

[upndsky]

All the posts above are pretty spot on. I've been with RAF since the end of October and have flown 400 hours since then. This week, I begin cross-training in the Baron, although I'll continue to fly a Lance for the foreseeable future.

So far the experience has been great. Everyone is friendly and the maintenance is very good, considering we're flying around in ragged-out 20 to 30 year-old airplanes. Squawks are always fixed and we rarely fly with deferred items. Lances don't fly when they know it's going to ice and I've haven't been pressured yet to fly in conditions I consider unsafe. Having said that, you are expected to fly to the limits the FARs allow, so don't whine or back out because the weather is 100-1/2.

The only negative about this job, as one of the previous posters said, is the very low pay. But the experiences you gain here as a pilot can't be beat. And this is not lost on airline recruiters.

As far as applying, you must do so through the web site at http://www.ramairfreight.com. And as with any job in this industry these days, a recommendation from a current or former RAF pilot will greatly improve your chances.