Flight Express . . .

mtsu_av8er · January 18th, 2006, 00:23

Anybody here worked at FLX?? What can you tell me about the training? Hotel room that they provide? Any top-secret gouge??

Thanks!

Texasspilot · January 18th, 2006, 01:06

I don't know much but I have heard they pay you during your training and for your hotel room. As far as gouge they've been needing people so bad that I wouldn't worry about it. Which means quick advancement etc. I haven't heard much bad stuff about the company. Thier pay seems ok and you build time quick. The 210 is suppost to be a fun airplane as is the baron. I haven't flown either.

You might check out this link. Its some of thier general study stuff but it might be nice to be familiar with.

http://www.austincollins.com/archive.htm

Stone Cold · January 18th, 2006, 01:08

Lloyd, PM Braidkid if he doesn't chime in soon. He was there for a very short while and will give you the skinny on it. You looking to join us night crawlers???

Stone Cold · January 18th, 2006, 01:09

"Which means quick advancement etc" I see their pilots out here all the time and their upgrade is still running 6-9 months into the Baron. FWIW.

Texasspilot · January 18th, 2006, 01:12

ahh...i figured it'd be quicker than that. They seem to advertise 10 new slots every other week on climbto350.com.

When do we get to welcome you to the darkside.

mtsu_av8er · January 18th, 2006, 01:23

The two of you aren't allowed to post in the same thread - you make my head spin!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

When do we get to welcome you to the darkside.

Could be very, very soon - there's a class starting on Monday . . .

Stone Cold · January 18th, 2006, 01:26

yeah, well I'm the original. Glad to hear you're finally getting out of signing logbooks. Now you get to plan flights around where they have good cookies, popcorn, etc. At least some times as a floater I get to...

Texasspilot · January 18th, 2006, 01:31

TX...I offically rate FBO's by coffee machines now. I thought I had it made in MN where they had this big stand and you could choose cappucino or coffee of french vanilla coffee. It was officially #1.
However I wen't to signature in Austin today and they have one with about 15 different packs that get brewed into the coffee. Couple that with the fresh cookies and its a lock.

Stone Cold · January 18th, 2006, 01:36

yes, Signatures are usually good about coffee, etc., but depending on where you're at (TEB for example) Signature just SUCKS!!! I avoid TEB like the plague it is. There's an FBO in Downtown Mobile that is absolutely awesome...you'll have to go there to find out what I'm talking about. As far as I know our BHM guys are trying to keep it a secret.

Ah okay, screw them...fresh cookies, coffee, and Pizza Hutt pizzas with fuel. They rule.

mtsu_av8er · January 18th, 2006, 01:42

Call me crazy, but I've kinda always wanted to do the freight thing - FLX isn't a bad outfit. I've been studying all of Austin Collins' stuff and digging stuff out of every source I can get my hands on. And the 210 is just sweet!

Stone Cold · January 18th, 2006, 01:48

Awesome...welcome to the dark side.

I hope you're very instrument proficient. From what I hear on Flight Express, they get something like 1 week of total training, and a lot wash out due to not being good enough on instruments with only 5-6 hours TT in the airplane (from what I've read and heard). Overall, the people I talk to with them seem fairly happy.

Like I said, get a hold of Braidkid. Good luck.

Texasspilot · January 18th, 2006, 01:51

Yah i've really only had one good signature experience and that was at orange county in CA.

PIZZA HUT WITH FUEL? Maybe i should just start making that place my alternate no matter what.

Flight express was in the top few choices I had when I was looking at 135 stuff. They seem like a solid outfit...good luck!

wheelsup · January 18th, 2006, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtsu_av8er

Anybody here worked at FLX?? What can you tell me about the training? Hotel room that they provide? Any top-secret gouge??

Thanks!

Their headquarters were across the field from the old school I instructed at, Air Orlando in Orlando, FL.

Gary Hillyer, the pilot recruiter, is a personal friend of mine. A real good guy, he's a straight shooter when it comes to working there. He'll tell you like it is - simply a "career enhancing" type position. They do their sim check in an A36 sim (I wanna say elite? or something similar).

