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Old 05-27-2017, 04:06 AM
  #2  
tcco94
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Joined APC: Feb 2015
Position: LAX ER
Posts: 1,606
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I left in November so might be out dated info a little bit. The pay was 28k, you work 5 10hr duty periods, 2 consecutive days off. Bonus is real it was $5,000. $1,000 week 1 and the rest when you pass indoc (2 weeks later). Ended up like 3400/3500 after taxes if I remember. They were funded CFI-I as well when I was there almost the entire time. The bonus is a 1 yr contract and if they fund your CFI-I you still get the 5,000 but your contract worth is 8,000. Just work for a year and you're off the hook.

So anyways, you'll teach private pilot when you get in. Expect 40-50 hrs a month. That will go about 4 months until you get to instrument. They do commercial time building in instrument so my hours were around 110-130/month depending how much I worked the week (a 6th day or not). Tough out private and don't complain and instrument you'll get the hours. Now if you're a MEI you're at a disadvantage because they were short those guys/gals. Most of that training is in the sim so your hours a month go back down to 40. Most of the time (if not all the time) they will keep you in instrument and not recycle you through private again. It almost always goes to new hires. Private is very stressful crappy time at TransPac. Briefs, solos, landing missions...these students are not very good either.

You'll have a language barrier but the students overall are very respectful. Not very good pilots but it's whatever. Some guys who are dramatic can't handle it but most are fine. You just never trust your students and be on the controls lightly as a back up or hands ready at all times. Even when they're 190 hours deep into training getting ready for multi or the king air. Too much to risk if you think they know it by now....they don't.

Pretty much QOL is not very good at TransPac but they give you the most hours in the valley for sure. If you teach instrument a common schedule is 3 or 4 pm start to 1am or 2am. It's great for the summer flying and with the air conditioners on the planes it's super nice. You'll work your a** off, get paid worse than the other schools but you also won't fly 40-70 hours a month consistently. You have the option for much more hours and to me it was worth it.

I almost never worked 6th day (until my last 2 months I did a few) and I logged about 930 hours in 11 months. The management is okay, they treat you like most places. Not as good as other schools but if you just do your job, don't cancel for a cell that's 30 miles away and the size of a Cessna, and you'll be fine. The ones who don't like management typically complain to them daily. I went weeks sometimes without having to talk to my boss and I just did my job. When I needed their help they helped but also I helped when they asked in return. Overall it's a good company. A good story I tell people is when my appendix ruptured the company gave me as much time as I needed and I got paid. I never got texted on when I was coming back and I left 12 students without flying for 2 weeks. When I came back they even offered to ease in a light schedule. They were very supportive and cared. People typically act like they don't (as does everyone with all management) but I enjoyed my time at TransPac. I went for hours and I got them fast. Other schools around the area will pay more, work less, and have better lifestyles but a lot of my friends there spent a few more months to get the same hours I had. Pick and choose your battles. Getting to a regional 3-4 months earlier is a big deal in seniority. Hope all that helps I tried to give a complete unbiased and not disgruntled opinion. You WILL run into guys who hate the company and couldn't deal with working that much with Chinese guys. It's not easy I won't lie but it was definitely worth it.
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