Regionals or ACMI?
10-24-2019, 04:55 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Position: Gear Slinger
Posts: 708
Originally Posted by Locke
Nowadays I’d be more worried about pax freaking out and attacking FAs or causing problems than flying into Afghanistan. Just take the hazard pay, smile, and ask for another trip.
Seriously though Afghanistan isn’t a big deal anymore. I go there often.
10-25-2019, 12:46 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Position: Under the Frog
Posts: 1,125
Originally Posted by Aeirum
Some of the ACMI's fly in and out of war zones.
We did, however, often frequent “areas of unrest”. Our airplanes must have had a special coating or something applied, because they always seemed to attract that pesky “Afghani Lightning”.
Rather peculiar this Afghani stuff. Most lightning strikes leave but a pinhole marking the exit point.
This stuff?
Always seemed to be right around 7.62mm in diameter...
Nature is odd. Who knows?
10-25-2019, 01:47 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,343
Originally Posted by gringo
When I was at Suddern Air, we never once flew into a War Zone.
We did, however, often frequent “areas of unrest”. Our airplanes must have had a special coating or something applied, because they always seemed to attract that pesky “Afghani Lightning”.
Rather peculiar this Afghani stuff. Most lightning strikes leave but a pinhole marking the exit point.
This stuff?
Always seemed to be right around 7.62mm in diameter...
Nature is odd. Who knows?
We did, however, often frequent “areas of unrest”. Our airplanes must have had a special coating or something applied, because they always seemed to attract that pesky “Afghani Lightning”.
Rather peculiar this Afghani stuff. Most lightning strikes leave but a pinhole marking the exit point.
This stuff?
Always seemed to be right around 7.62mm in diameter...
Nature is odd. Who knows?
10-25-2019, 07:36 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2017
Posts: 279
Now I don’t want to play devils advocate and completely understand wanting to keep the trend moving in the right direction. But I will say life as a lowly ACMI pilot is better than most of my friends outside of the industry. Big blocks on, followed by big blocks off. Neighbors start asking you if you have a job when you’re at home and by day 10-11 home you start forgetting you’re gainfully employed.
If you’re smart with your money and don’t buy two houses, three cars, a boat and a motorcycle you’re doing okay. So to say this is a dead end job is a little diva(ish). But I do agree that there is and should be room for improvements to keep up with industry standards. At the regionals, I was struggling to survive even after the so called pay raises. After crash pad fees while commuting, bare bones per diem and maybe 2-4 days off at a time, which while commuting at least one was lost due to trying to get to work/home. I seriously contemplating quitting and finding another job, even had apps out in the law enforcement sector. Since I’ve been at an ACMI, none of that has been a pressure. If the majors are your ultimate goal, then sure slug it out for a few years or more at the regionals. However, I have personally raised my QOL and income substantially by choosing this route. The trips are long, the flip flop schedules can suck, but this is a job and a job that finally pays a decent penny for the sacrifices made in the process. My friends in law enforcement make less than me, work more than me and have pressures involved in the day to day grind that makes this job seem stress free most of the time. They will also top out earnings wise way less than that of a career FO at my company, but they are home every night or day with their family.
Glass half full, glass half empty, it’s each pilots personal perspective on what makes this good or bad. Stability in the industry is my main concern, the fact I like it so much makes me not want to lose what I have found, which again I know can happen at the drop of a hat.
Again, not trying to be Mr. ultra grateful no changes needed, but it isn’t as bad as portrayed on these forums. Some CA’s **** and moan, but that seems to be on par with even folks at the majors. Times will suck, you’ll be tired and not know when to sleep or stay up some days, but nothing feels better than getting that positive space ticket home knowing you have 12-14 days home to get back in the loop of home life.
