Cape Air getting into Amphib Ops?

Michael95U

Michael95U

Well-Known Member
I heard a rumor today that Cape Air acquired a float operator and will commence amphib operations in Cessna 208s. Anybody have any more details?
 
It's something they are looking into starting up... initially, service would be from Miami Seaplane Base on Watson Island to Bimini in the Bahamas, with plans on expanding it to other destinations in the future. Not much more information than that right now; the company has been talking with a current 91 operator down there, the FAA and union and announced it in a recent monthly newsletter.
 
Interesting. I wonder who the south Florida operator is. They brought up myself and the rest of our mgt team a couple of years ago to talk about float ops. It just never really went anywhere and we figured they weren't going to continue looking into it.
 
Very interesting. Resorts World just received their 135 cert not too long ago. They have killed the Bimini market as they fly their passengers over for free to gamble.
 
Talon Air and Shoreline (I think that is their name) bring C208 amphibs down every winter to fly out of MYNN.
 
Sour deal for the current Resorts amphib guys. Sounds like they will not be getting seatlocked. A few months into the operation they'll be Jr 402 drivers in the northeast.
 
dasleben said:
Man, I should have done the right thing and stayed at Cape. ;)
Click to expand...
fury.jpg
 
Adler said:
Sour deal for the current Resorts amphib guys. Sounds like they will not be getting seatlocked. A few months into the operation they'll be Jr 402 drivers in the northeast.
Click to expand...


Nah, they'll be Jr. 402 drivers in BFE Montana!
 
I have a couple friends at RW, they also have a CL-65 and maybe another jet as well. I know the CAs on the C-208 are salary at 55k or more plus good per diem. The jet FO(s) are in the 75-80k range with something like $70/day PD. It's a Part 91 style op, not an airline, they're business is getting people in the door in the casino and hotel, not selling seats.

I can imagine most of them will just quit if Cape Air buys they and they do some kind of mini merger. Unfortunately, this is a great opportunity for a great paying flying gig to go down the toilet. Not a hater of Cape or anything, but I don't see this turning out well for the RW guys.
 
Adler said:
Sour deal for the current Resorts amphib guys. Sounds like they will not be getting seatlocked. A few months into the operation they'll be Jr 402 drivers in the northeast.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine there are that many guys at Cape that have a seaplane rating, and I'd imagine that there are far fewer with enough ASES time to meet any sort of insurance minimum.
 
Saw a Resorts World amphibian gear up landing at FLL recently? Anyone know, by chance, who had 'front window' seats for that one?
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
I have a couple friends at RW, they also have a CL-65 and maybe another jet as well. I know the CAs on the C-208 are salary at 55k or more plus good per diem. The jet FO(s) are in the 75-80k range with something like $70/day PD. It's a Part 91 style op, not an airline, they're business is getting people in the door in the casino and hotel, not selling seats.

I can imagine most of them will just quit if Cape Air buys they and they do some kind of mini merger. Unfortunately, this is a great opportunity for a great paying flying gig to go down the toilet. Not a hater of Cape or anything, but I don't see this turning out well for the RW guys.
Click to expand...
Cape Air doesn't pay horribly. In 2008, I made $50k my first year flying the 402. I imagine it's better now.

Cape is a great gig, regardless.

EDIT: Sorry, realized the post I'm responding to was 5 months old.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top