Wiggins vs. MAC

[moxiepilot]

I'm considering applying to Wiggins and Mountain Air Cargo, both based on the East Coast but with various domiciles.

The salaries average about 33k flying the van, and location is not an issue for me. (I have to talk to the g/f about that though).

MAC webpage doesn't have as much info about where their domiciles are located. Anyone with info?

Also is anyone able to compare the two, positives and negatives? I've read a bunch of the previous threads, and am looking for some current info.

[texas_pilot]

2 friends have gone to Wiggins and respect the fact they're employee owned and are 1 of the 7 companies w/ fedEx golden status.
1 flies Beech 99 and 1 flies a Caravan.
Good equipment and runs. I don't know about pay.

[30West]

Id say whatever one will get you in something with more than one engine attached to it quicker. Those Caravan operators pay you just enough to make you think twice about jumping ship for something better, and the Caravan really is a dead end plane unless you want to fly singles your whole career. Those FedEx and UPS feeder flights are really nice sometimes because you dont have to work that much and the pay is prob better than what you are used to now, but Ive seen way too many good people take a job in a Van and look back 3 or 4 years later and wish they had given themselves more options to move up in the world. But if your goal in life is to make just enough to live in a small town and either be gone all day Tues-Sat AM, or spend 5 nights a week in a hotel away from home its a great deal. Your gonna get sick of that Caravan real quick, it looks like fun now, but once you get a few hundred hours in it the fun will have worn off and you will be left thinking you've sold yourself short.

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by 30West

Id say whatever one will get you in something with more than one engine attached to it quicker.....Your gonna get sick of that Caravan real quick, it looks like fun now, but once you get a few hundred hours in it the fun will have worn off and you will be left thinking you've sold yourself short.

If I really wanted multi time I have a few resources to get those jobs; but, I don't crave the multi time.

For me its about the journey not the destination. At both companies there are multi aircraft which I'm sure I could look into jumping into when I want to move up in aircraft or pay.

Thanks for your response though, I'm probably getting some resumes out the door today for movin on...

[slushie]

It's amazing how everyone on here thinks THEIR way is the only way to do things, and to think otherwise is crazy.

[gomntwins]

Originally Posted by slushie

It's amazing how everyone on here thinks THEIR way is the only way to do things, and to think otherwise is crazy.

That's true... but I agree with 30west on this. If the pay is the same between both companies and you're going to start out in the caravan regardless... you may as well go for the company that gets you the multi time the quickest. You can always turn down the move to a different aircraft when it comes up, but if nothing comes up and it turns out you don't enjoy the caravan you're stuck. You may as well take the company that gives you the most options quicker-- at least your career path can be better governed by you.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by 30West

Id say whatever one will get you in something with more than one engine attached to it quicker. Those Caravan operators pay you just enough to make you think twice about jumping ship for something better, and the Caravan really is a dead end plane unless you want to fly singles your whole career. Those FedEx and UPS feeder flights are really nice sometimes because you dont have to work that much and the pay is prob better than what you are used to now, but Ive seen way too many good people take a job in a Van and look back 3 or 4 years later and wish they had given themselves more options to move up in the world. But if your goal in life is to make just enough to live in a small town and either be gone all day Tues-Sat AM, or spend 5 nights a week in a hotel away from home its a great deal. Your gonna get sick of that Caravan real quick, it looks like fun now, but once you get a few hundred hours in it the fun will have worn off and you will be left thinking you've sold yourself short.

Yep, I think every day I've sold myself short...I wish I had that 2 years back of flying freight in the Van. I mean, look, it only got me and another Airnet buddy into Lears with type ratings, etc. Thanks for the education. Where were you 3 years ago to keep me from doing immeasurable damage to my career?









In case you need the tag. Yes, I agree that if you spend 3-4 years and have no multi time, and don't ever leave the van, then it could be a problem. However, there are lots of us that flew the vans for a while and are doing just fine. Jst my $0.02...

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by gomntwins

That's true... but I agree with 30west on this. If the pay is the same between both companies and you're going to start out in the caravan regardless... you may as well go for the company that gets you the multi time the quickest. You can always turn down the move to a different aircraft when it comes up, but if nothing comes up and it turns out you don't enjoy the caravan you're stuck. You may as well take the company that gives you the most options quicker-- at least your career path can be better governed by you.

Let me know where you get that crystal ball that tells you when you'll upgrade quicker at one company vs. another. Been looking for that thing for a while now... and still haven't heard of anybody that found it.

Go with the company that you feel respects their employees, offers a decent pay, decent QOL where you (and you GF, if you choose) can move and enjoy the ride just like the OP was saying.

I know nothing about either company. Try talking to some of their pilots, if possible. I don't know if we have any on here, but there are ways to talk to some of them. Call up each company and ask to talk to some of their pilots.

