Which one to choose??

[CapnVegetto]

My answer is based on QOL.

#1. Tricoastal Air. Will these guys keep you on the road for that entire 10 days? My guess would be yes....if not all of it, most of it. That's BAAAAAD for your family life. Your wife and baby won't be happy for sure, because they'll never see Dad. Nothing is worth that. Plus, they promise you an upgrade in a year? Bull$hit. Believe it when you see it, or GET IT IN WRITING. Don't let some company promise you a bunch of crap, and then change their mind and keep you wasting away in the right seat. Just like at every single regional airline. Don't ever f-cking believe the upgrade time they tell you in interviews, because by the time that time frame comes around, the company may have completely changed. Who knows?

#3. Air ambulance. Good and bad points here. Bad points: Air Ambulance is probably the $hittiest job in aviation. Late night call out, 2 am, always flying on the wrong side of the clock. That SUCKS. I've already been offered a payraise from my current job flying PIC in a LR-35, but it's air ambulance, so no way. I'm not a night owl. I suck at night. If you can do it, great. But it's a really $hitty lifestyle.

But.....the good news is, you'll probably be home every day. That'll be good for your wife and kid. You'll get to see them a lot. But you'll be so frackin tired all the time, you probably aren't going to want to do anything. Ask them about upgrade time. If you've got a Lear type, you need time in type, even if it's just SIC. A type rating with no time in type is about as good as a yellow turd on rye. From that standpoint, it might help your career, especially if you can get in the left seat. Get some info on that, but again, take it with a grain of salt.

#2 & #4. Cargo jobs. Probably flying on the wrong side of the clock, but it's PIC turbine right away, and you'll probably have a set schedule, home every night, (or day) and better QOL than the others. Right? Or is it on demand? Some of the happiest low timers I've ever met are Airnet guys. One guy said, "I work 4 nights a week, off every weekend, fly the same run, know my schedule, and you get used to the nights after while." What is the deal with these runs? If they're the same, pick whichever one pays more and has the better schedule, and take it. Also consider where you want to live, cost of living, etc. Which plane do you like better. Which one will give you more flight time? Which company has possible opportunities for advancement should you get stuck there for a period of time longer than you planned?

Hey bud, I don't like either of 'em because I don't like flying on the wrong side of the clock. That's why you'll never see me at Fed Ex or UPS. I know those are two of the best jobs in aviation right now, but I just would be miserable being up all night. But if someone had a gun to my head, I'd take one of the prop cargo jobs. Especially if you've already got some Lear time. I think the QOL would just be better. However, if you have no lear time, GET SOME. Then you'll have something to fall back on in the corporate world. You'll have a rating and some time in type. That is a BIG help in getting a corporate job. It might be worth it to suck it up at the Air Ambulance job for a while. The bottom line is, if you change your mind anytime, it's no big deal. Change jobs. Look for a better paying corporate gig. Hell, look for a non-cargo better QOL job now. It'll be tougher if you have no time in type, but if you don't have to sign a training contract, just be looking for something that'll make you happy.

Peace!

 

[Onlyflyfreight]

Choices

Don't know any of those companies.

The best advice I have is make sure that your wife knows how each job would affect your lives and make sure she is up for it! From what I understand she going to be home with Jr. and probably they won't see that much, unless you take the medflight gig. After that is out of the way... make sure it will be fun. Something you will enjoy! Doesn't take much or long to get burned out in job you don't like!

It sounds like you have thick skinn...... Take your time, make a good decision!

Best of luck!

 

[DelphinDriver]

In reference to #4, I just did a phone interview with freight runners. The guy I talked to, Matt I think it was, said that I'd be lucky to build 500 hours a year. Most of the routes you fly for an hour, sit all night and fly an hour back. For some guys that might be cool, I fly 6 sometimes 7 hours a night here. Of course its not turbine but at least I stay busy.

I'm 22 years old as well, I'm just trying to get as much flying as I can while Im still young.

