Gulfstream Int Airlines
12-01-2011 | 05:51 PM
#381
Day puke
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,865
Likes: 0
From: Out.
I agree, the contract is quite steep, and designed to people there because they might otherwise leave.
My question is regarding not being able to sustain 120 hours a month. I routinely fly 100-120 hours a month working 6-7 days a week as an instructor. I'm not being a smart a$$, I was seriously wondering if there is any reason why flying that much at an airline would be more difficult than instructing.
I'm not waiting for another regional simply because I don't have time. I have applied to every single one and talked to recruiters, chief pilots and CEO's. No one, except for Great Lakes and Pacific Wings, wants to give me a shot because I can't go to Canada. I can't go corporate because who needs a pilot that can't go to Canada. The Canada thing is going to take another 1 1/2 - 2 years to resolve. I'm just not content building 2000 more hours of piston time that nobody is going to care about. While I'm not ecstatic about GIA's history, from what I've heard things are looking better and they're giving me a chance to prove I can handle the part 121 experience. The pay sucks but as soon as I make Captain I'll be back to where I am now, and if I'm going to fly 100 hours a month, I'd rather be getting experience that counts.
My question is regarding not being able to sustain 120 hours a month. I routinely fly 100-120 hours a month working 6-7 days a week as an instructor. I'm not being a smart a$$, I was seriously wondering if there is any reason why flying that much at an airline would be more difficult than instructing.
I'm not waiting for another regional simply because I don't have time. I have applied to every single one and talked to recruiters, chief pilots and CEO's. No one, except for Great Lakes and Pacific Wings, wants to give me a shot because I can't go to Canada. I can't go corporate because who needs a pilot that can't go to Canada. The Canada thing is going to take another 1 1/2 - 2 years to resolve. I'm just not content building 2000 more hours of piston time that nobody is going to care about. While I'm not ecstatic about GIA's history, from what I've heard things are looking better and they're giving me a chance to prove I can handle the part 121 experience. The pay sucks but as soon as I make Captain I'll be back to where I am now, and if I'm going to fly 100 hours a month, I'd rather be getting experience that counts.
Flying wise, as an instructor when the weather got bad, we didn't fly much. In 121, unless the weather is life threatening, you are going. Eight hours in south Florida in the winter isn't tough, but move up to Cleveland and it gets more arduous.
In short, yes there is a difference. If you were flying over the weather, on 3+ hour legs, 120 hours wouldn't be bad, but flying short hops, down in the soup.... that's work.
I can understand the Canada issue. If it is what I think it is, yeah, you are gonna have to bite the bullet. Still, you might look at 135. You can get quality time and earn a living. Single pilot, hauling boxes in a Caravan was about the best time I ever had flying professionally.
Good luck
12-01-2011 | 07:36 PM
#382
Respek
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 76
So $1160 to $1260 per month and the wife pays for insurance. You are still going to need 80-85 hours per month to cover those regular bills. If the car needs tires this month, tack on another 15 hours.
Yes, you may be able to fly 120 hours. But I have yet to meet anybody who can sustain that kind of load for very long. If, and that is a big if, you can average 7.5 hours per day, you could hit 30 hours in four days: four 12-15 duty hour days. If that is the case and you commute, your three days off yield an evening, a full day, and a morning at home each week. More realistically, it will take five days to hit 30 hours leaving you 24-36 hours at home. Home visits like that for too many months lead to divorces.
If you commute, there will be NO disposable income. I am not expressing any opinion about GIA as a company. I am only saying that commuting to a job with such poor pay is not smart. If you lived in base, maybe I could see it (effectively at least one more day at home each week and no crash pad to pay for), but commuting is just crazy.
Now that Commute has ratified a contract, GIA is the lowest pay (if I am wrong, please correct me). Rather than go there, why not wait for a company that either pays fairly well or at least has a base you can drive to?
(About the training contract, I have signed one every where I have worked, so I am not inherently against them. But 24 months? At three times the cost of a type rating? That is ridiculous.)
