Thats true, I forgot about the ATR's. And Guam? Hmmmmmm. Not to sure. Maybe if I were single I would entertain the idea.

 

That's cool you got PQI. Did you get it right out of training or were you at another base first?

 

Shamrok, I don't know where you got your info on pay but just looking at the Colgan payscale (just the monthly minimum, not counting per diem etc.) it would take an eigth year captain on the S340 to make what I have made at Cape Air. It may not be the best pay in the industry but it is a lot more than Colgan FO and most Capt pay.

 

Cape Air pay is actually pretty good when you consider all the options.

If you work for a regional and you commute to work; I'm assuming you are gone from home around 4 days a week. This in my twisted mind equates to being away from my family for 96 hours a week. As a Captain you may make 45,000 a year at Colgan, is this a fair guess?

At Cape Air with just 50 duty hours a week, first year pay, and you are home every night you would make: 40/hrs X 12.80/hr X 52 weeks = 26,624 plus overtime 10/hrs X 19.20/hr X 52 weeks = 9,984. This is comes to 36,608 for your first year. 50 duty hours a week is only 5 days at 10 hrs per day, you still get 2 off per week and you are home.

If you go to the Caribbean for the winter, helps to be single, you can make more money. 26 weeks (North) 50 hours a week is 18,340. Caribbean pay with override is 40/hrs X 15.80/hr X 26 weeks = 16,432. 10/hrs OT X 23.70/hr X 26 weeks = 6,162. This comes to 40,934 for first year. You get a 4000 pre tax bonus to go the Caribbean now I'm at 44,934 for first year. There is a two season bonus for a season in New England and a season in the Caribbean another 600, now I'm at 45,534.

I know this is a lot of work 50 hours per week, but it can add up.

My last year on the line and a staying in New England all year, working 5 days a week for 12 hours a day (M-F), weekends off, I made 84,000. This was including 6,000 training pay, no bonuses, 6th year payscale.

Cape Air may not get you the turbine time you desire, but you certainly can make a decent living, and be home every night. I enjoy my dinner's at home with my wife and kids, every night. The people you work with are second to none, and the flying is a blast.

There are some programs in the works for future career development with Cape Air. When the deals are made Cape Air may really become the road to the "heavy airframes" some desire.

Time is usually a good judge of the decisions we make. We can all have the hanger talk about what is the best path to take, I for one, enjoy being home.

I hope all of us can be happy with the choices we make.

The Sack

 

If one was to sign on with cape, would you be obligated to go south for the winter, if not how is work up north when winter arrives? Do less senior people find other work? My situation would not allow me to go south for the winter, I have a baby at home which requires a lot of work on my days off.

 

Reference? Min pay at Cape vs. min pay at Colgan? ALL things equal?

 

I've been looking at cape air for a while. They came to WMU for a career fair and it sounds like a good time. I'm just starting out my career. I just got my multi comm as a baby with 208 hrs (part 141), working on the add on then CFI/I. I'm planning on working at WMU as an instructor. Starting pay there is $17/hr, then $23 after 200 hrs given, $29 after 800 hrs given. I'm going to to follow this and keep this an option.

 

Captain Sack,
I've been sitting on the sidelines for a few years now. I have been always interested in Cape Air. No SJS here. I'm just wondering how you get to 84k, though. I thought you are limited to 1000hrs 121/ 1200hrs 135. does cape pay for all you're duty time?
Not Flame bait. Curently work in manufacturing and have always wanted to make the jump to aviation. I also work part time as a CFII/MEI so the money is good now. But every time one of you're 402's flys over my house in Sandwich, I get that twitch and want to drive over and hand in an app.
The mortgage, car payments, wife and kids keep me from doing it however.

Now, if the moneys as good as you say.......

Senecadriver

 

Word has it Cape Air grounded a bunch of their fleet for the next fews days due to safety issues. Apparently they have had 3 engine outs in the last week, the last one was last night coming into BOS. All landed safely, but I assume with the wear and tear that the engines go through as well as the overall age of the aircraft, then this was bound to happen sooner or later.

 

I heard the same that as of this morning some or most of the fleet was grounded due to "unusual engine wear"