If you're single and don't mind moving it's not a bad gig. There is NO CONTRACT that you must sign, just a bonus you get to keep after staying 6 months I think. I believe the reason they advertise for pilots so much is because they have a hard time keeping people there - SEL just doesn't do much for the ol' log book. I was thinking about going there and getting some 135 time if I couldn't get on with a good regional (I had 300+ multi after instructing so I didn't need the twin time as bad as some).

~wheelsup

mtsu_av8er · January 18th, 2006, 13:22

Well, it's the experience that I'm looking for - single or multi, doesn't really matter. Just something I've always wanted to do!

EatSleepFly · January 19th, 2006, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texasspilot

TX...I offically rate FBO's by coffee machines now. I thought I had it made in MN where they had this big stand and you could choose cappucino or coffee of french vanilla coffee. It was officially #1.
However I wen't to signature in Austin today and they have one with about 15 different packs that get brewed into the coffee. Couple that with the fresh cookies and its a lock.

Something I've learned from many visits to podunk FBO's with bad coffee: To make even the nastiest coffee drinkable, carry some powdered hot chocolate with you. Dump a little into your cup (two spoons worth), and you've got hot cocoa- with caffeine and a hint of coffee flavor!

P.S.- Hope to hear you are joining us on the darkside soon, Lloyd!

braidkid · January 20th, 2006, 00:08

What? I hear my presence is needed????

So you want the skinny on Fright Excess? Ok, well, it is a very good company. Austin, Gary, Matt, are all great guys. Maintenance is top notch, however, there are a couple that go down every year, but that's nothing new in the freight dawg world. Training is very quick. Go there with your suit case packed planning to stay, cause if you get past the interview, you're in training that day!!

I would recommend Fright Excess to anyone looking to build quality time. I flew there for about a month and decided it wasn't for me. Upgrade time was about 6 to 9 months. There are a few crazies there that just don't want to leave.

Any particular questions, shoot way.

graydog · January 20th, 2006, 00:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by braidkid

What? I hear my presence is needed????

So you want the skinny on Fright Excess? Ok, well, it is a very good company. Austin, Gary, Matt, are all great guys. Maintenance is top notch, however, there are a couple that go down every year, but that's nothing new in the freight dawg world. Training is very quick. Go there with your suit case packed planning to stay, cause if you get past the interview, you're in training that day!!

I would recommend Fright Excess to anyone looking to build quality time. I flew there for about a month and decided it wasn't for me. Upgrade time was about 6 to 9 months. There are a few crazies there that just don't want to leave.

Any particular questions, shoot way.

Why didn't you stay at Flight Express if it's a good company to work for? Did you find a better job?

mtsu_av8er · January 20th, 2006, 01:27

Braid!!! I knew you'd chime in eventually!

I've talked to Gary, and pretty much have the job already.

I'm wondering more about what one could expect once in training. How are the rooms? Double occupancy? Single occupancy? What's the pace of training? How long is the training? Will it take 7 days? 10? basic questions . . . I'll take it all!

NJA_Capt · January 20th, 2006, 09:54

Congrats and good luck mtsu_av8er,
I would give you my gouge but it was too long ago to matter. I had a ball at FLX. Stuff you put under your belt there will last the rest of your career. I used to get my (6 month) instrument currency daily! You get to where 600 1/2 is just as good as VFR. Fond memories. And the C210 is a blast. I would like to fly one just once with the pax seats in it though.

Good luck and fly safe.

braidkid · January 20th, 2006, 21:09

I had my own room, single occupancy while in training. Ground was a week and flight a couple days. The ground was intense, but if you go into it with a serious attitude, you'll do fine. Austin was a great instructor, although a bit nerdy!! Seniority in the class is determined by your score on the final written so study hard!! Once your written is done, they write the base options on the board and you pick by seniority.

braidkid · January 20th, 2006, 21:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by graydog

Why didn't you stay at Flight Express if it's a good company to work for? Did you find a better job?

Yea, you could say I found a better job...4x the pay, 40 day vacation, home every night, 401k, and not risking my life on a nightly basis.

Stone Cold · January 24th, 2006, 15:50

Lloyd,

You in training yet??? Curious minds want to know...

