Ameriflight
#1151
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2011
Posts: 151
Well my answer is just a guess since I never flew for Ameriflight, but I have close friends that do and my understanding is that the wash-out rate is extremely high. My old instructor said his class on the 99 started out with 12 and only 3 graduated.
As for the reason they quite from what I hear is stagnation and the routine. Some of their bases are black holes that ounce you get into it there is no getting out. They get hired thinking "yeah, turbine PIC time, I'll be at FedEx in two years". Then 6 months goes by they logged 200 hrs, can't upgrade or bid another station, the get stagnated and they want to shoot themselves to get out of flying the same run.
Another complaint I'm told is your given something like three days notification before a line check, which is not much time to prepare for one. That could be another reason I guess.
At least that is the complaints I hear. I suppose it is like any other airline: pay, quality of life and seniority bid. Whether it is Downtown Aviation to Pinnacle or Lufthansa to FedEx, there will always be something you don't like and it will drive to look elsewhere.
As for the reason they quite from what I hear is stagnation and the routine. Some of their bases are black holes that ounce you get into it there is no getting out. They get hired thinking "yeah, turbine PIC time, I'll be at FedEx in two years". Then 6 months goes by they logged 200 hrs, can't upgrade or bid another station, the get stagnated and they want to shoot themselves to get out of flying the same run.
Another complaint I'm told is your given something like three days notification before a line check, which is not much time to prepare for one. That could be another reason I guess.
At least that is the complaints I hear. I suppose it is like any other airline: pay, quality of life and seniority bid. Whether it is Downtown Aviation to Pinnacle or Lufthansa to FedEx, there will always be something you don't like and it will drive to look elsewhere.
Thanks for sharing. Compared to other airlines I am surprised how little information is readily available to AMF's own pilots. I have researched this industry very thoroughly and AMF is different in regards to the information available. If anyone can help me to see where the last few classes have been based, that would help enormously.
One additional question I have if lets say you get a base out of class and want to move to another base. With the movement AMF now has, if there is a vacancy in another base with the equipment you are currently trained, does it work like other airlines that the opening would be awarded on a seniority basis?
Thanks again.
#1152
Ref +8
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: North by Midwest
Posts: 383
Well it is sorta a fly by night operation I can ask where the last classes were based this coming week, but I believe Portland.
I know the the general rule of thumb is for you to go to another station that you have to have someone else lined up to replace you. So in theory yes you can transfer to another base on the same equipment or possibly another type, but you have to have someone to take your place, and that is where the problem is. AMF seniority does not operate like the rest of the industry, which is why it is easy to gain seniority there but it means very little in the grand scheme of things. Or so that is my understanding. But I have heard of some people making a career out of it, I believe one there more famous pilots just retired, but I do not recall his name.
I know the the general rule of thumb is for you to go to another station that you have to have someone else lined up to replace you. So in theory yes you can transfer to another base on the same equipment or possibly another type, but you have to have someone to take your place, and that is where the problem is. AMF seniority does not operate like the rest of the industry, which is why it is easy to gain seniority there but it means very little in the grand scheme of things. Or so that is my understanding. But I have heard of some people making a career out of it, I believe one there more famous pilots just retired, but I do not recall his name.
#1153
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Keepin Dirty Side Down
Posts: 49
Lets put it this way, AMF is a blackhole for many and I don't know anyone who has come from the 121 side. Everyone I know, and its quite a few, have bailed and moved to the regionals just to get away from it. These are guys and gals that have over 1000 PIC Turbine hours with no way out but to take a pay cut and sit in the right seat of an RJ. The biggest complaint......Management!! I saw another post that people only stay 3-5 years.....well yeah, the hours suck and pilots are treated like second class citizens. What I was never able to wrap my head around is if management made just a few improvements the company would be a great place to work for but that will never happen.