[gomntwins]

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

Let me know where you get that crystal ball that tells you when you'll upgrade quicker at one company vs. another. Been looking for that thing for a while now... and still haven't heard of anybody that found it.

Go with the company that you feel respects their employees, offers a decent pay, decent QOL where you (and you GF, if you choose) can move and enjoy the ride just like the OP was saying.

I know nothing about either company. Try talking to some of their pilots, if possible. I don't know if we have any on here, but there are ways to talk to some of them. Call up each company and ask to talk to some of their pilots.

There is no crystal ball... we all know that. But there is something to be said for making the best educated decision possible. History does tell us something- but it all could change today or tomorrow. I'm just saying, with everything equal-- and between these two companies, they are imo fairly equal (I guess I don't know everything), then you may as well make your best educated guess as to which will give you the most options. Are their guarantees- no. But to not at least think about the past and current situations with each company, then you're just going complacently and blindly forward.

[moxiepilot]

I appreciate the responses.

To shed a little light, Wiggins flys Vans and Beech 99's; MAC flys Vans and ATRs. Pay is roughly the same for 1st year, Wiggins 32,760, MAC 34,390.

Both will offer the opportunity to be eligible for career progression into other jobs.

Since the thread started to pick up a little bit, my other interests are:

Alpha Flying
Linear Air
AirNet
Empire
and Air Cargo Carriers

all have good ops, salary between 27k and 32k.

[slushie]

And it looks like all of those have some sort of twin.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by slushie

And it looks like all of those have some sort of twin.

So, I'll say it again..."Go with the company that you feel respects their employees, offers a decent pay, decent QOL where you (and you GF, if you choose) can move and enjoy the ride..."

I'm not saying to go in blindly. Don't judge a company because they are doing 1 year upgrades. All Hell could break loose and now you're miserable because you thought you should have upgraded at 1 year. Talk to the guys actually flying there and see how they feel about the company, how they are treated and how they feel the future is there.

There have been numerous discussions on Airnet here, so I'll let you sort through all that and let the current guys/gals there answer those questions. Don't buy into the hype that you won't go anywhere after the Van, though. It is possible to get bigger and better from there. A buddy of mine went straight from the Van at Airnet to Netjets. It all depends on where you want to go and how you make yourself more marketable. Yes, he also flew twins at Airnet so he had all the requirements met. His last year, all he flew was the van though.

[30West]

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

So, I'll say it again..."Go with the company that you feel respects their employees, offers a decent pay, decent QOL where you (and you GF, if you choose) can move and enjoy the ride..."

I'm not saying to go in blindly. Don't judge a company because they are doing 1 year upgrades. All Hell could break loose and now you're miserable because you thought you should have upgraded at 1 year. Talk to the guys actually flying there and see how they feel about the company, how they are treated and how they feel the future is there.

There have been numerous discussions on Airnet here, so I'll let you sort through all that and let the current guys/gals there answer those questions. Don't buy into the hype that you won't go anywhere after the Van, though. It is possible to get bigger and better from there. A buddy of mine went straight from the Van at Airnet to Netjets. It all depends on where you want to go and how you make yourself more marketable. Yes, he also flew twins at Airnet so he had all the requirements met. His last year, all he flew was the van though.

Sounds like I touched a nerve...Sorry man, that wasnt my intention. 5 Years ago I was in a Caravan too, now Im typing this message on a 5 day trip to Shanghai in a GIV. All I was saying dont limit yourself by going somewhere your going to get stuck in a Caravan for too long. I got where Im flying today by taking my first freight job in a Caravan but I upgraded to a twin(EMB110) in 6 mos, flew freight for a while, then moved on. Did I enjoy the time I spent flying freight? Absolutley! I look back at that now and know for sure that that was the most fun I ever had and probably will have in an airplane. I think people that skip flying freight are selling themselves short of an amazing experience. However I do know a few people that started flying a van around the same time I did for places like Wiggins and are STILL there becuause they got comfortable with it and fell behind in terms of making themselves marketable for other things. If someone were to decide to go Airnet I think it would be a great decision because you could go from the van into a Lear in time. Not into a van and 5 yrs later still in a van while all his freinds are off to better things. I think your just taking things a little personal thats all.

[30West]

Originally Posted by Stone Cold

So, I'll say it again..."Go with the company that you feel respects their employees, offers a decent pay, decent QOL where you (and you GF, if you choose) can move and enjoy the ride..."

I couldnt agree more, but just make sure that you go on ride that is going to get you somewhere, so you dont end up out of gas and in the middle of nowhere wondering why life passed you by.

[Itchy]

Getting fat, dumb and happy in a Van is not all that bad. Home every day/ or night is worth something too. There is an ass for every saddle, just have to find the one that is most comfortable. Sometimes it gets a little too comfortable.

[myron96]

Anyone shed some ligh on MAC domiciles? Thanks.

[moxiepilot]

http://forums.jetcareers.com/member-...507-i-did.html