Lucas,

Make sure that the $2500 ‘on account’ doesn’t mean that ATP has your loan money in their account waiting for you to use.

I too signed up for the RJ course back in June but then decided that the market was about to tank and took the $1000 hit on the deposit. Teach, my brother, teach until 1200 hours. Remember that the XC requirement of the part 135 minimums is only point to point…it does not have to be 50 or greater. Just make sure that on your training flights you put the wheels down at another airport.

Where did you get picked up?

Eric

Paul said that the money was 'on account', but that there wasn't a deposit so they would just issue me another check.

Anyways, I got a job offer from Dulles Aviation. They do a pre-screening for the Marines and if they pass they get sent to wherever to do their aircraft training, etc.

Good job lucas! I think you'll get more out of that than going with ATP. At least you'll be working with American students who have their heads on straight, I'm working with foreigners and it's much tougher....

Thanks. Now that I think about it, what would be the "best" 135 freight carrier to go to? I was thinking Airnet, Ameriflight, Flight Express, etc. But is there anyone that particularly stands out to anyone? Flight Express might be ok, and they fly to BNA which is close to my house, but they don't have any turbine aircraft though. Thoughts?

They don't have any turbine aircraft...

So what?

Flying single pilot IFR is tough. The workload in any cabin class twin is going to be higher than any turboprop. I think you're thinking way too far ahead and need to worry about the task at hand. Become a good instructor. When you get closer to 135 mins start thinking about this stuff. By then the advice given here might not even apply.

BTW, Airnet is furloughing.

Where can guys go right now with 135 mins? I've been looking around and haven't found much. Even talked with flight express not too long ago and they didn't have any classes set up for the time being.

I don't know if my old employer is hiring right now or not. He goes in phases, but it's a small out-fit, C310's, home every night(unless you do standby). Mainly freight, but also pax operations. Eventually you can get into the C421's or the C404(freight only). Pay is respectable, living is really cheap(indiana), but no bene's besides Aflac. Does have a 1yr training contract just because he's been burnt by 2-3 guys right in a row. My stance on it is if you give a man your word about staying for 1 yr, it's really not that much to ask honestly.

If you are at, close to 135 mins(1100+), PM me for contact info. I have a feeling they are probably not hiring right now, but they will always keep a resume if they'll need someone in the future

Yeah I know Airnet is furloughing, I am just trying to get an idea about which route to take when I get to IFR mins. Thanks anyways

And that's exactly my point. What's happening now, will be very different from what's happening in 6 months.

6 months ago, my company was still hiring and expecting to hire another 500 this year rather than furloughing 154.

Worry about the task at hand with a plan that doesn't target specific companies now. Start targeting specifics once their respective minimums are in sight.

I've got 135.243 mins and there's not much out there at this time. Ameriflight is hiring, but you will probably need to relocate to the west coast for any of those jobs. I interviewed with them about a month ago and didn't get the job in DAL because they filled the job the week prior to my interview. If you interview with Ameriflight, you will have to find your own way out there. I'm going to stay an instructor till sometime next year because I think (AND HOPE) things turn around next year. If you have a job as an instructor pilot, KEEP IT. I think you'll be better off working as an IP than trying to get one of those fiercely competitive jobs on bare minimums for qualifications and experience. GOOD LUCK!