Wow.. who the hell did they con into accepting a class on the CRJ there?

Fantastic company. Apparently TheGarbageMan couldn't hack it. Prepare and work hard and reap the IFL rewards.

Unfortunately, being a pilot is a job that is easier to hide a mediocre skill set. It also lends itself to an expectation that things should be "given" based on a perceived amount of work or seniority. In my experience, IFL has neither the time nor desire for these type of pilots. Work hard and you will find massive success with them.

I was at IFL for one day which was a great experience. The office personnel booked the ticket, hotel, had paperwork work ready, taxi from the airport was arranged and hotel was right by the office. Very impressive, professional, and on the ball. I read the posts on this forum before going to IFL and was hesitant. I only left because I got an interview with a passenger airline which is preferential to me because of flight benefits and where all my experience has been. I also prefer 1 to 4 day trips because I have two young kids. The pay is quite good though and 2 wks on 2 off can't be beat.

The instructor was professional and thorough and the Chief Pilot was very welcoming and friendly. What prompted me to post this is that I was asked how my experience was. I also mentioned not to worry about 1 day of pay which she said "That's not right. They'll pay you". Not sure what the story is behind any bad posts but I believe I would take them with a grain of salt.

Hey Everyone,

Just wondering, I currently fly into TVF for another operator and constantly see IFL. From what I’ve read on here, it seems like a good company. I know the mins but how difficult is it to get on here for either the CRJ or the 727? How many hours do you fly on average per month on either equipment? Is there a training contract? Also, what is the schedule for the 727?

Thank you in advance to anyone who responds.

That's a question best left for the chief pilot. Candidates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. I'd recommend opening a line of communication to introduce yourself and see if you and the company would be a good fit.

It depends on a number of factors. The CRJ currently operates on "scheduled" runs from TVF to MEM. I'd assume those guys fly around 20 hours every week so about 80-90 hrs/mo. I'm not sure how many crews they are currently operating or how the crews are handled over weekends.

The 727 is purely on-demand. If it's a busy month you'll likely riding the maximum you can fly ~120 hrs/mo. If its a slow month you might see as little as 40 hours. On top of all that your schedule will affect how much you fly. All of the numbers I've discussed are for a guy who is always on call (they do try to release on-demand guys over weekends if a crew who is on the schedule is available). If you are 2 on 2 off then obviously you wont be flying nearly as much. Keep in mind if you want the 727 you will be based in PTK and will need to live within 20 minutes of the airport.

There was when I started. You sign a 12 month promissory note that is proportionally forgiven over the 12 months after you complete OE. It might be different now - worth asking the chief pilot.

IFL is changing, trying to react to the high demand for pilots. As it stands you have 3 schedules available to you - always on call (again, they try to release you over weekends if other guys are available), 2 weeks on 1 week off, 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. Hours flown, pay, QoL varies with each schedule. Take all that with a grain of salt though as things are just as likely to change. If everyone went 2/2 they would have to hire a ton of crews.

Best advice I can give is to introduce yourself to the company and get answers straight from the chief pilot's mouth. Good luck.

There is no contract on the CRJ. Not sure about the 727.

Does anyone have current info on the Falcon 20 ops?

They need captains. If you're low time looking for right seat then the company has a program where you start as an engineer on the 727 then move into the Falcon when there is a need.

Don’t buy the lie. They just want to sucker you into the FE/loading laborer position and will sucker you along with some promise of a brighter future, until one day you realize you have been taken.

No job in this industry is universally acceptable to every pilot. It's evident from your post history that IFL or on-demand freight was not the right choice for you. Don't let your bruised ego declare a company that operates safely, pays fairly, and employs people who genuinely look out for one another unfit for all.

In all reality, a low time guy will not get his hours here. 1. The FE seat only logs a fraction of the time and is limited. 2. You don’t fly as much as expected. 3. Overall, this is a timebuilders nightmare. 4. A “normal” fail rate here is 100%, disregard the effort BS. 5. With all the opportunity today, there are much better options. 6. This place is strictly for nerds, dweebs, smokers, A kissers, etc, and a very limited few respectable people.

Don’t listen to this guy....I flew the Convair for IFL. Training was just fine, people were nice and accommodating. I have nothing but positives to say about the place.

The Convair has a high failure rate, 50% is fair. The company is operating such old aircraft, company pilots struggle to adapt to the automation of modern aircraft when they move on. Do you honestly believe that if a guy got a job at a major, that the major is going to spend a week teaching automation? Other than the CRJ, the place is disconnected from the real world.

You would have loved it when we had DC3’s and DC4’s in the 90’s , our alumni found their way to FedEx, Delta, SWA anyway, glass makes life easy , Cheers : )

That’s a load of crap. I started out in DC3s and Convairs. I’m flying a 777 now. The ability to fly the old stuff is a valuable skill that gives you a foundation for having automation later.

Said no one on any interview board in the last decade.

***
I don't disagree with your sentiment, however, no one cares about the "old stuff experience."

Disagree. I interviewed and was hired at a legacy recently. One third of the time in my HR interview was spent on the 727. The current pilot and retired pilot both flew it and loved talking shop. I think the "old stuff experience" helped tremendously.

