Originally Posted by
402DRVR
I am looking seriously at working for Airnet in a few months. I know they occasionally hire guys into a requested base when possible. Does anyone have any experience with this. More importantly, does the company put much pressure on you to fly in bad weather or bad equipment or anything of that nature?
Thanks for any info.
Don't count on being hired directly into a base. Bases and runs are awarded on a seniority basis. Whatever is open when you finish class and pass your checkride is what you get to bid on. You do get one lateral move per seat position per year, so you will have the opportunity to bid out... as long as a run opens up at the base you want and you have the seniority to hold it. I'm not saying that they won't hire directly into a base, but it is unlikely... even with the current shortage of pilots we are experiencing. They would have to bypass the bidding process, and that would upset alot of folks.
As for the bad equipment/bad weather question... I've never felt any more pressure than I would have expected when I got into this particular type of flying (135 night freight). I know that there are operators out there that skimp on maintenance and try to push you beyond safe limits with regards to weather... AirNet is not one of those companies. Our equipment, while not necessarily the prettiest on the ramp, is well maintained. I've never been questioned for MELing an item or grounding an airplane, and maintenance is always available by phone or in person (when at a maintenance base) to help out or answer any questions. Have I flown in some nasty weather... you bet. Have I scared the crap out of myself... once or twice (it was my call to go).
Has AirNet ever questioned my need to delay, divert or cancel due to weather... no. I present the facts, and in the end... I'm the PIC. What I say goes. That said, in my time at AirNet (a year and a half) I think I've delayed due to weather less than 5 times... diverted two or three... cancelled all together - zero. Please note... there is an element of luck involved when it comes to weather.
Overall AirNet experience... I would give it a thumbs up. It is what it is... 135 night freight. Single pilot, all night, all weather. The pay... I've seen better. I've also seen alot worse. You've got your 4 day, minimum pay runs... you've got your 5 day runs that pay really well... you've got your floater spots that have a 8-on/6-off schedule that pay somewhere in the middle. Take your pick.
Hope that answered some of your questions. Good luck!