Good luck with your descision, I wish you the best...

 

[k_EAT=ho_ME]

...found lying next to his testicles...

Been there, done that.

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

I guess that explains the high increase in his alcohol consumsion!

Been there, done that.

I missed that detail in the article before. OUCH!

 

[Flybet3]

My answer is based on QOL.

#1. Tricoastal Air. Will these guys keep you on the road for that entire 10 days? My guess would be yes....if not all of it, most of it. That's BAAAAAD for your family life. Your wife and baby won't be happy for sure, because they'll never see Dad. Nothing is worth that. Plus, they promise you an upgrade in a year? Bull$hit. Believe it when you see it, or GET IT IN WRITING. Don't let some company promise you a bunch of crap, and then change their mind and keep you wasting away in the right seat. Just like at every single regional airline. Don't ever f-cking believe the upgrade time they tell you in interviews, because by the time that time frame comes around, the company may have completely changed. Who knows?

#3. Air ambulance. Good and bad points here. Bad points: Air Ambulance is probably the $hittiest job in aviation. Late night call out, 2 am, always flying on the wrong side of the clock. That SUCKS. I've already been offered a payraise from my current job flying PIC in a LR-35, but it's air ambulance, so no way. I'm not a night owl. I suck at night. If you can do it, great. But it's a really $hitty lifestyle.

But.....the good news is, you'll probably be home every day. That'll be good for your wife and kid. You'll get to see them a lot. But you'll be so frackin tired all the time, you probably aren't going to want to do anything. Ask them about upgrade time. If you've got a Lear type, you need time in type, even if it's just SIC. A type rating with no time in type is about as good as a yellow turd on rye. From that standpoint, it might help your career, especially if you can get in the left seat. Get some info on that, but again, take it with a grain of salt.

#2 & #4. Cargo jobs. Probably flying on the wrong side of the clock, but it's PIC turbine right away, and you'll probably have a set schedule, home every night, (or day) and better QOL than the others. Right? Or is it on demand? Some of the happiest low timers I've ever met are Airnet guys. One guy said, "I work 4 nights a week, off every weekend, fly the same run, know my schedule, and you get used to the nights after while." What is the deal with these runs? If they're the same, pick whichever one pays more and has the better schedule, and take it. Also consider where you want to live, cost of living, etc. Which plane do you like better. Which one will give you more flight time? Which company has possible opportunities for advancement should you get stuck there for a period of time longer than you planned?

Hey bud, I don't like either of 'em because I don't like flying on the wrong side of the clock. That's why you'll never see me at Fed Ex or UPS. I know those are two of the best jobs in aviation right now, but I just would be miserable being up all night. But if someone had a gun to my head, I'd take one of the prop cargo jobs. Especially if you've already got some Lear time. I think the QOL would just be better. However, if you have no lear time, GET SOME. Then you'll have something to fall back on in the corporate world. You'll have a rating and some time in type. That is a BIG help in getting a corporate job. It might be worth it to suck it up at the Air Ambulance job for a while. The bottom line is, if you change your mind anytime, it's no big deal. Change jobs. Look for a better paying corporate gig. Hell, look for a non-cargo better QOL job now. It'll be tougher if you have no time in type, but if you don't have to sign a training contract, just be looking for something that'll make you happy.

Peace!

Hey, thanks for the great advice and for taking the time to type all that....it really does help....well the good news is that I do have some time in the lear, its not thousands but its enough to where I've gotten lots of calls from 135 ops for Lear SIC position. Sooooo i guess the pic turb in the emb110 would come in handy. I still dont know what routs Airnow has open or coming opend, I have to interview with them on Tuesday. I guess once I go up there I will really know whether or not to take the job with them. I spoke with the CP of tricoastal and he said that some of his pilots are now having 5 days on 2 off schedule....is this true??? can anyone confirm this for me?

