Trans Exec at KVNY

[English]

SNA-Regency Air (New company, sounds like a good operation with 3 new Beechjets)

The owner of Regency Air is a friend of mine. They've been around for a few years now. Top notch organization all the way! And, the owner is the nicest guy you could hope to work for. However, my friend is looking to fly something with legs like a Gulfstream.

 

[English]

LGB-Presidential Air (Former investor of PacificJet didn't like what was going on at PJ and started his own company)

I thought Presidential Aviation in LGB was just the West Coast branch of the Florida Presidential Aviation?

 

[PseudoName]

I thought Presidential Aviation in LGB was just the West Coast branch of the Florida Presidential Aviation?

Yes, however, the story I got was that Pacific Jet bought Presidental.....but then after some time....the "good" owner parted ways and is running Presidential.

As far as your friends that want legs of a Gulfstream.....with 600 hours, hey if the smaller stuff isn't good enough for them when their commercial certificate still has wet ink, then they deserve Pacific Jet.

 

[English]

No, my friend has several thousand hours in large jet aircraft. The guy with 600 hours is superpilot's friend.

 

[Ace-of-the-Base]

Pacific Jet

ACE-I flew charter out of KVNY for two years. I'm not really up on what goes on there anymore. I used to run into pilots from Pac Jet when I lived in Van Nuys and the stories they told me were worse than anything I've read here. The Feds know about this stuff but choose to look the other way.

A couple of years ago someone sent me photos of a Gulfstream that Pacific Jet flew thru a hail storm. Took out the windshield and all of the leading edges. One of the scariest things I've ever seen. Now I have a bunch of time in Gulfstream and I've had plenty of copilots that could fly the plane just fine, however, it takes more than that to make good descisions. If someone had offered me a job flying a big jet when I had 600 hours I would have jumped on it! But it really isn't the right move. Everyone should put in their dues. If for no other reason, just to make me feel better for having to put in mine!

Ace

 

[Superpilot92]

Yeah the low time guy is someone that used to work at the same place i did instructing. They have to pay their own way through training. They are sharp guys and will do fine i just hope it doesnt back fire on them in the long run going there and paying for it also.

 

[HMR]

A couple of years ago someone sent me photos of a Gulfstream that Pacific Jet flew thru a hail storm. Took out the windshield and all of the leading edges. One of the scariest things I've ever seen.

We used to have that photo hanging in the office. Unbelievable. I'm sure we could go on for a few dozen more posts about Pac Jet.

A wise old sage (Lead Sled) often says: "If you have a $20,000 co-pilot, better hope you never run into $80,000 weather."

 

[psysicx]

What about TWC aviation?

 

[HMR]

What about TWC aviation?

Good equipment, Good MX, good hotels, good per-diem, they pay for your type, they follow the rules... basically the complete opposite of Pacific Jet.

psysicx-They're hiring. Definately worth your time to send in a resume. Chris Green is the chief pilot and he's a good guy.

 

[psysicx]

HMR when you look at there website it says there looking only for captians.What kind of times do you need to get on as a FO?

 

[fly4free]

If you are going to judge a 25+ year old company solely on their accident record you might as well get out of aviation.

The fact is that if any company stays in bussiness long enough something unfortunate will happen. There isn't a company out there that hasn't or will not have an accident. It's just statistics.

It's kinda like engine failures - Those that have had one and those that will have one.

And some of the people bashing companies in this discussion will be humbled one day by an accident of their own. (If they are lucky enough to find a company to hire them after hearing the way they speak about fellow operators)

 

[PseudoName]

If you are going to judge a 25+ year old company solely on their accident record you might as well get out of aviation.

Blah, blah, blah......

So, which Trans-Exec accident were you involved with???

True many quality operators have had accidents, but I wouldn't agree with your engine failure analogy. As pilots, we really can't control if the engine is going to fail........both of the Trans-Exec accidents were due to crew error.

 

[Ace-of-the-Base]

Blah, blah, blah......

So, which Trans-Exec accident were you involved with???

