Amflight still going strong?

PanJet · January 25th, 2008, 14:45

I've seen a lot of threads on here about AirNet lately, but not a lot about Amflight. I'm getting really close to graduating with a degree (June) and I'm strongly considering Amflight. Are they still hiring strong? I have IFR 135 mins and about 150 multi with about 50 turbine (non-PIC). I heard about six months ago they were so desperate you could almost name your base. Is that still the case? Anyone know how the PDX base is doing? How's the pay? Any tips/info would be appreciated!

Ian J · January 25th, 2008, 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJet

I've seen a lot of threads on here about AirNet lately, but not a lot about Amflight.

That's because their biggest cheerleader sold out!

(Total

- I am seriously just joking.)

Stone Cold · January 25th, 2008, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

That's because their biggest cheerleader sold out!

(Total

- I am seriously just joking.)

I'm not, the freight pup sold out!!!

The rest of them are just hiding in the background or moved on to daytime schedules...

jtrain609 · January 25th, 2008, 15:24

Yup, I moved onto the land of RJ's, autopilots, APU's and flight attendants

But I still live with two Amflight drivers, so I hear a little bit of what's going on.

Half of the top management in the flight department just left the company from what I'm told, and without the guys that left I wouldn't want a thing to do with Amflight, but that probably has something to do with the interaction I had with those guys on a regular basis.

Billings just closed, Amflight got sold from ATI almost a year ago and GR can do what he wants with the company now and a bunch of guys from the flight department left. Personally? I miss the heck outta the flying, but I'm glad I am where I am.

Ian J · January 25th, 2008, 15:27

Airnet does seem to be nudging itself further west...

mikecweb · January 25th, 2008, 15:37

I have a really good friend that flies for Amflight out of BFI. She loves it but does admit that they have their problems, just like everyone else.

Doug Taylor · January 25th, 2008, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikecweb

I have a really good friend that flies for Amflight out of BFI. She loves it but does admit that they have their problems, just like everyone else.

Eeeeeeeeeeverybody's got problems folks!

jml2992 · January 25th, 2008, 17:58

Who took over the BIL routes?

RPJ · January 25th, 2008, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

Airnet does seem to be nudging itself further west...

Ian, please explain.

EatSleepFly · January 25th, 2008, 18:41

Depends on what you mean by strong. I'm sure they will continue to hire indefinitely, since they seem to like to keep the seniority list moving like a revolving door by pissing off pilots.

They pulled the planes out of JAN (no surprise).

They "lost" the BIL flying and the base is closing (big surprise or no surprise depending on who you believe).

They can't staff the Metros because nobody can pass training (no surprise).

I would say the biggest thing to be aware of is that E.M. (the VP of flight) is leaving (also no surprise). With that, the pilots no longer have a strong advocate in the crystal palace. Taking into consideration that his decision to "retire" was probably coaxed along, it's unlikely someone as pro-pilot as he was will replace him.

If you're planning on going in, getting a year or three of experience, and getting out, you won't regret it. If you want to make it a career, you might hate life.

mwflyer · January 25th, 2008, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Eeeeeeeeeeverybody's got problems folks!

not delta!

KLB · January 25th, 2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

Depends on what you mean by strong. I'm sure they will continue to hire indefinitely, since they seem to like to keep the seniority list moving like a revolving door by pissing off pilots.

They pulled the planes out of JAN (no surprise).

They "lost" the BIL flying and the base is closing (big surprise or no surprise depending on who you believe).

They can't staff the Metros because nobody can pass training (no surprise).

I would say the biggest thing to be aware of is that E.M. (the VP of flight) is leaving (also no surprise). With that, the pilots no longer have a strong advocate in the crystal palace. Taking into consideration that his decision to "retire" was probably coaxed along, it's unlikely someone as pro-pilot as he was will replace him.

If you're planning on going in, getting a year or three of experience, and getting out, you won't regret it. If you want to make it a career, you might hate life.

There wouldn't have such a tough time getting people through metro training if they didn't try hiring all of those darn street captains. People off of the street has cost this company more money than a little bit. I hear training is already tough enough.

