Pantera

I hate to say it but I am concidering doing the paid 727 FO program as a last resort. I am presently a dual rated pilot with about 6000 hours and with an ATP AMEL but only about 300 hours fixed. The only fixed job I have held was flying Jumpers in a King air. But I can't seem to get even a job flying freight in a piston single. I have tried doing the corp thing using my rotor experience to get me in the back door but after a couple years of trying it hasen't worked into anything.

So I sold my house paid off all my dept to be able to work as an FO and survive at either a reg or do a PFT and am wondering how I would be viewed in the flight deck doing the PFT. Whould I be crapped on real bad or what?

I have resumes out at all the regionals but no luck so far and actually went on one regional interview passed the interview and sim but they axed me because I had slipped out of 90 currency 3 & 3 TO & L FW.

Just curious as to any thoughts you guys/gals might have.

Rama

You will catch a lot of heat for pft. Many people believe that this is one of the big things that brings down this industry. (Myself included) Look at the way pay scales are going now. Maybe ge the fe written done and apply for supplemental carriers-also rent if you have to just to keep current.

de727ups

I'm not sure how Amflight would look at your helo time but they hire at basic IFR 135 mins. If would make more sense to do 100 timebuilding program with them and try to get on there. If you're looking at that jet university program, they are only giving 727 F/O's $30/hr. You'd make the same to start at Amflight and spend less money to get there. Plus, logging turbine PIC in 3 to 6 months.

Personally, I don't think timebuilding programs are as bad as PFJ. You aren't filling a required crewmember seat and you aren't buying a job. Just building time.

Any 727 outfit hiring PFJ guys is the lowest of the low scumbag operation. Making $30 an hour as a 727 F/O is an insult. There is no reason for anybody to support such an operation by buying into it.

captjns

Pantera

Sim Center of Miami sponsors an entry level jet job for about $33,000. You’ll get an F/E Rating and fly as such for about 6 months. You will be paid about $37.50 per hour. After six months you come back into the school house and will be upgraded to the right seat. Again on the line you will be paid about $37.00 per hour. Pretty good operation for what it is. Is it the best? No… its not Embry Riddle, but the price tag is about the same.

But with your 6,000 PIC turbine, you should be able to at least get an interview with a commuter or regional.

Areoservices is sponsoring a job fair in April. A number of commuters and regionals alike will be attending. Its free!!!!!!!!! And with your experience, you should have no problems getting an interview. That would be the best way to go.

Some secondary cargo carriers will be attending as well. Some of these cargo carriers, Amerijet, and Southern Air, for example, require students to pay their own tuition, which I don't ednorse at all. These bottom feeders will sales pitch you, "You will recover your expenses with in a year." Not a prayer.

Check out Kalitta. They will be at Aeroservice too. However, I believe they require pure turbine experience, but with your 6,000 hours of time... who knows? Give it a go.

If you are under 45... try Cathay Pacific. They will be in Miami too. They have a direct entry program. Good job, decent pay, good company to work for. You'll be a F/O on a cargo jet. If you go their passenger route, you will be a cruise F/O... no landings just sitting in the seat. Generally no airline will accept cruise officer flight time towards your total time.

However, if you were to pay for your training, again, which I don't endorse, you will not be labeled a scumbag, or get any heat. That’s just pure crap. I know a number of pilots who did the pay for training, and are now with regionals having wonderful careers without any badmouthing from anybody else.

Hope this has been of some help.

Good luck

L-1011-500

Not true you will be labeled a scumbag by most of the others you are flying with. I know guys who worked for CAT and the PFT guys were not embraced like a guy who is there with experience but needed a job. It brings down the payscales as long as guys keep doing it. I feel with your time you are better off getting on with a regional as they seem to be more stable these days anyways. Just my $.02

Pantera

Thanks for the replys and trust me I do not want to part with my hard earned cash and spend anymore on flight training.

For some reason it seems as if my rotor time might as well be hang glider time and I get treated as if I have the pleage. I did look into Cathay and that looks like a dream job and since I love the Orient I would love to work for them. However they do require 1000 fixed. I am under 45 so if i could get it in the next year and a half I could still do it.

For every one that said PFT brings down the salary I agree with you. I have been fighting the helicopter industry for 20 years trying to get money and a union and I have had it with rotorcraft aviation. If I could get a job flying a 152 I would never get in a helicopter again.

I have several options one is to get my cfi II and mei and do the flight instructor thing or do the PFT. I will admit that flying a 727 seems a lot more attractive then flying a 172. I could get a 737 type but I heard if you do that it might make it tough to get hired on a reg as they think you will hit the road asap after getting on with a major.

my other option is just hold out for a reg

oh well

Well back to the day (night) job

captjns

I will say that there were some individuals who went through the SIMCENTER program that were bone heads to begin with and upon fulfullment of the contract for flying time they were released from CAT. I personally flew with a bunch of guys from CAT who are with Pinnacle, Air Wisconson, Sky West.. to name a few... and they are having a ball. No matter what, flight training is expensive. You either pay for it over a period of time, or lay it out over a six month period. These guys know they wont get on with Fed Ex, UPS, DHL, or Continental for a few years to come.

Those who think these guys are scum bags are a bunch of morons... what can I say?

In my earlier post, I stated that there are other alternatives to this type of program.... ei... the job fair at Miami.

de727ups

Why would you want to pay all that money to rent a job at CAT if you're gonna end up at Pinnacle or AWAC. See my post above, there is a better way.

Anybody who rents a seat at a 121 airline is a scumbag. The whole idea is just wrong. When I say that I'm thinking of Gulfstream and that sort of PFJ.

captjns

Again, I do not endorse the idea of paying for a job.

I have to know... are you employed by UPS or are you a Wannabe UPS hiree. If you are, you have a good paying job... for the time being. How much did you pay for all of your ratings all together, or did you or did the tax payers pay for your flight training? I would be suprised if you came from the military, for they are not narrowed minded.

I guess its easy to be judgemental when you have a job with UPS... that is if you work for UPS de727ups

By the way. How do you feel about scumbag operators that by other airlines and put pilots on the street. UPS did that. You must be real proud to work for a company that puts good guys on the street. Its going to happen again this year to another bunch of fine pilots. But what the heck you have a good job with UPS. A fine upstanding company that cares about people.

Pantera

I have tried twice to go there but as usual I have to work the night shift of the 21st and no way can I get it off.. I did see where Aeroservice had an FO post on DC-8s that they are filling for a customer. I sent in an App so we will see.