Everts Air Cargo
 

Recently I have seen posts and advertisements for C-46 FOs and DC-6 FOs and FE positions.
Looking through APC I saw a bunch of threads ranging from 2-9 years old.
I read a variety of reviews; some good, some bad, and some just comical.
Whats the current quality of life, pay, training, interview?
Ideally, I would like to talk with a current or former pilot.
Thanks everyone

No experience with the company and absolutely nothing of value to offer you. But when I'm sitting on the ramp in Anchorage....and I see an Everts round engine WWII era work horse taxi by on it's way to some gravel strip in the middle of wild Alaska....I smash my face against the glass and bask in the awesomeness. If I lived up there....I'd do it for the experience alone.

It is literally an money making flying museum.

You won't find a more personally rewarding experience, except maybe in Africa. But then, you'd have to live in Africa. :)

There is actually 3 Everts, or Todontuk Outfitters. There's Everts Air Alaska, which is the part-135 part. That's based in Fairbanks. There's Everts Air Fuel, which is the part-125 part which flys out of Fairbanks and Kenai. And there's Everts Air Cargo, which mostly flys out of Anchorage and does some lower 48 stuff mainly out of Laredo. When people speak of Everts they usually mean the part-121 cargo operation.

Usually 2 phone interviews and some emails back and forth. Nothing to study for.

Pay and schedule are loosely based on what you see on the APC profile section. Keep in mind there is no union which has its pros and cons. Every pilot negotiates their own deal and they are all pretty different as far as what they get paid and what their schedule is. Some guys, especially on the Fuel side, are contract pilots. This provides flexibility for each pilot's unique circumstances, but it also throws some uncertainty into your status. Extra pay kind of varies from pilot to pilot for each situation as well. For example, sometimes junior manning pays 150%, sometimes not. I'm not sure on the particulars. Just keep in mind that you will be your own negotiator.

You'll know what days you are scheduled to work a few weeks ahead of time. You'll get a schedule of what trip you are doing the night before. You'll be flying very old planes. The piston aircraft in particular are very prone to maintenance issues. There will be many delays and cancelations. Probably about 50% of the time you'll show up and your daily schedule will change one way or another. It's all pretty laid back. Nobody ever seems to be in a rush to get out on time. It's in their DNA to expect delays. Just plan on crediting 60 hours per pay period (every 28 days) because with all the cancelations I'd say flying more than that is not possible unless you work days off.

Speaking of days off, again that varies person to person and sort of depends on what aircraft you fly and if you have a base or not. 14 on/14 off is the best I've heard of. Some contract guys sort of come and go as needed. Some seems kind of seasonal.

Overall I'd say the QOL is better than at a regional. If you enjoy outdoor wilderness kind of activities, don't mind always being grimy with oil and smelling like fuel and can do your business in the bushes then I'd say you'll be much happier at Everts than a regional and probably even an LCC. The pay is ok and if you negotiate the 14 on/14 off schedule that's good. But you'd better like old airplanes and hand flying. MD-80, of course, is a little bit more modern if you get that.

But, I've heard rumors that Everts lost a big chunk of it's mail contracts recently to Lynden. I also heard that their DOD contract expired and they're on an extention right now. If all this is true then instead of needing pilots they are probably actually over-staffed. Maybe someone else can clarify that.

I’ve lived in Alaska and Africa. I prefer Africa.

I'd do it in a heartbeat if they put me in the C46.

Is it possible for 121 guys in CASS to jumpseat on the DC-6s? What an experience that would be. Who do I contact for more info?

Until the first rain storm.:D

Get in a 55 gal. metal drum, have somebody bang on it.