GAMA / WHEELS UP - Current Pilot Experiences
#171
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2016
Posts: 171
Busdriver91 and USMCFLYR... thanks for your responses. I think I would really like the King Air as well, but it’s great to hear about the airplane from pilots currently flying it for a living.
Would the company allow San Diego as a base / gateway airport? I imagine it would just make days one and eight a little rougher on me, but I really like Southern CA. I currently live in the Mid-Atlantic area. Just considering the move west. Thanks again.
Would the company allow San Diego as a base / gateway airport? I imagine it would just make days one and eight a little rougher on me, but I really like Southern CA. I currently live in the Mid-Atlantic area. Just considering the move west. Thanks again.
#173
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2018
Posts: 313
I’ve been thinking about applying for a FO position with WU. I certainly meet the mins (have an ATP and 500 multi-jet). I just wanted to get some feedback from the current pilots on something a little more subjective. How do you all like flying the King Air 350 on an eight day stretch? Are you counting the days until you are upgraded to the jet fleet, or are you enjoying it?
I think the King Air 350 looks like it would be a very fun airplane. I have some experience in the Pilatus PC-12 and really enjoyed it. A buddy of mine who is in jets recently remarked to me that flying a King Air that much (on an eight day schedule) would be awful (as compared to working in jets). I know you’re cruising lower and dealing with more weather, but that doesn’t really bother me. My eventual goal is not the major airlines, which is also why I don’t mind going from jets to props. Any thoughts on how you all do or don’t like the airplane? Thanks very much.
I think the King Air 350 looks like it would be a very fun airplane. I have some experience in the Pilatus PC-12 and really enjoyed it. A buddy of mine who is in jets recently remarked to me that flying a King Air that much (on an eight day schedule) would be awful (as compared to working in jets). I know you’re cruising lower and dealing with more weather, but that doesn’t really bother me. My eventual goal is not the major airlines, which is also why I don’t mind going from jets to props. Any thoughts on how you all do or don’t like the airplane? Thanks very much.
flew it for a bit, I thought it was a lot of work, beast to fly and back breaking to stock because you cannot stand up, but WU is a good place to be, you will never get on a jet at Gama in my opinion!
#174
I’ve been thinking about applying for a FO position with WU. I certainly meet the mins (have an ATP and 500 multi-jet). I just wanted to get some feedback from the current pilots on something a little more subjective. How do you all like flying the King Air 350 on an eight day stretch? Are you counting the days until you are upgraded to the jet fleet, or are you enjoying it?
I think the King Air 350 looks like it would be a very fun airplane. I have some experience in the Pilatus PC-12 and really enjoyed it. A buddy of mine who is in jets recently remarked to me that flying a King Air that much (on an eight day schedule) would be awful (as compared to working in jets). I know you’re cruising lower and dealing with more weather, but that doesn’t really bother me. My eventual goal is not the major airlines, which is also why I don’t mind going from jets to props. Any thoughts on how you all do or don’t like the airplane? Thanks very much.
I think the King Air 350 looks like it would be a very fun airplane. I have some experience in the Pilatus PC-12 and really enjoyed it. A buddy of mine who is in jets recently remarked to me that flying a King Air that much (on an eight day schedule) would be awful (as compared to working in jets). I know you’re cruising lower and dealing with more weather, but that doesn’t really bother me. My eventual goal is not the major airlines, which is also why I don’t mind going from jets to props. Any thoughts on how you all do or don’t like the airplane? Thanks very much.
At this point in my career, I would definitely prefer not to be on the road for 8 days at a time regardless of the airplane type, but in my short time at GAMA I haven't found the workload too intense by any means. I've put in longer days and had more responsibilities with other 135 operators. Even after a lifetime of it I still enjoy getting out and flying the line, so my opinion may be an exception.
#175
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 271
What's a typical day like at WU? I'm coming from a cargo Feeder background, usually flying from an outstation to hub and back. Pretty lazy boy QOL, but I'm obviously looking to flying bigger and better things than a 208. Just want to get an idea for other non flying duties and crew life on the road.
#176
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 459
What's a typical day like at WU? I'm coming from a cargo Feeder background, usually flying from an outstation to hub and back. Pretty lazy boy QOL, but I'm obviously looking to flying bigger and better things than a 208. Just want to get an idea for other non flying duties and crew life on the road.
#177
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Position: Left
Posts: 1,807
There isn’t a typical day, it varies widely. I’ve been standby at home, hotel standby babysitting a broke airplane, airport standby as a backup, and flown anywhere between 1 and 7 legs in a day. 8 day tours are generally between 15 and 25 hrs, but I’ve seen as many as 35 or 40 in the seat. Most duty days are 10-14 hrs, no matter whether you are standing by or flying, although some of that is generally from the hotel.
Also, is there a geographic division for the PL21 and PL Fusion use in the KA? Will the KA fleet eventually be standardized with one or the other?
#178
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2016
Posts: 59
Is it fair to say the KA pilots who fly predominantly on the East Coast fly more per month (on average) than the West Coast based KA Pilots? Obviously you could hit both coasts on a tour but it seems like the East Coast based pilots fly A LOT - especially in the summer with all of the short hop HTO/HYA/MVY/ACK flying.
Also, is there a geographic division for the PL21 and PL Fusion use in the KA? Will the KA fleet eventually be standardized with one or the other?
Also, is there a geographic division for the PL21 and PL Fusion use in the KA? Will the KA fleet eventually be standardized with one or the other?
#179
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 164
Is it fair to say the KA pilots who fly predominantly on the East Coast fly more per month (on average) than the West Coast based KA Pilots? Obviously you could hit both coasts on a tour but it seems like the East Coast based pilots fly A LOT - especially in the summer with all of the short hop HTO/HYA/MVY/ACK flying.
#180
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2018
Posts: 164
I have heard from an ops supervisor that they do intentionally keep a certain number of aircraft on the west coast. Apparently if the schedule is allowed to play out naturally all the planes slowly get pulled east and they wouldn't be able to meet the obligations to the members out west.
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