Ram Air Freight update

[ilinipilot]

Hello
I was wondering if there is any current info on Ram Air Freight, hiring etc.
thanks
D

 

[upndsky]

I'm relatively new at RAF so I'm not going to pretend I know how to read the tea leaves there, but:

- In october, they had 2 classes. All 4 in the first class made it (myself included) although one has already given notice to go fly right seat in a corporate jet. The 2nd class just finished. It started with 5 although 1 dropped out halfway through. By Friday, 2 had already taken and passed their checkrides. The other 2 were scheduled to take theirs yesterday. Although I don't know the results, they more than likely passed. So that gives 7 newhires in the last month.

- There's been some attrition but not an exodus by any means. Jason Watson, who handles hiring, has said that he doesn't plan to start another class until January and I don't see that changing unless a bunch of guys suddenly leave.

As far as advice on how to get a job here, I can't help you. In my class, all of us had different backgrounds and experience levels. I haven't been here long enough to tell you what would help you or what would hurt you. I will say this: If you get the call and take the offer, have your instrument flying skill up to snuff BEFORE you show up here. The training here focuses on flying the Ram Air way, which means FAST. They don't have the time or the resources to teach you how to fly instruments. To give you an idea, my first week here flying the line I flew 18 hours, 11 of which were in actual and I shot 17 approaches, the majority of which were down to minimums.

So far, I really like the company. Everyone's been great and they've really made me feel at home. I have not felt any pressure to do or fly something I did not think was safe, provided you're reasonable with your expectations. This company has been in business for 20 years and has a good rapport with the FAA. You don't get this far by cutting lot's of corners or bending lots of rules.

Good Luck.

 

[ilinipilot]

Thanks for the info and please keep me updated.
Also,
what are they advertising as upgrade time to get to the twin.
thanks
D

 

[upndsky]

That depends on whether you want to stay in RDU or are willing to move to one of our out-stations. One guy in my class went straight to a Baron because he was willing to move to Hanover County near Richmond, VA. It's a sh!tty run with a lots of waiting but at least he's flying a twin.

Although they've not given a time frame, they told my class that it would be sooner than later before we get checked out in one of the twins. That doesn't mean we'll have a twin run, but we could fly backup if needed. I'd say in another 2 or 3 months, but that's just a guess. To be honest, I'm happy to flying the Lance for now while I get my feet wet. The twin will come in due course.

 

[DLconnection]

Does Ram Air Freight require new hires to sign a training agreement? Are the twins located in every outstation? How tough is it to get the base that u want? which ones are the most junior?
What are the future hiring plans like?

 

[upndsky]

There is no training contract. In fact, RAF encourages you to move on to bigger and better things. For example, requests for days off are first given to those who need it for airline interviews. The company is under no illusions as to why we are there. That's why the pay is low, but the experience is great.

Most of the flying is done from RDU. There are a handful of outstation but most only consist of one pilot and airplane type. Hanover County (OFP) near Richmond is the exception, I believe, with 4 or 5 pilots. The junior bases right now are Concord (JQF) near Charlotte and OFP. In my class, 2 went to OFP and in the latest class, 1 is going to OFP and 1 to JQF. Other stations, especially the ones that fly twins, go pretty senior. It really all depends on timing and your willingness to move. There are a number of us (like myself) who are married and settled in the area and will probably not bid for an outstation because we don't want to uproot our families.

One good thing about being outbased is that once you get it, the run is your's to keep. In other words, a senior pilot based in RDU can't bump you from your base. On the other hand, you can always bid back into RDU if a run is open.

As for hiring, read this thread. I've already explained it once.

 

[upndsky]

To clarify a point in my most recent reply, not all outstations are twins. JQF is a Lance while OFP is a mix of a Lance, Seneca and Baron. That's one reason why those two go very junior.

 

[DLconnection]

what kind of a base is LOU?

 

[upndsky]

LOU is a lone Seneca run and the pilot that flies it is halfway up the seniority list. I've not met him but I would assume he'll hold on to it until he moves on to another company. Unless he's dead-set on flying a Baron or C-402, there's not much incentive for him to move to RDU or some of the other stations. If the run does come open, it probably would not go to a new-hire.