True many quality operators have had accidents, but I wouldn't agree with your engine failure analogy. As pilots, we really can't control if the engine is going to fail........both of the Trans-Exec accidents were due to crew error.

Wow, sounds like YOU'VE got a bone to pick. I've got a friend who just met with them and has done alot of research. Are you saying that Montrose, Aspen, etc. are NOT pilot error? Other than a couple of flames, my research and PMs show them to be a great company. Facts: New planes, happy pilots, great pay, good schedule, no injuries in 25 years. Do your research! Perhaps you didn't get a job there. What are you flying again, Pseudo???

Ace

 

[PseudoName]

No bone to pick here and never wanted a job with them.....wouldn't want to put a black cloud on my resume.

Facts: 1) Two really bone-headed decisions made by their flight crews in a matter of a few years. Fortunately, they did not result in any injuries. 2) Company offered to pencil-whip paperwork in order to gain a "qualified" crewmember to fulfill a short term need.

For me, that's all I would need to run, not walk away!

 

[PseudoName]

What are you flying again, Pseudo???

Ace

In case you were really interested, I fly SIC on a C-172.

Got a problem with that?

 

[Ace-of-the-Base]

No bone to pick here and never wanted a job with them.....wouldn't want to put a black cloud on my resume.

Facts: 1) Two really bone-headed decisions made by their flight crews in a matter of a few years. Fortunately, they did not result in any injuries. 2) Company offered to pencil-whip paperwork in order to gain a "qualified" crewmember to fulfill a short term need.

For me, that's all I would need to run, not walk away!

Again, sounds pretty uninformed. Do you know any pilots that currently work there? I didn't think so. I sincerely doubt they did what your boss claims, this business is full of people bad-mouthing each other. I was told once that my boss was bankrupt. Then I saw him on the Forbes 400 list. Oh yea, you didn't answer my questions of the last post. Are you saying the BIG accidents that have happened in the more recent past are NOT pilot error?

Actually, no need to answer, I think I clearly see where you're coming from.

Ace

 

[CaSyndrm]

After reading all this all I can say is WOW. In a community as small as the charter one it is so easy to find out who people are and I can't imagine burning bridges like some of the people above.

 

[HMR]

HMR when you look at there website it says there looking only for captians.What kind of times do you need to get on as a FO?

I don't know about times but I think they're still looking for F/O's. Get that resume in.

 

[PseudoName]

After reading all this all I can say is WOW. In a community as small as the charter one it is so easy to find out who people are and I can't imagine burning bridges like some of the people above.

How can one burn bridges when speaking the truth, seriously?

 

[fly4free]

yes we can control the engine failure

Blah, blah, blah......

So, which Trans-Exec accident were you involved with???

True many quality operators have had accidents, but I wouldn't agree with your engine failure analogy. As pilots, we really can't control if the engine is going to fail........both of the Trans-Exec accidents were due to crew error.

don't fire it up...it's that simple...good companies get rid of people like you to avoid accidents...but look, you're still around...so as long as we have people like you slipping through the cracks accidents will happen. Statistics my man.

I beg you, don't fire it up.

 

[fly4free]

How can one burn bridges when speaking the truth, seriously?

and all this time I thought it was just an act. you really don't have a clue, do you.

 

[JediNein]

How can one burn bridges when speaking the truth, seriously?

Not to flame, but an unsettling reality in this 'business':

There are companies that do not like to follow regulations when they hamper the money intake of that company. Having that extra money intake allows significant cash application to political officials to keep government regulators looking the other way. Van Nuys is no different from San Diego, Salt Lake City, Tampa, or a bunch of other places that have thriving shady operators.

The result? The government regulators only go after those that they perceive to not be able to defend themselves. A few cases have both sides digging their heels in, and the NTSB makes the final call about who has their paperwork more correct. The large shady operators of the world have no fear.

If you want to get an aviation job flying big stuff, you really do have to 'put up and shut up.' Otherwise, you are considered to be in the tiny minority of troublemakers. The truth has no bearing on being able to find and keep an aviation job. A 'whistleblower' can give up hope of ever being employed in this industry again.

