Ameriflight career journal

RPM · May 16th, 2004, 19:47

I found this career journal from Pete Goertzen, The whole first section down at the bottom is about his training and day to day life at Ameriflight. It's very good, lots of information/ pics and day to day flight info for freight flying in the northwest.

Then it goes into his career at the regionals, it's a lot of reading, but really good stuff and well worth it if you have the time. Some of the best information I've found on freight flying/ training so far!

Also shows how unpredictable regional jobs can be with the furloughs etc..

Pete Goertzen Career Journal Link

.

Visceral · May 21st, 2004, 18:52

Poor guy seems to be a crap magnet.

Mr_Creepy · May 21st, 2004, 19:54

Hysterical. What a hypocrite this guy is. He calls Mesa a "historical bottom dweller." Yet if he had taken the Mesa job instead of CoEx he would:

a) Never have been furloughed
b) Be a jet captain now.
c) Be in a base near his home.

Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place.

MikeD · May 21st, 2004, 22:18

[ QUOTE ]

Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place.

[/ QUOTE ]

Gotta throw this one in there, John.....I know, I know, a left-handed jab...

The turnover sure helps with job security, especially for those content with low pay and QOL as job security.

Doug Taylor · May 22nd, 2004, 01:35

[ QUOTE ]
Hysterical. What a hypocrite this guy is. He calls Mesa a "historical bottom dweller." Yet if he had taken the Mesa job instead of CoEx he would:

a) Never have been furloughed
b) Be a jet captain now.
c) Be in a base near his home.

Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, one of my pals is barely approaching jet captain and he's been with MAG since early 2000.

And if you live in Bullhead City, AZ, sure you're mighty close to living at home.

I guess the thing to remember is for that every time I b*tch and moan about the long commute to KATL, there are three furloughed pilots longing to touch a jet, another five pilots that are sitting reserve in NYC that would love to hold ATL and a slew of others that wouild have an easier commute.

It's all relative.

Mr_Creepy · May 22nd, 2004, 07:55

Doug you have to remember that Bog has passed over upgrade several times (from what I hear.) He doesn't want to be a junior reserve captain.

I felt the same way when I started to get some FO seniority. It was nice to have some QOL for a change.

Fortunately they closed my base and forced me to upgrade. It was a wise decision! I gained seniority just as fast as a captain oddly enough.

Mr_Creepy · May 22nd, 2004, 08:04

MikeD - where does this rumor start that Mesa is low pay?

Compared to Comair maybe, but several carriers are in the same pay range - Pinnacle, Great Lakes, Air Wisconsin, Commutair, Chautauqua, etc.

Mesa's contract adjusts the hourly rates to industry standard every year the company shows a profit.

People see the hourly rate and the 70 hr guarantee and make false assumptions - that 70 hrs is for 13 pay periods - not 12 months.

I made more money at Mesa than any of the 5 airlines I flew for.

The problems with Mesa are not really the payscale but the workrules. They could use some improvements with the following:

1) Cancellation pay
2) Duty and trip rigs
3) Segment adjustment
4) Domicile bidding and move days
5) Training fences
6) Bog can fill us in on other items I'm sure.

As I have said many many times on this board before, it's a trade off. You will make jet captain faster at Mesa than any other airline I know of (exception - Pinnacle and Chautauqua recently had some fast upgrades, but they are slowing again.)

And Mesa is like all other airlines, if you figure out the system and work with people you will have a (reasonably) good QOL. If you bitch, piss and moan you will get dumped on. Unfortunately new hires hear a lot of disgruntled "oldtimers" pissing and moaning and pick up bad habits. Remember that these "oldtimers" have never worked at another airline most likely, and don't realize that most of what they are complaining about is just basic regional airline life.

The biggest problem right now is the Freedom rift. That's divided the pilot group in some sections. I hope they soon get over it and move on, but I doubt it will happen. Look at Eastern.

doug_or · May 27th, 2004, 23:00

I'm pretty sure I've loaded his plane in PDX. Don't rember him, though.

PeteGoertzen · November 25th, 2004, 11:52

[ QUOTE ]
Hysterical. What a hypocrite this guy is. He calls Mesa a "historical bottom dweller." Yet if he had taken the Mesa job instead of CoEx he would:

a) Never have been furloughed
b) Be a jet captain now.
c) Be in a base near his home.

Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hypocrite I may be (although I'm not sure how), but:

a) You're dead wrong - I would have been furloughed for over a year
b) You're wrong again, there are no current jet captains with hire dates of 7/2001 or later
c) What bases did Mesa have near Portland, OR at the time?

