Flight Express

Astro27

Astro27

New Member
Does anyone here currently or previously worked at Flight Express? I have checked out their web site, but would like to know more about the QOL/company culture.
Are there any 'lifers' there? What to they top out at in pay? Is it hard to be based out of Orlando? Is Flight Express similar to Ram Air, or is one better than the other?
I appreciate any info. Thanks.
 
I don't work there yet (start class hopefully the 28th) but since your questions are ones I asked and have had the same debate between different companies I thought I'd chime in. As far as QOL goes, as long as you are flexible it's one of the better freight companies to work for. Good MX, get paid more than a regional, and the employees are easy to work with. If the weather is exceptionally bad, say a supercell T-storm over the airport, ya won't be forced to go right away though once you get a break in the weather ya go. As for the type of job it's almost exactly the same as Ram. I think Flight Express has been around longer so they have more experience in the business than Ram. I wouldn't say either one is better than the other, just different. If you are like me and would rather have a FL base you want eventually and don't care about what you are flying, pick Flight Express. If you want a quicker upgrade to the twin and probably never see Florida, go Ram. It all depends on what YOU want. As for lifers at Flight Express, there are a few, most of them Baron drivers so that may explain the 9-12 month (6-8 month advertised) upgrade time. Pay tops out at $36,400 a year assuming you do a max 14 hour duty day 5 days a week, 260 days a year. Pretty much impossible! I'm expecting my pay to range in the low $20Ks. Still better than a regional right? Finally as for being based in Orlando, it's possible to get ORL as a base out of school, then again you may not. It all depends on what openings the company has at the time of your ground school. As a noob you go where they need you and later on if you are set on a spot they'll try to get you where you want to go as more noobs sign on. I myself also want a FL base but I have to be willing to go anywhere at first. There's plenty more info if you do a forum search on flight express...ranging from training gouges to living arrangements, etc. Hope this helps.

Will
 
Ive been with FLX almost 4 months now, i enjoy it alot more than i thought I would , in 4 months ive only had two weather issues, i had to delay once for a few minutes because it was down-pouring so hard i couldnt see the plane from the FBO and last week the whole route of my last leg was covered with sever Tstorms and hail, dispatch didnt argue, or even pressure me, to top that they even paid for me a room at the hilton garden, how man 210 drivers work for a company that will do that? There are some lifers, but most people move on, and the experience you gain is priceless. I have a have a 13 hour duty day with 4 hours of flight time, and i make just as advertised $130 a day, which is good consdiering that a new hire at a regional airline only would make $80 for 4 hours flight. MY whole run is the day as many of the runs are, and decent benifits. Negatives are equipment is pretty old, and its hot as hell out here, i wanna fly something with a comfy cabin where i dont get the swamp ass lol.
 
Sorry for taking so long to respond - I've been sleeping the day away.

At work.

For Flight Express.

Get the hints there??:D

As far as being different than Ram Air, not really. How is Chautauqua different from Express Jet? Different Company, different bases, same type of flying.

Company cultures are slightly different, although I've only worked for one of them. I believe that RAF has a daily pay system, where as Flight Express has an hourly pay system. You'll get paid $10/duty hour, with a minimum pay of $75/day. If you work a 14-hour duty day, you get $140/day. If you work a 4-hour duty day, you get $75.

Let me warn you - a 14-hour duty day takes alot of your day up. I have to take three naps, eat twice, borrow the crew car at least once, and surf LOTS of internet to pass the time . . . :nana2:

There are a couple of lifers. We had one at CPS, who is now down in ORL. Strange thing, really. I don't think I could stay longer than a couple of years.

As far as being based in Orlando, really, it's a crap shoot. You never know where you're going to be needed. Things change constantly. When they tell you that they don't know what will be needed by the end of your class, they're telling the truth.

The posts above have been right on, though . . . but watch that flyboy guy. He ain't right . . .
 
i was there for 14 months, just left.. like they said, good company, decent pay, and cool people to work with. BUT my baron upgrade was 12 months to the day, and that was taking the first run that came open. i enjoyed my time there.
 
"The posts above have been right on, though . . . but watch that flyboy guy. He ain't right . . ."

This coming from a man who sings Springtime for Hitler while shooting Instrument Approaches lol. In all seriousness though, this job will make anyone question their sanity at times!
 
And they'll have the same problem again next year, too. The reason for the long upgrade is the fact that they have to have enough pilots to fill all the 210 runs before a current 210 pilot can upgrade into the baron. Trouble is, most people who meet the hiring mins would rather fly a shiny jet and be a radio jock instead of flying a dirty 210 and getting the best flying experience possible.

So.... help us out. Come fly a 210, so someone can upgrade!

I've been with FLX since 12/04 and although I promise I'm not a lifer, I don't want to leave because:
1) I like being my own captain
2) I get paid $135 a day to sit on my ass and don't want to take a pay cut and take the chance of having to WORK at the same time
3) The MX and my fellow pilots are the best people (especially those at CPS and the CPS alums!!)
 
moxiepilot, Brad is working at Air Tran these days. I have been at Flight Express for 11 months and I am on track to make 32K.
 
Question for you guys there already. I contacted the pilot recruiter and expressed interest in attending the Aug 28th hiring class. He said he'd put me down for the 28th tentatively, asked me to send him a resume, and then he'd call me to make it all official. It's been about a week since I sent the resume and no call. Should I contact him to make sure he got it? Maybe even drive down there and walk it in? What do you think?

Will
 
Things are really crazy there, especially this week. Do contact the recruiter again, and make sure he's there when you send in the resume. Send it to 407-894-1260. Check out mtsu_av8r's gouge on the ground/flight training. It's not hard, but you do have to put forth a bit of effort to pass. Hope to see you soon!!
 
FLX has a base in ATL correct?

How long would I have to deal with an odd commute to wherever before I could bid for ATL?

I'd move again, but the wife (and myself honestly) won't be able to do it again for a number of years, at least until I'm flying for 121.

Plus I suppose, with ATL only being a 210 base. . . multi time would be pretty much zero. :(

Also, here is a hypothetical.

Say I get on with FLX, get my dream base of ATL, do my time on the 210, then upgrade to the Baron. Is it possible to "jumpseat" on a 210 flight from ATL-Baron Base?
 
surreal1221 said:
FLX has a base in ATL correct?
Click to expand...

I know we DID. I'm not sure if we do anymore.

How long would I have to deal with an odd commute to wherever before I could bid for ATL?
Click to expand...

You could bid for ATL immediately, but we know that that guarantees!!

Plus I suppose, with ATL only being a 210 base. . . multi time would be pretty much zero. :(
Click to expand...

Flexibility is the key!!

Also, here is a hypothetical.

Say I get on with FLX, get my dream base of ATL, do my time on the 210, then upgrade to the Baron. Is it possible to "jumpseat" on a 210 flight from ATL-Baron Base?
Click to expand...

Absolutely impossible. In all honesty. :(
 
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