Cujo665

Envoy is notorious for transitions with 1 day off or a day off at a hotel. They are also notorious for non commutable trips... so, of your three days “off” 1 is spent commuting home and another 1 is spent commuting back to base... leaving one full day off at home with family. Used to happen all the time. Got so bad and so common knowledge that they couldn’t get pilots so they began offering unlimited commuter hotels. That got abused by reserve guys calling for hotels instead of getting a crashpad. Now it’s just 4 commuter hotels a month.

PotatoChip

Been there, done that. It’s still not 6/1, that’s misleading.

TiredSoul

I do...absolutely.
You do need a spouse that can take care of things by her lonesome self though.

MoarAlpha

I highly suspect you are not a commuter. Having to stay a day after your trip and commute in the day before in HARDLY a day off at home. I'd be hard pressed to call 3 days off even 48 hours at home.

True home basing is worth very much to me personally. YMMV.

PotatoChip

Ive commuted transcons, I’ve commuted hub to hub, and I’ve commuted small outstation to hub.
And I’ve had true home basing. And I’ve had a job where I was given a stipend to purchase my own fare. I’ve done it all.
I now live a two hour drive from domicile.
I chose to move there to fully appreciate my days off.
Days off are days off. It’s up to you whether you choose to use them commuting or living in domicile.

GraceMonth

I was speaking of the typical schedule of reserve. It’s not that way every week, but yes, it was only 11 days off and most reserve blocks were 5 or 6 days.

ROCKETM8

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆ This is sound advice. How one's trip through ACMI goes depends a lot on where you are in life, who is in your life and what you want to be if you grow up.

'Where': if you are a young guy with plenty of ambition who has not seen the world a trip through ACMI is a great option. You get a WB Type, see the world with a great group of people, watch your friends slog away at their day jobs. Then if and whenever you are ready put those apps out to those places that have the QOL/things you are looking for. The ACMI business model is perfectly designed for young, single men. Married middle aged guys/gals can do it, but it is harder work. Not impossible. But it is not the trip it is for a 26 year old male.

'Who': Your wife will be a big part (or not) of your new career choice. She will have to be ok with having the water heater break, dealing with sick kids and handling birthdays all alone while you're still out for another two weeks living it up in Bali. Some women can do this. Especially if there is an endgame. No kids? The ACMI needle just moved a little into the positive.

'What': What do you see yourself doing in your last job in aviation before you pumpkin out? Want to be at one of the Big 4 + 2? Want something there when you retire? Being at a major is not for everybody. For some it is the endgame. QOL at the Regionals can be tough unless you live in or near base. The happiest Regional pilots I know are Check Airmen who drive to work. They can make good money too. Otherwise it's a bit of a slog unless your goal is a major. ACMI is the regionals with bigger jets and more pay. Many ACMI guys/gals have a side gig (rental properties, small business, overseas interests) because our contracts make it a difficult place to retire.

The company puts the hook into you by handing over the keys to a beautiful airplane, treating you to swanky hotels and business class. What they ask in return is career insecurity, we-are-nearly-there-promises and sub-par CBAs. At some point your seniority will make it tough to leave. Every few years there will be some new contract or flying on the horizon...do you stay or do you go?

As for which ACMI carrier to go to. Carrier A is the best place to go today but will be the place hemorrhaging people tomorrow and vice versa. A good CBA only lasts until Carrier B, C and D decide to compete. Hourly pay is not the be all. Who is flying vs getting min guarantee? Browse the ACMI forums and those doing other types of flying. What do you hear? The job is never as bad (or as good) as it's made to be on these forums. It's just like every other job you've had. It's a job.

ACMI is a bit like a Casino. You can stroll through and enjoy your time playing the penny slots. Or you can sit at the table and take on the dealer. It's been my experience though that unless you know what you are doing the house usually wins.

maxjet

Excellent assessment, and one that should be read several times. I was the opposite having found what for me is the best job I have ever had, after working for passenger airlines. To each his own but do your research and make choices wisely. You still have time to do both maybe if you are lucky.

Itsajob

That may be the list as of today, but in the ACMI world, things change over a 20+ year career. It wasn’t that long ago where Atlas would have been on that list, and Kalitta wouldn’t have. I’m not knocking ACMI, but those jobs are only as good as their current contracts, and those who hold those contracts are always shopping for the best deal. It was a great experience, but I don’t ever want to go back. Others love it, so pick your poison.