Do some research next time before you call me names. I'm happy that I chose COEX. I have a new contract that is far superior to what I would have had at Mesa, and my future is not tied to United and US Airways.

I_Money · November 25th, 2004, 13:56

Don't mind John - there are 2 things I know, he comes accross miserable, and will protect Mesa like it is his High School Daughter!

Good to have you onboard here, your website is awesome.

mtsu_av8er · November 25th, 2004, 13:58

Welcome, Pete!! Come no in...the water is great!!

DE727UPS · November 27th, 2004, 23:15

Hi Peter.

I remember looking at your journal a while back and I thought it was really cool. Would be a good read for any of the wannabe's here. Thanks for signing up at jetcareers.

Mr_Creepy · November 28th, 2004, 09:02

[ QUOTE ]

a) You're dead wrong - I would have been furloughed for over a year
b) You're wrong again, there are no current jet captains with hire dates of 7/2001 or later
c) What bases did Mesa have near Portland, OR at the time?

Do some research next time before you call me names. I'm happy that I chose COEX. I have a new contract that is far superior to what I would have had at Mesa, and my future is not tied to United and US Airways.

[/ QUOTE ]

YOU do some research. Mesa does not have any pilots on furlough. Go to Mesalounge and check it out.

Your future is tied to one airline. Your one airline happens to be doing ok right now. But who's to say Gulfstream won't be getting more of your routes in the future?

Quit pointing fingers and saying "THIS one airline is the cause of ALL the problems in the world." It's very childish.

E_Dawg · November 28th, 2004, 13:10

Yeah Pete, awesome site you have there; it's definately helped me out.

PeteGoertzen · November 28th, 2004, 14:34

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

a) You're dead wrong - I would have been furloughed for over a year
b) You're wrong again, there are no current jet captains with hire dates of 7/2001 or later
c) What bases did Mesa have near Portland, OR at the time?

Do some research next time before you call me names. I'm happy that I chose COEX. I have a new contract that is far superior to what I would have had at Mesa, and my future is not tied to United and US Airways.

[/ QUOTE ]

YOU do some research. Mesa does not have any pilots on furlough. Go to Mesalounge and check it out.

Your future is tied to one airline. Your one airline happens to be doing ok right now. But who's to say Gulfstream won't be getting more of your routes in the future?

Quit pointing fingers and saying "THIS one airline is the cause of ALL the problems in the world." It's very childish.

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone - glad you enjoy my website.

John - no hard feelings. You and I can argue all day about what airlines are better, and in the end we'd both still have the same opinions. I just want the facts straight for the sake of my credibility. Mesa furloughed 316 pilots in the aftermath of 9/11. Had I taken the job there, I would have been furloughed with that group just as I was furloughed at COEX. I know they're all recalled now. But you said I would have never been furloughed, and that is incorrect. I had a great deal of time on my hands to weigh if I had made the right decision. Furloughed either way.

Mr_Creepy · November 28th, 2004, 21:21

My argument is yours. I will not argue which airline is "better."

I am upset that everyone blames the woes of the industry on Mesa. It is not so!

Doug Taylor · November 28th, 2004, 21:24

Everyone?

WIPilot · November 28th, 2004, 22:00

[ QUOTE ]
I am upset that everyone blames the woes of the industry on Mesa. It is not so!

[/ QUOTE ]

I've heard from nearly everyone I've chated with that working there really sucks but I dont think that people plame the woes of the industry on them.

mtsu_av8er · November 28th, 2004, 22:42

[ QUOTE ]

I am upset that everyone blames the woes of the industry on Mesa. It is not so!

[/ QUOTE ]

I see Mesa kind of like I see the neighborhood hoe. I may very well be the guy that has nothing but good experiences, and find nothing wrong. But there sure are alot of stories about her....

SteveC · November 28th, 2004, 22:53

Quite a story there, Pete. You've had an up-and-down ride so far. Way to hang in there.

Poke around this site some - I bet you'd have a lot of good information to offer if you'd care to spend a few minutes sharing some of your experience.

DE727UPS · November 29th, 2004, 01:40

JT...did Mesa furlough after 9/11 or not?

Mr_Creepy · November 29th, 2004, 10:46

Yes they furloughed, as most everyone did. However all furloughs were recalled within 9 months, and others were given the option of moving to Freedom (not a good option I grant you!)

I thought the discussion was not whether they furloughed, but about the claim was that he would still be on furlough.

Also, the latest RJ upgrade class for Mesa has 2001 new hires in it. Not to mention that Dash 8 captains were upgrading within 3 months.

