CE750

I know some airlines, like Evergreen commercial in business class for DH and have limits on extensions (2 days), etc... What sort of work rules does Kalitta have in their current CBA? And is "on the road" QOL generally good?

El Guapo

At Kalitta, we like to say we stay next door to some of the nicest hotels in the world. Honestly, they're really hit or miss. Some are good Int'l and some not so good. Domestically, not so good, i.e. Five Clowns in JFK. Deadheading, it takes an act of God to get into biz class. In four years it's happened, umm, never. They always get me home on my 17th day, last month that meant a 16 hr nonstop flight from Dubai to San Francisco...in coach. I do like it here though, but it's not for everyone.

lionflyer

It's not the worst place to work but it's not for everyone. We put in some long days over many time zones. It can beat you up pretty good especially this time of year when we're really busy. You will be gone 17 days straight and then home for 13 or 14. For me, it gives me more of a home life vs the 4on/3off (commutting on days off) I was doing at the regional. There is no extending here. If you don't want to work past 17 days, you don't have to. You're home based so no commutting (Big+) and you'll always have a hotel room to go to so no crashpads either.

Worldguy

i just read a post by an evergreen guy in another thread that said in the last 2 years he had business , 0, zero, times, for his commercials. Sounds like it looks good on paper but in reality......well, ymmv.
A job is better than no job, I know guys at evergreen and it is not bad work. What one has to ask oneself is, is ACMI the life for me. I love it but know that it wouldn't work for most of my mates flying for legacies.

CE750

no, Evergreen is good about the 6+ hr, international or transcon only in business class rule (have been for a some time now)... they were cheating for while back, but there was a grievance and that's history now... The pay stinks (and that might change as there is a strike vote out now)... and the lack of home base makes the 16 days on schedule more like 17 or 18 on (with commute) ... but over all their biggest problem is the lack of any growth... while Kalitta is picking up new -400's they're still operating only 1..

CE750

yeah, I know the drill, worked for ACMI before, those are all things that all ACMI outfits share.. I'm talking specific's ... i.e. business class DH, or limits on how many days you can be involuntarily extended, duty day limits, etc.. i.e. work rules.

Thanks for the info.. I do like that they don't force you to extend.. that's a huge plus.

needtofly

Is Kalitta hiring at all?

Thanks

lionflyer

Yes. We have a bunch of guys going thru IOE now. We just picked up 2 more 400's which brings the total up to 5. We are still short on Classic crews as well. I expect hiring to continue for a while. And, you're likeky to get the 400 as a newhire. Oh yeah, plan on coach for airline deadheads.

myoface

20 in training right now. some for the 400, some for the classic.

Fresh Hot Pizza

I was at CKS for four years. It isn't a great place, but it is fun. Everyone knows everyone. You call scheduling and tell them your first name, usualy they know who you are. Your home based. You bid a schedule with cities on certain days, but you never fly your whole schedule. They call you a day before your on the schedule and ask you if you want to start out of New York or LA, that sort of thing. If you don't complain, well, you typically get screwed because they figure you are "easy" and give you the crap trips that weren't even a part of your schedule to begin with. The upside is this is the sort of shop where they really keep "score", and if you work with them, they will take care of you. Nine years ago Connie put a guy on the Concorde when his wife was nearly killed in a car accidnent in Missouri. He landed in Dubai, and a cellphone was handed to the pilot upon landing. two hours later the guy was on a plane to London, and he was able to reach his wife within a day of her accident. Connie is a trip- walks around with his butt crack showing from his jeans as he carries bags of garbage to the dumpster, gets in fist fights with road workers, and is banned from most bars in belleville, Michigan where he lives. His paychecks dont bounce.