Seeking advice
 

Current position is FO flying adhoc 121.

Completing consolidation is a problem due to lack of demand for adhoc flying, lack of available check captains, and a few others

I’m looking at other options.

The schedule is also straining my family/home life.

If I desire to do ACMI are there any companies with a better schedule than the typical 2 weeks on/off as seen at most adhoc 121 carriers?

Am I just better off going regional? This is my first 121 job and it’s not working out like I thought it might’ve.

I hold an ATP, about 4500 hours and 2 types, with prior 135 PIC Turbine multi-crew time.

Thanks for replies.

Not clear what "ad-hoc 121" is.

Go to a regional if you like 6 on 1 off (reserve) or 4 on 4 off (line holder). That seems to be fine for most people.

As far as I’m concerned ACMI 121 is the best kept secret in aviation.
Its not for everybody but personally I love the two weeks at home followed by two weeks anywhere on the globe.
Its like living on vacation then going on vacation.
Yes, really.

121 supplemental.

ad-hoc cargo is basically on-demand cargo


https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20hoc

For my .02, I was a 15 year guy at a regional, and made the jump to ACMI a year ago. I agree with the above post about the blocks of time off. It’s awesome. Yes, 16 days (plus day 0 travel) on the road gets tough, but the 14/15 off you have to look forward to is pure gold. I commuted for almost 15 years, and walking up to the gate with a ticket (first class most of the time) in hand and not having a crash pad is worth a lot.

I wouldn’t make the move to ACMI until you have 1000 PIC, though. Even if you were able to get a quick upgrade, it would take you a few years to get to 1000.

Personally, having (hopefully) another 25+ years in the industry, we’ll see what happens as far as whether or not I want to stay or go. I’m not moving, but I’m not going to commute. I like the cargo side of aviation, and MEM/SDF are both within driving distance. We are in contract negotiations right now, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that a career at FedEx/UPS would lead to career earnings of 2 million+ more than in the ACMI industry.

Again, I love it at my ACMI carrier, and it would be a good place to finish out my 25+ years, but I think I speak for a lot at my carrier that the incoming contract will speak volumes as to whether or not it’s going to be a career airline.

What regional does 6/1 for reserves? That's 4-5 days off a month. You might be exaggerating a touch....
I believe the worst regional contract currently allows for 11 days off a month on reserve (Mesa).

I did ACMI flying for over 25 years. Unfortunately with this type of flying it is, and will always be a moving target as far as schedules, QOL, and pay. The biggest problem being that you will spend your entire career worrying if your airline and job will be around in a decade or a year. It’s a cut throat part of the industry severely dependent on other companies such as Amazon or the military for contracts and to keep the planes flying.

While having 12-14 days off is nice it also comes at a cost. Don’t kid yourself about being on vacation while at work. The schedules can be grueling and even if you are in business class (no one is riding in real first class) the toll this type of flying takes on your body and health over the long run is real.

Some guys love being “flying Gypsies” roaming the world, doing laundry on line and not being able to get things done at home for two weeks at a stretch. I was lucky enough to work for an airline where my seniority eventually allowed a 6 on 7 off type of schedule but that is never guaranteed in the ACMI business because of its nature of always changing, substandard CBAs even so, you’re gonna be there a long time before you can hold that type of schedule even if it does exists.

If you’re looking to go to a FEDEX or UPS then the experience is a plus. If you’re looking to go to one of the Big 4 I think you’d be better off at a good regional. With 4500 you’re already qualified so the question begs to be asked, what is your long term goal?

I had a very good 25 year career doing this type of flying and started at it at a very young age with some serious seniority for a good let off my career. I’m now at one of the Big 4 and wouldn’t go back to that type of flying, no matter what! There’s no comparison.

Omni has a mix of one long block of days and lines with two shorter blocks. About 70/30 favoring the long block currently. Most guys seem to favor the long block it gives them much longer blocks of time off for more vacations throughout the year.

my schedule the past year has been 1 leg followed by either 2 or 3 nights off; then repeat. Definitely not grueling.
Yes, we do fly first class and collect those points. Any international flight over 3 hours has to be the next class up from any economy/coach which on most planes ends up being first class.
Omni & Kalitta are the two best ACMI; ATI a close third. Omni is pax only and has 117 rest rules also.