Joining the ranks...

EatSleepFly · March 10th, 2005, 22:17

It's official...I'm joining the "Order of the Sleepless Knights."

I'd been looking at freight jobs for a little while after I started to realize that the airlines aren't my thing. I interviewed at two different places. Both have similar equipment and both are in the same area, but one is mostly scheduled, the other is mostly on-demand.

I ended up taking the on-demand one starting out as a Caravan PIC. Should be done with training and on the line in 4-6 weeks.

Why did I take the on-demand one you ask? Am I insane? Many reasons...such as:

-The people were nicer and its more of a tight-knit company.
-Low turnover, and pretty happy pilots/employees.
-The equipment is much better...NOT your typical freight equipment.
-The routes are longer...apparently they're sometimes too long (and really, some of them are seriously long for a Caravan), but thats fine by me.
-Variety. Who wants to fly between the same 5 cities every week? Not me...at least not at this point in my life. I like the idea of not knowing where I'll be going when the phone rings.
-The pay is about twice what I'd be making sitting reserve as an F/O at a regional in some base I hate, flying with A-hole captains who hate the world.
-It's PIC time. I like flying and making the decisions.
-Boxes don't b*tch, puke, or make stupid comments (like, "are you even old enough to driiiiiive?!")
-It's single pilot IFR all over this half of the country, and into Canada. Much better experience than what I'd be getting flying that smelly ATR around the Carribbean.
-No uniform. Jeans are pretty much standard.

The downsides? On call 24/7, but only 4 days a week to start out. The other three days, I can make myself available if I want, or not. Nobody has to fly on Sundays if they don't want to. It's 45 minutes from the time I get the call until wheels off, so that means I need to move to live closer. And since I'm new, I'll probably be getting the late night calls. I'm a night owl anyhow.

They made it crystal clear that this job isn't for everyone, and they were completely honest and up front about the realities of it. I thought a lot about it, and I think it's just the job I need right now. I'm looking forward to it.

Anyways, did my first three hours in the 'van today. Cool plane. Life as I know it is about to get very different.

MikeD · March 10th, 2005, 22:24

Enjoy the super-172. I did. It's a neat step up in the aviation world. Even though it isn't a speed demon, it is a joy to fly and relatively simple. Just watch it in icing......it doesn't like it. Hence why there's boots all over the damn thing, to include the main gear legs, the cargo pod (if installed), as well as every other leading edge surface.

Only thing I hated was getting in/out of the thing with the annoying ladder and the front windscreen angle vs the seat.

EatSleepFly · March 10th, 2005, 22:28

[ QUOTE ]
and the front windscreen angle vs the seat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, I almost knocked myself unconscious today when I was reaching down to deploy the ladder. I sat back up, and WHAM! Ouch...

Stone Cold · March 10th, 2005, 22:39

Congrats, man. I wish you luck and hope to one day be in the cargo ranks myself. Great job!!!

TX

stuckingfk · March 10th, 2005, 22:42

Where did you get hired ESF? What kind of hours did you have? If you don't mind sharing on here, pm me if you want to, I'd appreciate it.

I am building around 30-45 hours a month and I want more. I have a good job, just want a little more flying.

wheelsup · March 11th, 2005, 00:14

[ QUOTE ]
Where did you get hired ESF? What kind of hours did you have? If you don't mind sharing on here, pm me if you want to, I'd appreciate it.

I am building around 30-45 hours a month and I want more. I have a good job, just want a little more flying.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure what kind of hours you have, but if you see "IFR" "PIC" and "on-demand" in the same sentence you're looking at FAA mins of 1200 TT, 500 point-to-point xcty, 100 night, and 75 instrument. Check out 135.243(c).

Again, not sure what your background is but that's a general idea. Also, most caravan operators want 2000 TT (those are the fedex feeder mins).

cya
~wheelsup

E_Dawg · March 11th, 2005, 00:29

Congrats ESF!

Alchemy · March 11th, 2005, 03:51

Good job! Have fun.

Minnesota_Flyer · March 11th, 2005, 10:22

[ QUOTE ]
Am I insane?

[/ QUOTE ]No comment.

[ QUOTE ]
On call 24/7, but only 4 days a week to start out.

