usmc-sgt

Looking at possibly sending in an app to Alpha pretty soon.
Here is what I know-
The payscale
The schedule
The equipment
The bases

What I am looking to know is with the 7 on schedule say being based in PSM are you typically gone from day one until day 7 away from base or are there times you return to base for a few hours and then continue a trip or possibly a few days where you do not even have a trip but are just on call. I dont mind being gone 7 days but living 6 miles from PSM even a few hours off could be a great break to enjoy lunch with the wife and head out again.

Upgrades are advertised at around 8 months to a year. I am sure this may change a bit with the current industry but it also says you are considered after 1500TT. I would be applying with around 1700 or so TT and would probably (if hired) start closer to 2000TT. Have you been finding that upgrades have been falling into that 8-12 month range?

Perdiem: What do you typically average for hours of perdiem during a 7 day trip? I figured 6 full days at 24 hours so 144 per trip or so. Is this a realistic number?

Pay, I thought I read somewhere that you get a pay raise at 6 months and then at a year but can not recall if that was for all or if that was for Captain upgrade along with the 5k bonus.

Resumes: I have called HR twice but got voicemail on both accounts. I would prefer to speak to someone in person as opposed to the less personal voicemail. Would you reccomend I just drive there resume in hand or is there an email or address I should send it in to?

That pretty much covers it for now, thanks for your help.

Bill Lumberg

I don't have any of that info but I would be interested as well. I am guessing that there will be more hiring as the Grob jets start to arrive in Q4 2008. Although, I haven't heard much about the progress of the Grob certification program - does anyone know how well it is going? That's important because the certification could impact hiring numbers.

Another question, how many PC12 NGs have been ordered total and how many have already arrived? Any initial impressions from those who have flown them vs. the older PC12s? Will they simply replace older PC12s or will they be incremental?

ERJ135

Hey, I called and talk to them. I qualified barely so I sent in my app. They are screening for Capts only and are looking for 2500tt and preferably 135/91 experience. Thats all I know. I sent it in a week ago.

usmc-sgt

I have called a few times but have only gotten the voicemail from recruiting. I got a contact name of the CP and sent him an APP. I was told they are hiring for fall classes. I was told they want 2000TT for CAs but also told 2500 or so. I will be at 2000 by the fall but doubt a CA position would come my way. Id be willing to sit right seat in the mighty single for a bit if an upgrade wasnt too far in the future. I would sure enjoy that 6 minute commute.

Shamrock23

Bill, I am not an airline pilot yet, but if you look at the grob website in the news section it has a few artciles about how the spn has been displayed in static display at a few airshows so far (I am not sure what that means). It also has an article about how they plan on opening up a flight school for the spn in 2010 (again I do not know what that means). It has also been doing some flight tests, but I am not sure if they have to complete the JAA cert and then the FAA or if they can do it at one time. But from just following some airplanes during the certification process I would be surprised if they deliver on time. And as far as I know the amount of aircraft entering the planesense line at one time in the beginning would probably not have that much effect on the overall company. If you don't like flying single engine planesense is probably not the company for you. Obvioulsy with the market right now people would be lucky to get a job with them. It definitely kind of makes you jealous of those people that were able to get on with 500hrs a few months ago. But I guess that is part of the industry.

mcartier713

sgt, ur not making it any easier on me getting a job there

usmc-sgt

Dont worry, no one is getting any jobs just yet. I am not very qualified so we will see what happens. Today is Monday so they will be seeing my App today and I will keep you posted.

As for flying a single for a while, I dont care if its a glider for life. If the pay and QOL can keep myself and my wife happy then I am all for it.

stinsonjr

Good luck SGT. Hope this works out well for you - they would be lucky to have you.

mcartier713

amen. that's what I keep telling my roommate. he thinks i'm stupid for wanting to fly single engine. but the way I see it, the QOL is better than the regionals, the pay is a little better, and you're flying better trips. plus, if you stay around long enough you could possibly snag a right seat in a grob.

you're trying to get a captain spot i'm assuming? i just sent in my resume a couple days ago... i'm a little short on the company mins, but we'll see what happens.

whats wrong with colgan?

Bill Lumberg

First, if you look at Planesense's website and recent ads, they claim the Grob SpN is slated to be "on line" in latter 2008 or early 2009 (quoting the website: "Expected to join the PlaneSense fleet in 4Q 2008"). Check out the web page and read it for yourself:

http://www.alphaflying.com/grobspn.html

I'd just like a progress report because I have heard nothing in the press lately. What's the status? I realize airplanes rarely get certified on time but I'd like to hear anything from the pilot perspectives (perhaps they have better information). Having the Grobs come on line sooner than later would likely impact hiring unless the Grobs were replacing existing airplanes - right?

Second, I never said I didn't like flying single engine airplanes - you quoted someone else. I would have no problem flying the PC12 (especially the PC12 NG). I have thousands of hours on the ERJ - I have been there and done that. Lifestyle and regaining a sense of "fun flying" are more important at this point.

Anyone else care to answer my original questions regarding:

1. Progress of the Grob vs. the timeline set out on the website
2. How many PC12 NGs have been ordered and are being currently flown?

Thanks