#1154
Ameriflight long ago resigned itself to the fact that the company serves as a training ground for big-airline pilots. Its turnover rate varies directly with the hirng activity taking place in the larger iron. Will you make $200,000 per year and fly four engine jets around the world? No. Will you get good training, learn how to keep yourself alive in an airplane while dealing with schedules, loads, and weather? Yes. Will you get to smell like jet fuel instead fo AvGas when you go home (a little joke) -- will you get valuable turbine PIC time? Yes; AMF has been an important stepping stone in the careers of thousands of pilots during the 40+ years the company has been in business. Is it dangerous and horrible? The company just passed 500,000 in-company flight hours without a fatal accident; judge for yourself. Is it the perfect place to work? No. But -- look at the other pilot forums and you'll find plenty of disgruntled pilots posting their gripes while flying for the big airlines too. Ameriflight is a GREAT place to build experience. Take it for what it's worth.
#1155
Be sure you don't misinterpret the significance of "Losing up to 30% of your pilots a year." In most cases they're taking the experience they've gained at Ameriflight and moving on up the rungs of the aviation ladder, not leaving because the hate the job. AMF's turnover varies directly with hiring activity at the airlines.
#1156
Ameriflight long ago resigned itself to the fact that the company serves as a training ground for big-airline pilots. Its turnover rate varies directly with the hirng activity taking place in the larger iron. Will you make $200,000 per year and fly four engine jets around the world? No. Will you get good training, learn how to keep yourself alive in an airplane while dealing with schedules, loads, and weather? Yes. Will you get to smell like jet fuel instead fo AvGas when you go home (a little joke) -- will you get valuable turbine PIC time? Yes; AMF has been an important stepping stone in the careers of thousands of pilots during the 40+ years the company has been in business. Is it dangerous and horrible? The company just passed 500,000 in-company flight hours without a fatal accident; judge for yourself. Is it the perfect place to work? No. But -- look at the other pilot forums and you'll find plenty of disgruntled pilots posting their gripes while flying for the big airlines too. Ameriflight is a GREAT place to build experience. Take it for what it's worth.
#1157
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Posts: 53
Going to Ameriflight was the best thing I ever did. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be flying a Citation 650, King Air 200, and Helicopter today.
Life is what you make of it.
John - I didn't know you retired. Godspeed. Thanks for your example.
Last edited by tbmpilot; 01-26-2012 at 08:16 PM.
#1159
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 276
Working for Ameriflight is like having an affair on weekend layover. You both know it isn't going to last forever because neither of you wants it to last forever. That doesn't mean it's not grand fun while it lasts, or that you won't look back on it many years from now with great fondness. But once your batteries are charged, the affair has run it's course. You "Friend" them on Facebook and move on...
#1160
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Posts: 147
That's three days more than they'll get at most companies. If they need three days to prepare for a line check then they are fortunate indeed to be working for Ameriflight. It's likely to be the pinnacle of their professional careers.
Working for Ameriflight is like having an affair on weekend layover. You both know it isn't going to last forever because neither of you wants it to last forever. That doesn't mean it's not grand fun while it lasts, or that you won't look back on it many years from now with great fondness. But once your batteries are charged, the affair has run it's course. You "Friend" them on Facebook and move on...
Working for Ameriflight is like having an affair on weekend layover. You both know it isn't going to last forever because neither of you wants it to last forever. That doesn't mean it's not grand fun while it lasts, or that you won't look back on it many years from now with great fondness. But once your batteries are charged, the affair has run it's course. You "Friend" them on Facebook and move on...
That is really funny and true!! I flew for them back in the early nineties for 4 years (man am I getting old) and it was great fun. Yes were some people a pain in the ass.....sure, but show me a job where everyone is perfect. The flying was awesome, I flew along the West Coast and mainly out of SEA in our great weather. What a fun challenge and character builder in the ice, snow, wind, fog, and RAIN!!! I was home every night and weekend and new what my schedule would be for months at a time. I didn't have to commute or sit on my ass for hours as I have done in the heavy metal. I have great memories of AMF and would do it all over again. Flying single pilot in 99s or 1900s with little or no cargo (and no company radar) was the best flying I have every done. If I can impart any advise to someone looking to build excellent skills and turbine PIC time I would highly recommend AMF. No I am not smoking anything or from management.
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