Any RAVN pilots out there?

B

black_xero

Well-Known Member
I'm currently flying a certain 19 seat turbine twin for another Anchorage based company. Yep, that one. Looking at possibly making the jump to RAVN for the March 22 class. I'm just looking for a bit of info on the operation. QOL, upgrade times, junior FO routes, hours, time off, etc... What can I expect in the interview? The rest of the hiring process? Training? Any info would help, as I can't seem to find much online about RAVN, especially since things seem to have changed there a good bit over the last year or so.
 
Being on the "other side of the house" this is what I've gathered. Pretty much have to live in ANC, but you are in your own bed every night, 80-95 hours a month is typical with a 5/2 during the busy season and maybe 4/3 during the slow season (but I'm not sure). I think upgrade is around 7 years, but that's anyone's guess as hiring is picking up everywhere (heard of Corvus guys getting on at AS, NAC, Atlas, etc). Pay starts at $50/hr. I'm waiting to see what happens with this Union drive but might make the jump too.
 
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alaskadrifter said:
Being on the "other side of the house" this is what I've gathered. Pretty much have to live in ANC, but you are in your own bed every night, 80-95 hours a month is typical with a 5/2 during the busy season and maybe 4/3 during the slow season (but I'm not sure). I think upgrade is around 7 years, but that's anyone's guess as hiring is picking up everywhere (heard of Corvus guys getting on at AS, NAC, Atlas, etc). Pay starts at $50/hr. I'm waiting to see what happens with this Union drive but might make the jump too.
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Thanks. Yeah, info on RAVN is pretty sparse online. I've heard rumors of upgrades dropping from 7-8 years down to 2-3 years. Haven't been able to confirm that. I've also heard at least 12 days off each month for the Dash drivers. I'm hoping someone will chime in with some detailed info. I have a few more hours to gather before I can apply, but I should have the time well before the March 22 class. I'm wondering if they'll even talk to me right now if I contact them about the March class. I would be nice to get some answers from the CPs mouth.

So you're on the 135 side? I've heard that its supposed to be pretty difficult for you guys to jump to the 121 side. Any truth to that?
 
black_xero said:
Thanks. Yeah, info on RAVN is pretty sparse online. I've heard rumors of upgrades dropping from 7-8 years down to 2-3 years. Haven't been able to confirm that. I've also heard at least 12 days off each month for the Dash drivers. I'm hoping someone will chime in with some detailed info. I have a few more hours to gather before I can apply, but I should have the time well before the March 22 class. I'm wondering if they'll even talk to me right now if I contact them about the March class. I would be nice to get some answers from the CPs mouth.

So you're on the 135 side? I've heard that its supposed to be pretty difficult for you guys to jump to the 121 side. Any truth to that?
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I've no clue about the upgrade time but I'd be surprised if it came that low. There has been lots of crossover both ways.
 
black_xero said:
I'm currently flying a certain 19 seat turbine twin for another Anchorage based company. Yep, that one. Looking at possibly making the jump to RAVN for the March 22 class. I'm just looking for a bit of info on the operation. QOL, upgrade times, junior FO routes, hours, time off, etc... What can I expect in the interview? The rest of the hiring process? Training? Any info would help, as I can't seem to find much online about RAVN, especially since things seem to have changed there a good bit over the last year or so.
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If you're not digging little Ace, then depending on your times there are probably better options than Ravn out there. My thoughts would go to Everts and the like. How much time do you have?
 
ppragman said:
If you're not digging little Ace, then depending on your times there are probably better options than Ravn out there. My thoughts would go to Everts and the like. How much time do you have?
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Everts wont really look at you without an ATP. I went and talked to them before I started at Penair. I think RAVN is a good place to go get the ATP, and some 121 time.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Everts wont really look at you without an ATP. I went and talked to them before I started at Penair. I think RAVN is a good place to go get the ATP, and some 121 time.
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Probably - I'm certainly not the guy to ask if you're looking for information on how to get to "the airlines." Did Era ever bring their pay up, though? I mean, "back in the day," little Ace was head and shoulders above 121 Era in terms of pay.
 
ppragman said:
Probably - I'm certainly not the guy to ask if you're looking for information on how to get to "the airlines." Did Era ever bring their pay up, though? I mean, "back in the day," little Ace was head and shoulders above 121 Era in terms of pay.
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I would seriously avoid Everts. First year FO pay at Corvus is $50/hr, so not that bad.
 
ppragman said:
If you're not digging little Ace, then depending on your times there are probably better options than Ravn out there. My thoughts would go to Everts and the like. How much time do you have?
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A slave driving 121 sup? Big pile of nope. I guess if your idea of flying involves destroying your back loading and unloading your own md80.
 
z987k said:
A slave driving 121 sup? Big pile of nope. I guess if your idea of flying involves destroying your back loading and unloading your own md80.
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I mean, he's already doing that hunched over in the 1900 - might as well go fly something that gets you jet time.
 
I spent some time at Ravn, and it wasn't too bad of a place to hang out for a while. Pay is decent, 50/hr for first year in the Dash 8, which I believe they are hiring directly into now. Guarantee on the Dash is 60 hours a month, but I averaged about 80. Upgrade times on the 121 side are dropping due to growth and attrition, but its nowhere near 2 years. Probably closer to 5 for the left seat of the 1900. Sim training is all done in Seattle at Flight Safety by company check airmen.

You are home every night, which is definitely a positive if that's what you're looking for. Union talk over there seems to be ongoing, hard to say what the final outcome of that will be. Overall I enjoyed my time there. Learned a lot, and met some great people.
 
ShortField said:
I spent some time at Ravn, and it wasn't too bad of a place to hang out for a while. Pay is decent, 50/hr for first year in the Dash 8, which I believe they are hiring directly into now. Guarantee on the Dash is 60 hours a month, but I averaged about 80. Upgrade times on the 121 side are dropping due to growth and attrition, but its nowhere near 2 years. Probably closer to 5 for the left seat of the 1900. Sim training is all done in Seattle at Flight Safety by company check airmen.

You are home every night, which is definitely a positive if that's what you're looking for. Union talk over there seems to be ongoing, hard to say what the final outcome of that will be. Overall I enjoyed my time there. Learned a lot, and met some great people.
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Are they still upgrading into the 1900? My friend went from 1900FO -- Dash FO -- Dash Captain.
 
ASpilot2be said:
Are they still upgrading into the 1900? My friend went from 1900FO -- Dash FO -- Dash Captain.
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Not directly I suppose. They cornered a couple of hagey transfers into the 1900 in the last go around. Supposedly the 1900s are going to be phased out over the next couple of years.
 
ShortField said:
Not directly I suppose. They cornered a couple of hagey transfers into the 1900 in the last go around. Supposedly the 1900s are going to be phased out over the next couple of years.
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Interesting. I have been hearing the 1900s are disappearing.
 
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