Ameriflight memories, trauma

[Maurus]

How much "ramp work" do Ameriflight pilots do? (Loading, unloading)

It all depends on the route. Most runs are at least 50%. Some go higher, others lower. Usually the bigger the plane the less likely you have to work but there are definitely exceptions to the rule.

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[Inverted]

Any of the PA31 runs are 98%

 

[Cal Goat]

Decent story but he was trying way too hard to sound like Earnest Gann. Ruined it for me. Be original next time.


Oh yeah... and I miss my time at AMF (sometimes).

That's what you take from it? Most of these columns in Flying are written by amateur writers, so looking for literary excellence or originality is futile. Besides, some of the pilots I knew at AMF were barely literate. I continue to be amazed when @Inverted manages to string together a coherent thought here.

The point was more about the common experience. Lots of little things in the story hit me right in the gut in terms of AMF memories and the cold sweats some of those thoughts conjure up.

 

[eightballfreight]

Fatigue and safety is a real issue. A union would could actually do good for AMF pilots.

 

[z987k]

Fatigue and safety is a real issue. A union would could actually do good for AMF pilots.

Ya, but the average career there would have to be longer than 8 months or whatever.

 

[eightballfreight]

Very true.

 

[///AMG]

My memories of the Owens Valley mostly take place at 500 kts somewhere between 100-300' AGL, and normally involve a close pass with a Harrier or something weird from Edwards (U-2, F-35 both come to mind). I'd say the R-2508 is likely the scariest place I have ever spent much time flying in, though for me, it was mainly due to it being basically a wild west for fast aircraft. Interesting story, thanks for sharing. I always wondered what flying the Iyokern transition must have been like.......seemed like a pretty high risk job, at least given how many times we would inadvertently roll in on top of you all doing sim bombing runs Joshua was pretty good about traffic calls, but they didn't catch everything.....

 

[SA227driver]

My memories of the Owens Valley mostly take place at 500 kts somewhere between 100-300' AGL, and normally involve a close pass with a Harrier or something weird from Edwards (U-2, F-35 both come to mind). I'd say the R-2508 is likely the scariest place I have ever spent much time flying in, though for me, it was mainly due to it being basically a wild west for fast aircraft. Interesting story, thanks for sharing. I always wondered what flying the Iyokern transition must have been like.......seemed like a pretty high risk job, at least given how many times we would inadvertently roll in on top of you all doing sim bombing runs Joshua was pretty good about traffic calls, but they didn't catch everything.....

I got a single F16 over Owens Lake converge on me my first day flying the valley. Can't say it wasn't cool after the encounter, but I think he was simulating a gun run on me.

 

[NewYorkophile]

I got egressed on by a single F16 over Owens Lake on my first day flying the valley. Can't say it wasn't cool after the encounter, but I think he was simulating a gun run on me.

Yeah, those fighters are intimidating when they're running away from you

 

[Roger Roger]

Kind of sounds like flying the Lynn Canal.

 

[KSCessnaDriver]

Any of the PA31 runs are 98%

Bank runs, sure. UPS, maybe. I load/unload at the outstation, at the hub, UPS does.

 

[Inverted]

I continue to be amazed when @Inverted manages to string together a coherent thought here.

I would be mad if it wasn't true

 

[Inverted]

Fatigue and safety is a real issue. A union would could actually do good for AMF pilots.

It has been attempted more than once, and like every other company scared to death to have to actually follow rules and regulations, they fired those who talked about it. At least that's what I have heard/read. Nobody spoke a whisper of forming a union when I was there. It just wouldn't be possible in the feeder freight industry.

 

[SA227driver]

Yeah, those fighters are intimidating when they're running away from you

Fixed it. My brain is fried trying to study for my Airbus systems oral. I get a pass on that one.

 

[eightballfreight]

I do agree forming a union would be very difficult, but I don't see It as impossible.
It is just sad a company keeps getting people to line up for a job where the average pilot doesn't stay at for even a year.

 

[Cal Goat]

It has been attempted more than once, and like every other company scared to death to have to actually follow rules and regulations, they fired those who talked about it. At least that's what I have heard/read. Nobody spoke a whisper of forming a union when I was there. It just wouldn't be possible in the feeder freight industry.

I recall the first week of Indoc, GR came in to give his short, grumpy speech about "welcome to Ameriflight". But he made sure to spend some time talking about how unions don't work and ruin everyone's lives.

 

[Inverted]

He didn't even come in for mine that I remember. AL did though.

 

[Cal Goat]

He didn't even come in for mine that I remember. AL did though.

AL dropped in to tell us that any regional airline would hire us after we had flown for AMF. And boy was he right!

 

[JayAre]

It has been attempted more than once, and like every other company scared to death to have to actually follow rules and regulations, they fired those who talked about it. At least that's what I have heard/read. Nobody spoke a whisper of forming a union when I was there. It just wouldn't be possible in the feeder freight industry.

Oh it's been a whisper only too the inner circle of freight trash pilots. With GR gone in January who knows what will happen.....

 

[Hootie]

MMH veteran and I don't miss it. As a floater I mysteriously got what seemed like all the "interesting" runs in the Amf system. If I could go back in time I would've done SJU.