USA Jet Training Makes the Difference

[pilotyip]

USA Jet does all of its training under Part 121 N & O, the DA-20 has 5 weeks of full time ground school prior to starting sim training which runs one week and 25 hours for F/O's. All DA-20 F/O's receive 25 hours of supervised IOE prior to being released to line operations, we observe 100 min time in seat for pairing restrictions and in the past have turned down trips because of only low time pairs available. Our DA-20 pilots must consolidate thier training within 120 days of their PC date. Our safety record speaks for it self and is the standard for the industry. No training is done in airplanes on ride along legs. We have had pilots go to major airlines and tell us, except for fancy bells and whistles, the USA Jet training was as good as they got at their major. No USA Jet pilot has failed training at his next job, we had some wash out of IOE at their next job, but all passed their initial PC's. At an unnamed national passenger operator, 50% of the wshed out of DC-9 training, USA Jet pilots had a 100% pass rate based upon thier USA Jet Training. Some pilots hired by a large player in the business, waived all testing and sim evals for USA Jet pilots, because of the known quality of their USA Jet Training. While in full time ground school you are paid 33K per year soon to go to 36K per year for first year pilots. We have program on track for 6 figures pay in 6 years guarenteed to all Captains. You could pay off the contract in about 6 months on the excess you get over other entry level jobs. As stated before the $38 application fee does not go to USA Jet, it is an administrative fee charged by the doing our on-line screening. With some of the attitudes I have seen on this board about our business, the on-line system may be doing us a favor by eliminanting those who don't want to apply, becasue they would most likely have adjustments problems in our business. Any former USA Jet Alumni, care to chime in and expressthier views on their traiing experience at USA Jet. It costs alot of money to administer this program and that is why we have contract. For those of you who think this is not the job for you, do not apply, we have 25 extremely qualified pilots in our pool who are excited about their prospects to work for USA Jet, fortunately most of them live in this area.

 

[j41driver]

OK, training's good. The training contract? Fine, it's understandable. But a 20 minute show time??? Come on!

 

[72Longhorn]

$38 application fee!!

I used to be a recruiter for an airline, and all you have to do is take a quick glance at a resume and you know in a split second if the applicant qualifies or doesn't. Sounds to me like USAjet is banking on the current economic situation $38 per unemployeed pilot.

Hiring is part of doing business, and I think its pretty crappy of USAjet to charge for a so called, "administrative fee." While you're at it charge me for the clear coat too!!

Why are you guys advertising for positions when there is a pool of 25?? Is it so you can get more people to pitch in those $38?

USAJet sounds like a great company minus:

1) $38 app fee

2) 20 minute show time.

3) $18,000 two year contract.

I'm gonna have to keep my money and pass this one up!

72

 

[pilotyip]

Three things

I agree with 72long horn, if those three things brother you, you should not apply at USA Jet Airlines. On the other hand if we are hiring and you feel the advantages of working at USA Jet outweight the disadvantages listed by 72longhorn, you should consider what is best for your career. We are currently not posting any jobs at any sites, like 350, etc.

 

[LearLove]

Hey Randy.....

Old man quit plugging your own company, it's uncool and bottom line, nobody gives a flyin F^ck.

Ths skinny on USA Jet. When times are good they are a sucky bottom company to work for. When times are not good (read now) its a place to work. End of story.

 

[wannab0133]

huh?

no postings at climbto350 huh?


interesting....

http://www.climbto350.com/database_result.cfm?SearchCriteria=usa+jet

 

[Checks]

I have a feeling this thread is going to have 150 posts before long.

 

[hyper]

20 Min. show

$18k commitment

2 Years

No life

Have to live next to the airport


Hey, do you think they'll let me wash the planes AND pump my own fuel?!

 

[mudslinger]

Pilotyip I'll reply.
I was hired as a DC9 F/O. At the time I had only 85 hours of stick time since a 6 year break from aviation. I had 0 jet time. I did have a far amount of experience in a 121 cargo operation flying L-188's and CV 640's. During that 6 years off, I never even seen the inside of an airplane as I had a business to run. If you have never taken 6 years off, let me tell you, it's tough. Luckily the company that I worked for before had an excellent and VERY demanding training program. So I wasn't disillusioned by what REAL training was. The training at USA Jet I think IS probably one of the best in the industry for on demand charters.
In my aviation career I had always wanted to fly the smaller jets but never had the chance to. It was just the way things worked out for me. After a little over a year as DC-9 F/O I was allowed to bid Falcon Captain. At the time I was the first to ever do that. I seen it as a pay raise and a chance to fly the smaller jets for a while. Unfortunate for me, the DA 20 Chief Pilot hated my guts from day one. And I have to admit, he wasn't on my Christmas mailing list either. If none of you have never had a boss that had it out for you. Hope that you never do. Because they can make your life miserable. I took a voluntary lay off and left. The only reason I'm telling you this is so you know that I didn't leave USA Jet with a warm fuzzy feeling. But, really it wasn't USA Jet. It was just a couple of people. And to my satisfaction, one of them was fired shortly afterwards.
Now back to the training. I went through the DA 20 training to get typed and a PC check out of the box. This isn't like going out and buying a type rating. Because I was going to be put on the line as soon as I had my 100 hours in the airplane. And I do believe that maybe they might have been a little tougher on me because I was the first to do this and I felt that I had a lot of people watching to see how I did. The training though demanding was excellent. I felt more than prepared.
For all of you aspiring Airline Pilots. Don't be afraid to take a job as a Falcon 20 F/O. This will be some of the best experience you could get. Bigger is NOT always better in my book. Checking out as a Falcon 20 F/O will be harder then checking out as a DC9 F/O. What ever you do. If you are hired, don't take the training lightly.

