What Do U Guys Think?

[poorsillyfool]

I am fortunate to have a these options on the table.

1- 135 Multi-Engine Turbine PIC(Single Pilot)

2- Express Jet F/O

Whats your take on it?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Alchemy]

Option 1.

 

[wingnutt]

1 if theres room to move up into something bigger and faster

 

[poorsillyfool]

I should have been more specific. It is Beech 99 Captain position with the possibilty of upgrading into either a Beech 1900 or Metro III(all single pilot). They also have EMB120s and Lear 35s but chances of getting into them in a short period of time are slim to none.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

1.....

 

[boxjockey]

I would assume you're talking about Ameriflight. Good company. ExpressJet is also a good company. Everyone is always talking about 1000 turbine PIC, but don't go to a company based on that alone. Quality of life issues are also very big. There are alot of things that you get at a 121 gig that you don't get with 135. The drawback to Express is you would be getting in on the tail end of the current hiring spree, and could be a junior FO for a long time. Tough call, but I'd probably take #1.


box

 

[scotts]

So, you want to work for either Ameriflight or Expressjet...

1. Are you old or young?

2. Do you have income from other sources?

3. Do you have a family to provide for?

4. Are you ambitious?

5. Do you want to move up to a Major in less than 5 years?

I could go on, but you get my point. You're asking for an opinion. You got 3 brief answers.

Here's the really important question:

What do YOU want to do and why?

 

[getnverted]

QOL isn't the greatest at a regional, but flying frieght 5 nights a week in a metroliner flat out sucks...and that's after you move up. Guess I'll be the first to vote for option 2.

 

[English]

option 1

 

[Dave Benjamin]

Not a lot of major airlines hiring single pilot 135 guys. Most of the Ameriflight people that move on go to a regional. There have been some that have got on with Southwest since SWA doesn't seem to care as much about where you got your PIC time. I'm not sure if anyone from AMF has gone to SWA lately but I know a few that did in 1999 or 2000.

If you want to work for a regional and don't mind the Xjet domiciles, Xjet has a lot going for it.

If AMF is offering you work where you live or want to live and X-Jet would entail commuting then it's a tougher choice.

If your goal is to get to a major I'd suggest Xjet over AMF. It's not just about what's on your resume. Flying freight single pilot is a whole different world than 121 crew operations. 121 environment is also much safer to work in. I'm not criticizing AMF. They do a good job with training and MX. However single pilot 135 will never be as safe as a 121 outfit like Xjet.

The final question is where you would you prefer to get stuck if you can't get hired elsewhere? No guarantee you will be moving on quickly from either company.

If you have family Xjet offers far better benefits than AMF. I'm talking health, retirement, and travel. Xjet has a B fund and a 401K. I'm not sure if AMF even has a 401K.

Also go to airlinepilotpay.com and see what the pay difference will be over the next 1-5 years.

 

[av8tor4239]

Poor Silly fool: Good post..

I made a post a few days ago with a similar question. I am currently FO at asa, been doing the regional thing for about 4 yeas. I was considering applying to AMF for the TPIC.... I was wondering what you flight time is and what were they looking for to hire you into the left seat of the 99?

 

[mamba20]

Flat out the industry sucks either way you slice it right now. I would have to go with option 2 though. A lot of larger carriers are now looking for glass time which is also something to consider. XJET is doing well and you will probably fly your butt off. Combine the glass with the 121 crew time and I'd say that should answer your question. Your QOL is going to suck for the first couple of years either way, just keep in mind its a means to an end. Go for option 2.

 

[Nalo Boy]

1....

 

[RJP]

......2

 

[dogg]

Not even a question......Go to Ameriflight and fly all that you can and become an instructor there..If after a couple years and 1500 hrs of ME turbine pic and maybe a gig in the checkairman ranks you really want to play airline pilot then go to XJ or some other regional. You will have the quals to apply to almost all the majors that will be hiring and you won't have to rot in the right seat at XJ. Turbine pic is much more important than 121 exp. Go with option one......

