Originally Posted by
ncbull
The current QOL depends on the assigned base. Some have more staffing than others which creates more or less flying depending on where you are at. Battle Creek is good about letting you telework when you're done with training. They haven't gotten many new people lately so you should be able to get assigned there no problem. Will you be happy flying a King Air 300? You can't stand up in it. Hunch over to use the **** tube in the back.
Like the sailor above said this isn't a flying job. It's a job that takes you flying. A lot of pre-trip planning goes on before every trip. Some trips leave you with a lot of NOTAMs and reports when you get back. Are you prepared to spend a few nights in BFE waiting on parts or a mechanic? Did I mention there is a lot of book work to get certified? It's like a college course you'll never graduate from.
All that being said it's a great job. I enjoy going to work and getting a good trip in. We have bad apples here you'll fly with just like the airline. I think most offices are two weeks on the road (home weekends) and one week home. Some weekend flying going on with certain projects. We just got the new payscale a couple of months ago. Supposedly new King Air 350s in a few years.
Have you gone by the BTL office to say hello and check it out? If you haven't yet you should.
If you want to get a head start on training put this under your pillow.
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flig...g%201-%204.pdf
Thanks for the information. I just got a tentative offer for BTL and decided to accept. I was able to stop by the Battle Creek office and talk with the manager for a bit. Nice guy.
The idea of the KingAir honestly excites me. I’m currently a E175 driver, great plane, but its basically flying a computer. There is no real planning involved besides looking at the weather. The release/ planning is all done for you just punch in numbers and go. Besides take off and landing the plane does the rest.
I’m definitely ok with concept of this being a job that takes you flying, as long as there is flying involved.
Ultimately this career seems like it has potential for a much better quality of life for me. Even if I flew 4 day trips every week, the 20 min drive to KBTL beats the commute to ORD.
Thanks for gouge. Do you have any info on the KingAir 300 so I can start studying systems and the avionics package used? Also, my be a dumb question, do I need to invest in an iPad for EFB or does company supply?
Once again, thanks for the info. I’ve been reeding this forum since I applied for the job late November and seems like a good group. I look forward to working with everyone.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk