Now that sounds like a real gamble.

I am from the opinion that they are completely overloaded in HR with applications and trying to put classes together.
For the September 5th class, I heard there were 2 who backed out last minute.
Seems to be one class per month right now, and coming from the inside, the planes will continue to come if they are successful
in staffing them.

Growth and hiring are usually good signs.
 

And it might be pure speculation at this point. But any idea if the planned growth at Amerijet purely internal, DHL, Amazon, more MIA flying, etc?

Thanks in advance also.

"I heard there were 2 who backed out last minute."

TWO pilots backed out in this hiring market!?!?!? Did they get an offer to fly the space shuttle??? geez

Announced this week that both DFW and ONT will become temp bases. DFW is a DHL run. ONT is a new USPS run that could start by January. Peak will be working for FedEx again going to VCP. 349CM in TPA finishing checks and is ex-AA bird with winglets. She’ll probably be added to ETOPS. And we do not know if we have been awarded any of the DHL flying they bid on.

One did get a better offer that was suited for his QOL. It can happen even in these times.

With SMF and CVG lines being senior, is it a safe assumption that ONT/DFW will probably go senior as well?

I think that’s a good assumption but honestly it’s up in the air. We don’t know the details of ONT yet. As they say bid for what you want and get what seniority allows for. Even if I bid for a temp base, which is as close to being home based as we have, I still bid what days off I want. That way if I can’t hold my first choice at least I got a say in when I’d like to work.

Rats bring plague
 

Lately we’ve had a problem with guys not using a proper chain of command or even addressing issues with an individual. Unfortunately and recently some of our new hires are guilty of this. It’s not entirely their fault. BB has encouraged it. Nobody disagrees that when issues arise we need to fix them. But use the proper chain. Talk to the pilot first. If unsuccessful go to you chief, etc. Unfortunately we’ve had a few here go right to the top and that does not sit well. Hopefully soon under ALPA and pro standards that will stop. But right now there are a few pilots here more than willing to screw you over to curry favor. It’s divisive and won’t be tolerated. And over time you’ll be unmasked and true colors shown. Don’t buy the hype that it’s ok to just go to BB. Respect your fellow pilots and use your proper chain of command. We know there’s room for improvement and we are trying our best to make it happen.

Do you know anything about the history of AMJ and 36st street? Have you ever flown cargo? Not throwing stones, I also work for a scumbag cargo outfit. Its overrated, fatiguing and does serious damage to your health family/life etc, I'm only still here because of COVID. I'm also not shaming guys for applying that are unemployed, but trust me it's nothing special.

I myself am a bit locked in due to the golden handcuffs for the next few years, but after that give me a domestic Citation gig 7 on 7 off for less pay any day.

I am at 5Y and we are IBT. We have many, many committees including Pro Standards that are manned by volunteers who are often getting calls in the middle of the night. What exactly makes you think you will have these people when you are represented by ALPA? What I still don't understand is how no one else has stepped up in this airline to become a steward or run a committee. Did you guys just let two unelected guys run the show for a dozen years? How is this going to change with ALPA?

Additionally, we are hearing rumors that Amazon doesn't want to deal with IBT, and your management wants Amazon contracts. Our struggle with our management has embarrassed the suits at Amazon, but such is necessary in our constant battle to raise all boats. It is insulting to all of us at 5Y to think that another pilot group (under IBT) would undermine us. But we will continue the struggle with or without help from other pilot groups.

Is that what Bourne told you?
 

Is that what Bourne told you, because if it is I can share his lame effort at back peddling when I asking him to clarify what exactly why is Amerijet “not the kind of pilots or group” that ALPA like to deal with... especially when I came from a small ACMI that ALPA took with open arms and shared their resources with open arms. That small ACMI is now a large ACMI, which does the bulk of the Amazon flying, and has a great contract partly because of ALPA. Why would anybody not want that instead of an airline division manager that seems to think we are some sort of lesser pilot group that only deserves the IBT because we can’t get anybody else? Sorry, we’re not your codependent girlfriend Dave and the parallels you try to draw between us and Atlas/Polar are irrelevant... and you know it.

Our journey as a pilot group is to finally defeat the old image of a “scumbag 36th street” carrier and have professional representation that the IBT just cannot provide.. not to undercut anybody. If your airline is having issues with their customers then maybe the pilot group, and the company, should look at themselves in the mirror and see if they can identify the problem before it’s too late.

Judging by the people that post in the AJT ALPA online group, and the very poor attendance to the IBT’s last two meetings seems to indicate it is all over but the crying for the IBT here at Amerijet. We’ll know next Monday, and I wish Godspeed to the new leaders of the pilot group who are planning to hit the ground running for a strong future for our pilots.

Hey Cap that’s great. When you help your chapter of IBT deliver a quality contract come talk to us. We don’t much care. Our days of Teamsters are hopefully over soon. And I for one cannot wait. The IBT has had more than adequate time to do the right thing. Only they chose not to. You worry about you, we will focus on us. I have friends at 5Y too and based on what they say if they could they kick IBT to the curb for something better too. We’re doing what’s best for our group. Sorry if it doesn’t fit your agenda.

You don’t think ALPA carriers have volunteer committees that offer their services to peers around the clock? Of course they do.

Something ain't right with you guys. Of course ALPA has these committees. Why hasn't anyone stepped up in the last dozen years to do anything under your two IBT contracts? I suspect you all are waiting for ALPA to make everything better. I honestly dont understand why the number two man at IBT in D.C. wastes his time with this group.

That’s the exact same sentiment that drove us to collect cards in the first place. When you try to organize a committee and the IBT business agent keeps blowing you off, or plain outright says “I have a bunch of other councils I run, and I don’t have time” and people tend to lose interest. That coupled with no visible road to become a union steward, or recall the ones we have, has brought us to this point. Yes the IBT picked up the ball and ran with it during the dark ages, but they got really comfortable being the party of opposition and had no clue what to do moving forward once that opposition(Basset) was removed. This is a completely different airline then when you left Cap, and you or the IBT leaders can’t seem to see that. On the seniority list I’m in the high 30’s, and happen to be about the last pilot to really have gotten a glimpse at the Basset era. We have almost 120 pilots now, and a vast majority of them have no idea about Basset... nor do they really care. They see the growth here, they see the problems we currently have and the wall management is trying to build between the old and new pilots, and they know the IBT is not equipped to handle those issues or represent us in a way that professional pilots deserve.

All I can say is keep underestimating our pilot group, and think we are some sort of lesser group because you believe that because we come from airline with a tarnished name from the past. They say the punch that gets you is the one you didn’t see, so just keep looking the other way... the IBT did just that, and their sucker punch will be delivered next Monday.

I worked for the non-union version fifteen years ago, but I have met some of your reps. Knock yourselves out. I find it very difficult to believe no one pitched in to start a P2P or Pro Standards. No elected EXCO, no stewards, no Training committee? Nothing? Over two contracts? "Professional pilots"? Good luck guys.

Hi Guys I would LIke to Know, if there is any Interview Gouge for AJT?

Thanks in advanced

It is a straightforward interview. Very casual and friendly. HR is definitely the standard stuff, maybe 4-8 questions. Tech is about the same, or shorter. An ETOPS scenario will be a part of. If you are creative and thorough, you can cover most of the tech with just the ETOPS question.

Zoom interview in late July 2020. A possible Aug 10 class was mentioned and maybe in a pool for a few months if not offered Aug 10 class. I haven't heard a peep since. Suggestions?

I’d recommend following up. We are interviewing Monday for an upcoming class.

fresh gouge for interview
 

Anyone who interviewed recently, with a fresh gouge. Everything online seems to me ages back.

PM I did it, last week

I tried a phone and email to Bre*** but I got no response either way.

That might have been a blessing in disguise!... They have been experiencing a very hi resignation rate lately,
for a company like this .........speaks volumes!!

In this market? Where to?

They could be trolling, I doubt that there is a “high resignation” rate right now anywhere

I regret to say there is a pretty high resignation rate right now but that happens when you don’t have bid lines, or home basing, or the same pay as your peer airlines. I’m afraid the trend will continue until those issues improve, especially amongst the pilots we picked up from the majors.

Well 17 and counting since March so yeah to me considering how short staffed we are that’s a high rate.

You have to be persistent. Our HR is not the best in returning calls or emails. Good luck.

You don’t need to spend $200 to interview
 

Also our interim training manager who comes from a legacy seems to be advocating you have to do interview prep and know ETOPS. I say that’s BS. I believe you prepare for the job you want but you should not be extorted in the process. So for those interested in applying and don’t have ETOPS experience browse the AC-120. It’s free and in particular read the contingency procedures. Also think about what speed you’d fly. Those with prior experience should know the CRZ page will give you the data off the Engine Out LSK. You fly that speed. That should cover the ETOPS stuff.

If you interview here know the basics of any interview. Hold speeds. Airspace. You can use the aviation interview gouge from Delta, Atlas, or anywhere else and be well prepared. You do NOT need a useless $200 dollar prep. There are pilots here who’ve helped guys out recently. We can if you ask via a PM or on here help you. We are getting 2 more 200s in January. We are in need of good people. Are we perfect? No. We are trying though to make this place better. Only you know what’s best for you. But for those looking and considering here I wanted you to not buy into the BS of spending money. Personally we have too many “saviors” we’ve given shelter to from this economic storm who are flunking at reinventing the wheel here. Caveat Emptor and good luck to all.

I really appreciate you sharing this, I am one of those hopeful candidates, low time but with high hopes with high hopes.

What are competitive times? I’ve got an app in but haven’t heard anything.

Couple questions.

What is the current status the contract negotiations?

Any idea what some of the expected QOL improvements will be?

Fair questions. First off we have not begun anything in relations to contract. In process of electing MEC and transiting from our Temp officers. That should wrap up by end of January or early February. Honestly with it being peak, being incredibly short staffed and a host of other stuff I don’t know if we will start taking the steps to open contract talks this month. I’m not in a position to speak on behalf of the union on that. It’s been a flurry of activity and a lot must still get done.

As for expectations? Again I cannot comment as the union has not even had its common strategy planning yet. But it’s a safe bet that increases wages, better healthcare benefits and retirement, scheduling and home basing are big issues. Many pilots want home basing. At least those I’ve flown with these past 3 months. We’re just getting started on a lot so not much I can share on this. Look to be totally honest it’s looking like a total boilerplate rebuild with at or better than industry standards as the marks. But as you know how quickly those issues get resolved depends on how quickly a union and company can agree on things. And there within lies the unknown. The good thing however is that two of the former upper executive management that made things difficult are no longer with the company so that’s a start. Wish I could truly give you specific examples but I cannot. I can only speak on very general terms.

We, like anyone else, have been flooded by resumes. And unfortunately for some reason all of our classes had been filled with expats and major airline furloughs. It has not worked out that well as some went back due to their airlines, others quit and some just do nothing but whine about everything. The latter are the ones who need to shut up and just be grateful for the job. But that’s my personal opinion.

The two recent classes they hired had a more blended structure of pilots. So it’s honestly been all over the place. Our HR are notoriously slow and at times have been hard to get ahold of. They may have forgotten. We don’t have pilot recruiting like some airlines. It’s our DO, CP and director of training along with a few others. Basically folks wearing multiple hats sometimes. As such if you have a pint of contact here you’ve got to follow up routinely it seems. And that’s including those with internal recs. Good luck. We will be adding more 200s in January and expanding. So we need good folks here.

Thank you for the reply. It seems encouraging and that things are moving in a positive direction. I have an interview next week and so far I like what I’ve been hearing from people I know and on here.

We have all been there in our career. You’ll need an ATP (unrestricted) and you are competing against a lot of guys with high time. But so what? Keep banging on the doors and let them tell you “no”. Eventually somebody is going to give you a shot. Good luck and don’t give up. Yeah it’s rough right now but persistence pays off.

Are there further growth plans past the additional 200s in 21'?

I suspect so. We put in a bid for both 200 and 300 for DHL flying. There were 8-9 on each contract I think. We now have 4 of those 200’s and we think we will be awarded more. Not sure on the 300 side. There was an unknown client asking if we could operate up to 5 757 but due to current staffing I’ve no clue. And they’ve even discussed larger equipment in the future. We all know believe it when you see it, when you’re in a class when it comes to that stuff. But candidly given our staffing needs even if we don’t take on all of it we will be hiring and upgrading guys. But I’m just a line pilot. All of those decisions however are far above my pay grade.