 

[Checknsix]

I had the same options many years ago....made the mistake of picking option 2. Still sitting here as an FO with little Turbine PIC time. Just met a guy at Southwest that put in his time at Ameriflight and got hired 3.5 years ago. What was I thinking....I still have to sit through a year or two of captain on reserve in some sh!thole town before Southwest will even talk to me. AAAAAGGGHHHH!

 

[psysicx]

Why don't majors like Fedex an UPS not perfer single pilot fright time.Do they want you to come from the airlines?

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Why don't majors like Fedex an UPS

UPS and FEDEX are NOT Majors! They are third world, second-class, sit in the back, come in the back door low life freighters! Reference all UPS/FEDEX posts on Majors moved to Cargo if ya don't believe me!

 

[Rule of thumb]

2 - Get on while you can.

 

[TonyC]

UPS and FEDEX are NOT Majors! They are third world, second-class, sit in the back, come in the back door low life freighters! Reference all UPS/FEDEX posts on Majors moved to Cargo if ya don't believe me!

I have your Avatar - - you better behave!

 

[DAS at 10/250]

I have your Avatar - - you better behave!

Blast you and your estrogenical tyranny!

 

[TonyC]

Blast you and your estrogenical tyranny!

You've mistaken me for someone important!

Many moons ago, I undertook a project to preserve, a la a FlightInfo Gallery, Avatars used by active members, arranged by name and when I first noticed them in use. It's somewhat interesting being able to view the progression of some folks' choice of pictures. At the same time, I gathered a nice little album of ResumeWriter's angel.

I only have one listed under your name - - a timeless classic.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

It's somewhat interesting being able to view the progression of some folks' choice of pictures.

Perhaps the beginning of an entertaining new little website?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

ameriflight

There are a lot of people at ameriflight waiting for the call for Southwest. I would be careful thinking that just because they hired single pilot turbine BEFORE 9/11 that Southwest will still continue this. There are a lot of qualified people working 121 with a ton more time than 1000 PIC waiting for the call.

Plus it takes a long time to build turbine time at ameriflight. A lot of runs are not more than 2 or three hours a day. Some people only get 400-500 a year. When I left the only people getting the call were people who were in the pool BEFORE 9/11. The pay is not much better at Ameriflight initially and you will be behind after a couple years. The quality of life is not very good. Most runs you are gone from 6am to 8pm or longer every day. Are you getting hired into SLC or Montana? It is a lot of work ( you load and unload 2500 lbs two or three times a day) and the weather sucks.

Now don't flame me, I have seen both sides and this is just my opinion. I was building the turbine PIC at ameriflight. I am glad that I made the switch. And I believe single pilot flying is excellent experience and makes you a great pilot. But that does not mean it makes you ready for 121. They are quite different animals. When I was hired 121 I was in class with Military guys who knew people at Southwest, had tons of PIC, and were told to be competitive they should get 121 experience at a regional.

Good luck with your choice. Think quality of life, 1000 hours PIC turbine isn't what it use to be!!!!

SS

 

[wingnutt]

1000 hours PIC turbine isn't what it use to be!!!!

...truer words have never been spoken (at least on this site)

 

[~~~^~~~]

UPS and FEDEX are NOT Majors! They are third world, second-class, sit in the back, come in the back door low life freighters! Reference all UPS/FEDEX posts on Majors moved to Cargo if ya don't believe me!

Huh? I'd take the job security and the paycheck. Who cares what it is in back? Boxes pay bills, passengers don't these days.

 

[FlyChicaga]

I will say this... we had a bunch of Ameriflight guys in my new hire class, as well as the others that were going on during my stay in Houston. Some left turbine equipment for ExpressJet. Sometimes you can't put a price on quality of life.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

Who cares what it is in back? Boxes pay bills, passengers don't these days.

~~~~~^~~~~~ I think you missed my stab at some humor. Earlier in the week several UPS/FEDEX threads were removed from the "Majors" section by the moderators and placed in the "Cargo" section. Several members got their panties in a wad (and rightly so) over this and called the moderators on it. I made a tragic attempt at some dry humor. Sorry.

Don't think for a minute that I would turn down a job with UPS or Fedex.

 

[pooter]

option 1 everyone worth a darn requires 1000 pic.who wants to get stuck in the right seat of an rj for a crappy regional for no pay.