USA Jet questions
#211
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2015
Posts: 440
I'm in my second year at USA Jet. My first year I spent the first 3 months in training, then worked a lot of overtime, made $98,000, and still averaged 9 days away from home per month, with 2 weeks off over Christmas and New Years. To be fair, there are a couple caveats: we were understaffed all last year, so there was lots of overtime to be had. Selling days off really adds up fast. Also, we had a record breaking rush in December when they were paying $1300 for days off; can't count on that happening again.
On the other hand, last year the trip pay for FOs was only $225. As of January this year that has gone up to $500. Figure 6 trips/month on average, salary plus trip pay comes out to around $83K for the year. Not at all impossible to sell days and break $100K if you live local. We do carry load specialists on almost all trips now, but you can still plan on about $3K/year of load pay too, since it's a 2 man job, and not all of our stops have someone qualified to help.
We do have several commuters, and the scheduler builds lines specifically for them at 2 weeks on/2 weeks off. On the down side, the majors are cracking down on their jumpseat policies, and some have kicked us out, because we don't have much to offer them with our non-sked industry. Not sure which ones we still have, since I don't commute.
The job can be pretty tough; a 1 AM callout, followed by 5 legs and 16 hours duty is normal. If you can't handle that, don't come here because you'll be miserable. That's what our customers demand of us; nothing the company can do about it. You'll also have to help load around 30% of the time. Load pay is $100 flat rate; could be anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours.
The best part of the job, in my opinion, is the flexibility. Some guys are content with less money, and they regularly call in and rotate themselves to the back of the line before they go to bed. Those guys only average a couple trips per month, and those who want to work more get all their trips. The company doesn't care, and every one is happy.
As others have said, you don't get much flight time here, maybe 300/year average. If you're trying to get on with the majors, you'll probably be better off at the regionals. If you're stuck at Expressjet with no upgrade in sight, go to the regionals that offer street captain positions.
USA Jet is probably the best place for 3 types of pilots: low time CFIs, homebodies, and over-65s. The low timers can come get some hard-core, real life experience in the Falcons under part 135, and make more money than they would as instructors. (Not sure exactly what they make, ask Pilotyip.) The homebodies like me can make 6 figures and still spend a lot of time at home. I could make more elsewhere, but I would be away from home literally twice as much. And the geezers who can't kick the habit can come have some fun on a contract basis, working whenever they feel like it.
On the other hand, last year the trip pay for FOs was only $225. As of January this year that has gone up to $500. Figure 6 trips/month on average, salary plus trip pay comes out to around $83K for the year. Not at all impossible to sell days and break $100K if you live local. We do carry load specialists on almost all trips now, but you can still plan on about $3K/year of load pay too, since it's a 2 man job, and not all of our stops have someone qualified to help.
We do have several commuters, and the scheduler builds lines specifically for them at 2 weeks on/2 weeks off. On the down side, the majors are cracking down on their jumpseat policies, and some have kicked us out, because we don't have much to offer them with our non-sked industry. Not sure which ones we still have, since I don't commute.
The job can be pretty tough; a 1 AM callout, followed by 5 legs and 16 hours duty is normal. If you can't handle that, don't come here because you'll be miserable. That's what our customers demand of us; nothing the company can do about it. You'll also have to help load around 30% of the time. Load pay is $100 flat rate; could be anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours.
The best part of the job, in my opinion, is the flexibility. Some guys are content with less money, and they regularly call in and rotate themselves to the back of the line before they go to bed. Those guys only average a couple trips per month, and those who want to work more get all their trips. The company doesn't care, and every one is happy.
As others have said, you don't get much flight time here, maybe 300/year average. If you're trying to get on with the majors, you'll probably be better off at the regionals. If you're stuck at Expressjet with no upgrade in sight, go to the regionals that offer street captain positions.
USA Jet is probably the best place for 3 types of pilots: low time CFIs, homebodies, and over-65s. The low timers can come get some hard-core, real life experience in the Falcons under part 135, and make more money than they would as instructors. (Not sure exactly what they make, ask Pilotyip.) The homebodies like me can make 6 figures and still spend a lot of time at home. I could make more elsewhere, but I would be away from home literally twice as much. And the geezers who can't kick the habit can come have some fun on a contract basis, working whenever they feel like it.