Listen - I know Mesa "sucks" compared to what it used to be. But so does every commuter. I had dinner with some CHQ pilots the other night and the things they told me were horrifying. Two Comair pilots at the next table joined us and they didn't have any better stories.

And all agreed that CHQ and Comair are two of the best places to be!

If someone is dead set on becoming an airline pilot (and most around here seem to be) then Mesa is no worse a choice than any place else. You will fly at least as much as you want, you will make decent money after a while, and you will certainly have a wide choice of places to work.

Bog update me on this - I have these for latest bases:

CRJ: PHX, DEN, LAX, PHL
ERJ: DCA, CLT
DH8: PHX, DEN, GJT
B1900 (Air Midwest): All over the place, but includes such nice places as APF, PBI, TPA, PFN, MSY, etc.

JayAre · November 29th, 2004, 13:24

Pete
Welcome aboard
I really enjoyed your journal
I would like to know if you have any regrets not getting the job with Skywest
And looking back what are your thoughts on Ameriflight likes and dislikes. I would like to work for them in the furture to build up my experience before I move onto a regional someday.

PeteGoertzen · December 4th, 2004, 14:11

Yeah I often have regrets about not being hired by SkyWest. Not because I feel it would have necessarily been a better place to work, but just that I would have been able to have my choice of a number of great domiciles. Houston, Cleveland and Newark don't do much for me. But had I not gone to COEX then ACA, I would never have met my wife, which to me makes it all worth it.

Ameriflight was a good company to build some multi-engine time and professional flight experience. Maintenance was top-notch. I would definitely recommend working for them or for Airnet, the other big Part 135 freight carrier. The schedules sucked, but I never intended to stay there forever. It was a stepping stone.

jonnyb · December 4th, 2004, 14:22

Everyone I know who's worked for Ameriflight, says exactly the same thing Pete just posted above. Good company. GREAT experience.

May 16th, 2004, 19:47	#1
RPM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: LAX Posts: 658	Ameriflight career journal I found this career journal from Pete Goertzen, The whole first section down at the bottom is about his training and day to day life at Ameriflight. It's very good, lots of information/ pics and day to day flight info for freight flying in the northwest. Then it goes into his career at the regionals, it's a lot of reading, but really good stuff and well worth it if you have the time. Some of the best information I've found on freight flying/ training so far! Also shows how unpredictable regional jobs can be with the furloughs etc.. Pete Goertzen Career Journal Link .

May 21st, 2004, 18:52	#2
Visceral Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 293	Re: Ameriflight career journal Poor guy seems to be a crap magnet.

May 21st, 2004, 19:54	#3
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,810	Re: Ameriflight career journal Hysterical. What a hypocrite this guy is. He calls Mesa a "historical bottom dweller." Yet if he had taken the Mesa job instead of CoEx he would: a) Never have been furloughed b) Be a jet captain now. c) Be in a base near his home. Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place.

May 21st, 2004, 22:18	#4
MikeD Administrator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pinal Airpark Posts: 6,897	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place. [/ QUOTE ] Gotta throw this one in there, John.....I know, I know, a left-handed jab... The turnover sure helps with job security, especially for those content with low pay and QOL as job security.

May 22nd, 2004, 01:35	#5
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] Hysterical. What a hypocrite this guy is. He calls Mesa a "historical bottom dweller." Yet if he had taken the Mesa job instead of CoEx he would: a) Never have been furloughed b) Be a jet captain now. c) Be in a base near his home. Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place. [/ QUOTE ] Actually, one of my pals is barely approaching jet captain and he's been with MAG since early 2000. And if you live in Bullhead City, AZ, sure you're mighty close to living at home. I guess the thing to remember is for that every time I b*tch and moan about the long commute to KATL, there are three furloughed pilots longing to touch a jet, another five pilots that are sitting reserve in NYC that would love to hold ATL and a slew of others that wouild have an easier commute. It's all relative.

May 22nd, 2004, 07:55	#6
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,810	Re: Ameriflight career journal Doug you have to remember that Bog has passed over upgrade several times (from what I hear.) He doesn't want to be a junior reserve captain. I felt the same way when I started to get some FO seniority. It was nice to have some QOL for a change. Fortunately they closed my base and forced me to upgrade. It was a wise decision! I gained seniority just as fast as a captain oddly enough.

