Effect of "pilot shortage" in frac/charter operators

badtransam97

badtransam97

Well-Known Member
Since there is a massive hiring spree going on at the regional level, and supposedly an upcoming hiring wave at the major level, how do you all think will this affect the hiring numbers in fractional/charter sector if any?
Seems like it might trickle down to this side of things if guys are wanting to get over to the majors at some point versus staying put in the 135 or 91k side of the house...
 
MikeOH58 said:
Your "typical" 135 is going to feel it before operators like Flexjet and Netjets.
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Bingo. There is no shortage of pilots or applicants here at NetJets. The first charter outfit I went to after flying freight can't find anyone except 70 year old ex cons with 2 DUIs...
 
Inverted said:
Bingo. There is no shortage of pilots or applicants here at NetJets. The first charter outfit I went to after flying freight can't find anyone except 70 year old ex cons with 2 DUIs...
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Sweeeettttt, finally one I am qualified for!!!!

(age, not the other.....)
 
Yeah, it's already pretty bad in the 135 world. We are running at something along the lines of less than 50% staffing, WAY less. I think some companies are going to go out of business because they can't find pilots. Cant fly a plane without a pilot.....I made a joke in a meeting the other day when we were discussing a new route we are about to add and suggested we start giving our CSAs remote controls so they could fly our planes remotely.

Woe to the 135 who has a bad reputation......
 
Couldn't these 135 and 91 operators start offering to pay for type ratings and pay a bit more on insurance, and solve their problem though? If they can afford the plane I would think most companies can afford the extra cost.

I mean, if the CEOs want to ride in style, they can give up part of their bonus, etc. :stir:
 
I know of a Falcon 900 on a national 135 cert. that can't find a pilot. No one wants to move to OAK for low wages and a 135 job even if it is large cabin. Tho they ask for 500hrs in type.
 
Can't wait to see the picture three to five years from now. Either it will be a respectable wage/QOL or companies will be toast. Mom and Pop 135 ("pop up 135") is a pretty crummy life to begin with. BTDT and quite literally got the tee-shirt.
 
Or everything crashes again, age 68, airlines stop hiring and the retired airline guys will do it for "beer money".

Who knows...
 
I'm about to take a job with a semi local 135 outfit, and I'll be flying "co-captain" I guess you could say, in a MU-2, and will also be doing some right seat in Lear 25. I'm hoping to get some pretty good multi time relatively quick so I can move on to TMC or XOjet etc..not shooting for the moon with NetJets just yet, but would gladly accept an offer from them if given the chance once I hit mins.
I figured this route might be better for me than a regional for a few reasons..one is the commute is virtually non existant compared to any regional out there(2hr drive up to base &will be staying with relatives while at work), the pay is better, and I can log multi pic time on the 91 legs, and SIC on the 135 legs(it's pax carrying 135). Plus they fly about 80hrs or more a month, so hopefully won't have to be there terribly long lol!
 
badtransam97 said:
I'm about to take a job with a semi local 135 outfit, and I'll be flying "co-captain" I guess you could say, in a MU-2, and will also be doing some right seat in Lear 25. I'm hoping to get some pretty good multi time relatively quick so I can move on to TMC or XOjet etc..not shooting for the moon with NetJets just yet, but would gladly accept an offer from them if given the chance once I hit mins.
I figured this route might be better for me than a regional for a few reasons..one is the commute is virtually non existant compared to any regional out there(2hr drive up to base &will be staying with relatives while at work), the pay is better, and I can log multi pic time on the 91 legs, and SIC on the 135 legs(it's pax carrying 135). Plus they fly about 80hrs or more a month, so hopefully won't have to be there terribly long lol!
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Make sure you get the SFAR sign off and icing training (unless it's AD compliant) for the Mits or the time won't count. Not any different than a type rating unfortunately.
 
milleR said:
Make sure you get the SFAR sign off and icing training (unless it's AD compliant) for the Mits or the time won't count. Not any different than a type rating unfortunately.
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Yeah I made it clear with them I wanted the SFAR training ASAP. The CP is an authorized instructor, so he said I'd get the SFAR within the first few weeks. Basically as soon as we can get the flight time in and the ground training. I was under the impression one had to go to a "specialized" school for the SFAR, but evidently as long as the instructor meets the req in the SFAR as an instructor, that will suffice?
 
badtransam97 said:
Yeah I made it clear with them I wanted the SFAR training ASAP. The CP is an authorized instructor, so he said I'd get the SFAR within the first few weeks. Basically as soon as we can get the flight time in and the ground training. I was under the impression one had to go to a "specialized" school for the SFAR, but evidently as long as the instructor meets the req in the SFAR as an instructor, that will suffice?
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That's correct. Enjoy the experience, it's a phenomenal aircraft!
 
milleR said:
That's correct. Enjoy the experience, it's a phenomenal aircraft!
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I'm pretty excited about it! I'm coming from EMS helicopters, so it will be my first taste at flying fixed wing on a commercial level. I want to get into the charter/frac side of things vs 121, so I hope this helps get me there.
 
I've seen a higher than normal turnover in my area. Either attrition or people are just tired of dealing with the crap that 135 operations demand of their employees.
 
The 135 that I work for operates a few different types of aircraft and we are beyond short staffed. Only have 1 crew for a 601, 1 crew for a G-IV, and currently only 1 crew each for the 3 C680s that we have. Also, my company apparently just hired a new SIC for one of the C680s and he only have 600 TT. So there's that. . .
 
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