There are a few, very few, less than random chance would suggest few operators that want to do things right. They still have imperfections, being humans having to deal with tons of paperwork. They welcome the whistleblowers, with some guidance (let us fix the problem internally first coming from the top down and the bottom up).

It's only your certificates and life at risk.

Your choice:
Put up, shut up, get your time in, and move on.
Or, sit back and watch most everyone else pass you.

Rhetorical questions:
If whatever company was so bad, why aren't there more crashes?
If whatever company was so bad, why are the pilots moving on to bigger and better?
If whatever company was so bad, why are they so busy?
If whatever company was so bad, why do they have resume stacks 6"+ thick?

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[smellthejeta]

PacJet

The deal with PacJet, to the best of my understanding. The guy who owns Hellinet on the southwest side of the field is a minority owner in Pacific Jet. He's trying to buy out/squeeze out the current/managing owner of PacJet. Who knows what's going on and what's really going to happen.

 

[Ace-of-the-Base]

and all this time I thought it was just an act. you really don't have a clue, do you.

No, Fly4free, I think we all know this guy (pseudo) is a huge troll. At least you have time in the aircraft that TransExec operates. You probably know, or have met in school, some of their pilots. There are alot of guys like this on this board who just speak from rumor and out of their a$$. English had started this thread looking for some honest advice and ended up getting a lot of wasted cyberposts. Unfortunately, most of the time the uninformed post more than those that know about the subject at hand. I've seen a few very informed pilots on this board who make smart posts and they are a pleasure to read. I suggest that if you know someone who works at one of the companies that is currently being discussed on this board, have them write a post. Maybe that would shut some of these guys up.

And, ps, why do you fly4free??

Ace

 

[fly4free]

And, ps, why do you fly4free??

Ace

I get paid for doing the paperwork, the flying is a bonus.

Fly

 

[hawkerjet]

i can see we strayed a bit, but i'll throw my .02 when trans exec's GII departed the end of runway 16R at 80 kts it went left and through skytrails ramp area through some brand new 172's and came to stop at the fence of skytrails parking lot. actually, the nose gear was against the front bumper of my car. i had parked there for a trip out of skytrails. the GII door tried to open but was blocked by a tree so the female captain went out the baggage door with the rest of the crew and we've all seen the pictures of the fireman helping out the passenger while the captain was removing her epaulets. i was sitting in a hotel in SEA watching on tv when they panned to the aircraft and my car, that was weird........ ok enough reminiscing, today trans exec is a much better company. it seems since bilson stopped flying so much and started spending more time in the office the place became more relaxed. if you're concerned about the accident history, that's something you're gonna have to get over, but if i was looking for work, i wouldn't mind working for them

 

[PseudoName]

you really don't have a clue, do you.

Hey, I don't work for a bottomfeeder.......so I must have some sort of a clue!

Also, do yourself a favor......don't get all worked up over what I post on this board......I am just bored hanging out in the hotel......like most of us who post under "pseudo names"......it's more fun than watching Spanktravision.

 

[fly4free]

Hey, I don't work for a bottomfeeder.......so I must have some sort of a clue!

QUOTE]

oh, really...who do you work for?

 

[English]

I'd like to thank everyone for their responses to my question. I've received numerous emails outlining the answers to my questions as well as clarifying Trans-Exec's position in the charter world. It seems Trans Exec is a very good charter operator with a good reputation, not withstanding the two previously-mentioned accidents that were high-profile due to the celebrity of one aircraft owner and the availability of news helicopters at VNY. I've given my buddy (yes it really was for a friend - I'd be bored flying long legs like that!) all the info I've received and will recommend Trans Exec to anyone looking to fly charters in Gulfstreams.

Thanks again for the replies and the extensive time so many people spent when sending me private messages. I hope I can return the favor sometime!

 

[PseudoName]

Hey, I don't work for a bottomfeeder.......so I must have some sort of a clue!

QUOTE]

oh, really...who do you work for?

Janitor at the McDonalds in Burbank. Why do you ask?