May 22nd, 2004, 08:04	#7
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,810	Re: Ameriflight career journal MikeD - where does this rumor start that Mesa is low pay? Compared to Comair maybe, but several carriers are in the same pay range - Pinnacle, Great Lakes, Air Wisconsin, Commutair, Chautauqua, etc. Mesa's contract adjusts the hourly rates to industry standard every year the company shows a profit. People see the hourly rate and the 70 hr guarantee and make false assumptions - that 70 hrs is for 13 pay periods - not 12 months. I made more money at Mesa than any of the 5 airlines I flew for. The problems with Mesa are not really the payscale but the workrules. They could use some improvements with the following: 1) Cancellation pay 2) Duty and trip rigs 3) Segment adjustment 4) Domicile bidding and move days 5) Training fences 6) Bog can fill us in on other items I'm sure. As I have said many many times on this board before, it's a trade off. You will make jet captain faster at Mesa than any other airline I know of (exception - Pinnacle and Chautauqua recently had some fast upgrades, but they are slowing again.) And Mesa is like all other airlines, if you figure out the system and work with people you will have a (reasonably) good QOL. If you bitch, piss and moan you will get dumped on. Unfortunately new hires hear a lot of disgruntled "oldtimers" pissing and moaning and pick up bad habits. Remember that these "oldtimers" have never worked at another airline most likely, and don't realize that most of what they are complaining about is just basic regional airline life. The biggest problem right now is the Freedom rift. That's divided the pilot group in some sections. I hope they soon get over it and move on, but I doubt it will happen. Look at Eastern.

May 27th, 2004, 23:00	#8
doug_or Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: too far east Posts: 107	Re: Ameriflight career journal I'm pretty sure I've loaded his plane in PDX. Don't rember him, though.

November 25th, 2004, 11:52	#9
PeteGoertzen Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] Hysterical. What a hypocrite this guy is. He calls Mesa a "historical bottom dweller." Yet if he had taken the Mesa job instead of CoEx he would: a) Never have been furloughed b) Be a jet captain now. c) Be in a base near his home. Mesa has some problems and gets some bad press but for job security it is "historically" a good place. [/ QUOTE ] Hypocrite I may be (although I'm not sure how), but: a) You're dead wrong - I would have been furloughed for over a year b) You're wrong again, there are no current jet captains with hire dates of 7/2001 or later c) What bases did Mesa have near Portland, OR at the time? Do some research next time before you call me names. I'm happy that I chose COEX. I have a new contract that is far superior to what I would have had at Mesa, and my future is not tied to United and US Airways.

November 25th, 2004, 13:56	#10
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,691	Re: Ameriflight career journal Don't mind John - there are 2 things I know, he comes accross miserable, and will protect Mesa like it is his High School Daughter! Good to have you onboard here, your website is awesome.

November 25th, 2004, 13:58	#11
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,590	Re: Ameriflight career journal Welcome, Pete!! Come no in...the water is great!!

November 27th, 2004, 23:15	#12
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,577	Re: Ameriflight career journal Hi Peter. I remember looking at your journal a while back and I thought it was really cool. Would be a good read for any of the wannabe's here. Thanks for signing up at jetcareers.

November 28th, 2004, 09:02	#13
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,810	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] a) You're dead wrong - I would have been furloughed for over a year b) You're wrong again, there are no current jet captains with hire dates of 7/2001 or later c) What bases did Mesa have near Portland, OR at the time? Do some research next time before you call me names. I'm happy that I chose COEX. I have a new contract that is far superior to what I would have had at Mesa, and my future is not tied to United and US Airways. [/ QUOTE ] YOU do some research. Mesa does not have any pilots on furlough. Go to Mesalounge and check it out. Your future is tied to one airline. Your one airline happens to be doing ok right now. But who's to say Gulfstream won't be getting more of your routes in the future? Quit pointing fingers and saying "THIS one airline is the cause of ALL the problems in the world." It's very childish.

November 28th, 2004, 13:10	#14
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,311	Re: Ameriflight career journal Yeah Pete, awesome site you have there; it's definately helped me out.

November 28th, 2004, 14:34	#15
PeteGoertzen Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] a) You're dead wrong - I would have been furloughed for over a year b) You're wrong again, there are no current jet captains with hire dates of 7/2001 or later c) What bases did Mesa have near Portland, OR at the time? Do some research next time before you call me names. I'm happy that I chose COEX. I have a new contract that is far superior to what I would have had at Mesa, and my future is not tied to United and US Airways. [/ QUOTE ] YOU do some research. Mesa does not have any pilots on furlough. Go to Mesalounge and check it out. Your future is tied to one airline. Your one airline happens to be doing ok right now. But who's to say Gulfstream won't be getting more of your routes in the future? Quit pointing fingers and saying "THIS one airline is the cause of ALL the problems in the world." It's very childish. [/ QUOTE ] Everyone - glad you enjoy my website. John - no hard feelings. You and I can argue all day about what airlines are better, and in the end we'd both still have the same opinions. I just want the facts straight for the sake of my credibility. Mesa furloughed 316 pilots in the aftermath of 9/11. Had I taken the job there, I would have been furloughed with that group just as I was furloughed at COEX. I know they're all recalled now. But you said I would have never been furloughed, and that is incorrect. I had a great deal of time on my hands to weigh if I had made the right decision. Furloughed either way.

