Airline Pilot Central Forums

Airline Pilot Central Forums (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/)
-   Part 135 (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/part-135/)
-   -   Berry Aviation (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/part-135/108864-berry-aviation.html)

Moose65 10-21-2017 08:35 AM

Berry Aviation
 
Any Berry Emb120 FO's out there I can PM about some specific info? Thanks

GoodRide 11-15-2017 08:17 PM


Originally Posted by Moose65 (Post 2451671)
Any Berry Emb120 FO's out there I can PM about some specific info? Thanks

I’m a CA, can I help?

Diverb 11-17-2017 05:38 AM


Originally Posted by GoodRide (Post 2467047)
I’m a CA, can I help?

How hard is it to get out to Kwajalein to fly? I worked on Kwaj back in 2002-2003 and loved it. I would love to work for Berry flying out on Kwaj when I retire soon.

PrettyFlyGuy 11-19-2017 06:22 PM

Is the payscale on here accurate for Captains? 55k salary and .28/mile first year plus a .05/mile annual bonus.
With 136,000 mile a year average being 38k plus the 55k for a first year salary of 93k. Plus off day pay etc.
Is there a good qol on the cargo side?
I have heard very little about Berry.
Thanks

GoodRide 01-03-2018 08:53 PM

Sorry I didn’t respond sooner. I’m entering my 4th year did mid $100s. We have a salary but more than 50% of our compensation is mileage based so your compensation depends on how much you work.

QOL is not like the airlines at all. If you can handle ASAP trips with 12+ hour duty days and little to no advanced notice, this could be the job for you! We live like firefighters on the cargo side, always ready to head out but no guarantees if we’ll get called or when what time we’re getting home on Fridays. Overall it’s a close knit group of guys and that’s what really makes it fun. Berry is a stable company with a solid safety and maintenance reputation top tier pay. I’ve been here 4 years, so it’s definitely doable, but not for everyone.

GoodRide 01-03-2018 09:03 PM


Originally Posted by Diverb (Post 2467788)
How hard is it to get out to Kwajalein to fly? I worked on Kwaj back in 2002-2003 and loved it. I would love to work for Berry flying out on Kwaj when I retire soon.

From what I know with most of the candidates being dual rated the candidate pool is limited. That fact hasn’t stopped us from finding guys and keeping that contract going. I have no idea how often the jobs become available, sorry.

Avgeek7248 12-19-2018 01:39 PM

Can any FO's give me the scoop on what their average monthly hours are at Berry on the Bro?

ThreeTen 12-27-2018 02:18 PM

I’m a Berry Bro captain.

It’s looking like the average pilot here flew somewhere around 700 hours this year. The guys who like to volunteer their weekends got over 900 though. Berry is a solid company to work for. The firefighter comparison is good though as we are completely on-call Monday thru Friday and have to go at a moments notice. You’re required to live within 30 minutes of your base. HYI, CAK, and DTO are the current bases. The schedule sucks but we are well compensated because of it. It is a great group of pilots here and we want to keep it that way. Upgrades aren’t seniority based, they’re based on ability and judgment as recognized by the captains you fly with. We’ve had FOs upgrade right at 135 mins and FOs who may take 5+ years to upgrade if ever.

The flying we do is interesting work and it’s hard work. Often days go 14 hours plus and we’re pushing the cargo ourselves at the stops. We have lots of Mexico and Canada trips but we hardly ever overnight there. If it’s legal to fly, we fly. We see plenty of ice this time of year and not much daylight. It’s an old school freight dog gig. I love it.

el_duderino 12-31-2018 03:49 AM

Any insight on the Commercial, On Demand Cargo, FO role? Is it commutable or do you have to reside at a base? Idea of schedule? Thanks, also I should mention I have no idea what the Bro is you're referring to above, so if this role happens to be that, then it is answered, if not, thanks in advance.

JulesWinfield 01-01-2019 11:07 AM


Originally Posted by sar1 (Post 2734166)
Any insight on the Commercial, On Demand Cargo, FO role? Is it commutable or do you have to reside at a base? Idea of schedule? Thanks, also I should mention I have no idea what the Bro is you're referring to above, so if this role happens to be that, then it is answered, if not, thanks in advance.

M-F on call 24 hours, with a 30 minute callout. Bro is the Brasilia.

ThreeTen 01-02-2019 02:18 PM

What Jules said.

Got to live within 30 minutes of your base. San Marcos, TX or Denton, TX or Akron / Canton, OH. It’s a great job. Pay is good for an FO with opportunities for quick upgrades. We just added a couple more Brasilias / EMB-120s / Bros. It’s a great plane and kind of an old school beast. They say if you can fly a Bro you can fly anything.