 

[hyper]

Just to clarify: understand that USA Jets training is not in question. None of these posts or the thread I started in the general area criticize USAs training or experience, just their desire to hire slaves.

 

[SquirrelDog]

call outs

This thread seems a little like pilot bait but, I have a few questions about the call-out with USA Jet.

Now, i know there is a hot crew at YIP and also normal on call pilots at thier residence, but what does the 20 min time have to do with these positions and if any, while on call on the road?

Just wondering?

 

[Clownpilot]

Yip,

Your proposal is acceptable to me. I hope that the 100 number is realistic although I am not sure we can handle that many guys. Also, an operation that big may tend to draw the attention of the authorities.

However, my cut must be 30% of the training contact for any pilot I personally send your way. I want it up front upon payment from the Neal. Bank check or cash ONLY.

The pyramid scheme is a good idea but I suggest we don't present this portion until they have signed and committed to the training contract. Promise them a 150% return on their money not 200-300%. That number is too high and may prematurely raise suspicions. By the time they realize they've been duped we'll be long gone. Just remember, we have to wrap up this entire operation within 6 months and completely disappear without a trace. I don't want to know where you are going nor should you ask me. No further contact can be risked. Remember, we'll have 100 or so guys out $20,000+ after our hides.

PM me back with the final details.

CP

 

[Clownpilot]

OOPS

All board readers:

Please disregard my above post.

It was posted in error.

It was meant to be sent as a PM to Pilotyip and was not intended for general viewing.

Moderator, please change above post to private and send only to:

Pilotyip

Thank you,
CP

 

[LR25]

Hyper, I think this just flaim bait on your part.

I can think of plenty places that are alot worse then USAJet.

Do you even know anything about this company?

What wrong with making a descent wage flying airplanes around?

 

[hyper]

Maybe you're right lr25. Sounds like you're up for the gig. Holding a $18k contract to my head on a 20 min. show for 2 years.......I would never SELL OUT like that. As long as guys like you and the rest that agree to terms like that do so, we'll always have to put up with being the employers little puppets. They make demands like that because they can. I never said the training wasn't worth the money, never said the training was bad, never said the company was bad, never said the money wasn't good (and how good does it have to be for you to give up life outside of work?) .......find me a quote to prove it.

If I really wanted it, I'd have no problem signing a 18g contract. But then you aren't going to tell me that at a page's notice I have to be at the airport in 20. As usual here, the point got lost in the posts.

 

[Spencer]

Pager

Everything about the training at USA Jet is true, it really good, we've had guys from Airtran and Spirit and some other say it's better than what they got there. As for the callout being realistic it is. It bites big time but we've had guys doing it for years and they always seem to make it. Some jobs you have to go to work and be there but with this job you just have to be ready to go to work. Beats sitting in an office 9-5 everyday.

 

[Country Wild]

From doing some research, it is an independent company that screens the pilots and the pay is better than a few of those "flyby" night operators: "Ameritar, Grandaire, Cherry Air....etc..) I have flown with guys from these companys and have heard the stories. And Lear Love if I was your Chief Pilot I would down grade your a$$ to aircraft cleaner. Why can I say that because I fly the big planes an I also am invloved in pilot hiring...so to you that makes me god. So suck up boy, if you wanna make it of the regional gig.

 

[hyper]

Why can I say that because I fly the big planes an I also am invloved in pilot hiring...so to you that makes me god. So suck up boy, if you wanna make it of the regional gig.

No disrespect, but have another.

P.S. Does God know you don't capitalize His name?

 

[PilotAg]

Country -

Ameristar has never furloughed, continues to expand, and operates in the black. Not bad for a "flyby" night operator. Are you sure you don't have some private beef with Ameristar because you tend to bring them up always in a negative tone. I have a few friends over at USA Jet and I believe it is a good company, but they have there share of problems too.

 

[N817AA]

Hyper, we aren't slaves at USA Jet. We may have had our problems. The twenty minute call out is for real, because that is the nature of the business to launch the falcon in 45 minutes and the DC9 in 60. When Ford or GM has a plant shut down, every minute counts.