Michigan_Flyer · January 27th, 2006, 20:41

I have been flying for Flight Express for about 4 months. There currently is no interview process, just show up and start ground school. The ground school takes 4 days, and on the 5th day you take the final test. In the next couple of days you start flight training. There are 3 flight lessons and then the check ride. The failure rate is fairly high, too many people don't seem to take it seriously enough. Just study all the info on the austincollin.com website - It covers everything you need to know except for basic instument knowledge. The ground school covers exactly the same material that is on the web site. Print it out and study the material, be instrument proficient, and you will be golden.

The motel is double occupancy, and you get paid $75 a day during training.

Overall I really like it here. The pay is double what you make flight instructing, and your instument skills will be top notch after the first month or so. You will learn a ton about dealing with / diverting around weather. It's a pretty easy job really. The planes have been around the block a few times, but the maintainance is great. There is never any pressure to fly a broken airplane - you just grab a spare plane while they fix the first one. The management is a great bunch to work for - They are all on your side. The 210 is a fun plane to fly, and a pretty good step up from the average trainer.

mtsu_av8er · January 27th, 2006, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by txpilot

Lloyd,

You in training yet??? Curious minds want to know...

Naw - decided not to go at the last minute. Couldn't justify the pay cut for the "opportunity" to upgrade to a twin in 6-8 months . . .

It was very tempting, though! Oh, well - maybe next time!

January 18th, 2006, 01:42	#10
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,590	Call me crazy, but I've kinda always wanted to do the freight thing - FLX isn't a bad outfit. I've been studying all of Austin Collins' stuff and digging stuff out of every source I can get my hands on. And the 210 is just sweet! __________________ Ike is one nasty storm, and it's all the fault of management. That's why we need ALPA.

January 18th, 2006, 13:22	#14
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,590	Well, it's the experience that I'm looking for - single or multi, doesn't really matter. Just something I've always wanted to do! __________________ Ike is one nasty storm, and it's all the fault of management. That's why we need ALPA.

January 20th, 2006, 01:27	#18
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,590	Braid!!! I knew you'd chime in eventually! I've talked to Gary, and pretty much have the job already. I'm wondering more about what one could expect once in training. How are the rooms? Double occupancy? Single occupancy? What's the pace of training? How long is the training? Will it take 7 days? 10? basic questions . . . I'll take it all! __________________ Ike is one nasty storm, and it's all the fault of management. That's why we need ALPA.

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January 18th, 2006, 00:23	#1
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,590	Flight Express . . . Anybody here worked at FLX?? What can you tell me about the training? Hotel room that they provide? Any top-secret gouge?? Thanks! __________________ Ike is one nasty storm, and it's all the fault of management. That's why we need ALPA.

January 18th, 2006, 01:06	#2
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,080	I don't know much but I have heard they pay you during your training and for your hotel room. As far as gouge they've been needing people so bad that I wouldn't worry about it. Which means quick advancement etc. I haven't heard much bad stuff about the company. Thier pay seems ok and you build time quick. The 210 is suppost to be a fun airplane as is the baron. I haven't flown either. You might check out this link. Its some of thier general study stuff but it might be nice to be familiar with. http://www.austincollins.com/archive.htm

January 18th, 2006, 01:08	#3
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	Lloyd, PM Braidkid if he doesn't chime in soon. He was there for a very short while and will give you the skinny on it. You looking to join us night crawlers???

January 18th, 2006, 01:09	#4
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	"Which means quick advancement etc" I see their pilots out here all the time and their upgrade is still running 6-9 months into the Baron. FWIW.

January 18th, 2006, 01:12	#5
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,080	ahh...i figured it'd be quicker than that. They seem to advertise 10 new slots every other week on climbto350.com. When do we get to welcome you to the darkside.

January 18th, 2006, 01:26	#7
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	yeah, well I'm the original. Glad to hear you're finally getting out of signing logbooks. Now you get to plan flights around where they have good cookies, popcorn, etc. At least some times as a floater I get to...