Pay varies with mileage.

1st year FOs were probably making around $65k-$75k this year.
Captains were all probably in the $120k-$150k range. Maybe more for some of the old timers.

aeroengineer 01-07-2019 12:38 PM


Originally Posted by ThreeTen (Post 2735429)
What Jules said.

Got to live within 30 minutes of your base. San Marcos, TX or Denton, TX or Akron / Canton, OH. It’s a great job. Pay is good for an FO with opportunities for quick upgrades. We just added a couple more Brasilias / EMB-120s / Bros. It’s a great plane and kind of an old school beast. They say if you can fly a Bro you can fly anything.

Pay varies with mileage.

1st year FOs were probably making around $65k-$75k this year.
Captains were all probably in the $120k-$150k range. Maybe more for some of the old timers.

So Denton is a base? Is El Paso still a base? I remember when I passed through El Paso quite a while ago I seem to recall seeing some Berry EMB120s on the ramp.

ThreeTen 01-18-2019 09:31 AM

Yes, Denton is a base. We had a Captain based in El Paso but he moved to Albuquerque so now that’s his base. The company seems to be fairly flexible on bases if you’re a hard working Captain. They wouldn’t create a base for an FO but if you came here and upgraded and after a time needed to move somewhere other than where a current base was it wouldn’t surprise me at all if that Captain could negotiate a new base. I’m sure they’d prefer to stick to just HYI and CAK though and the HYI and CAK guys get to spend much more time at home with their families since that’s where our mechanics are.

hav3atps 01-19-2019 09:58 PM

Curious what happened to the N.Island contract that went to Rampart.

ThreeTen 01-20-2019 07:56 AM

I heard recently that they switched the North Island / San Clemente runs to the DHC-8 because keeping the old Metros going was getting expensive. The DoD contract stuff is completely separate from what we do in ODC though. So I can’t really say that I know for sure.

hav3atps 01-20-2019 01:05 PM


Originally Posted by ThreeTen (Post 2746604)
I heard recently that they switched the North Island / San Clemente runs to the DHC-8 because keeping the old Metros going was getting expensive. The DoD contract stuff is completely separate from what we do in ODC though. So I can’t really say that I know for sure.

Appreciate the info.
There's a new operation now that has the contract, using twin otters.

aeroengineer 01-23-2019 09:45 AM

How hard is it to go from the ODC side to the DOD contract side? I know DOD contracts especially in forward deployed locations (where I have been on the ground) have understandably high mins which are often written in the contract/regs so they are hard mins (as well as a security clearance which I do have). Would building your time and experience until you make the quals for DOD be an option?

SonicFlyer 01-24-2019 11:01 AM

As FO do you get a choice of base? :confused:

ThreeTen 01-25-2019 02:18 PM

@ aeroengineer

I know of one ODC-side FO who is working with that goal in mind. You are correct about the DoD-side having hard mins due to government requirements. I see them doing training in the Twin Otters all the time. Looks like it would be fun. I just don't want to live in a man camp in Africa or Afghanistan despite the pay. Sounds like you're already used to that though.

@ SonicFlyer

Since we just purchased two more planes we're hiring several new pilots. I heard we've hired 4 people so far this year with plans for 6 more. I think the focus is mostly on hiring for the CAK base since the first 4 were Texas based evidently.

aeroengineer 01-27-2019 09:07 AM


Originally Posted by ThreeTen (Post 2749901)
@ aeroengineer

I know of one ODC-side FO who is working with that goal in mind. You are correct about the DoD-side having hard mins due to government requirements. I see them doing training in the Twin Otters all the time. Looks like it would be fun. I just don't want to live in a man camp in Africa or Afghanistan despite the pay. Sounds like you're already used to that though.

Thanks! Yes I'm used to it as much as a person can be. Lol. As someone whose seen things from a Humvee and MRAP a chance to fly over it all and make decent money has a certain appeal. Transient tents at Bagram can suck after a while :D But the mission is top tier righteous in my book.

dmk1984 02-08-2019 12:03 PM


Originally Posted by hav3atps (Post 2746427)
Curious what happened to the N.Island contract that went to Rampart.