Agree , I had interview once that seldom strayed from the 727, or DC3 .

If you happen to interview at ABX now ( I would not recommend it) most likely due to availability....you would do your sim ride in a DC8 sim. Which also happens to be the last one in the world.

I think I would much rather have someone who actually knows how to fly a plane, over someone who can push LNAV and VNAV. Air France ring a bell? Automation is something that can be taught. I guarantee if you take someone from a 787, and throw them in an A350, they won’t have the slightest idea how to work that aircrafts automation without some sort of teaching. When I was at Lakes, we had guys go straight to SWA, Alaska, Spirit, Frontier, United, FedEx, etc... granted they were at Lakes for 4-5+ years, but we flew with no autopilot or GPS. Clearly they weren’t concerned about the lack of automation

I just finished CRJ initial for a guy that started in the 727 as an FE, went to the falcon as SIC, got his restricted ATP mins. I believe he’s only been with us a couple years, maybe three. As soon as he gets his 1000 121 SIC, he’ll move to the left seat.

Check your PM box thanks

The pilot mills and RJ recruiters love pushing the line about old equipment not being viable. Reality is as soon as you sit down with another pilot who flew it and is now interviewing you then you're in like flynn unless you mess it up.

Left seat DC9 to left seat 767... granted 767 is trailing edge technology but....you pull back the houses get smaller..you push forward the houses get bigger..jmho

Thats what IFL calls putting in the hard work and not expecting to be spoon fed, go get her. The boys on a mission.

Hello,
Are you home based on the CRJ side? Also, does IFL hires street capt for the CRJ?
Thanks

Yes you are home based on the CRJ side and we do hire street captains. If you want pm me and I can give you more info.

Also disagree. My time on the 727 got me a job flying 747's around the world with 3100 hours. There is no way in hell I would have gotten this position if it wasn't for my time on the 727 and being guided by the Check Airman and other Captains.

PM sent !

Thank you.

Hello from the future... (in case anyone reading this post wonders about this)

No more than 500 hours can be credited, or 1/3 of the ATP hours, and it has to be under Part 121...

Answer is here: 14 CFR 61.159(d)(1)(iv) and states that you must have 1,500 hours, of which, no more than 1/3 can be from FE.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-1...1.159(d)(1)(iv)

121 PIC Opening in KTVF
 

This opening is for a PIC position at our KTVF base (Thief River Falls, MN). Our pilots work a two week on two week off rotation schedule, with travel being during your two weeks on. Paid travel to KTVF is on Sunday, and paid travel home is Saturday two weeks later.

Once in KTVF, newer two bedroom apartments, as well as crew cars, are provided for our pilots. The flight schedule is 2 or 3 legs a night, starting with a report time of approximately 8 pm local, and arriving back in KTVF typically sometime between 5 am and 7 am the next morning. Depending on the run you are on for the week, you fly either Monday night through Friday morning, or Monday night through Saturday morning.

We typically do not use our pilots on the weekends, except if you are on the Friday night flight you'll be finished Saturday morning when you land. Once released for the weekend you are free to do as you like, you must just report back Monday night at 8pm. This job does not involve netting or strapping the cargo. You simply monitor the loading of the aircraft, and fly it to the hubs of our partners.
<
Compensation:
Base Salary: $125,000-starting day one of training
Mileage: $40,000 based on flying all 13 of your rotations
Bonus: $10800 paid quarterly
We have medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability and 401K matching.


We also participate in the FedEx Purple Runway Pathway Program (for more information see
www.fedexpurplerunway.com)

Ground school is conducted at our headquarters in Waterford, MI and takes about 4 to 5 weeks. Simulator training is done either in Phoenix or St. Louis and takes approximately 2-3 weeks. Full base pay starts day one of training, and hotels are provided.

I apologize if I'm not finding all the pertinent info, This is with IFL? Not seeing the requirements and looking at the Lynden job search site I just see the FO position listed which I also applied for but not this one.
Any additional info is appreciated.

Thank you

So if you complete all of the rotations you get 208,200 a year?

Hey embcrjpilot how many hours are you flying on the 2 week on rotation on the crj roughly.

No worries. Yes this is with IFL. I just posted the 121 PIC position yesterday. You have to meet 121 PIC minimums (1000 hours 121 SIC or 1000 135 turbojet with more than 10 pax seats or 1000 part 91K). If you have anymore questions just let me know.

Hi threeighteen,
the mileage for flying all 13 of your rotations comes out to just over $40,000 a year. So 125K + 40K + 10K works out to about 175K a year. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Hi idontknoworcare,
The pilots fly between 38-45 hours per rotation.

I didnt expect such a quick reply. Is the CRJ only based in TVF? Which planes are based in MIA? TIA

We have a CRJ base in PTK (Michigan) as well. TVF is the priority however, so when we are short a crew member there, the on-demand guys in PTK have to cover TVF. In Miami we have ATR's annd Convair 580s/5800s.

Thank you much!