November 28th, 2004, 21:21	#16
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,810	Re: Ameriflight career journal My argument is yours. I will not argue which airline is "better." I am upset that everyone blames the woes of the industry on Mesa. It is not so!

November 28th, 2004, 21:24	#17
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 41,926 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Ameriflight career journal Everyone?

November 28th, 2004, 22:00	#18
WIPilot Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: DTW Posts: 123	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] I am upset that everyone blames the woes of the industry on Mesa. It is not so! [/ QUOTE ] I've heard from nearly everyone I've chated with that working there really sucks but I dont think that people plame the woes of the industry on them.

November 28th, 2004, 22:42	#19
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,590	Re: Ameriflight career journal [ QUOTE ] I am upset that everyone blames the woes of the industry on Mesa. It is not so! [/ QUOTE ] I see Mesa kind of like I see the neighborhood hoe. I may very well be the guy that has nothing but good experiences, and find nothing wrong. But there sure are alot of stories about her....

November 28th, 2004, 22:53	#20
SteveC Modulator Join Date: May 2003 Location: GRR Posts: 8,788	Re: Ameriflight career journal Quite a story there, Pete. You've had an up-and-down ride so far. Way to hang in there. Poke around this site some - I bet you'd have a lot of good information to offer if you'd care to spend a few minutes sharing some of your experience.

November 29th, 2004, 01:40	#21
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,577	Re: Ameriflight career journal JT...did Mesa furlough after 9/11 or not?

November 29th, 2004, 10:46	#22
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,810	Re: Ameriflight career journal Yes they furloughed, as most everyone did. However all furloughs were recalled within 9 months, and others were given the option of moving to Freedom (not a good option I grant you!) I thought the discussion was not whether they furloughed, but about the claim was that he would still be on furlough. Also, the latest RJ upgrade class for Mesa has 2001 new hires in it. Not to mention that Dash 8 captains were upgrading within 3 months. Listen - I know Mesa "sucks" compared to what it used to be. But so does every commuter. I had dinner with some CHQ pilots the other night and the things they told me were horrifying. Two Comair pilots at the next table joined us and they didn't have any better stories. And all agreed that CHQ and Comair are two of the best places to be! If someone is dead set on becoming an airline pilot (and most around here seem to be) then Mesa is no worse a choice than any place else. You will fly at least as much as you want, you will make decent money after a while, and you will certainly have a wide choice of places to work. Bog update me on this - I have these for latest bases: CRJ: PHX, DEN, LAX, PHL ERJ: DCA, CLT DH8: PHX, DEN, GJT B1900 (Air Midwest): All over the place, but includes such nice places as APF, PBI, TPA, PFN, MSY, etc.

November 29th, 2004, 13:24	#23
JayAre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Multiple Posts: 1,042	Re: Ameriflight career journal Pete Welcome aboard I really enjoyed your journal I would like to know if you have any regrets not getting the job with Skywest And looking back what are your thoughts on Ameriflight likes and dislikes. I would like to work for them in the furture to build up my experience before I move onto a regional someday.

December 4th, 2004, 14:11	#24
PeteGoertzen Newbie Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3	Re: Ameriflight career journal Yeah I often have regrets about not being hired by SkyWest. Not because I feel it would have necessarily been a better place to work, but just that I would have been able to have my choice of a number of great domiciles. Houston, Cleveland and Newark don't do much for me. But had I not gone to COEX then ACA, I would never have met my wife, which to me makes it all worth it. Ameriflight was a good company to build some multi-engine time and professional flight experience. Maintenance was top-notch. I would definitely recommend working for them or for Airnet, the other big Part 135 freight carrier. The schedules sucked, but I never intended to stay there forever. It was a stepping stone.

December 4th, 2004, 14:22	#25
jonnyb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: So. California Posts: 1,304	Re: Ameriflight career journal Everyone I know who's worked for Ameriflight, says exactly the same thing Pete just posted above. Good company. GREAT experience.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode