Jetlife

They have better fundamental skills maybe, but crews at AMF, aside from the Bro maybe, get zero CRM training, FOs do not have traditional responsibilities, and the planes are old.

Sure they might be better hand flyers but AMF pilots have to essentially unlearn lots of things to fit in the airline environment. Single pilot freight will always be too cowboy to universally mesh with airline flying. Doesn’t mean they can’t, I did it as have thousands. But a regional job will better prepare you for other jet job way more than AMF ever would. The operation is different, the flying is different, the CRM is different, the mission is different. AMF was some of the most challenging flying I have ever done but it didn’t make me some hot shot airline pilot.

As for your wich airplane will get to the gate sooner, I would be more concerned with which plane got to the gate in a more safe manor, and who more closely followed procedure. It’s not solely about just completing the mission, which drives me nuts when guys have that mentality. Former military and former 135 freight pilots have to have that mentality broken out of them. And I speak as a former military and AMF employee.

ZippyNH

+1
That and a more typical upgrade path for many AMF pilots will be to a LCC, or corporate job, or the mentioned UPS program.
Strange thing happens when you have a good QOL...you realize that the size of the plane of the paycheck isn't as important as you once thought...well rounded life is important too. If you devote your life to your job, and something happens, what do you have left?!
Being home for family events, enjoy a home life ...it all adds up. Well rounded life/work balance.
So often I hear people say to stick it through, deal with a regional lifestyle, wait to get to a legacy...then life will get better. Reality is many people saying that might get stuck at a regional or LCC and never make a legacy...
I could never.... something to think about.
LIVING THE DREAM...not the nightmare.
Please keep in mind that the typical reader on this site had ONE GOAL....call themselves an airline pilot flying a big jet.
Reality is many AMF pilots make more $$$ than most guys fly cargo at a couple 767 operators I know...and get more time at home. Lots less BS....ever ride in the jumpseat and list to how unhappy many pilots are?!

Jetlife

No the typical path for an AMF pilot is to a regional, the less typical path is to an LCC or ULCC, Omni, Southern/Atlas etc.

Home at night is huge. However that greatly varies. I worked 5 days a week from 630am to 630pm. I had to leave the house at 5am, and I walked into the door at 8pm. I would rather just be gone 12 days a month, then when I’m home, I’m home. But to each their own that’s for sure. AMF has its place, and if you want some hard flying that’s the place to go, but QOL? Let’s get real lol.

Hand Commander

Yikes! I've seen plenty of Amerflight pilots, including management pilots, do some pretty ridiculous and stupid things. Ask the recruiter on here how many incidents of airplane damage they've had in the last couple of years and why it was necessary to send management out on a road show to visit every base to emphasize the need for safety. I would argue that "Getting the job done" is the least important out of those skills while having a spine, thick skin, and knowing when to shut things down should come before it.

Fr8Thrust

You can still get it done while having a spine; it’s a balance. I agree there were some horrible mgmt pilots in the past. I can only speak to my experience, which I had full support of my managers when I needed it. Everyone’s AMF experience varies. I used to think the training dept was our closest thing to a union, given how often they had to fix things.

Jetlife

Speaking of how much AMF is behind the times and has no idea how much trouble they’re in, they just increased BE99 captain pay to 50k. There are endless amounts jet FO jobs with schedules that pay more than that. AMF is in some real trouble...

dera

I make a lot more than that flying a PC12 3 days a week, and home every night (and weekend and holidays etc).
I just can't see multi turboprop time being THAT valuable in the current pilot job market.

Luewk

It does still beat a lot of regional pay though.
skywest is way behind that, horizon is behind that, compass is behind that, etc.

Luewk

Also i'm looking at UPS requirements and AMF seems like it would be a good precursor if you wanted to go to UPS.

Basic Qualifications
Hold a current unrestricted ATP certificate with an Airplane category multi-engine class rating and English proficiency endorsement
Hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate
Hold an FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
Hold a valid passport
Have authorization to work in the United States
Have a minimum of 1500 hours of total fixed-wing pilot time

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
Recent and type of experience will be considered; for example, preference given to candidates with demonstrated flight experience in transport category aircraft
within the last 12 months from date of application
Minimum of 1000 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) hours in fixed-wing jet and/or fixed-wing multi-engine turboprop

Would I be mistaken assuming that it would be possible to go from AMF straight to UPS after a few years?

dera

Yes you would.

I'm pretty sure that has not happened in the past 10 years, not once. UPS has plenty of qualified jet guys applying. No need to take the turboprop cowboys.

According to the UPS forums here, the competitive mins for UPS for a civilian guy are around 6-7000hrs total with plenty of jet 121, preferably heavy, time.