Besides 90% or more of the pilots aren't even under contract. The job isn't for everyone, but it sure beats living on food stamps and making $17,000 at a commuter.

 

[hyper]

Hey can't argue with you there. Cheers

 

[FR8dognit]

At least at Cherry Air (ADS) you don't have to live in the ARM PIT of America like USA Jet pilots do (YIP)

 

[pilotyip]

Watch it now

YIP (Willow Run) World's largest airport when built in 6 months in 1941, nothing has ben done to the airport since then, my dad was building B-24's at YIP when I was born, at the rate of one 4 eng bomber an hour. YIP is the place that Avis invented the airport rental car in 1946. I took my first airplane ride at YIP in a Eastern Airlines L-1049, R-3350 TC's, soloed at YIP, have worked for 4 different airlines at YIP, got my CFI there and two type rating. I LOVE THE PLACE, I am under the influence of the YIP curse. But I get to fly the B-17 and C-47 at the yankee Air Force. Lots of history at YIP, great place flown all over the world YIP is my home until I retire and go back to NC.

 

[FR8dognit]

I'm glad your so fond of the place. However, your sentimental attachments to YIP are not shared by myself and many others in the freight world. Yes I know some of you were unfortunate enough to have been born in the area. After spending the amount of time there we have to, I have to say its the most undesireable (four years of college and still can't spell) place I've ever been...and if your lucky enough to go across town to Detroit City...lets just say I feel much safer any place in Mexico over that crater. Not only is it cold, but the people are rude, the girls are ugly, and the food suc*s. So Yip Pilot...you can have your Dump of an airport and the city (Bellville or whatever you call it) that supports it.

 

[FR8dognit]

How do you know this you ask?
Well...I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
And yes....It was in YIP....the Pool and weight room are the only good things about YIP.

 

[Toad4]

Okay,

Before you all get way out of control, I'm going to respectfully ask that you at least stay on topic and be respectful of other aviators. This is after all the least we can do for each other.

I'm always amazed at how quickly SOME major airline guys and fortune 500 corporate pilots who have finally made it to the show forget their humble begginings. They of all people should know the long, twisting, bumpy road to the promised land of 15+ days off a month, great equipment, and 6 figure salaries.

Freight can and often does suck. There is no doubt about it. No life, long hours, old equipment, and (in some cases) questionable ethical/safety standards of companies can make for a stressful lifestyle. The one thing that keeps all of these guys who are making the most of what they have is the dream of getting to where so many of you are judging us from. I happen to think that hand flying these old freighters (lears in my case) day in and day out, at all hours of the day, in the same weather you guys are using coupled autoland in, everywhere in this hemisphere, with liitle or no support makes us into pretty good pilots and shows a high level of dedication to our dreams and aviation.

To the best of my knowledge, barring an act of the holy trinity, the only way to get a job at a major or good corporation is to fly something that burns kerosene (alot!!) and don't get discouraged. That means when majors lay a bunch of guys off (approx. 9,000) and they have more time than you, and take the best paying jobs at this level; you have to be patient, understand that that's exactly what you would do in their situation, and hope that when they are sitting across the table from you someday at the interview that decides your future they understand we did what we had to do to.

So. I believe the topic was the training at USA Jet, which I will say I have heard nothing but good things about as well as the company.

Thanks

I'll put the soap box back in the hangar now.

 

[FR8dognit]

The way I understand it this is a board where discussions turn into anything....No I'm not a major airline pilot...I too am a freight dog. I was just expressing my disdane for the Detroit area in general. Nothing against any other pilots...and yes it is on topic... because I don't want some poor Bas#@^* to move up there for (subject) USA jet training without knowing how bad the area is.

 

[wingnutt]

toad4, where do you live? im sending you a six pack for that schpiel...good goin man!

 

[Toad4]

Fr8dognit,

No worries man, that wasn't really for you anyway, and the info on YIP...well...fair enough. Thought about moving there myself and you're right, any info on home base area is also helpful. Anyway, 'nough said.

Wingnutt,

Would love the six pack...but guess what....I'm on call!!! LMAO

Keep missing the ground guys and I'll see ya on the border.

 

[pilotyip]

Career Starter

I bet more airline careers have started on the ramps at YIP than any other airport in the US, I when you leave Willow Run you are going into 121 scheduled passenger ops or major 121 air cargo. It is ammazing when you jump seat how many guys have a YIP connection. It is a place to build your career, we have had pilots leave and go to at Delta, FedEx, NWA, SWA, JB, AA, CAL. YIP is not Detroit. It is scenic country living, not like the Metro Plex around ADS. Now if you want Detroit fly into DET and visit Fort Murray. Beside where could I have soled in C-172 back in 1965, with a United DC-8 in the pattern with me. But then some people just don't know a good thing when they see it. Besides you mis-spelled Belleville