If you’re smart with your money and don’t buy two houses, three cars, a boat and a motorcycle you’re doing okay. So to say this is a dead end job is a little diva(ish). But I do agree that there is and should be room for improvements to keep up with industry standards. At the regionals, I was struggling to survive even after the so called pay raises. After crash pad fees while commuting, bare bones per diem and maybe 2-4 days off at a time, which while commuting at least one was lost due to trying to get to work/home. I seriously contemplating quitting and finding another job, even had apps out in the law enforcement sector. Since I’ve been at an ACMI, none of that has been a pressure. If the majors are your ultimate goal, then sure slug it out for a few years or more at the regionals. However, I have personally raised my QOL and income substantially by choosing this route. The trips are long, the flip flop schedules can suck, but this is a job and a job that finally pays a decent penny for the sacrifices made in the process. My friends in law enforcement make less than me, work more than me and have pressures involved in the day to day grind that makes this job seem stress free most of the time. They will also top out earnings wise way less than that of a career FO at my company, but they are home every night or day with their family.
Glass half full, glass half empty, it’s each pilots personal perspective on what makes this good or bad. Stability in the industry is my main concern, the fact I like it so much makes me not want to lose what I have found, which again I know can happen at the drop of a hat.
Again, not trying to be Mr. ultra grateful no changes needed, but it isn’t as bad as portrayed on these forums. Some CA’s **** and moan, but that seems to be on par with even folks at the majors. Times will suck, you’ll be tired and not know when to sleep or stay up some days, but nothing feels better than getting that positive space ticket home knowing you have 12-14 days home to get back in the loop of home life.
10-26-2019, 07:51 AM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Always Fly With Favorite Captain
Posts: 376
Originally Posted by david1701
The goal is a major 121. Right now I'm deciding whether I want to persue a regional or an ACMI to get there.
I'm in my early 30s and very mobile.
3200 TT ATP
900 Turboprop
600 scheduled 135 in Navajos
1700 in Alaska.
All PIC.
I'd like to live somewhere warm if it works out but time off is probably my #1 QOL factor. I love travelling around the world, that's why ACMI looks so appealing. I work a 15 on /15 off gig right now that works great for that, but I'm sick of the cold and the deathtrap flying. Also, I'd like to have time to work on my degree.
Recommend a regional! Sell me on Atlas! Should I try Netjets? Anything helps guys.
Thanks
I'm in my early 30s and very mobile.
3200 TT ATP
900 Turboprop
600 scheduled 135 in Navajos
1700 in Alaska.
All PIC.
I'd like to live somewhere warm if it works out but time off is probably my #1 QOL factor. I love travelling around the world, that's why ACMI looks so appealing. I work a 15 on /15 off gig right now that works great for that, but I'm sick of the cold and the deathtrap flying. Also, I'd like to have time to work on my degree.
Recommend a regional! Sell me on Atlas! Should I try Netjets? Anything helps guys.
Thanks
Some posters have suggested going to a LCC, bypassing the regionals entirely. Your background isn't really competitive for good ACMI's or Big 6, which just might be a good thing for this sector, as they'll keep you longer before you jump to Big 6 company. One suggestion: Have a professional proofread your correspondence with prospective companies. I think you got off on the wrong foot by wanting to persue a regional or ACMI. I think you meant to say pursue. Plenty of guys more qualified than you have likely heard crickets for similar oversights.
Many of the ACMI proponents are confirmed ACMI lifers. Your stated preference for living in a warm climate and getting long blocks of time off makes me think that you just might grow into being a home based ACMI lifer. For some, the home basing is a golden trump card, overriding the long term deficiencies in compensation, retirement, working conditions, and benefits. Odds are that at the Big 4 passenger airlines, you'd spend at least some amount of time commuting to a cold weather base. Purple and Brown are better overall in that respect.
Either way, good luck, enjoy the journey.
10-26-2019, 08:22 AM
#26
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 44
Originally Posted by vroll1800
"One suggestion: Have a professional proofread your correspondence with prospective companies. I think you got off on the wrong foot by wanting to persue a regional or ACMI. I think you meant to say pursue. Plenty of guys more qualified than you have likely heard crickets for similar oversights..
10-26-2019, 04:42 PM
#27
Banned
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Posts: 229
Originally Posted by gringo
When I was at Suddern Air, we never once flew into a War Zone.
We did, however, often frequent “areas of unrest”. Our airplanes must have had a special coating or something applied, because they always seemed to attract that pesky “Afghani Lightning”.
Rather peculiar this Afghani stuff. Most lightning strikes leave but a pinhole marking the exit point.