Well I am going to be honest with ya, I havent really had a problem with flying at night, obviously day is better but I am kind of a night owl hehehe. And well UPS and FedEx are my (dream airlines) will I get there, who knows....but like you said I need to find what makes me happy, and that's the reason why I am really taking my time and making sure that I get as much feedback from my wife and well...you guys, most of you guys have gone through something like this and I think it's always important to seek advice from experience people. That's why I posted this and I really appreacita all the advice, hopefully everything will come together in the next couple of weeks and will give you all good news.

 

[Flybet3]

Don't know any of those companies.

The best advice I have is make sure that your wife knows how each job would affect your lives and make sure she is up for it! From what I understand she going to be home with Jr. and probably they won't see that much, unless you take the medflight gig. After that is out of the way... make sure it will be fun. Something you will enjoy!


You are correct sir.... I am also considering something I will enjoy, I love flying the Lear Jet and teaching in the SIM (I'm a contract Lear sim instructor) but i also do enjoy fly Single pilot alot, keeps me from flying with a-holes.


Doesn't take much or long to get burned out in job you don't like!
That's for Damm sure!

It sounds like you have thick skinn......

Why thank you, you know what.....I sure do aaarrrrggghhhhh!!!!!!


Take your time, make a good decision!

Ooooooooh I sure will! thanx


Best of luck!

You too

 

[Flybet3]

Why is what?

You said,
PIC JET!!!!! you know why?

so I asked why is that?

 

[SkyRat]

Think long and hard about Grand Aire (now Tri-Coastal) before choosing that. You could check into USA Jet, Ameristar, or Cherry Air and get the same jet experience without as many problems to go with it. I won't spread rumors without fact, but it is a fact that they've had three accidents in the last year (at least two fatal) and I work with several pilots that used to fly for them. Not a one of them has anything good to say about the company. The schedule does suck for a family life (believe me, I'm doing it now and have been for 5 years and I have a wife and 3 kids), but the payoff in the future will be worth it (I HOPE, cuz it sucks now.)...I've gotten a lot of jet time and (hopefully) should be marketable for a 121 carrier.
Check their safety records first.
Good Luck.

 

[Flybet3]

Think long and hard about Grand Aire (now Tri-Coastal) before choosing that. You could check into USA Jet, Ameristar, or Cherry Air and get the same jet experience without as many problems to go with it. I won't spread rumors without fact, but it is a fact that they've had three accidents in the last year (at least two fatal) and I work with several pilots that used to fly for them. Not a one of them has anything good to say about the company. The schedule does suck for a family life (believe me, I'm doing it now and have been for 5 years and I have a wife and 3 kids), but the payoff in the future will be worth it (I HOPE, cuz it sucks now.)...I've gotten a lot of jet time and (hopefully) should be marketable for a 121 carrier.
Check their safety records first.
Good Luck.

Well I appreciate your advice, I've gone to cherry air and they arent hiring. Well that's what the HR biatch says. I've narrowed it down to the Air Ambulance and the Beech 99 job.

The air ambulance gig is in Albuquerque NM, 30 a year, 5 days on 2 off which is pretty nice.
The freight job is a 5 day route, 28K a year, somewhere in wisconsin. So I think both are pretty decent jobs. Probably a week more or so and I should be posting something from either WI or NM.

 

[PSAChiefPilots]

More Info was needed!