[/ QUOTE ]So, wouldn't that be 24/4??

I kid. CoNGRATULATIONS!!!! You're doing exactly what I want to do, for many of the same reasons (who needs the whiny, self-loading cargo). That is just great news!!!

MF

jonnyb · March 11th, 2005, 12:50

Right on Marsh, have fun dude.

kellwolf · March 11th, 2005, 19:08

Congrats, Marsh. I always thought that freight job was a better fit for you than Mesaba anyway. At least I'm guessing this is the same one that you were looking at around the same time. PIC turbine is golden IMO, and I personally would love to have a similar job once I get the hours I need.

EatSleepFly · March 11th, 2005, 22:05

Thanks everybody! I'll keep you all updated on how it goes. I start ground school Monday morning. Have about 40 hours of that to do, including Hazmat training, so should be done by next weekend or so.

If you ever hear the callsign "Priority," thats one of us.

I'm sure I'll run into some more of you in my travels. Might not be able to give any advance notice, though.

MQAAord · March 12th, 2005, 14:10

I have been SO hoping for a break for you, man. You deserve it! I hope you're happy with this outfit, and that it's a good fit for you.

Best wishes for a great opportunity!

ready2fly · March 14th, 2005, 05:41

OUTSTANDING! I've always wanted to fly a Caravan! Best of luck and keep us posted!!

Cleared_ILS_RWY_9L · March 18th, 2005, 20:55

Congrats.

cimepilot · April 3rd, 2005, 13:26

Is there a reason your avatar is an Airnet caravan?

flyover · April 5th, 2005, 10:38

Need to change your handle to EatSleep(optional)Fly.

Enjoy the new gig!

EatSleepFly · April 12th, 2005, 09:34

Thanks flyover!

For anyone who's interested, I'm all moved into my new place nice and close to the airport, and out on the line by myself. I'm having a blast flying the 'Van. I wouldn't mind flying just a little bit more than I am, but they said April is the last of the slow months, and pretty soon I'll be doing 75-100 a month just like everyone else.

[ QUOTE ]
Is there a reason your avatar is an Airnet caravan?

[/ QUOTE ]

No, other than it was the only nice looking Caravan pic I could find and it's not like most people would recognize it as one of AirNet's. I'll change it though.

cimepilot · April 13th, 2005, 01:06

ESF,

I don't care that you have an Airnet Caravan as your avatar. Use it all you want. I was just asking.

EatSleepFly · April 13th, 2005, 13:54

It's cool...time for a new one anyways.

What are you flying for AirNet? Like Columbus (how can you not if you're single...lots of chicas down there...)? I hear you guys all the time around here. Nice break in the weather we've been having...finally.

cimepilot · April 13th, 2005, 15:04

CMH is alright now that winter seems to be over. I am flying the 208, Baron and Navajo. Keeps me busy. This month sucks b/c I have re-current in the van and the ho. Oh well! Such is life as a pilot.

averyrm · April 16th, 2005, 19:20

Belated Congrats

I'm looking foward to joining the same ranks - I'm in Ohio now, and by the end of the year I should have 135 mins. Already have an app in with airnet! I have an odd attraction to the 'van

EatSleepFly · April 18th, 2005, 16:45

Thanks.

When did they rename that airport to DUH? Or, I guess the better question is why did they?

One of our guys was over there the other day picking up or dropping off something.

averyrm · April 19th, 2005, 12:36

Used to be 5G9, but we got an AWOS-3 and apparently the powers that be can't take weather from someplace with a number in it. We gave them a lot of suggestions about what it could be named - but in the end it was a randomly generated identifier, happened to be DUH.

scoobs · May 2nd, 2005, 14:52

What is your blog address?

March 10th, 2005, 22:17	#1
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Joining the ranks... It's official...I'm joining the "Order of the Sleepless Knights." I'd been looking at freight jobs for a little while after I started to realize that the airlines aren't my thing. I interviewed at two different places. Both have similar equipment and both are in the same area, but one is mostly scheduled, the other is mostly on-demand. I ended up taking the on-demand one starting out as a Caravan PIC. Should be done with training and on the line in 4-6 weeks. Why did I take the on-demand one you ask? Am I insane? Many reasons...such as: -The people were nicer and its more of a tight-knit company. -Low turnover, and pretty happy pilots/employees. -The equipment is much better...NOT your typical freight equipment. -The routes are longer...apparently they're sometimes too long (and really, some of them are seriously long for a Caravan), but thats fine by me. -Variety. Who wants to fly between the same 5 cities every week? Not me...at least not at this point in my life. I like the idea of not knowing where I'll be going when the phone rings. -The pay is about twice what I'd be making sitting reserve as an F/O at a regional in some base I hate, flying with A-hole captains who hate the world. -It's PIC time. I like flying and making the decisions. -Boxes don't btch, puke, or make stupid comments (like, "are you even old enough to driiiiiive*?!") -It's single pilot IFR all over this half of the country, and into Canada. Much better experience than what I'd be getting flying that smelly ATR around the Carribbean. -No uniform. Jeans are pretty much standard. The downsides? On call 24/7, but only 4 days a week to start out. The other three days, I can make myself available if I want, or not. Nobody has to fly on Sundays if they don't want to. It's 45 minutes from the time I get the call until wheels off, so that means I need to move to live closer. And since I'm new, I'll probably be getting the late night calls. I'm a night owl anyhow. They made it crystal clear that this job isn't for everyone, and they were completely honest and up front about the realities of it. I thought a lot about it, and I think it's just the job I need right now. I'm looking forward to it. Anyways, did my first three hours in the 'van today. Cool plane. Life as I know it is about to get very different.

March 10th, 2005, 22:24	#2
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Joining the ranks... Enjoy the super-172. I did. It's a neat step up in the aviation world. Even though it isn't a speed demon, it is a joy to fly and relatively simple. Just watch it in icing......it doesn't like it. Hence why there's boots all over the damn thing, to include the main gear legs, the cargo pod (if installed), as well as every other leading edge surface. Only thing I hated was getting in/out of the thing with the annoying ladder and the front windscreen angle vs the seat.

March 10th, 2005, 22:28	#3
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Joining the ranks... [ QUOTE ] and the front windscreen angle vs the seat. [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, I almost knocked myself unconscious today when I was reaching down to deploy the ladder. I sat back up, and WHAM! Ouch...

March 10th, 2005, 22:39	#4
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US Posts: 2,975	Re: Joining the ranks... Congrats, man. I wish you luck and hope to one day be in the cargo ranks myself. Great job!!! TX

March 10th, 2005, 22:42	#5
stuckingfk Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: El Forko Grande Posts: 2,578	Re: Joining the ranks... Where did you get hired ESF? What kind of hours did you have? If you don't mind sharing on here, pm me if you want to, I'd appreciate it. I am building around 30-45 hours a month and I want more. I have a good job, just want a little more flying.

March 11th, 2005, 00:14	#6
wheelsup Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: _ Posts: 5,372	Re: Joining the ranks... [ QUOTE ] Where did you get hired ESF? What kind of hours did you have? If you don't mind sharing on here, pm me if you want to, I'd appreciate it. I am building around 30-45 hours a month and I want more. I have a good job, just want a little more flying. [/ QUOTE ] Not sure what kind of hours you have, but if you see "IFR" "PIC" and "on-demand" in the same sentence you're looking at FAA mins of 1200 TT, 500 point-to-point xcty, 100 night, and 75 instrument. Check out 135.243(c). Again, not sure what your background is but that's a general idea. Also, most caravan operators want 2000 TT (those are the fedex feeder mins). cya ~wheelsup

March 11th, 2005, 00:29	#7
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,171	Re: Joining the ranks... Congrats ESF!

March 11th, 2005, 03:51	#8
Alchemy Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 1,752	Re: Joining the ranks... Good job! Have fun.

March 11th, 2005, 10:22	#9
Minnesota_Flyer Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul Posts: 1,896	Re: Joining the ranks... [ QUOTE ] Am I insane? [/ QUOTE ]No comment. [ QUOTE ] On call 24/7, but only 4 days a week to start out. [/ QUOTE ]So, wouldn't that be 24/4?? I kid. CoNGRATULATIONS!!!! You're doing exactly what I want to do, for many of the same reasons (who needs the whiny, self-loading cargo). That is just great news!!! MF

March 11th, 2005, 12:50	#10
jonnyb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: So. California Posts: 1,304	Re: Joining the ranks... Right on Marsh, have fun dude.

