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Would it be dumb to leave Skywest for Kalitta?

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Would it be dumb to leave Skywest for Kalitta?

Old 03-19-2007, 07:19 PM
  #11  
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If you plan on getting to a major, then you have to go/stay where you will get PIC first and fastest. If you get scooped up by a CAL or whomever doesn't require PIC, and that's where you want to end up, then take it.
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Old 03-19-2007, 07:22 PM
  #12  
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Not necessarily a dumb move. Upgrade time may be a couple of years or could be less or more, it depends on the timing. It was real quick a few years ago slowed down, and now seems to be picking up. 3 more a/c coming within a few months and a fair amount of attrition. The hard part is being out 17 days every month.
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Old 03-19-2007, 08:03 PM
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I would consider the possibility of not upgrading in 2 years. If your a low time pilot, it is very optimistic to think that in 2 years you can be a 74 skipper. Maybe their pitching it in the interview but don't believe them.

Now at the commuters, this is entirely possible.

The key is in the PIC time. Heavy intl. doesn't hurt, but PIC time is still king.
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Old 03-19-2007, 09:46 PM
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I made MD-11 captain in two years at Gemini.

But that was in the late nineties - they doubled their fleet after I got there.
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Old 03-19-2007, 10:57 PM
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Being an ex-Laker at FedEx with a bunch of Kalitta buddies I would say go and do it. None of us have a crystal ball but I believe upgrade won't be all too long at Kalitta. If you were at Lakes I'd say stay, because you know upgrade is around the corner. There are many other factors involved in your decision, i.e., age, marital status, financial state, etc. PIC time is the holy grail, but flying heavy international is the next best thing. (And the pinnacle of our profession in terms of fun!)
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Old 03-20-2007, 12:09 AM
  #16  
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thanks everyone i appreciate the advice. its definitly not an easy decision comparing the two wildly different lifestyles, but maybe i should just go for it

but it doesnt look bad on a resume to leave a company after only 5 months? will i be hammered on that in a future interview?
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Old 03-20-2007, 04:18 AM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by ghilis101 View Post
thanks everyone i appreciate the advice. its definitly not an easy decision comparing the two wildly different lifestyles, but maybe i should just go for it

but it doesnt look bad on a resume to leave a company after only 5 months? will i be hammered on that in a future interview?
No...I left my previous employer after about 5 months. UPS didn't seem to care about that. If someone does ask about it, just explain that you reasoned that Int'l heavy time would get you to the interview that you really wanted. It worked for me.
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Old 03-20-2007, 07:37 AM
  #18  
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I was an EMB 120 Captain at Skywest, and left for an AMCI company last year. I was at Skywest awhile, and thought it might be my last airline- great place to work. When I left, I thought long and hard about the move; planning for the possibility of spending my career at my new airline. There has been alot of discussion about switching jobs as a strategic move to end up at yet another airline- Fedex or UPS for example. I'll leave that out, and just compare the two (Skywest and the ACMI) on their own merits.

Granted this is only my experience, but I noticed a vast and instant improvement at the freight outfit from the first day of groundschool- private hotel room, pay plus per diem, rental car, time off, etc. This continued online as well; it's hard to compare flying one international leg every other day, with eight legs out of LAX on 18 minute turns. The lifestyle is very different; 16-18 days away can be hard on your family. In my case I worked 15 days on / 15 days off in Alaska for years, and so my wife was used to it. It's still a challenge; I would be sure your wife was behind the move before you went.

As far as Kalitta, I know one pilot there that came from Eagle; he was an RJ F/O, and started as an FE. After about a year he upgraded to F/O. He seems happy, and has good things to say about the company. Good luck in whatever you decide!
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Old 03-20-2007, 07:59 AM
  #19  
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Nobody's gonna give a rats ass that you left skywest in 5 months.

Like Normy, I upgraded after 1 year at Kalitta.

It's not a good job, however, if you want to interview at UPS today, you'll need the heavy-international experience. I'm sure there are some commuter guys getting interviews but they're the minority.

You have a tough decision to make, I don't envy you. If you're under 35 I'd go to Kalitta. But remember, it's not a good job.

Also, if you have your **** together so to speak, you'll have no problem upgrading when your number comes up. The training department is relatively fair.

DO NOT GO THERE AS AN SO!

Good luck,
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Old 03-20-2007, 08:01 AM
  #20  
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Do they have hi-speed in Darwin's now???
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