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Flying Cargo on the DC-9

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Flying Cargo on the DC-9

Old 10-13-2018, 02:41 PM
  #1  
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Default Flying Cargo on the DC-9

Hello, all. First time poster. I'm currently a university student working toward my ratings and have a somewhat weird career hope compared to my fellow students. I'm hoping to fly the DC-9 for at least a couple years, and there are four carriers in the United States that currently fly them: USA Jet, Ameristar, Kalitta Charters II, and Everts Air Cargo. I'm looking for information for each of them. Currently, all are marked on ALPC as hiring, although a couple pages haven't been updated in a few years. What are the working conditions like at these airlines? Are they R-ATP friendly? Do they put pilots through type training, or do I have to have the DC-9 type rating beforehand?

Thanks for the replies,
Kyle
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Old 10-13-2018, 03:01 PM
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My opinions aside, do you have a lot of round dial experience?

I flew the -80, but never the 9, no real interest. But prior to the -80 I had a fair amount of experience in GA aircraft flying round dials, though directly before the -80 I flew RJs for a few years. It can be a tough transition as the scan is quite a bit different. I'm not sure about required flight times though I know the washout rate on a DC-9/MD80 is generally higher than most RJs I'd make sure you are ready to make the jump.
Don't worry about buying a type, your employer will pay for it.

I haven't flown for any of those airlines, but the cargo life can be tougher with all the red-eye flying. I know Everts had/has more of a two week on two week off type schedule and you are home based. They should airline you too the airplane and Evert does most of their flying out of Texas and Alaska. USA jet and Kalitta Charters I think you have to live in YIP and be close to the airfield with a short call out I think? But that may have changed with increased demand. There are some threads on here with guys discussing working at those places.

As for the pay? No it's not very good relative to the equipment. On demand charter and ACMI never really pay great though compared the mainline carriers but of course it's not as hard to get hired by them either. Honestly you'll probably make more money and get more time off at Envoy or Endeavour. Especially considering all the bonuses and tuition reimbursement the regionals are paying now. On top of that you'll have a quick upgrade and a flow for interview at a mainline carrier. Okay did give you a little bit of my opinion there.

Good luck.
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Old 10-13-2018, 03:07 PM
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I started my flight training in a round dial Cessna 172 and have a scan developed. However, my university's training fleet consists of all-glass airplanes with the exception of the complex and multi-engine trainers, which I'll be flying in the next couple of years.

I know about the benefits packages on the regional side since they make frequent stops at my college, but the DC-9 still remains a huge dream of mine. Everts, from what I know about them, would seem like a good place to be since I can deadhead to Laredo. Starting out, I wouldn't expect Pan Am-747-level pay, so I'm not that worried about pay as long as it isn't lower than $40k/yr.
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Old 10-13-2018, 03:41 PM
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Normally we hear about pilots with SJS (shiny jet syndrome.)

This is the first case of ODJS I have heard of (Old Douglasaurus Jet Syndrome)
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Old 10-13-2018, 03:42 PM
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I went from the Airbus to the MD82/83. It wasn't an issue.
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by lockhar1 View Post
Hello, all. First time poster. I'm currently a university student working toward my ratings and have a somewhat weird career hope compared to my fellow students. I'm hoping to fly the DC-9 for at least a couple years, and there are four carriers in the United States that currently fly them: USA Jet, Ameristar, Kalitta Charters II, and Everts Air Cargo. I'm looking for information for each of them. Currently, all are marked on ALPC as hiring, although a couple pages haven't been updated in a few years. What are the working conditions like at these airlines? Are they R-ATP friendly? Do they put pilots through type training, or do I have to have the DC-9 type rating beforehand?

Thanks for the replies,
Kyle
Look into Everts Air Cargo. They’re looking for DC-9 F/O’s to be based in KANC, and MD-80 F/O’s for the lower 48. Great place to work. They have a new D/O who is pilot friendly. The owner of the company, Rob Everts is friendly and approachable. He flies the line too. Great guy. You’ll complete ground training in Fairbanks AK, then sim training in the Lower 48 either in Dallas, or Atlanta. Full pay from day one... give them a call. You’ll have the opportunity to ride along on a DC-6 and C-46 too! The Chief Pilot, who conducts line training, is a super guy too.
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Old 10-13-2018, 04:17 PM
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I think K Charters II only hire captains who are rated...at least that was how it was before...

USA Jet and Ameristar are similar operations, but in different locations. At USAJet you can start as FO, get training, and work your way up to Capt. You can start as a -135 FO on the Falcon 20, if you don't want to wait for your ATP.

I think Everets is probably the best, overall, for most pilots.

Also, K Charters II: you normally can't move from there to Kalitta Air, if that is a consideration.
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Old 10-13-2018, 05:03 PM
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Of the things I've seen on here about the airlines, Everts seems like the best option. I'm definitely keeping them on my list.
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:20 PM
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Any training “academy” that doesn’t have round dials, then tells prospective “candidates” that everything is all glass should be taken with suspicion. Helicopter pilots make good airplane pilots but not vice versa. Round dial pilots make gooder glass pilots, but not vice versa. Any CP of a flight school that doesn’t want to go to the airlines, move to bigger equipment or is telling you how the airlines are, is full of something or has skeletons. I went from an all glass fleet and fms to furloughed and overseas in round gauges before I was 30. I think it’s solid that you want to fly a Douglas and can attest firsthand that a dc-9 is a beast and stops all conversation from start up to Vr.
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Old 10-13-2018, 08:32 PM
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Also, don’t ever pay for your own ratings. If someone can afford to operate an aircraft, they can pay to train you to fly it. If they can’t afford training, they can’t afford to pay you and they can’t afford to operate an aircraft. We’ll end up like euroland if you take it upon yourself to pay for your own type. Speaking of which, if you’re the SouthWest pilot who owned regional airline training academy in deland, kiss our collective asses. The JS from Vegas to Orlando on a 320 in 2009 was the most painful and ackwsrd experience ever. If you are the former “admissions” officer for said school, how do puppies and kittens taste?
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