Kalitta Air (K4) Information
12-29-2022, 06:46 AM
#4281
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Position: B747-400 FO
Posts: 20
Originally Posted by maxjet
As some of you know, I am a by-product of the lost decade. I arrived at K4 in 2011 having had 7 jobs in 4 years and getting 4 types in that 4 years. I was grateful to have landed at K4 and was always a cheerleader for Connie and the management team until my retirement. While I will always be a Connie supporter, The Prince and Princess have poisoned the well. The environment at K4 has become very French Revolution like with the Prince and Princess declaring, “let them eat cake”.
From what I see and hear, they have taken away everything that was good about the job. The 2-3 day stays in Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, Leipzig, (rail around Europe) are gone. Even when you have days off, they tie you down with endless restrictions. They have taken away the sense of team by becoming the evil crystal palace in YIP, run by the Prince and Princess. All common sense is gone. As the Prince says, “if you don’t like it here leave”. One of the core values used to be, if something serious happened at home, Connie’s people had your back and you are on the first flight home. Now? I suspect it would have to be evaluated.
When I flew exclusively PAX in the middle 2000’s I went home after a 4 day trip tired, had 3 days or so off and did it again 2 more times a month. Beat the crap out of me. When I worked 17 days a month at K4, I flew maybe 8-9 of them and went home relatively rested. There were some months that we had such a good time that guys learned to not tell their wives about it because they were stuck back home taking care of the regular day to day business of raising a family. Still, we always had the reward of points at hotels and upgrades at Airlines and could take our families away on very nice vacations.
Those days appear to be gone and it doesn’t seem that they will return. No amount of money that K4 is capable of paying without going into financial peril, is going to make up for lack of quality of life. I think that this “new” business model created by the prince and princess is unsustainable long term. If you intend to fly more than 10 years, get out now while you can accrue seniority at another carrier.
Christmas Day I spoke with my good friend, who without a doubt has always been the happiest person I know, and has always been very happy to work for Connie. He said, “Tom, I have never seen it so bad. It has gotten to the point where flying the airplane and being with crews is painful.” I never thought it would be capable of beating this man, who is loved by everyone at K4 down. Very Sad.
Happy New Year
From what I see and hear, they have taken away everything that was good about the job. The 2-3 day stays in Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, Leipzig, (rail around Europe) are gone. Even when you have days off, they tie you down with endless restrictions. They have taken away the sense of team by becoming the evil crystal palace in YIP, run by the Prince and Princess. All common sense is gone. As the Prince says, “if you don’t like it here leave”. One of the core values used to be, if something serious happened at home, Connie’s people had your back and you are on the first flight home. Now? I suspect it would have to be evaluated.
When I flew exclusively PAX in the middle 2000’s I went home after a 4 day trip tired, had 3 days or so off and did it again 2 more times a month. Beat the crap out of me. When I worked 17 days a month at K4, I flew maybe 8-9 of them and went home relatively rested. There were some months that we had such a good time that guys learned to not tell their wives about it because they were stuck back home taking care of the regular day to day business of raising a family. Still, we always had the reward of points at hotels and upgrades at Airlines and could take our families away on very nice vacations.
Those days appear to be gone and it doesn’t seem that they will return. No amount of money that K4 is capable of paying without going into financial peril, is going to make up for lack of quality of life. I think that this “new” business model created by the prince and princess is unsustainable long term. If you intend to fly more than 10 years, get out now while you can accrue seniority at another carrier.
Christmas Day I spoke with my good friend, who without a doubt has always been the happiest person I know, and has always been very happy to work for Connie. He said, “Tom, I have never seen it so bad. It has gotten to the point where flying the airplane and being with crews is painful.” I never thought it would be capable of beating this man, who is loved by everyone at K4 down. Very Sad.
Happy New Year
12-29-2022, 04:19 PM
#4282
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,931
Originally Posted by BailRoads69
I quit kalitta years ago, because I was scolded like a child in the simulator by a genuine rocket scientist. That ruined my time at kalitta, does anyone know what happened to him? I’m assured he works at Space X figuring launch trajectory by now since he was so brilliant.
12-31-2022, 05:43 AM
#4283
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Doing Just Fine
Posts: 356
Sadly there a several things that are pi$$ing off the crews that could be such an easy fix. 200+ pilots left in 2022, or to put it another way 28%!! Yes the industry is hungry for pilots but when you see senior, in both longevity and age leave and they are not willing to even attempt to try and fix it.
Great place to come to, get a heavy type and leave for somewhere where you will be better treated and better paid. Don't worry about putting in 1 or 2 years, people quit during initial, sim, IOE or after a few months online.
Come on in the waters tepid!!
Great place to come to, get a heavy type and leave for somewhere where you will be better treated and better paid. Don't worry about putting in 1 or 2 years, people quit during initial, sim, IOE or after a few months online.
Come on in the waters tepid!!
01-06-2023, 06:33 PM
#4285
Holding
Joined APC: Jan 2012
Posts: 208
Originally Posted by Alexander
Does anyone have recent experience with the Kalitta interview process and can help point me in the right direction for a study guide?
01-07-2023, 08:49 AM
#4286
New Hire
Joined APC: Jul 2022
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by Alexander
Does anyone have recent experience with the Kalitta interview process and can help point me in the right direction for a study guide?
I had my interview recently. AviationInterviews.com will more than adequately prepare you for the interview. Be ready to the following questions:
1. What airframe do you want to fly?
2. Sometimes our trips and routes change with little notice, is that okay?
3. Have you ever been arrested?
4. Do you have any checkride failures?
01-08-2023, 06:01 PM
#4287
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2016
Posts: 833
Originally Posted by Ham Sandwich
I had my interview recently. AviationInterviews.com will more than adequately prepare you for the interview. Be ready to the following questions:
1. What airframe do you want to fly?
2. Sometimes our trips and routes change with little notice, is that okay?
3. Have you ever been arrested?
4. Do you have any checkride failures?
1. What airframe do you want to fly?
2. Sometimes our trips and routes change with little notice, is that okay?
3. Have you ever been arrested?
4. Do you have any checkride failures?
01-14-2023, 12:25 AM
#4289
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2020
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by TangoIndiaMike1
How long are some of the days? I know the 747 flys longer legs but what can someone expect 16 ish hours?
01-14-2023, 12:26 AM
#4290
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Position: Licking the window
Posts: 461
Originally Posted by TangoIndiaMike1
How long are some of the days? I know the 747 flys longer legs but what can someone expect 16 ish hours?
(At least on the 74) you’ll average around 9-10 hour legs, but you’ll have a lot of very long days.
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