Focus Air Cargo
01-01-2007 | 07:40 PM
#82
Line Holder
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 26
From: B777/CA retired
Monkeyboy, get a clue. You are at Pinnacle or Mesaba - how do you like getting bitchslapped by NWA management. You have reached your career limit at the regional.
I have worked at nonscheds and at a regional (I left Zantop to go to Henson to get PIC time sooner) and I would much rather fly with someone who has flown oceanic than someone who thinks because he flew a jet with 500 hours CFI time at Riddle he is entitled to my seat right now.
Focus and Cargo 360 and the others are a problem in some ways for the cargo pilot career because they undercut any established carrier to get contracts. Way back when you had carriers like Seaboard, TransAmerica, Flying Tigers and others that were established ALPA carriers with decent wages and working conditions. With deregulation anyone with cash to burn could get a supplemental certificate and start flying. While some made money, there were others who came in, undercut existing contracts, flew for a while then disappeared. And who gets squeezed the most? Employees, particularly pilots, who are the highest cost employees in any airline. This has happened with passenger charters and with freight. You have to get your costs as low as possible to eke out a bare profit thus you pay sh## wages to keep your costs low. Look at Ryan (US). You go back to 1st year pay if you move to a different contract. All part of keeping costs low but it screws anyone trying to make a living at this.
I do not blame anyone for flying for operators like this, the flying is interesting and you have a lot of fun on the layovers. But the reality is that it will be almost impossible to match wages like NWA or UAL or CO for widebody pay (much less FedEx or UPS) because of the nature of the nonsched industry. I am just glad that you guys at least have some decent workrules. Like one of the posters said, not everyone can fly for UPS or FedEx. This business is a crapshoot and luck and timing are everything. As long as you are happy doing what you do then F##k anyone who thinks you don't deserve to be happy.
I have worked at nonscheds and at a regional (I left Zantop to go to Henson to get PIC time sooner) and I would much rather fly with someone who has flown oceanic than someone who thinks because he flew a jet with 500 hours CFI time at Riddle he is entitled to my seat right now.
Focus and Cargo 360 and the others are a problem in some ways for the cargo pilot career because they undercut any established carrier to get contracts. Way back when you had carriers like Seaboard, TransAmerica, Flying Tigers and others that were established ALPA carriers with decent wages and working conditions. With deregulation anyone with cash to burn could get a supplemental certificate and start flying. While some made money, there were others who came in, undercut existing contracts, flew for a while then disappeared. And who gets squeezed the most? Employees, particularly pilots, who are the highest cost employees in any airline. This has happened with passenger charters and with freight. You have to get your costs as low as possible to eke out a bare profit thus you pay sh## wages to keep your costs low. Look at Ryan (US). You go back to 1st year pay if you move to a different contract. All part of keeping costs low but it screws anyone trying to make a living at this.
I do not blame anyone for flying for operators like this, the flying is interesting and you have a lot of fun on the layovers. But the reality is that it will be almost impossible to match wages like NWA or UAL or CO for widebody pay (much less FedEx or UPS) because of the nature of the nonsched industry. I am just glad that you guys at least have some decent workrules. Like one of the posters said, not everyone can fly for UPS or FedEx. This business is a crapshoot and luck and timing are everything. As long as you are happy doing what you do then F##k anyone who thinks you don't deserve to be happy.
01-01-2007 | 09:48 PM
#85
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
From: 767 Cap
CAC737 - Well said, sir!! Once upon a time, I worked at one of those old premier carriers (think big Blue Ball) and Chapter 11 put me out on the street. After 4 mos of unemployment, my choices were $12000/yr at American Eagle (which at that time was only dreaming of RJs, a Jetstream 31 was the entry seat) or $24000/yr at a Supplemental 121 Pax & Cargo outfit, starting back in the 72 FE seat. I sure didn't feel like a bottom feeder at the time. 4 years and 2 upgrades later, my 72 PIC got me hired at Fedex,where I now make 3 times what I made in the same seat at the ACMI outfit. Of course, it is 10 years later. I do get a kick out of all the guys who ***** about horrible conditions here at FDX, as I have seen some of the alternatives.
Another point is that many of the pilots at 121 supps have something in their record that would keep them from being hired by a major, like a DUI or no college. They won't get to move on to bigger and better, but some of those guys were the most skilled airline pilots I've ever seen.
Normy - I'm with you, bud. My 121 supp experience was with Express One Intl. There are quite a few ex-Longhorns here at FDX.
Space Monkey has a lot of growing up to do.
Another point is that many of the pilots at 121 supps have something in their record that would keep them from being hired by a major, like a DUI or no college. They won't get to move on to bigger and better, but some of those guys were the most skilled airline pilots I've ever seen.
Normy - I'm with you, bud. My 121 supp experience was with Express One Intl. There are quite a few ex-Longhorns here at FDX.
Space Monkey has a lot of growing up to do.
01-02-2007 | 10:16 AM
#86
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: C-172 FO
I hope that rumor is put to rest.
01-02-2007 | 05:50 PM
#87
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 0
From: I was acquired, Not Hired
Hi Dutch,
I'm suspicious when I hear the rumor about Focus Air go from C360 is on the cusp of buying them -to- FKS was trying to sell itself and C360 turned them down.
Right after Thanksgiving there were "rumored" changes to FKS but none had anything to do with another airline.
Not to throw rocks, but a better rumor is why C360 had their first proving runs cancelled by their POI. Again, just rumors that grow legs like a good fish story.
I'm suspicious when I hear the rumor about Focus Air go from C360 is on the cusp of buying them -to- FKS was trying to sell itself and C360 turned them down.
Right after Thanksgiving there were "rumored" changes to FKS but none had anything to do with another airline.
Not to throw rocks, but a better rumor is why C360 had their first proving runs cancelled by their POI. Again, just rumors that grow legs like a good fish story.
Last edited by FliFast; 01-02-2007 at 05:53 PM. Reason: spelling
01-03-2007 | 05:51 AM
#88
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
From: C-172 FO
Hi Dutch,
I'm suspicious when I hear the rumor about Focus Air go from C360 is on the cusp of buying them -to- FKS was trying to sell itself and C360 turned them down.
Right after Thanksgiving there were "rumored" changes to FKS but none had anything to do with another airline.
Not to throw rocks, but a better rumor is why C360 had their first proving runs cancelled by their POI. Again, just rumors that grow legs like a good fish story.
I'm suspicious when I hear the rumor about Focus Air go from C360 is on the cusp of buying them -to- FKS was trying to sell itself and C360 turned them down.
Right after Thanksgiving there were "rumored" changes to FKS but none had anything to do with another airline.
Not to throw rocks, but a better rumor is why C360 had their first proving runs cancelled by their POI. Again, just rumors that grow legs like a good fish story.
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