Q: What's a normal day like working as a pilot at Flight Express?
A: Each run is different and no two are alike. Most runs are Monday through Friday with weekends off.
Q: What equipment will I fly at Flight Express?
A: All new-hires start out in the C210 Centurion and transition to the Beechcraft Baron when seniority allows. Aircraft are all IFR equipped and current.
Q: What is the transition time to the Beechcraft Baron currently running?
A: As of Winter 2006, transition time is currently running 8-12 months depending on the location.
Q: I've heard Part 135 operators have bad maintenance. Is that true?
A: Some 135 companies have ruined the reputation of the entire industry. As a company, it behooves us to have excellent maintenance so our aircraft are dispatched on time day in and day out. Our staff of highly qualified in-house maintenance personnel sees to it that the job is done right the first time.
Q: I've heard that freight pilots are required to fly no matter what the weather.
A: We value our employees, aircraft, and customers' cargo more than simply getting the job done. Pilots are asked to complete their routes safely and legally. As pilot-in-command, you are ultimately responsible for giving the go or no-go decision. As a company, we stand behind our pilots' decisions.
Q: Where are pilots based?
A: Pilots are based at a number of domiciles throughout the southeast and Midwest. Your seniority number determines your first base assignment/choice. That number is established in ground school by your written test score. If you are located in an area that is not your first preference you are able to bid for any run that opens. You may bid for another run and/or domicile as often as you like. For a full list of domiciles, please see our domiciles page. Pilots generally live where they are based.
Q: How much do pilots make?
A: Pilots make anywhere from $23,400 to $43,680 their first year based on the run assigned. Pilots bid runs based on seniority, and the length of the duty day determines pay rate. All duty days of 7.5 hours or less pay $90 per day, and any time over and above 7.5 hours pays a $12.00 per hour of duty time, regardless of flight time. Example: A six-hour duty day pays the minimum of $90/day. Once you duty day goes to an eight-hour duty day your pay will be $12.00 a duty hour. So, a ten-hour duty day would pay you a $120.00. For a complete review of our payscale, please see our news article regarding it.
Q: Are there any specific class dates for new-hire training?
A: Class dates are organized when necessary to replace attrition. Please contact our recruitment office if interested in working for us, and they will let you know when the next ground school date is.
Q: After finishing training, do pilots have to stay for any period of time?
A: Pilots are not required to sign a Bonus Pay contract - the only caveat is that the $1000.00 bonus can be kept if your tenure lasts for longer than 6 months.
Q: Does Flight Express pay during training? How about room and board?
A: The moment you become an employee, Flight Express pays our normal pay rate ($23,400 /yr) effective the first day of training and provides a free hotel room for new-hire pilots during training. The only cavet is, you do not receive the compensation unless you actually COMPLETE the training.
Q: How do I prepare for the ground and flight training?
A: Anyone coming in to the training should be good on instruments and be able to pass a SIM ride. To prepare for the ground and flight portion please visit Austin Collins website.
Q: Do you have any benefits?
A: Flight Express features a 401K program., dental and health insurance plans, vacation package with two weeks paid vacation after one full year of employment, and direct deposit of your paycheck into your personal bank account.
Q: Do you have jump seat privileges?
A: Because of the nature of our business we cannot reciprocate, therefore we have no standing agreements.
Q: Where do pilots go after leaving Flight Express?
A: Pilots typically receive jobs as line pilots at 121 carriers such as Chautauqua, Express Jet, Pinnacle, CommutAir, fractionals, etc. or move on to corporate jobs.