Who knows whats going to happen. Amflights been around a long time and I don't think that its going anywhere. I've always had the "put three hard years in there and bounce" attitude about it here though. Anything past three years is unreasonable. Even management knows that. I'd still consider coming to Amflight over a lot of other gigs though and I still have no regrets.

KLB · January 25th, 2008, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJet

Are they still hiring strong? I have IFR 135 mins and about 150 multi with about 50 turbine (non-PIC). I heard about six months ago they were so desperate you could almost name your base. Is that still the case? Anyone know how the PDX base is doing? How's the pay? Any tips/info would be appreciated!

They're still hiring strong. You could get PDX easily. It's a good base but upgrades are slow. Some pilots must be perfectly happy with sitting in a 99 and making 30 grand a year because there are some high time pilots up there that are slowing things up for everyone under them from what I've observed. Upgrade to the 99 is a little over a year there. 99 spots are few and far between though. If you're patient it's not a bad place at all. The weather is usually narly there also, which keeps things interesting.

PanJet · January 25th, 2008, 21:48

Well, first I'm from the Northwest, so I love PDX and I can deal with the wx there. How often/easily can people move around in the company? Like, what if I wanted to hang out in PDX for a year or so then try to transfer to ONT? What's ONT like?

SIUav8er · January 26th, 2008, 00:55

I have a buddy thats flying the 99's outta ONT. hes been with the company less than or maybe a year.

JayAre · January 26th, 2008, 01:01

hmmm it depends...

Im not leaving for maybe 2 more years get my type, atp and 1500tpic and get out.

There had been some top mgmt leaving and two bases closing...so yeah I don't wan't to leave but always keeping an eye out for something better that comes along

Im sure they would love to have you in PDX I don't care for the base and the way its ran, but some great flying.

JayAre · January 26th, 2008, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by EatSleepFly

They can't staff the Metros because nobody can pass training (no surprise).

And the metro's can't fly because they can't fix them.

SIUav8er · January 26th, 2008, 01:10

Why is it that they have trouble training pilots in the Metro? Do they use simulator trianing, or is it all in the aircraft?

KLB · January 26th, 2008, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by PanJet

Well, first I'm from the Northwest, so I love PDX and I can deal with the wx there. How often/easily can people move around in the company? Like, what if I wanted to hang out in PDX for a year or so then try to transfer to ONT? What's ONT like?

From what I've observed, the ablility for you to leave one base for another based depends mostly on if they have someone to replace you when you leave. If the base you're in is already short a few pilots, they'd most likely hold on to you. Now you could take an outstation to get out of a base if they desperately needed it to be filled. But you'd be stuck at that outstation until they could find someone to replace you. Sadly, sometimes the only way a person gets out of an outstation is to resign.

ONT is an alright place. They usually award ONT bids to BUR pilots since there aren't any 99's in BUR. That cost of living will kill you. The flying is not as fun as the PDX flying IMHO.

KLB · January 26th, 2008, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIUav8er

Why is it that they have trouble training pilots in the Metro? Do they use simulator trianing, or is it all in the aircraft?

From what I hear, the training is tough and people come in unprepared. Hopefully I can give more info on it in a few weeks.

jtrain609 · January 26th, 2008, 22:10

You going to class with Austin?

KLB · January 26th, 2008, 23:13

Maybe....maybe not! I don't have a clue.

EatSleepFly · January 27th, 2008, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayAre

And the metro's can't fly because they can't fix them.

Oh, I know alllllllll about that.

SIUav8er · January 27th, 2008, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by KLB

From what I hear, the training is tough and people come in unprepared. Hopefully I can give more info on it in a few weeks.

Good luck! let us know how it goes!

Doug Taylor · January 27th, 2008, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwflyer

not delta!

Even Delta.