#212
I'm going to CLUE you in........MD-11 PIC Type Rated....Currently Flying International on the MD-11F For a Cargo Airline in MIA.....Not very Happy with that....But..CAN't hold my breath waithing for FED EX.....Fly 20 Days on and 10 HARD Days Off--Which you can be screwed out of some of them IF the company finds that on your LAST DAY you're in AMS.....The Position I Have is NOT COMMUTABLE.
I ONLY speak English WELL...If you knew WHO I worked for...you would know HOW HARD that is.....
I'm rarely home and when I am....I feel like a VISITOR....
So.....PLEASE don't tell me about your sacrifices...we ALL make them....But....I'm NOT CLEANING TOILETS....LOADING PALLETS...OR ANYTHING ELSE....OR WIPING ASS.....WITHOUT PROPER Compensation....Period!
I took a look at USA JET because it's DOMESTIC Flying and I felt it was commutable.....I thought I could be Home more often...I didn't care about the SIZE of the Aircraft....Just A Better QOL....
I don't care what the state of the economy is....I FLY AIRPLANES.....If I wanted to be a Cargo Handler....Lav Dumper..Etc...I would apply for those positions....
If That interests you..and you want to convince YOURSELF and rationalize in YOUR MIND that I've got to do it BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT FREIGHT GUYS DO.....That's YOUR perogative.....Not Mine...
I'm not DESPERATE....
They told me you have to LOAD/UNLOAD THE AIRPLANE without Compensation.....I said NO THANK YOU...
I sacrifice now...FLYING FREIGHT...A FREIGHT DOG....and I DON'T load OR Unload the Aircraft...
I FLY IT.
I ONLY speak English WELL...If you knew WHO I worked for...you would know HOW HARD that is.....
I'm rarely home and when I am....I feel like a VISITOR....
So.....PLEASE don't tell me about your sacrifices...we ALL make them....But....I'm NOT CLEANING TOILETS....LOADING PALLETS...OR ANYTHING ELSE....OR WIPING ASS.....WITHOUT PROPER Compensation....Period!
I took a look at USA JET because it's DOMESTIC Flying and I felt it was commutable.....I thought I could be Home more often...I didn't care about the SIZE of the Aircraft....Just A Better QOL....
I don't care what the state of the economy is....I FLY AIRPLANES.....If I wanted to be a Cargo Handler....Lav Dumper..Etc...I would apply for those positions....
If That interests you..and you want to convince YOURSELF and rationalize in YOUR MIND that I've got to do it BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT FREIGHT GUYS DO.....That's YOUR perogative.....Not Mine...
I'm not DESPERATE....
They told me you have to LOAD/UNLOAD THE AIRPLANE without Compensation.....I said NO THANK YOU...
I sacrifice now...FLYING FREIGHT...A FREIGHT DOG....and I DON'T load OR Unload the Aircraft...
I FLY IT.
#214
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2014
Position: PIC LR35
Posts: 76
Can someone give the specifics for commuters/home based pilots? Things like travel days, positive space tickets, crash pad or company provided hotel...
Current Lear 35 captain looking for bigger equipment but I'm not local to YIP/DTW.
Current Lear 35 captain looking for bigger equipment but I'm not local to YIP/DTW.
#215
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jun 2018
Posts: 20
USA jet will pay for your ATP and type rating, so you'll have that. Plus, you get full pay while in training, plus the hotel as previously stated.
They've also hired load specialist the last year, so the need to assist in cargo loading is no longer a requirement. We're modernizing the NAV with ADS, weather, sat com, etc capable navigation.
Any questions, PM me and I'll find out. Been here a year, DC9 Capt, retired legacy airline Capt, good place. Laid back, good pay for a part time gig.
#216
Banned
Joined APC: Nov 2013
Position: 7th green
Posts: 4,378
Send me a PM if you want a home based MD-80 gig in LRD.
#220
On Reserve
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Posts: 21
Yea I looked all over for DUIs for our last class. Couldn’t find any had to settle for a USMC F-18 driver and a Navy S-3 driver. My next class is even worse I had to take Doctor from the the U of M and an agent from the FBI. We must be done doing something right our turnover is at our lowest rate in history. And when our guys leave here is where they go DAL, FedEx, and UPS. Here is on of our recent hires said about coming to the jet
Thanks again for everyones well wishes, good thoughts and offers of leads and employment. The response was so overwhelming I never felt like I was alone or unappreciated.
