catching waves

Oh really? I’m a low key guy. But when we get these LM’s and some FME guys that just build a nest and block off two whole rows of seats each with their bags and lap tops etc. Some pilots don’t do the bunk, because no matter how hard you try to keep ‘em clean they aren’t. Some FME’s/LM’s like to crank up the heat in the cabin and and it’s becomes fight over the thermostat. So all that is left is an uncomfortable chair for a crossing, and it isn’t the comfortable chair. I’ve grown more stern with these people over the last year or two doing the two leg day days through China. I try to be considerate to the FME’s that don’t get off the airplane that often but some of these LM’s, and small percentage of FME’s get on the plane and just “own it.” And it’s getting old.

Rant over.

C17B74

^^^^^This all the way and true at most outfits is a guess^^^^^^ Let’s not forget food etiquette when the galley is raided prior to the arrival of the operating crew or by any DH or worse yet JS. Seats and food are a huge pet peeve of mine. It’s all about being respectful or cordial if you will. It’s not hard to wait/ask what everyone would like despite not having enough to go around at times with particular items. While the food isn’t great by any means and probably a good measure to keep quarreling down but there are moments…

*When possible a good fix is to bring your favorite food on board although it shouldn’t be taken as a your responsibility. I will say it has been less rampant than a few years back at my outfit, but once again the food mediocrity might have stemmed the tide of rudeness all by itself. Only eat when you absolutely must - arriving at midnight as an example. Snacks go far.

Gabriel257

Have an interview coming up. Are you still using the compass test? And where can I find a link to practice exams?

back2thehold

Former civilian loadmaster/on board ground handler for the airlines during the Iraq war. Spent a ton of time in the sand box, and days on the A/C.

Unfortunately I can’t renew my medical or I’d be flying.

How is life these days for on board loadies? I’ve been out of the game for 15 years, but I miss flying.

I know this is a brutal life, but I can’t get it out of my mind.

Do they see hotels more often now? I know the pay isn’t ideal.

How many days do they spend on board? Any other info on cargo flights would be great. I my experience was wide body Pax flights.

Locke

(disclaimer: I’m not a loadmaster)
The schedule from what I’ve heard is the same as the FMEs: 20 on 10 off
Right now the loadmasters are doing a lot of the China circle with a few doing something random like a military run.
Hotels are hit or miss depending on which run you get. The quality is top notch, but it can be a few days between hotel stops. They used to get a break in December for peak and become station guys in SDF, MEM, etc but I think China has taken that over. It’s a whole lot of Groundhog Day at Kalitta

fastback

I think the loaders doing the China vortex stay checked into the hotel next door to the pilot hotel in Anchorage, and get a good bit more hotel time than the FMEs.

back2thehold

Yikes. I can’t imagine taking over food or the best seat without checking with the crew. I am a former pax LM, who is thinking of getting into the cargo world.

Do the LMs usually get deplane and get rest with the flight crew or do they stay on the AC for 48 plus hours and sleep during flight? I use to fly 5 legs over 7,000 miles on one nights sleep. I’m not 21 anymore.

back2thehold

Thanks for the info. So on a 20 day run would you say they see a hotel 15 nights on average? I am trying to figure out how much sleep deprivation I’m dealing with before I apply.

inside0ut

I'd say they average maybe 5 nights in a hotel on a rotation. That's just what I've seen. More nights than the FMEs but 15 nights I would say is not realistic.

jackcoop

I'm a former Loadmaster at Connie and let me preface my comment that it was an amazing place to fly and the crews (minus to token Capt having a bad day) were all pretty great to work with. Flying as a Loadmaster is rough, plain and simple. You will be expected to have alot of job knowledge, perpetually be learning and upholding a pretty high standard. When I was there, we took alot of pride in what we did and flew all over the world moving the craziest cargo you can imagine. You will be living on a B747. You will not see a hotel room for days at a time. My record was 9 days on the airplane with 4 complete rotations around the world. Sometimes you might get lucky and get a big block of hotel time. You have to constantly bring your "A game" even if you're tired, dirty and ready to go home. 20 day rotations are the normal with 10 days off, but this is the bare minimum. Most guys stay out for 25-30 days at a time to bank extra cash or cover the schedule. When I left we were pretty much exclusively flying to China which was a pain in the A$$, I enjoyed doing the military runs to the ME and Turkish flying when we had it. Moral of the story, prepare to be tired, dirty and working hard to move the freight with zero mistakes. You have to be sonewhat of a people person as you will always be working with different personality types and nationalities, this is a challenge for some people. Miss flying with the Crews, I had a good relationship with the Pilots, fellow Loads and FME's. Good luck and feel free to ask anymore Q's. Blue side up guys.