Upcoming Layoff From Ram Air Freight

pilot4500

pilot4500

IT Architect/ Former Cirrus Charter Pilot
I received my layoff notice from Ram Air Freight in my e-mail inbox a couple of days ago. Ram Air Freight has been in the check hauling business since 1982, and they recently found out that all of their Bank of America runs are going away as of September 17. That is also the date that my layoff takes place. BoA was one of their biggest customers. After 3.75 years of employment, I was selected for the latest round of layoffs.

It should be noted that the selection of who gets laid off did not go in order of seniority. I was selected because our DO felt that I and one other CLT based pilot have the best chances of finding other employment. How our DO arrived at that conclusion is a mystery, but that is what happened.

It is unlikely that Ram Air Freight will be in business for too much longer, as many banks are choosing to drive their checks to processing centers to save money. A few banks are sending them electronically, but most are sending them by truck instead of airplane.

Flying for RAF has certainly been interesting, and never boring. I came in with 2,000TT and 13 multi, and I leave with 5,500 TT and 1,300 multi. I would say that was a good run, and a lot of good experience flying old airplanes through all weather.

I will continue the job hunt. If nothing materializes in the next two weeks, I will head to the unemployment line and become one of Obama's orphans.
 
Sorry to read about the layoff. Nothing like a nice personal e-mail to deliver the message. Also, sounds pretty lame on the excuse side. Since you are among the most capable of finding employment, management must want to keep those less capable? Seems "slightly" patronizing. Hopefully they will be willing to provide a glowing reference.

I'm sure that something will come your way. Those seem like pretty respectable numbers. Good luck.
 
I used to work JQF as well, sorry to see you guys go.
Best of luck to you and I honestly think you will find something better with those times.
 
That is so messed up they didnt lay off in order of seniority.

Im sorry they screwed you over like that, but the others are right, hopefully this will lead to a better opportunity
 
Thank you very much for the support guys. I hope to find something better. I applied with another company in JQF and am hoping for the best there. I always thought that everything in aviation went by seniority, including layoffs, but apparently I was wrong.
 
pilot4500 said:
Thank you very much for the support guys. I hope to find something better. I applied with another company in JQF and am hoping for the best there. I always thought that everything in aviation went by seniority, including layoffs, but apparently I was wrong.
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Hang in there. Something will come up. I hope the check hauling stays for as long as possible but sadly it seems the strings are slowly being cut one by one.
 
Dang man, sorry to hear that. I literally emailed a friend of mine an hour ago to ask how RAF was doing (he is down to one run on Friday nights).

Here's to hoping you find something soon. Good luck!
 
upup89 said:
Hang in there. Something will come up. I hope the check hauling stays for as long as possible but sadly it seems the strings are slowly being cut one by one.
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I think that check hauling is definitely going away. I knew that it would happen eventually, but I think the bad economy has accelerated the process. It is cheaper to drive the checks than it is to fly them. That is what will ultimately kill Ram Air.
 
That is really dumb that they did not lay off in order of seniority. That is the first time I have ever heard of anything like that happening. Your times can get you somewhere better though. I would try to look into some corporate stuff, or if you want to go airlines you can for sure get into the regionals with that amount of time. I am sure it will all work out for the best brother. Good luck to you on the job hunt.
 
Muff3n said:
That is really dumb that they did not lay off in order of seniority. That is the first time I have ever heard of anything like that happening. Your times can get you somewhere better though. I would try to look into some corporate stuff, or if you want to go airlines you can for sure get into the regionals with that amount of time. I am sure it will all work out for the best brother. Good luck to you on the job hunt.
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That is also the first time that I have ever heard of a company not laying off in order of seniority. Corporate flying is what I would really like to get into. Honestly the more I learn about the airlines, the less I want to work for them. It is tough to get into corporate flying without a lot of connections though. Nevertheless, I will keep looking.
 
pilot4500 said:
I think that check hauling is definitely going away. I knew that it would happen eventually, but I think the bad economy has accelerated the process. It is cheaper to drive the checks than it is to fly them. That is what will ultimately kill Ram Air.
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The check hauling business has dwindle down to two options. 1) Drive the little work that is left to the processing centers. 2) Flight Express.
Flight Express is flourishing right now with all of these banks not wanting to pay high fees to get the few boxes that still have to be taken. Besides the fact they are BofA main courier.
None the less, sorry to hear about your situation. Although, your time should help your chances. Best of Luck!
 
Sorry to hear that, man. The check biz is defiantly going away, and im waiting on it to hit us. We're down to two runs, but they really help cushion us during the winter when the float flying slows down. If those go away well, idk.

Good luck on the hunt.
 
Sorry man. I fly out of JQF and you guys are first class.

My only comment about your being let go is that North Carolina is a right to work state so I'm thinking this in addition to your times might have played in the decision.
 
If Ram Air Freight doesnt have a union contract then it is not uncommon for companies like this to layoff out of seniority. This very same thing happened at the company I used to work for and I have heard of it happening at other places.

Good luck in your job search, I am sure you will find something better anyway.
 
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