Originally Posted by
captjns
ACMi flying isn’t that much different than 135 flying, other than the size of the jet and number of crewmembers. Knowing, in advance, during your current leg of a change is not a major issue, if your aircraft of today are equipped with WiFi. Call the FBO, arrange for Grub Hub, or Uber Eats to deliver food to the FBO at your ETA. Not always the best way one wants to enjoy a repast, but at least one won’t starve. Back in the day I had the F/E phone patch the FBO and place an order for pizza or burgers for the crew. At least we had time to chow down while fueling for the next leg, even if we were not on the ground long enough to have the aircraft cleaned.
Truth! I was that F/E, LOL.. Part 121 Cargo B727 F.O. was the easiest job I ever had, with every weekend, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. off with 12 hour layovers on one side and 34 hour layovers on the other side... and some 34/24 layovers as well. ACMI division had better pilots, though, because they were going to different places in a moments notice challenging their skills, not the same, old canned flight plan routes like the Scheduled side of the business. Unfortunately, the music stopped for me there in the "Great" Recession, which was not so great.
Here, while I have no idea if I will be flying every day, doing hotel standby, or getting called out for a trip that cancelled (Like today, LOL), I do know my schedule one year in advance and that is what my family needs to function smoothly. When I am on the road, the Company pretty much owns us and I am fine since I signed up for that.. But when I am off, I am TOTALLY off, and I love not being on call at home like some Corporat gigs, or having "hard" days off that mean nothing if the Boss wants to fly.