March 11th, 2005, 19:08	#11
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,687	Re: Joining the ranks... Congrats, Marsh. I always thought that freight job was a better fit for you than Mesaba anyway. At least I'm guessing this is the same one that you were looking at around the same time. PIC turbine is golden IMO, and I personally would love to have a similar job once I get the hours I need.

March 11th, 2005, 22:05	#12
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Joining the ranks... Thanks everybody! I'll keep you all updated on how it goes. I start ground school Monday morning. Have about 40 hours of that to do, including Hazmat training, so should be done by next weekend or so. If you ever hear the callsign "Priority," thats one of us. I'm sure I'll run into some more of you in my travels. Might not be able to give any advance notice, though.

March 12th, 2005, 14:10	#13
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 9,177	Re: Joining the ranks... I have been SO hoping for a break for you, man. You deserve it! I hope you're happy with this outfit, and that it's a good fit for you. Best wishes for a great opportunity!

March 14th, 2005, 05:41	#14
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,143	Re: Joining the ranks... OUTSTANDING! I've always wanted to fly a Caravan! Best of luck and keep us posted!!

March 18th, 2005, 20:55	#15
Cleared_ILS_RWY_9L Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Titusville, FL Posts: 201	Re: Joining the ranks... Congrats.

April 3rd, 2005, 13:26	#16
cimepilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 231	Re: Joining the ranks... Is there a reason your avatar is an Airnet caravan?

April 5th, 2005, 10:38	#17
flyover Old Skool Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,389	Re: Joining the ranks... Need to change your handle to EatSleep(optional)Fly. Enjoy the new gig!

April 12th, 2005, 09:34	#18
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Joining the ranks... Thanks flyover! For anyone who's interested, I'm all moved into my new place nice and close to the airport, and out on the line by myself. I'm having a blast flying the 'Van. I wouldn't mind flying just a little bit more than I am, but they said April is the last of the slow months, and pretty soon I'll be doing 75-100 a month just like everyone else. [ QUOTE ] Is there a reason your avatar is an Airnet caravan? [/ QUOTE ] No, other than it was the only nice looking Caravan pic I could find and it's not like most people would recognize it as one of AirNet's. I'll change it though.

April 13th, 2005, 01:06	#19
cimepilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 231	Re: Joining the ranks... ESF, I don't care that you have an Airnet Caravan as your avatar. Use it all you want. I was just asking.

April 13th, 2005, 13:54	#20
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Joining the ranks... It's cool...time for a new one anyways. What are you flying for AirNet? Like Columbus (how can you not if you're single...lots of chicas down there...)? I hear you guys all the time around here. Nice break in the weather we've been having...finally.

April 13th, 2005, 15:04	#21
cimepilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 231	Re: Joining the ranks... CMH is alright now that winter seems to be over. I am flying the 208, Baron and Navajo. Keeps me busy. This month sucks b/c I have re-current in the van and the ho. Oh well! Such is life as a pilot.

April 16th, 2005, 19:20	#22
averyrm Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: LCK Posts: 1,652	Re: Joining the ranks... Belated Congrats I'm looking foward to joining the same ranks - I'm in Ohio now, and by the end of the year I should have 135 mins. Already have an app in with airnet! I have an odd attraction to the 'van

April 18th, 2005, 16:45	#23
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Joining the ranks... Thanks. When did they rename that airport to DUH? Or, I guess the better question is why did they? One of our guys was over there the other day picking up or dropping off something.

April 19th, 2005, 12:36	#24
averyrm Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: LCK Posts: 1,652	Re: Joining the ranks... Used to be 5G9, but we got an AWOS-3 and apparently the powers that be can't take weather from someplace with a number in it. We gave them a lot of suggestions about what it could be named - but in the end it was a randomly generated identifier, happened to be DUH.

May 2nd, 2005, 14:52	#25
scoobs Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 678	Re: Joining the ranks... What is your blog address?

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