Freight companies

graydog

graydog

New Member
Hello,
Does anyone know of any good freight companies out there? Ones with good airplanes, good maintenance, etc. I have just passed the 700TT mark with 137 multi (not current), and just thought I'd try to get any early start on finding some good companies. Of course I'm in the dilemma of going regional or cargo. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
I think a place like airnet would be a good shot for you. PM TXPilot and he can give you details.

As far as 135 piston freight goes their one of the biggest and most well respected in regards to planes, pay, and QOL.

They also have a SIC program were theyll hire you below 135 IFR mins, usually around 900 hours, and let you fly with another guy until you hit 1200.
Airnet.com and start applying update monthly....and before you know it you'll be in a baron plowing through the stars.
 
Boxes don't complain...

Check with Starwest out of Front Range in CO or maybe if you are interested in Merlin Airways *www.merlinairways.com* They fly Metro III's and SW4's out of SJU...enjoy the sun baby. Also look into DFW area...lots of Cargo out of there but I'm not sure of any of the companies. Mountain Air cargo or running company parts for a small commuter line as you work somewhere else in their company might help. This is all coming from someone in your same situation, so if you hear anything....drop me a line too would ya'?
 
Ive heard good things about airnet and flight express. I work for ameriflight and would recommend that as well. If you live on the west coast go AMF. If you live on the east coast go airnet. If you want quick turbine pic come over to AMF. Ive been on the line three months and if I wanted to move to SLC I could already get a BE99. But with your time your better off maybe at airnet because they can throw you into the right seat till you hit the 135 numbers. Good Luck!
 
Yep. At those hours you'll be real competitive with Airnet right now. If you get hired, they'll likely put you into a "pool" until you get to 1000 hours or so. Then you can go to training. They don't want their new hires spending too much time in the SIC program. 1000 hours is more of what they want to start training. I've heard that some regionals are hiring pilots with 700/100 and training them right away. If don't mind lots of right seat time and low pay, the regionals will work, but if you want good starting pay (raises not so great) and great PIC time, the freighters are the way to go.
 
falconvalley said:
Yep. At those hours you'll be real competitive with Airnet right now. If you get hired, they'll likely put you into a "pool" until you get to 1000 hours or so. Then you can go to training. They don't want their new hires spending too much time in the SIC program. 1000 hours is more of what they want to start training. I've heard that some regionals are hiring pilots with 700/100 and training them right away. If don't mind lots of right seat time and low pay, the regionals will work, but if you want good starting pay (raises not so great) and great PIC time, the freighters are the way to go.
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How do you justify your statement?

Ameriflight:
Beech 1900C
1 Year $0.00/hr. $19.45/hr.
2 Years $0.00/hr. $19.59/hr.
3 Years $0.00/hr. $19.74/hr.
4 Years $0.00/hr. $20.03/hr.
5 Years $0.00/hr. $20.31/hr.
Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia
1 Year $0.00/hr. $20.85/hr.
2 Years $0.00/hr. $21.71/hr.
3 Years $0.00/hr. $22.26/hr.
4 Years $0.00/hr. $23.20/hr.
5 Years $0.00/hr. $24.12/hr.

ASA (Typical regional):
ATR-72
1 Year $19.00/hr. $55.00/hr.
2 Years $34.00/hr. $56.00/hr.
3 Years $35.00/hr. $58.00/hr.
4 Years $36.00/hr. $60.00/hr.
5 Years $37.00/hr. $62.00/hr.
CRJ-200
1 Year $19.00/hr. $55.00/hr.
2 Years $34.00/hr. $56.00/hr.
3 Years $35.00/hr. $58.00/hr.
4 Years $36.00/hr. $60.00/hr.
5 Years $37.00/hr. $62.00/hr.
CRJ-700
1 Year $19.00/hr. $60.00/hr.
2 Years $37.00/hr. $62.00/hr.
3 Years $39.00/hr. $64.00/hr.
4 Years $40.00/hr. $66.00/hr.
5 Years $41.00/hr. $68.00/hr.

The regionals pay better than freight and you can get on with lower time. Source:www.pilotjobs.com
 
subpilot said:
How do you justify your statement?

Ameriflight:
Beech 1900C
1 Year $0.00/hr. $19.45/hr.
2 Years $0.00/hr. $19.59/hr.
3 Years $0.00/hr. $19.74/hr.
4 Years $0.00/hr. $20.03/hr.
5 Years $0.00/hr. $20.31/hr.
Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia
1 Year $0.00/hr. $20.85/hr.
2 Years $0.00/hr. $21.71/hr.
3 Years $0.00/hr. $22.26/hr.
4 Years $0.00/hr. $23.20/hr.
5 Years $0.00/hr. $24.12/hr.

