Trans Exec at KVNY

[English]

Just to keep up with all you charter dogs, is that Pacific Jet you're talking about by chance? My friend out there says that they ARE the worst. I also heard they had several of their jets reposessed recently. Wow!

Ace

BINGO

 

[Superpilot92]

How is Pacjet doing now? Are they still having problems?

 

[English]

Let me guess...your buddy/buddies are low time (600 to 800 hours TT) and maybe did a pay for training scheme for the right seat of a Gulfstream?


Pacific Jet has been written about on this board ad nauseum. I'd suggest you do a search for Pacific Jet, be a good friend, and pass the info on to your buddies. While most of it is a few months old, I haven't heard anything to suggest their reputation or operation has improved. Has anyone else? I've been out of the loop the last year or so.

 

[Superpilot92]

I read the stuff in the old gouges about them. I told them both what i read and even showed them but sometimes you dont know what to believe and not to believe on here. You are correct about the PFT scheme. It is not cheap either. I did tell them that they shouldnt have to pay. I dont believe in PFT anymore than you have to, to recieve your ratings. Its expensive enough. They are both good guys and i hope things are better for them when they get there. The stuff i read from the past gouges doesnt paint a pretty picture!

 

[PseudoName]

Psuedo-You seem to have the scoop on every VNY operator. English's friend is looking for a job. Who would you recommend?

Not knowing English friend's quals are, here is a general recommendation.

AirGroup
AvJet
PrimeJet
Elite
Lacy (Not a fan of them, but at least they aren't shady)

LGB-Presidential Air (Former investor of PacificJet didn't like what was going on at PJ and started his own company)
SNA-Regency Air (New company, sounds like a good operation with 3 new Beechjets)

 

[HMR]

They are both good guys and i hope things are better for them when they get there.

Is this your buddy you mentioned on another thread that has 600TT/50Multi? He's made a big mistake. Flying the GII/GIII will get old within a week. He'll get ALOT of experience flying really old, poorly maintained aircraft. After a year he'll probably have an additional 1,000hrs of SIC. Unfortunately, it will be 1,000hrs of gaining bad habits and questionable safety practices. This will negatively affect his flying for years to come. There's NO reason to make this career move.

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.

 

[Superpilot92]

Yup thats they guy i was talking about. Like i said b4 these guys are friends and i hate to hear about the bad stuff about where they are going. I tried to get them to come to Xjet where i will be at but the thought of flying a Gulfstream be it an old one I guess was more appealing. You know the story, supposedly quick upgrade, fly movie stars yada yada yada. The schedule they said they would have is 22 days on 7 days off!! To each his own. They are both single and young and hopefully all works out for them. They are excited about it thats for sure. I wish them the best.

 

[PseudoName]

Yeah, 22 days on, 7 days off. They don't tell you that most of the pilots are TDY at one of two condos PacJet owns out in TEB. Your days off most always are given when you are in TEB.

Sure, they will hear the quick upgrade bit. However, they will have run away from that operator before getting the hours for upgrade.

 

[HMR]

I forgot about the condos in TEB!

 

[Superpilot92]

yeah they told me about them. but i dont think they realize that that may be where they are on their days off!!

 

[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?