This stuff?
Always seemed to be right around 7.62mm in diameter...
Nature is odd. Who knows?
We did, however, often frequent “areas of unrest”. Our airplanes must have had a special coating or something applied, because they always seemed to attract that pesky “Afghani Lightning”.
Rather peculiar this Afghani stuff. Most lightning strikes leave but a pinhole marking the exit point.
This stuff?
Always seemed to be right around 7.62mm in diameter...
Nature is odd. Who knows?
10-27-2019, 01:22 AM
#30
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Position: 767 FO
Posts: 73
Originally Posted by Fixnem2Flyinem
Now I don’t want to play devils advocate and completely understand wanting to keep the trend moving in the right direction. But I will say life as a lowly ACMI pilot is better than most of my friends outside of the industry. Big blocks on, followed by big blocks off. Neighbors start asking you if you have a job when you’re at home and by day 10-11 home you start forgetting you’re gainfully employed.
If you’re smart with your money and don’t buy two houses, three cars, a boat and a motorcycle you’re doing okay. So to say this is a dead end job is a little diva(ish). But I do agree that there is and should be room for improvements to keep up with industry standards. At the regionals, I was struggling to survive even after the so called pay raises. After crash pad fees while commuting, bare bones per diem and maybe 2-4 days off at a time, which while commuting at least one was lost due to trying to get to work/home. I seriously contemplating quitting and finding another job, even had apps out in the law enforcement sector. Since I’ve been at an ACMI, none of that has been a pressure. If the majors are your ultimate goal, then sure slug it out for a few years or more at the regionals. However, I have personally raised my QOL and income substantially by choosing this route. The trips are long, the flip flop schedules can suck, but this is a job and a job that finally pays a decent penny for the sacrifices made in the process. My friends in law enforcement make less than me, work more than me and have pressures involved in the day to day grind that makes this job seem stress free most of the time. They will also top out earnings wise way less than that of a career FO at my company, but they are home every night or day with their family.
Glass half full, glass half empty, it’s each pilots personal perspective on what makes this good or bad. Stability in the industry is my main concern, the fact I like it so much makes me not want to lose what I have found, which again I know can happen at the drop of a hat.
Again, not trying to be Mr. ultra grateful no changes needed, but it isn’t as bad as portrayed on these forums. Some CA’s **** and moan, but that seems to be on par with even folks at the majors. Times will suck, you’ll be tired and not know when to sleep or stay up some days, but nothing feels better than getting that positive space ticket home knowing you have 12-14 days home to get back in the loop of home life.
If you’re smart with your money and don’t buy two houses, three cars, a boat and a motorcycle you’re doing okay. So to say this is a dead end job is a little diva(ish). But I do agree that there is and should be room for improvements to keep up with industry standards. At the regionals, I was struggling to survive even after the so called pay raises. After crash pad fees while commuting, bare bones per diem and maybe 2-4 days off at a time, which while commuting at least one was lost due to trying to get to work/home. I seriously contemplating quitting and finding another job, even had apps out in the law enforcement sector. Since I’ve been at an ACMI, none of that has been a pressure. If the majors are your ultimate goal, then sure slug it out for a few years or more at the regionals. However, I have personally raised my QOL and income substantially by choosing this route. The trips are long, the flip flop schedules can suck, but this is a job and a job that finally pays a decent penny for the sacrifices made in the process. My friends in law enforcement make less than me, work more than me and have pressures involved in the day to day grind that makes this job seem stress free most of the time. They will also top out earnings wise way less than that of a career FO at my company, but they are home every night or day with their family.
Glass half full, glass half empty, it’s each pilots personal perspective on what makes this good or bad. Stability in the industry is my main concern, the fact I like it so much makes me not want to lose what I have found, which again I know can happen at the drop of a hat.
Again, not trying to be Mr. ultra grateful no changes needed, but it isn’t as bad as portrayed on these forums. Some CA’s **** and moan, but that seems to be on par with even folks at the majors. Times will suck, you’ll be tired and not know when to sleep or stay up some days, but nothing feels better than getting that positive space ticket home knowing you have 12-14 days home to get back in the loop of home life.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