ASA (Typical regional):
ATR-72
1 Year $19.00/hr. $55.00/hr.
2 Years $34.00/hr. $56.00/hr.
3 Years $35.00/hr. $58.00/hr.
4 Years $36.00/hr. $60.00/hr.
5 Years $37.00/hr. $62.00/hr.
CRJ-200
1 Year $19.00/hr. $55.00/hr.
2 Years $34.00/hr. $56.00/hr.
3 Years $35.00/hr. $58.00/hr.
4 Years $36.00/hr. $60.00/hr.
5 Years $37.00/hr. $62.00/hr.
CRJ-700
1 Year $19.00/hr. $60.00/hr.
2 Years $37.00/hr. $62.00/hr.
3 Years $39.00/hr. $64.00/hr.
4 Years $40.00/hr. $66.00/hr.
5 Years $41.00/hr. $68.00/hr.

The regionals pay better than freight and you can get on with lower time. Source:www.pilotjobs.com
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Your post justifies it. Read my post carefully. That's exactly what I said.
 
Thanks for the help guys. It sounds like Airnet is the only way to go while I'm under the 1200TT for 135 IFR mins. I'll keep building time as fast as I can to make myself more marketable too. What is everyone's future plans after flying freight?

Bluelake, I was just referring to the integrity and reliability of the planes. My current flight school has an excellent maintenance program, and I have never seen any 172N's that start up faster than new cars, and run very smoothly overall.
 
graydog said:
Thanks for the help guys. It sounds like Airnet is the only way to go while I'm under the 1200TT for 135 IFR mins. I'll keep building time as fast as I can to make myself more marketable too. What is everyone's future plans after flying freight?

Bluelake, I was just referring to the integrity and reliability of the planes. My current flight school has an excellent maintenance program, and I have never seen any 172N's that start up faster than new cars, and run very smoothly overall.
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Wah?!? What, do they keep sparkplugs and starters in their bench-stock or something? That's insane. My school's airplanes would be like "We'll have what they're having."
 
When i was at airnet they did a side by side comparison of workin at airnet vs a regional and you will get TONS more PIC time at airnet than you will at any regional, and the pay is equal to if not better than most of them.
 
All else equal, I'd do the freight.

Unless, of course, you like getting sneezed on by passengers, having to deal with cranky flight attendants and doing customer service.
 
Doug Taylor said:
All else equal, I'd do the freight.

Unless, of course, you like getting sneezed on by passengers, having to deal with cranky flight attendants and doing customer service.
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I would 100% rather do freight that regional if all was equal but I see a second year freight dog making $20K and a second year regional bus driver making $34K. That is not equal in my eyes. What about the free flight benefit for family, do you get that with freight? My wife and I would use this frequently.
 
That's Ameriflight vs. ASA, though. The first year pay is almost overwhelmingly taken by Airnet vs. most Regionals, but when you look at 2nd year and on, the Regionals run away with pay. I've seen alot of high teens low 20's first year with alot of companies, regardless of who or what you're carrying. But there are first year Gems out there...
 
At Amflight first year B99 Capt pay is $2500 and second year Metro Capt pay is $3500. I think both are doable if you are willing to move around. Trybysky made B99 Capt in about six months. Also, you are getting to PIC turbine much quicker than at a regional.

The downside might be less flying and more work. Less flying in that if you have a short run, you might only fly 2 to 3 hours a day. Some people like that, though. More work in that you work four or five days a week. However, I think typically your duty times are shorter. Maybe three hours on duty early in the morning to an outstation then three hours on duty back in at night. Some people like that.
 
exactly my point. You have to look past the first year when comparing these jobs. Even Airnet only pays apprx $24K-$26K from year 2 to year 5. I did use ASA as an example because I will not , nor should anyone else, ever consider working for a regional such as MESA or Great Lakes.
 
DE727UPS said:
At Amflight first year B99 Capt pay is $2500 and second year Metro Capt pay is $3500. I think both are doable if you are willing to move around. Trybysky made B99 Capt in about six months.
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These are much better figures than what I have found on my own. Now I would have no problem working for this salary.
 
subpilot said:
You have to look past the first year when comparing these jobs. Even Airnet only pays apprx $24K-$26K from year 2 to year 5.
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Except upgrades are pretty fast. So by year 2 or 3, you should be in the right seat of the Lear, which is about $30K base, and by year 3 or 4 you'll have a good chance to be in the left seat of the Lear, which is about 40K base. And I understand from our resident Airnet folks on this board that those numbers are base pay, which can be increased with OT and such.

That said, after about year 5 or so, there really isn't any comparison between the two -- at the point, the regionals really would be running away with it. But, since I would plan to be moving on to the fracs after about 5 years, it doesn't really matter for my preferred route. Your mileage may vary.

MF
 
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