Yes, you may be able to fly 120 hours. But I have yet to meet anybody who can sustain that kind of load for very long. If, and that is a big if, you can average 7.5 hours per day, you could hit 30 hours in four days: four 12-15 duty hour days. If that is the case and you commute, your three days off yield an evening, a full day, and a morning at home each week. More realistically, it will take five days to hit 30 hours leaving you 24-36 hours at home. Home visits like that for too many months lead to divorces.
If you commute, there will be NO disposable income. I am not expressing any opinion about GIA as a company. I am only saying that commuting to a job with such poor pay is not smart. If you lived in base, maybe I could see it (effectively at least one more day at home each week and no crash pad to pay for), but commuting is just crazy.
Now that Commute has ratified a contract, GIA is the lowest pay (if I am wrong, please correct me). Rather than go there, why not wait for a company that either pays fairly well or at least has a base you can drive to?
(About the training contract, I have signed one every where I have worked, so I am not inherently against them. But 24 months? At three times the cost of a type rating? That is ridiculous.)
12-02-2011 | 10:00 AM
#383
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: underemployed
Here is a good look at what to expect.
AE Regional - YouTube
Minus the the good looking FO. They also make more than GIA FO's so..... Just be aware this is far from a glam job. I've had a lot of family members who fly chime in on all this with me.
AE Regional - YouTube
Minus the the good looking FO. They also make more than GIA FO's so..... Just be aware this is far from a glam job. I've had a lot of family members who fly chime in on all this with me.
Suffice to say that I am VERY aware of the life we all chose and I know exactly what I am getting into as far as quality of life goes. There are some other options out there for me with the hours that I have and I am still flying almost every day, but I think the possibilities could be good here. I faxed in the resume on Wed. I havent heard anything yet. I know its only been a couple days, but any idea on how long we can expect to wait before we hear anything?
12-02-2011 | 10:06 AM
#384
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Suffice to say that I am VERY aware of the life we all chose and I know exactly what I am getting into as far as quality of life goes. There are some other options out there for me with the hours that I have and I am still flying almost every day, but I think the possibilities could be good here. I faxed in the resume on Wed. I havent heard anything yet. I know its only been a couple days, but any idea on how long we can expect to wait before we hear anything?
12-02-2011 | 10:24 AM
#385
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 13,843
Likes: 1
From: FAA 'Flight Check'
Suffice to say that I am VERY aware of the life we all chose and I know exactly what I am getting into as far as quality of life goes. There are some other options out there for me with the hours that I have and I am still flying almost every day, but I think the possibilities could be good here. I faxed in the resume on Wed. I havent heard anything yet. I know its only been a couple days, but any idea on how long we can expect to wait before we hear anything?
USMCFLYR
12-02-2011 | 10:27 AM
#386
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Gear Handle supervisor
Just curious have any of you within the last week, week and a half that applied have you called the phone number or received any confirmation in return of your resume submission? I got the voicemail on the listed number and left a message, I dont know if anyone received anything back by e-mail from their recruiters since its contract recruiter.
12-02-2011 | 01:55 PM
#388
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: underemployed
Word of advice, most of the guys on here have been in this industry for years, so I wouldn't come on here and say that you know exactly what your getting into, because while you may have SOME idea, you haven't lived it like them. It's never as bad when your on the outside looking in.
I was merely indicating that if the video from cnbc or whatever following an eagle crew was posted for me to better understand the lifestyle of a regional pilot, I am already familiar with the lifestyle. I am in no way claiming to have immense amount of experience or expecting this to be something glorious. I do not have 121 experience, however I am familiar with the lifestyle for reasons I choose not to share here. Thanks for your, word of advice.
12-02-2011 | 02:54 PM
#389
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Suffice to say that I am VERY aware of the life we all chose and I know exactly what I am getting into as far as quality of life goes. There are some other options out there for me with the hours that I have and I am still flying almost every day, but I think the possibilities could be good here. I faxed in the resume on Wed. I havent heard anything yet. I know its only been a couple days, but any idea on how long we can expect to wait before we hear anything?
12-02-2011 | 02:57 PM
#390
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 0
Just curious have any of you within the last week, week and a half that applied have you called the phone number or received any confirmation in return of your resume submission? I got the voicemail on the listed number and left a message, I dont know if anyone received anything back by e-mail from their recruiters since its contract recruiter.
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