By the end of the year I had five, count them, five offers in hand that at the very least would have put me back where I was. Included in those offers was a Chief Pilot position for a very large Southern California charter company. I was sitting with my wife discussing our choices and I was troubled. For some intangible reason they all seemed so imperfect. After we talked for a while I came to realize that the common thread was that they were all in corporate aviation. I just couldn't do it, at least not just then. My heart was broken. All the hard work just to be lied to and have the rug pulled out form under us by some guy who was doing this as a hobby. It was time for something new but we needed it fast as funds were running dangerously low.
My former Director of Operations and adopted brother was cut loose when the wheels started coming off Jetset. He had similar feeling about corporate aviation and wanted to make the jump to the airlines but didn't have the luxury of time to land an interview at the big six. So, I suggested USA Jet Airlines where he interviewed and was given a class date as a DC-9 DEC within weeks. His experience was good and he was happy.
My wife said call Randy. I did and the weight of the world came off my shoulders. The prospect of a new adventure left me giddy. Four days after we spoke I was interviewing in YIP and in class three days later for DC-9 DEC Initial. The training took two months to complete and get on the line. No sooner than I completed IOE a bid came out for 727 Captain. As much as I wanted it, I didn't think I had a chance as I was the bottom of the seniority list. My buddy convinced me to to submit my bid anyway. What could I loose? I was awarded the slot and I start 727 school on May 25.
I can't describe the difference between this and corporate/charter. I'm not sure I can call on demand cargo, "airline flying", but it's close. The time off is incredible. I may have to find a new hobby or a second job. The flying is great. My coworkers, for the most part, are incredible, I mean incredible!. The work suits my alter ego, roll your sleeves up, get dirty, find solutions. I'm still having a little trouble figuring out when to go to sleep when I'm on duty. The commute sucks, having to have a crash pad sucks and the airport car sucks. But I expected all that.
When I first saw the DC-9, I had this feeling I was looking at a current day Millennium Falcon. It was dirty, cranky, cantankerous and sometimes ill mannered. But she had personality and could get the job done. She sat on the ramp like the grand lady she was. Scarred but dignified. Yep, quite the adventure.
Thanks again for everyones well wishes, good thoughts and offers of leads and employment. The response was so overwhelming I never felt like I was alone or unappreciated.
By the end of the year I had five, count them, five offers in hand that at the very least would have put me back where I was. Included in those offers was a Chief Pilot position for a very large Southern California charter company. I was sitting with my wife discussing our choices and I was troubled. For some intangible reason they all seemed so imperfect. After we talked for a while I came to realize that the common thread was that they were all in corporate aviation. I just couldn't do it, at least not just then. My heart was broken. All the hard work just to be lied to and have the rug pulled out form under us by some guy who was doing this as a hobby. It was time for something new but we needed it fast as funds were running dangerously low.
My former Director of Operations and adopted brother was cut loose when the wheels started coming off Jetset. He had similar feeling about corporate aviation and wanted to make the jump to the airlines but didn't have the luxury of time to land an interview at the big six. So, I suggested USA Jet Airlines where he interviewed and was given a class date as a DC-9 DEC within weeks. His experience was good and he was happy.
My wife said call Randy. I did and the weight of the world came off my shoulders. The prospect of a new adventure left me giddy. Four days after we spoke I was interviewing in YIP and in class three days later for DC-9 DEC Initial. The training took two months to complete and get on the line. No sooner than I completed IOE a bid came out for 727 Captain. As much as I wanted it, I didn't think I had a chance as I was the bottom of the seniority list. My buddy convinced me to to submit my bid anyway. What could I loose? I was awarded the slot and I start 727 school on May 25.
I can't describe the difference between this and corporate/charter. I'm not sure I can call on demand cargo, "airline flying", but it's close. The time off is incredible. I may have to find a new hobby or a second job. The flying is great. My coworkers, for the most part, are incredible, I mean incredible!. The work suits my alter ego, roll your sleeves up, get dirty, find solutions. I'm still having a little trouble figuring out when to go to sleep when I'm on duty. The commute sucks, having to have a crash pad sucks and the airport car sucks. But I expected all that.
When I first saw the DC-9, I had this feeling I was looking at a current day Millennium Falcon. It was dirty, cranky, cantankerous and sometimes ill mannered. But she had personality and could get the job done. She sat on the ramp like the grand lady she was. Scarred but dignified. Yep, quite the adventure.
Last edited by pilotyip; 10-29-2018 at 04:50 PM.
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