It's not the first time we've lost the NZY flying. Companies come in and undercut us on the price but don't realize that they can't make a profit doing it with their cheaper operating aircraft AND meeting the gov't specs. There's speculation that Berry will get the contract back, and if that happens the flying will be permanently shifted from Metros to Dash-8s.

hav3atps 02-09-2019 07:56 AM


Originally Posted by dmk1984 (Post 2760024)
It's not the first time we've lost the NZY flying. Companies come in and undercut us on the price but don't realize that they can't make a profit doing it with their cheaper operating aircraft AND meeting the gov't specs. There's speculation that Berry will get the contract back, and if that happens the flying will be permanently shifted from Metros to Dash-8s.

Had also noticed that Berry was recruiting on JSF for pilots at NZY as recent as 2/1. Even though I was offered a position with Rampart a week prior. Declined as it's pretty unsettling as to what's going on down there right now and not sure if Otters are the best alternative. Berry was in there a lot of years. Still remember the days when it was Ted's Convairs..

Biggbird 04-28-2019 06:41 PM

Weird question I know but what are the real hiring requirements for E120 captains? I saw on their website that for Mid-ohio bases they need 3,000 hours. I found an add on climbto350 that links to the BA website that says it’s only 1800 total with 400 multi. The FO position was 750 with 1500 preferred so I know thats not it.

What kind of longevity would a the CAK base have? (I live there) The only reason I can tell BA has planes there is they bought the old BF goodrich hangar for Mx? That’s where I see their planes parked anyway. Is there revenue freight out of there?

Also curious about what kind of pay and schedule the job would have. So far it sounds like it’s on call mon-fri, not sure about pay.

dmk1984 04-30-2019 09:34 AM


Originally Posted by Biggbird (Post 2810640)
Weird question I know but what are the real hiring requirements for E120 captains? I saw on their website that for Mid-ohio bases they need 3,000 hours. I found an add on climbto350 that links to the BA website that says it’s only 1800 total with 400 multi. The FO position was 750 with 1500 preferred so I know thats not it.

What kind of longevity would a the CAK base have? (I live there) The only reason I can tell BA has planes there is they bought the old BF goodrich hangar for Mx? That’s where I see their planes parked anyway. Is there revenue freight out of there?

Also curious about what kind of pay and schedule the job would have. So far it sounds like it’s on call mon-fri, not sure about pay.

Captain minimums are 1800/400 but higher times are of course preferred. Also preferred is previous cargo/135 experience. All FO and Captain applicants do an FTD screening as part of the interview process.

Berry is headquartered in San Marcos, TX (HYI) but our second largest pilot domicile/Mx base is CAK. When fully staffed CAK has 6 crews. (HYI has 7 crews.) So to answer your question, yes there is plenty of revenue activity in CAK.

As far as schedule/pay I can answer questions if you care to DM me but the short answer is we operate on-call M-F with weekends and major holidays off. Every 4th weekend pilots are "on-call" but are usually at home. The "on-call" M-F aspect often scares people off, but the reality is that you overnight away from your domicile less than half the year. And while it is a 1 hour call out, you rarely if ever get a call you aren't expecting. There is a rotation based on who has flown most recently and dispatch is good at communicating who is up for the next revenue trip and where you sit in the rotation. You need to be available (i.e. living in base) but you aren't glued to your house and phone.

Pay for captains is in the mid to upper 100s. There is an airline profile for Berry on APC where you can get a good rundown of the pay structure: https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...y_aviation_inc

BurningJetA 05-17-2019 02:24 PM

Berry DHC-8
 
How is Berry flying a Dash 8 135 with the 135 payload restriction? I saw it is outfitted with only 30 seats....

goodridecowboy 05-19-2019 03:13 PM

Anybody able to shed light on FO hiring mins? I saw "preferred: 1500TT 250 Multi" and "required: 750TT, can be waived by DO or CP." What does this mean? What are the situations that 750 can be waived? I'm a low time Commercial AMEL from the area, I'd absolutely love to work for Berry.

KA350Driver 05-20-2019 02:47 AM

Does anyone have any insight on Berry’s OCONUS DOD work?

ZAT4US 06-08-2019 11:23 AM

Used to be premier job OCONUS. Think it is on the low side now (pay,benefits,staffing), compared to other ISR operators. Different than ISR flying but considerably more risk due to many legs per day to many bases. Business travel is about all that is left. Seems to be following an AAR type downslide.

SonicFlyer 06-08-2019 08:50 PM

I heard that the CONUS guys were not getting many hours at all :confused:

pilotboy10 07-01-2019 11:08 AM


Originally Posted by dmk1984 (Post 2811597)
Captain minimums are 1800/400 but higher times are of course preferred. Also preferred is previous cargo/135 experience. All FO and Captain applicants do an FTD screening as part of the interview process.