January 25th, 2008, 14:45	#1
PanJet Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: WA Posts: 562	Amflight still going strong? I've seen a lot of threads on here about AirNet lately, but not a lot about Amflight. I'm getting really close to graduating with a degree (June) and I'm strongly considering Amflight. Are they still hiring strong? I have IFR 135 mins and about 150 multi with about 50 turbine (non-PIC). I heard about six months ago they were so desperate you could almost name your base. Is that still the case? Anyone know how the PDX base is doing? How's the pay? Any tips/info would be appreciated! __________________ Commercial Pilot-ASEL, AMEL, IA CFI, CFII, MEI 1,550TT/250ME Part 61 CFI and college student (round 2) Former aerial photo pilot Future CPA (a.k.a. "Bean Counter")

January 25th, 2008, 15:24	#4
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,869	Re: Amflight still going strong? Yup, I moved onto the land of RJ's, autopilots, APU's and flight attendants But I still live with two Amflight drivers, so I hear a little bit of what's going on. Half of the top management in the flight department just left the company from what I'm told, and without the guys that left I wouldn't want a thing to do with Amflight, but that probably has something to do with the interaction I had with those guys on a regular basis. Billings just closed, Amflight got sold from ATI almost a year ago and GR can do what he wants with the company now and a bunch of guys from the flight department left. Personally? I miss the heck outta the flying, but I'm glad I am where I am. __________________ "Jetlink 2940, on another radio, contact clearance for new airways..."

January 25th, 2008, 15:27	#5
Ian J Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 6,085 Blog Entries: 7	Re: Amflight still going strong? Airnet does seem to be nudging itself further west... __________________

January 25th, 2008, 15:37	#6
mikecweb Old Skool Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,952	Re: Amflight still going strong? I have a really good friend that flies for Amflight out of BFI. She loves it but does admit that they have their problems, just like everyone else. __________________

January 25th, 2008, 17:58	#8
jml2992 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bat Country Posts: 548	Re: Amflight still going strong? Who took over the BIL routes? __________________ CSEL, CMEL, CFII

January 25th, 2008, 18:41	#10
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Amflight still going strong? Depends on what you mean by strong. I'm sure they will continue to hire indefinitely, since they seem to like to keep the seniority list moving like a revolving door by pissing off pilots. They pulled the planes out of JAN (no surprise). They "lost" the BIL flying and the base is closing (big surprise or no surprise depending on who you believe). They can't staff the Metros because nobody can pass training (no surprise). I would say the biggest thing to be aware of is that E.M. (the VP of flight) is leaving (also no surprise). With that, the pilots no longer have a strong advocate in the crystal palace. Taking into consideration that his decision to "retire" was probably coaxed along, it's unlikely someone as pro-pilot as he was will replace him. If you're planning on going in, getting a year or three of experience, and getting out, you won't regret it. If you want to make it a career, you might hate life. __________________

January 25th, 2008, 21:48	#14
PanJet Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: WA Posts: 562	Re: Amflight still going strong? Well, first I'm from the Northwest, so I love PDX and I can deal with the wx there. How often/easily can people move around in the company? Like, what if I wanted to hang out in PDX for a year or so then try to transfer to ONT? What's ONT like? __________________ Commercial Pilot-ASEL, AMEL, IA CFI, CFII, MEI 1,550TT/250ME Part 61 CFI and college student (round 2) Former aerial photo pilot Future CPA (a.k.a. "Bean Counter")

January 26th, 2008, 00:55	#15
SIUav8er Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: at work Posts: 962	Re: Amflight still going strong? I have a buddy thats flying the 99's outta ONT. hes been with the company less than or maybe a year. __________________ Commercial Pilot, CE-500 Gold Seal CFI.II.MEI IGI Future GoJet Pilot.

January 26th, 2008, 01:01	#16
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 1,042	Re: Amflight still going strong? hmmm it depends... Im not leaving for maybe 2 more years get my type, atp and 1500tpic and get out. There had been some top mgmt leaving and two bases closing...so yeah I don't wan't to leave but always keeping an eye out for something better that comes along Im sure they would love to have you in PDX I don't care for the base and the way its ran, but some great flying.

January 26th, 2008, 01:10	#18
SIUav8er Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: at work Posts: 962	Re: Amflight still going strong? Why is it that they have trouble training pilots in the Metro? Do they use simulator trianing, or is it all in the aircraft? __________________ Commercial Pilot, CE-500 Gold Seal CFI.II.MEI IGI Future GoJet Pilot.

January 26th, 2008, 22:10	#21
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,869	Re: Amflight still going strong? You going to class with Austin? __________________ "Jetlink 2940, on another radio, contact clearance for new airways..."

January 26th, 2008, 23:13	#22
KLB Old Skool Join Date: May 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 3,000	Re: Amflight still going strong? Maybe....maybe not! I don't have a clue.

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