Pilot shortage?

It's all about the Washingtons.....

I think it was around $450 for 3 jepp binders and the jacket. I can't reuse my trenchcoat, tie, or pants because they are US Airways navy blue.
 
I sure as hell did. See above. But my class was apparently the last class to have do do it they changed the policy on the next class (or so is the rumot).
 
Wait, people had to pay for their own jeps before? Is that common?

I believe Ameriflight also requires their piston and BE99 pilots pay for their charts. Or they did as of a year or two ago. Definately not common though.

We've seen a lot of changes in the regionals lately - pinnacle starting to pay for hotel/training, skywest starting to pay (at a reduced rate) for training, now paying for jepps, etc. My airline has doubled to tripled its training classes vs. this time 6 months ago and it's not because we're growing. 80% of the attrition is captains leaving for greener pastures. If it were mostly FO's leaving I'd be concerned but only a few are leaving. And even some that are leaving are going to the frax (if you're into that) or CAL.
 
I believe Ameriflight also requires their piston and BE99 pilots pay for their charts. Or they did as of a year or two ago. Definately not common though.

It's True, it blows, and it leads to people flying around with expired jepps, or NOS plates.
 
Yep, a lot of guys in my class had their first paycheck (and we weren't paid for training either!) come back as a bill. And that is NO joke!
 
Oh, man. Pinnacle actually looks a little bit better after that. Didn't know that about SkyWest.

As far as a pilot shortage, there is and there isn't. I think there's a shortage of qualified pilots willing to work for lower wages, so instead of raising wages, some airlines are lowering mins to let in the guys that don't wanna instruct. I think that's the wrong way to go. Jesus, I sound like Don. :)

I think it's a combination of the above and hype from academy type schools looking to boost enrollment when they start talking "pilot shortage."
 
Good question, I'm not sure. We are supposedly getting EFBs next year sometime (has been coming 'next month' for a looong time now). I know we'll have to carry our Jepps for awhile once they are installed, but thankfully I had my own binders (got'em free!) so they won't be getting those!
 
Ameriflight does NOT make you pay for Jepps. They can't in fact, the FAR's say that the company needs to furnish you with the plates you're going to be using. Hence, Ameriflight makes you pay for it outta pocket and they chunk of part of your paycheck to pay for Jepps and uniforms.

Do you ever see that chunk? No, but that's how accounting does it so they technically say you're not paying for your uniform or your Jepps, but you have to throw the cash money down up front.

It's $382.00 for a years subscription to the western U.S. plus $70 for two plastic binders. Uniform shirts are $17 each at Marv Golden, a pair of Dickies can be found for $20 each and you've gotta find a pair of work boots that'll fit the uniform description (not really very hard, I'm wearing Sketchers right now).

So it sucks, yes, but a first year Chieftain captain makes as much as a second year Pinnacle, Mesa or Colgan FO and AMF pilots can upgrade to turbine equipment (as PIC) in 6 months or less. It's all about tradeoffs eh?
 
Turbine is turbine, baby. I got hired with 0 hours of jet time but people seem to be convinced that the majors give a crap. Else there'd be a lot of former military C-130 drivers clawing folks eyes out for that RJ job to build some jet time.
 
But d00d jetz r0x0rs!!!!oneoneone11!!1! If yer not flyin' A JET then yer not a rEaLz pilot for shizzlenit! Mainlinez dont want turboprop time, you needz to fly A JET to get ANYWHERE l337!!!!!oneoneoneon11111!!!!!!!!!!
 
I flew for a freight company prior to AMF that had a full US/Canada subscription in every plane- updated and maintained by... get this- the know-nothing, careless dispatchers.

Nothing like pulling out a Jepp binder for BFE Nebraska at 2am in a total $hitstorm, and the ILS chart that's supposed to be there and that you can't get in without, is missing. Or wondering if they really had everything up to date while you're shooting a VOR-A to mins at some airport in the mountains in Vermont.

$250/year ($.68/day, tax deductible) for Jepp renewals really isn't that big of a deal for me. It's not ideal, but at least I know my plates are up to date, my paychecks aren't going to bounce, and the chances of me getting furloughed next week are pretty slim. I probably spend at least that much in bars in a month.

Besides, like JTrain said, there's an allowance in our paycheck for them. :insane: :rolleyes:
 
But d00d jetz r0x0rs!!!!oneoneone11!!1! If yer not flyin' A JET then yer not a rEaLz pilot for shizzlenit! Mainlinez dont want turboprop time, you needz to fly A JET to get ANYWHERE l337!!!!!oneoneoneon11111!!!!!!!!!!

Fo realz?! :)

Someone a couple weeks ago told me that ALL the majors are requiring jet time.

I asked, "Above and beyond turbine time?"

"Oh yeah..."

"Could you name one and also, what about the USAF & Army C-130 drivers plus the Navy P-3 drivers that all the airlines love?"

Suprisingly ignored the question and changed the subject.
 
Back
Top