Berry is headquartered in San Marcos, TX (HYI) but our second largest pilot domicile/Mx base is CAK. When fully staffed CAK has 6 crews. (HYI has 7 crews.) So to answer your question, yes there is plenty of revenue activity in CAK.

As far as schedule/pay I can answer questions if you care to DM me but the short answer is we operate on-call M-F with weekends and major holidays off. Every 4th weekend pilots are "on-call" but are usually at home. The "on-call" M-F aspect often scares people off, but the reality is that you overnight away from your domicile less than half the year. And while it is a 1 hour call out, you rarely if ever get a call you aren't expecting. There is a rotation based on who has flown most recently and dispatch is good at communicating who is up for the next revenue trip and where you sit in the rotation. You need to be available (i.e. living in base) but you aren't glued to your house and phone.

Pay for captains is in the mid to upper 100s. There is an airline profile for Berry on APC where you can get a good rundown of the pay structure: https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...y_aviation_inc

“Overnight away from domicile less than half the year”.

So, are you saying a typical M-F you would sleep in a hotel 2 or 3 nights? Maybe more some weeks, maybe not at all some weeks?

justfun 01-14-2020 10:31 AM

FO mins and compensation
 
Was wondering what the actual mins are for a new hire FO. My son lives in one of the base currently so that wouldn't be an issue per say. He is approaching 700 hours and is a CFII.

From what I heard the first year pay is between $50-70/yr.

Thanks for the info.

Pilot P 05-20-2020 05:21 PM


Originally Posted by justfun (Post 2956600)
Was wondering what the actual mins are for a new hire FO. My son lives in one of the base currently so that wouldn't be an issue per say. He is approaching 700 hours and is a CFII.

From what I heard the first year pay is between $50-70/yr.

Thanks for the info.

---------Bump

Flying5280 05-24-2020 10:35 PM

Pilot P justfun

If you take a look at Berry's profile, on this site under 135, you will find a pay scale chart and an explanation to the average mileage flown during 2018.

Look back at the previous replies regarding experience in the last two pages as well.

Let me know if you have any Q's.

https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...y_aviation_inc

arbalist1 05-29-2020 11:12 AM

Is there still a contract for Kwajalein. I remember seeing an opening there a couple years ago, but I didn't meet the requirements yet. It would be awesome if something opened up again in the future.

justfun 06-01-2020 01:06 PM

Thx for the information!

Panzon 07-29-2020 06:00 AM

It has been two years since Berry was acquired by Acorn Growth Companies. What has changed? What has been retained?

Usually PE firms start making personnel and product offering changes in Year Two: is that what you’re seeing?

KA350Driver 07-29-2020 09:31 AM


Originally Posted by Panzon (Post 3101066)
It has been two years since Berry was acquired by Acorn Growth Companies. What has changed? What has been retained?

Usually PE firms start making personnel and product offering changes in Year Two: is that what you’re seeing?

I know theyre trying to break into the ISR world right now.

nowheretobefoun 02-27-2021 01:16 PM

Do not go there
 
Do not go to berry

i have it first hand from a friend that they have taken a dive

they steal your paid time off
they force you to sleep in the plane
they force you to fly without food
they punish and fire you if you get hurt on the job
there dispatch is absusive to the pilots
morale is at an all time low
they rewrite the rules with no notice or input
they are trying to run off the guys on the high end of the pay scale

4 captains have left in the last 3 months another got fired for a very minor mistake and the fos are a revolving door

used to be a great place to work but no longer is

management is taking advantage of the labor market and putting the screws to the pilots

QRH Bingo 02-27-2021 02:23 PM


Originally Posted by nowheretobefoun (Post 3200387)
Do not go to berry

i have it first hand from a friend that they have taken a dive

they steal your paid time off
they force you to sleep in the plane
they force you to fly without food
they punish and fire you if you get hurt on the job
there dispatch is absusive to the pilots
morale is at an all time low
they rewrite the rules with no notice or input
they are trying to run off the guys on the high end of the pay scale

4 captains have left in the last 3 months another got fired for a very minor mistake and the fos are a revolving door

used to be a great place to work but no longer is

management is taking advantage of the labor market and putting the screws to the pilots

So you joined today, looked back 7 months to find this old thread, to inform those on here about information a friend told you? Okay...

I do not have any knowledge about these statements, so fair enough. However, from what I have heard about those 4 Captains that have left, they went to go work for ATI - sounds like an upgrade to me.

justfun 03-04-2021 04:54 PM

Sounds like sour grapes to me.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:02 PM.


User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Website Copyright ©2000 - 2017 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands