What do you know about Flight Express?

[dswflyer]

Can anyone give me the inside scoop on flying for flight express? What's the average upgrade time? How long are most pilots hanging around? How's the equipment, maintenance, etc...?

 

[Humble-Pielot]

Try www.flightexpress.com . Good company with a good history. Fleet is aging to say the least, but Mx is extraordinary. Baron upgrades vary from 6-8 months, although they have been adding runs lately, so that may be lowered.

Like any 135 op, this an excellent way to build experience and flight time. Make sure that your instrument skills are top notch or you won't make it though.

Also try www.austincollins.com or PM me for more info

 

[Art Vandalay]

I'll have to agree with PIE. I currently work for FLX and it is a good job. Maintenance (at my base) is very good. Pay can be better than most 135 companies, depending on the run. If you can fly in and out of IMC, the job is cake. The best thing is that management will try and put you in the domicile of your choice. After spending some time at another 135 and being told to move across the country after training, I came to FLX where I could move back home.


There have been some new Baron runs opening in Florida. Upgrade from the 210 seems to be about 6-8 months right now, depending on if you are willing to bid ANY Baron run. Most of our Baron runs are at KBNA.

Do a search and you will read posts about dispatch and management hating you. I have found this the furthest thing from the truth. I believe they got rid of the old dispatchers and hired some nice ones.

Some negatives about the job are that you start out in a single engine. The 210 is a great airplane that is almost impossible to load out of cg range, but it still goes in the logbook as single engine time. Also, some of our runs are short (3-6 hours duty time) which pays the minimum pay of $75/day.

PM me for more info if you'd like. I believe we are hiring.


Art V., Importer/Exporter

 

[exchexflyer]

Some negatives about the job are that you start out in a single engine. The 210 is a great airplane that is almost impossible to load out of cg range, but it still goes in the logbook as single engine time. Also, some of our runs are short (3-6 hours duty time) which pays the minimum pay of $75/day.

I think these negatives outway the positives. I guess my way of thinking has changed over the years. Flying down to minimums in a single just doesn't apeal to me (too dangorous). Try Airnet, I worked there for 2 years and have nothing bad to say about them. Oh, forgot Airnet has singles also but at least their turbine.

 

[Art Vandalay]

You may also want to consider this: Flight Express has no training contract. They pay you $1000 at the end of trainingas a bonus, and if you leave prior to six months, you need to give it back to the company. Also, you are a paid employee Day 1 of training, which means full time pay from the start.


Art V.

 

[Lou3]

Also look into Package Express out of Concord, NC. Their website is www.packageexpress.biz


Good Luck!

 

[wheelsup]

Contracts suck @ss...go to the place that has no contract so you're not held down...IMO

~wheelsup

 

[Fuzzy_is_Hungry]

If you want the multi time, come on over to Ram Air. We are based out of RDU and need pilots bad. Right now, you are pretty much guaranteed to be in a twin the second week on the job.

 

[Princedietrich]

Almost sounds to me like Art got burned by Airnet and is trying to make them look bad to compensate.

 

[wwiiguy]

lol, here we go....I see another thread going down in flames shortly

 

[Art Vandalay]

Almost sounds to me like Art got burned by Airnet and is trying to make them look bad to compensate.

No, I did not get burned by Airnet. From what I know of the company, they seem to be a good 135 operator just like Flight Express, Ram Air, etc. I was simply pointing out that Flight Express does not have a training contract. Carry on.


Art V.

 

[Humble-Pielot]

It's true... No matter what company you are with, the experience is what counts. You all need to look beyond the petty crap of 135 cargo...

I fly with FLX, Airnet, Package Express, Ram Air, Bank Air, you name it... everyday and everyone gets the job done well. Take the time to research which company suits your needs the best, be it location, pay, contract; whatever. Being a freight dog is not for everyone. Just know what you are getting into before its too late.

No, I did not get burned by Airnet. From what I know of the company, they seem to be a good 135 operator just like Flight Express, Ram Air, etc. I was simply pointing out that Flight Express does not have a training contract. Carry on.


Art V.

 

[starcheck1]

Almost sounds to me like Art got burned by Airnet and is trying to make them look bad to compensate.

You crack me up.....are you in line for the next assistant cheif pilot position or what? You always take any comment and make it out as someone trying to trash Airnet....hey, its not to bad of a place but there are better places out there...you will realize that down the line.

 

[USC328]

You may also want to consider this: Flight Express has no training contract. They pay you $1000 at the end of trainingas a bonus, and if you leave prior to six months, you need to give it back to the company. Also, you are a paid employee Day 1 of training, which means full time pay from the start.


Art V.