First of all, you didn't give all the facts for my first post! 22, married, Baby on the way.....This changes alot of things....Trust me benefits can far outweigh the pay...Try buying Health Insurance for a Family and Baby.....If they are not providing it, then you'll lose a chunk of that pay trying to afford it! It also sounds like the wife will be a stay at home mother, If not, Have you checked into Child care??? More cash you may have not thought about previously! I know because my wife's pregnant and we are losing our second income (50K)
and have checked into the Daycare thing for when she is going back to work (Her choice). Most guys I know go on the road to get rest with a new baby at home, If you are flying all night and at home everyday, It's not going to happen!
Also, Choose wisely, I can not give you any insight on any of the companies you posted about but plenty of guys here can....Shady Mainteneace practices have cost me many friends, You have to think about a wife and baby at home...Make sure you have a decent life insurance policy whether YOU think you need it or not, It's not for you!!!!! Interesting to be referred to as "Old Timer", I was in the same position as you when I was your age (less the wife and Baby), Made a few decesions that turned out to not work out, Companies went out of business, couple continously wrote bad checks, got tired of chasing my money down and usually never go it, Try dealing with that with a wife and Baby. Then ten years ago got hired here, Rode it out through ups and downs, Most of my friends who left are all back because of downsizing, Furloughs, etc. Don't let the title fool you, I turned 35 last month, took the title to try to make a difference.
Good Luck with what ever decesion you make!
PSACPSP

Hmmm....interesting point, although I am not rushing to get the PIC turb just for an airline job, I am also considering corporate and even cargo for a career choice. All I am wondering is if I go and take the Emb110 or BE99 job once I get some decent PIC time in them, is it still possible to get a job flying PIC in a jet afterwards? I ask b/c usually Jet jobs are a bit higher paying. And like you said, I should start planning for retirement, and this is the reason why I am postion this. I'm 22, married and with a baby on the way, so I'm just trying to figure out what would be a better route.....I've only been flying for 3 1/2 years and I always like getting advice from you old timers.

 

[Flybet3]

First of all, you didn't give all the facts for my first post! 22, married, Baby on the way.....This changes alot of things....Trust me benefits can far outweigh the pay...Try buying Health Insurance for a Family and Baby.....If they are not providing it, then you'll lose a chunk of that pay trying to afford it! It also sounds like the wife will be a stay at home mother, If not, Have you checked into Child care??? More cash you may have not thought about previously! I know because my wife's pregnant and we are losing our second income (50K)
and have checked into the Daycare thing for when she is going back to work (Her choice). Most guys I know go on the road to get rest with a new baby at home, If you are flying all night and at home everyday, It's not going to happen!
Also, Choose wisely, I can not give you any insight on any of the companies you posted about but plenty of guys here can....Shady Mainteneace practices have cost me many friends, You have to think about a wife and baby at home...Make sure you have a decent life insurance policy whether YOU think you need it or not, It's not for you!!!!! Interesting to be referred to as "Old Timer", I was in the same position as you when I was your age (less the wife and Baby), Made a few decesions that turned out to not work out, Companies went out of business, couple continously wrote bad checks, got tired of chasing my money down and usually never go it, Try dealing with that with a wife and Baby. Then ten years ago got hired here, Rode it out through ups and downs, Most of my friends who left are all back because of downsizing, Furloughs, etc. Don't let the title fool you, I turned 35 last month, took the title to try to make a difference.
Good Luck with what ever decesion you make!
PSACPSP

Well, I apoligize if you didnt get all the facts from the get go. I know that there are some risk in all the jobs I have considered, that's why I've been so patient. I did the airline thing, with Pinchnickle and I just couldnt afford the pay. I liked it dont get me wrong, the CRJ was a fun airplane, but $1570 a month just cant cut it, I am currently a Lear Jet instructor (contract) so i have no benefits and well if anyone here has done contract work knows that one week you might work enough and the next week you are pretty much starving. I love instructing in the Lear (sim) its soooo much fun, everyone is so dam cool, but I need benefits...like you said not for me but for my wife and baby! that's the only reason why I am going through all of this. I did the freight thing before while being married and I enjoyed it. I'm trying to do something not only for the benefits, but I need some full time income for the next couple of months...in other words something to pay the bills while I turn 23 so I can get my atp and be able to apply at some better jobs. I've had good job offers, but all of them have required an ATP, and well being 22 sets me back a bit. For example FLOPS offered me a job, but had to withdraw the offer b/c I was 22. Just a couple of more months I guess.