Originally Posted by
C340
For baggage, you'll want 2-3 totes that you can check in when jumpseating, a black carry on, and maybe a small backpack. Totes will hold food, clothes, etc. for your two week shift. I am personally not buying anything like that until I get closer to being on the line. The first few times you head up there will just be training.
They provide jackets/hats/etc, but there is no real set required uniform right now. You may buy pilot shirts/epaulets from them if you want to jumpseat in that outfit, or just wear a nice shirt, pants, dress shoes, and tie. I bought the pilot shirt because it will help get through screening. Not sure how much it cost, but they have a closet full of them that you can try on to make sure you have the right size.
No commitment required. The goal of having SICs in a Caravan is to train us up to be captains of the 207 ($290/day) and then the 208 ($330/day), which normally will take about a year or less from SIC Caravan to PIC Caravan, assuming you fly well and others recommend you. Obviously they understand some people are here to get 1500 and dip out, but your seniority transfers over to Corvus if you'd like to go fly 121 and get paid pretty damn well. As SIC in a Caravan, were being paid more for our first year than most FO's at Horizon, which is pretty crazy.
I originally wanted to go to Horizon or Skywest once I have my 1500, but I am going into this with a very open mind to staying longer if its the right fit for me because so far I am pretty impressed with everything.
Hope this helps!
From my experience only take 2 totes. Out of courtesy to the airline giving you a free ride and also depending on the airline you jump seat they will make you pay for more than 2.
Also wearing the monkey suit with epaulets will make your life 100x easier commuting. TSA goes faster and gate agents take you more seriously. Also I have been at a gate with 4 of us looking for a jump seat with 1 guy not wearing the uniform and when the captain came up to us she was very respectful and said I can take 3 and she took the 3 in uniform. Also as a last resort to get home you can get the cockpit jump seat and a lot of captains wouldn't take guys not in uniform in the cockpit. Almost every captain does their best to try to get you a ride but it is ultimately their call so look professional and act the part and always ask the captains permission before boarding. Read up somewhere on jump seat etiquette it goes a long way.
For extra points ask the Purser for her permission to sit in her cabin and that you can take different seats if it helps people sit near loved ones etc. They eat that **** up and will always take care of you the rest of the flight. Extra snacks and free entertainment etc. Show respect and it will be given in return.