I understand your view point on the training contract, but as one stated earlier, you need to find what suits you best. AirNet does have a training contract, but you don't have to wait to fly a baron. Not to mention in some cases spend 6-8 months flying 210 over the everglades at night. In addition, I upgraded to the Lear in 10 months while still under the 1 year contract. Last guy to upgrade to Lear captain was 7 months as SIC. He did pass up alot of jet SICs, but no one wanted to move to Boston I guess. AirNet has it's ups and downs, but overall, upgrade times are great right now and MX is great. Best of luck to you all on future choices.

USC328

Oh, and Princedietrich, the perv told me to wish you luck on that assistant chief pilot upgrade thingy.

 

[I Hate Freight]

Flight Express has no training contract. They pay you $1000 at the end of trainingas a bonus, and if you leave prior to six months, you need to give it back to the company.

Is that not a training contract? I certainly considered it one when I worked at FLX, albiet a very reasonable one.

IHF

 

[Humble-Pielot]

True... Not a bad contract considering many others require cash out of your pocket.

 

[RSixer]

I worked for Flight Express for 2 years and can say that I had a great time, great experience. A good run can pay more than any prop operator out there, 36k a year, granted you'll work long hours though. If I were you I would send a app. out to all the 135 freight companies and see who responds, they are all the same with little differences here and there, its just a time building job so don't waste to much time trying to decide which one is best, just get it done and move on. Good luck.

 

[Princedietrich]

You crack me up.....are you in line for the next assistant cheif pilot position or what? You always take any comment and make it out as someone trying to trash Airnet....hey, its not to bad of a place but there are better places out there...you will realize that down the line.

Actually I am not in line for the next ACP position. And if there are better places out there, why don't you quit and go there.

 

[airwillydrvr]

All I can say is I flew at Flight express, started there 11 years ago. I flew there for 2 years and had a great time. The experience was great, the 210 is awsome, and the baron is even better. It makes you a good pilot. I left there and flew for 2 regional for the last 9 years, and am starting with UPS on Monday. Long story short, up till now, the most fun I had flying was at Flight Express. Good luck hope this helps, I still say hi to the EXR guys when I hear them on the radio.

 

[starcheck1]

And if there are better places out there, why don't you quit and go there.

OK....thanks for the advice

 

[PC12Cowboy]

whats up with the 300 dollar NON refundable training fee..WTF??????????

 

[I Hate Freight]

whats up with the 300 dollar NON refundable training fee..WTF??????????

... and if you complete training you get $1000 so what's the problem? The $300 is to cover peple who walk out on the training. It costs money and they're only trying to recover a portion of it.

 

[PC12Cowboy]

oh so its a 700 dollar bonus??LMFAO

 

[John Glenn]

You make the call!

Attention any and all potential 135 pilots.

As you know there are alot of great 135 operators out there. I suggest you do the research and make an informed decision. Each has it's perks and draw-backs. If you are a pilot looking to add hours, you cannot beat 135 PIC time. That is probably the only thing the various operators have in common. As a pilot, I would rather have a sign on bonus of ten bucks as opposed to an employment contract of "x" amount of months. That's just me. Again, search the 135 operators and make your own personal call. Flight Express is not the place for every pilot out there.

We are hiring at an amazing rate, just like everybody. I welcome all inquires from interested applicants. Once you have visited our site, www.flightexpress.com , I would then try to speak with one of our line pilots. They do their job everyday and may have similiar, or different opinions from those other pilots who don't work here. I would rather hear it from the horse's mouth rather than the horse's @ss. LMFAO!!!
Gary

 

[Humble-Pielot]

You have to be kidding me

Grow up...So many people walk through the door with promises to stay, yet they take the training and leave. Think about it. A company supplies you with excellent 135 training and 6 hours of free flight time without a contract and you just leave shortly after thus screwing everyone. I don't know about you, but that is not smart business sense, and maybe you need to work somewhere else that will bend over backwards to let you screw them. Heck, maybe they should pay you $1,000 bonus just for walking in the door and gracing them with your presence...

Besides if you do your research, this company will PAY you from day one of training. That amounts to well over $300 for just the training portion. After the intial checkride a check is sent your way for $1000, and the only stipulation is for you to stay 6 months. Don't stick around for 6 months and your only obligation is to pay that money back. Pretty simple if you ask me.

oh so its a 700 dollar bonus??LMFAO

 

[I Hate Freight]

oh so its a 700 dollar bonus??LMFAO

Yes, exactly. It's a repayment of the $300 training cost plus $700 to help with your relocation costs. And the problem is what? You may keep laughing (i.e. LMFAO) while flying your single engine propeller as FLX pilots go onto the fractionals, regionals and many other jet cargo, charter and corporate positions.

IHF