January 18th, 2006, 01:31	#8
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,080	TX...I offically rate FBO's by coffee machines now. I thought I had it made in MN where they had this big stand and you could choose cappucino or coffee of french vanilla coffee. It was officially #1. However I wen't to signature in Austin today and they have one with about 15 different packs that get brewed into the coffee. Couple that with the fresh cookies and its a lock.

January 18th, 2006, 01:36	#9
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	yes, Signatures are usually good about coffee, etc., but depending on where you're at (TEB for example) Signature just SUCKS!!! I avoid TEB like the plague it is. There's an FBO in Downtown Mobile that is absolutely awesome...you'll have to go there to find out what I'm talking about. As far as I know our BHM guys are trying to keep it a secret. Ah okay, screw them...fresh cookies, coffee, and Pizza Hutt pizzas with fuel. They rule.

January 18th, 2006, 01:48	#11
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	Awesome...welcome to the dark side. I hope you're very instrument proficient. From what I hear on Flight Express, they get something like 1 week of total training, and a lot wash out due to not being good enough on instruments with only 5-6 hours TT in the airplane (from what I've read and heard). Overall, the people I talk to with them seem fairly happy. Like I said, get a hold of Braidkid. Good luck.

January 18th, 2006, 01:51	#12
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,080	Yah i've really only had one good signature experience and that was at orange county in CA. PIZZA HUT WITH FUEL? Maybe i should just start making that place my alternate no matter what. Flight express was in the top few choices I had when I was looking at 135 stuff. They seem like a solid outfit...good luck!

January 20th, 2006, 00:08	#16
braidkid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 556	What? I hear my presence is needed???? So you want the skinny on Fright Excess? Ok, well, it is a very good company. Austin, Gary, Matt, are all great guys. Maintenance is top notch, however, there are a couple that go down every year, but that's nothing new in the freight dawg world. Training is very quick. Go there with your suit case packed planning to stay, cause if you get past the interview, you're in training that day!! I would recommend Fright Excess to anyone looking to build quality time. I flew there for about a month and decided it wasn't for me. Upgrade time was about 6 to 9 months. There are a few crazies there that just don't want to leave. Any particular questions, shoot way.

January 20th, 2006, 09:54	#19
NJA_Capt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Low Earth Orbit Posts: 1,389	Congrats and good luck mtsu_av8er, I would give you my gouge but it was too long ago to matter. I had a ball at FLX. Stuff you put under your belt there will last the rest of your career. I used to get my (6 month) instrument currency daily! You get to where 600 1/2 is just as good as VFR. Fond memories. And the C210 is a blast. I would like to fly one just once with the pax seats in it though. Good luck and fly safe.

January 20th, 2006, 21:09	#20
braidkid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 556	I had my own room, single occupancy while in training. Ground was a week and flight a couple days. The ground was intense, but if you go into it with a serious attitude, you'll do fine. Austin was a great instructor, although a bit nerdy!! Seniority in the class is determined by your score on the final written so study hard!! Once your written is done, they write the base options on the board and you pick by seniority.

January 24th, 2006, 15:50	#22
Stone Cold Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SE US & Kiev Posts: 3,084	Lloyd, You in training yet??? Curious minds want to know...

January 27th, 2006, 20:41	#23
Michigan_Flyer Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 158	I have been flying for Flight Express for about 4 months. There currently is no interview process, just show up and start ground school. The ground school takes 4 days, and on the 5th day you take the final test. In the next couple of days you start flight training. There are 3 flight lessons and then the check ride. The failure rate is fairly high, too many people don't seem to take it seriously enough. Just study all the info on the austincollin.com website - It covers everything you need to know except for basic instument knowledge. The ground school covers exactly the same material that is on the web site. Print it out and study the material, be instrument proficient, and you will be golden. The motel is double occupancy, and you get paid $75 a day during training. Overall I really like it here. The pay is double what you make flight instructing, and your instument skills will be top notch after the first month or so. You will learn a ton about dealing with / diverting around weather. It's a pretty easy job really. The planes have been around the block a few times, but the maintainance is great. There is never any pressure to fly a broken airplane - you just grab a spare plane while they fix the first one. The management is a great bunch to work for - They are all on your side. The 210 is a fun plane to fly, and a pretty good step up from the average trainer.