It's not really a base. It's one run. And yes, it does turn over about every 6 months or so. Though I wouldn't plan on getting it as a direct hire. So far there has never been an issue with filling that run. So you might need to hire on and then bid for it when it comes open.

This might be a little more problematic than it sounds. Most of the FOs are always trying to get the highest flight time runs. So if you are flying a run that only gets 10 hours a week, you might not get an FO unless is a glut of them again.

A couple years ago we had FOs on almost every run. But in Texas right now (Dallas and San Antonio) we only have 3.

That's good advise guys. I hope they'll look at me again a year down the road when I'm healed up and ready for it.

Definitely a good point - as far as 99 FOs goes, I know we were back logged for a while, so I assumed they were just taking what they could get.

I worked 9 years at AMF. If you have back problems I would avoid them. I've had back problems for years that I attribute to being stooped over in the back of a Navajo lifting heavy bags and boxes. If I don't do too much bending my back is find but repetitive bending over puts me flat on my back.

Not as many now, as far as I know. There is currently only one 99 FO in the whole Texas system right now. And we have 5 99 runs they could fly on. And one of the open ones gets about 70 hours a month. Of course, it means they have to live in Pampa. :eek::D

Ya thats what I was afraid of. I was really looking forward to the experience too. Definitely can't risk my back for it though.... Frustrating.
Thank you for your advice and first hand experience. 9 years is certainly a trek on your back.

I'be been through a lot of this thread. Can anyone give me info on the sdf and cvg bases? Anything would be appreciated.

Run away from CVG. Run away - run away - run away.

The abusive schedule is only the beginning.

I don't have any experience myself with CVG, but from my understanding, SDF has a few pilots (4 maybe?) that rotate between reserve and 2 different runs. To my knowledge it's all in a 1900.

The only thing I know about CVG is that most runs are overnight. I believe that with some runs you only get one night off.

You will fly 6 days a week. You will spend 20 hours a day away from CVG at various places, but will not get per diem. Evidently because you are back in Cincinnati for 2-3 hours in the middle on the night means that you don't need per diem. The hotels will range from decent to terrible, and you will spend more time waiting for hotel shuttles than you will actually flying. You will never see the sun, and will not get days off when you request them.

3 1900 runs and pilots in the SDF system (1 outstation based)

So is SDF not as bad as everyone makes CVG out to be?

The biggest issues with CVG have always been (IMHO) a "Catch 22."

I know the ACP up there would LIKE to be able to split the schedule so that one pilot would fly a run Su-W and then another would cover Th/F and a couple weekend days.

The issue is that they can't get/keep pilots in the base. Until they can get the staffing, they can't adjust the schedule or cover all time off requests. And with the schedule the way it is, they can't get people to take an assignment there. Thus the Catch 22.

Sign me up!

That sounds just like the movie "Office Space", without the stapler.

The schedule is rough, the home life suffers and flying their aircraft is like playing roulette.

I don't understand the people that say "at least you are home every night" when all you have is a few hours home, and you need that time to sleep, because you had a long duty day. Are you really home every day?

You are home every nigh at some bases, but from about 8pm to 4am. I wouldn't exactly call that quality time at home. I would rather do a 4 day trip and be home for 2 full days rather then the 8 hrs when you are sleeping to recover for the next day. But thats just me, everyone has their own priorities.

You will be home every night (or day) and largely depending on the run most runs leave that time and home as less than quality time at home.
But pick your poison because four days on the road isn't great either, but the block of time at home is largely better QOL time at home where you can actually have a life outside of flying.

Wiggins Airways inc. is now owned by Ameriflight. The esop vote was in favor. We are so excited to work more and make less!

Welcome!
Lulz.
Sorry.

Hahaha!! Sorry man that is a crappy deal. I was laughing solely at your statement, not at the situation.

That's how it was in OAK. Horrible QOL in that regard and in some other areas too. There are guys that enjoy it though, good for them...

I'm sorry for your loss. I've flown into your FBO multiple times up there in Manchester, great operation! I can only hope it's managed half as well as it was when it was Wiggins. You guys were making roughly 60k/yr there right? Any new pay scales come out yet? I know when they tried to get the caravan on their certificate about a year and a half ago, they had horrible pay scales. Less than 26k/yr. I'm praying for you guys back there!

Do I dare ask for details, or should I wait for the dust to settle?

At an outstations I'm 'home' 8am-5pm everyday, granted that's when most people are either working and kids are in school. Though, I'm only able to go to sleep one night a week thinking "I don't have to work tomorrow." That gets old pretty quick.

I feel your pain. I am at an outstation.

Some bases are great. You have a show time of 9am, and are back home by 8pm. Others are much, much worse.

At least when you're outstation based, it costs them money to jerk you around on a run. Based in-base, oh yeah, we need X, Y, Z done.

Anyone have any info on the 120 FO position.? hour Mins, pay ect.
Im a CFI with around 300 tt.

In general we are looking for 800-900 hours tt. This is so after about a year of flying you have the time to be legal as a part 135 captain (1200 hrs) in a PA31 or BE99. At 300 hours it would take a good 2+ years to reach that point. The other question would be how much multi time you have. The Bro has 1800 SHP engines turning 8' diameter props. It can get a pretty good yaw on a V1 cut and you need to have the experience to be able to handle it.

First year pay for an E120 FO is $25K.

Who did your last recurrent training big guy? ;) The props are 10.5' in diameter. But you are absolutely correct about needing to make sure that you are a decent pilot as it is certainly more complex than a 172. I'n not saying that it is ridiculously hard, but there training is short with little room for error. The training is fast and there have been several failures recently for FO's. You only get 5-6 sim sessions before the check ride.

And most people do not stay as a FO in the Bro for a full year. Most people "upgrade" and move to the 99 as a Captain. In the recent past, the magic time in the right seat seems to be 6 months.

Truth be told, however, there are only 8 EMB-120's and most all of the FO's lately have been "internal" hires. They have either been former interns or associated with the company in some other way. It is a good place for the company to put someone that they know and like to build some time so they can move up to other things.

Thanks for the responses regarding the CVG base. How about Metroliner BUF? Schedule, runs, etc. Thanks.

BUF has 3 metro runs. All during the day. One is over the weekend; One is out and back during the week. The other is M-F.

Ok. I was thinking that but then thinking of one blade, it didn't seem that big.

If folks have been upgrading in less than a year it is because they are coming in with more hours to begin with. The target is the magic 1200 hours. If you start with 800 - 900 then it will work out about that for most of the runs.

My big point was that if someone came on with 300 hours, they would be stuck in the seat for at LEAST a couple of years or they would leave to go somewhere else. Like an FO in PHX did a while ago who DID come in with only about 400 hours.

Can you say "Doodles?"

I have close to 90 hours pic multi. Dont know if that would help. Just sounds like i have another year or so. thanks for the response!:cool:

so which ones oh do tell so i know what to fear if i take a position.
and how many hours per year???