Ram Air Freight is looking for pilots

[Way2Broke]

Quick, huh? I'll keep telling myself that since I just signed the multi upgrade contract for a year...ugh.

You signed a year contract at Ram Air for a twin?

 

[unreal]

Quick, huh? I'll keep telling myself that since I just signed the multi upgrade contract for a year...ugh.

Hey, at least you GOT that upgrade. I'm an MEI, but they still thought I was unqualified to be in that class. I keep telling myself it's just the dual given insurance requirements, but it's still a kick in the face. Yay, more single-engine piston time in my logbook.

By the way, I wouldn't care as much if there weren't people from my new-hire class in there.

 

[bulletto]

Good stepping stone

Places like Ram Air are businesses that primarily fly bank checks. They hire folks that have 135 mins. Most pilots need a place like Ram to build multi time. I know Ram has a good safety record and offers a real path to PIC competentcy. These gurus that act like Ram is an evil bottom feeder or a poor career choice are full of it. Either choice has it's merits, but the Ram type job will surely make you a better pilot by the time you go to the coveted regional job.

 

[MrPink1911]

Either choice has it's merits, but the Ram type job will surely make you a better pilot by the time you go to the coveted regional job.

I am sure that was said in jest, and not to pile on regional jobs, but if anyone with a pulse and 600 hours can get a regional job, I would hardly call it coveted.....

 

[Way2Broke]

NTSB Identification: MIA05LA116.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Nonscheduled 14 CFR Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter
Accident occurred Tuesday, May 31, 2005 in Fort Myers, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/29/2006
Aircraft: Piper PA-32R-300, registration: N333TG
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.The pilot stated that no abnormalities were noted during a thorough preflight inspection or during the walk around. The takeoff roll and initial climb were uneventful, at about 300 feet above the ground, the top cowling of the engine separated and struck the right side of the windshield and the right side of the horizontal stabilator. The pilot returned to the airport and landed without further incident. The center portion of the top engine cowling was not recovered. The right portion of the top engine cowling separated in-flight but was recovered, and the left portion of the top engine cowling remained attached to its two latch points. Examination of the right portion of the cowling revealed that the forward latch was broken and separated in half. Both the forward and aft latches were bent, twisted aft, and canted aft. Examination of the left portion of the cowling revealed no apparent damage to the latches. The accident airplane had a previous incident on October 22, 2003, in which the top engine cowling separated during climb out and impacted the windshield. The airplane returned to the airport and landed without further incident also. Examination of the maintenance records revealed that following the incident in 2003, the top engine cowling was replaced by a cowling which had accumulated 11,800 flight hours at the time of the replacement. That cowling subsequently had actions performed to it, including two repairs of the fiberglass structure accomplished on July 7, 2004 and September 14, 2004. The latter of these repairs addressed a crack at the forward area of the top cowling.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
Inadequate maintenance and repair of the engine top cowling by company maintenance personnel, resulting in failure and separation of the cowling in flight.

There is also these accidents, which were package planes which of course is now part of RamEx.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=48039&highlight=package+Express+crash

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=19254&highlight=package+Express+crash

Bulleto,

My point being is that Ram Air does not have a "good safety record" however they do have one consistent with the type of flying they do considering how many flight operations the complete every day and the age of the equipment.

I will say that I am good friends with one Mechanic that was a ex package guy in Concord and he is a great guy and a great mechanic. Maybe things have gotten better, but right after the package buy out it was tough times. Lots and lots of MX and training issues back then. I can not attest to today.

 

[Cadillac]

Thanks for posting that, WayTooBroke!

I was the pilot of the previous cowling separation in that airplane. I still have the remaining piece of the cowling that stayed on. I'm amazed the plane had the exact same thing happen again. Hopefully the third time isn't the "charm."

RAM was fun flying, I'm on a barbie jet now, and miss the flying at cargo, but not the pay. Invaluable experience and confidence.

How's it going, AEWannabe. Long time no see : )

 

[molson247]

You're my new role model. I think I've been stressing this whole "where to go?" thing too much. One day I'm all about 135 freight, the next I want to go fly for a regional. I guess I should just let nature takes its course too. I've got about a year before I start seriously submitting apps, but a year goes by quick!

I'm in the same boat. But im 200 hours away from 135 mins. My final goal is a job with Netjets or a Major. Do majors hire freight guys without 121 experience or is there a disadvatage to flying freight for future jobs?

 

[Trogdor]

Ram has a good safety record overall. One incident that you guys can bring up and that's it.

I don't understand everyone who is in such a rush to mash buttons on an autopilot. You are going to be flying airplanes for a long time, why not get some real experience and fly something without an autopilot for a while. Also, if the only decisions you have ever made as a pilot were cross-checked by your flight instructor or some other guy sitting next to you, you are going to make a bad captain some day.

 

[Trogdor]

I'm in the same boat. But im 200 hours away from 135 mins. My final goal is a job with Netjets or a Major. Do majors hire freight guys without 121 experience or is there a disadvatage to flying freight for future jobs?

It would be very hard to get a job at a major without prior 121 experience, unless of course your dad is the chief pilot.

 

[Blueliner]

I have to add this... Ram Air now has a contract... The way I understand it you sign 6 months when get hired and another 6 months when you upgrade to a twin. If you are going to sign a 1 year contract and not get paid squat why not go somewhere where you will not get paid squat and go right into a turbine twin, or at the very least a twin. I just can't fathom signing a training contract to fly a single engine piston....pretty lame.

Pass the inital ride-$1000 bonus (taxed) and a 6 month prorated contract.

Pass multi transition-Inital contract nullified, 6 month prorated contract and $1000 (taxed) bonus at the end.

$1000 and a raise at the one year anniversary of your initial.