BPWI

With all due respect, with corporate aviation its typically your networking capability which can lead you to the best positions. I find it laughable that the negatives noted are cleaning a airplane and lifting bags. We employ a full time aircraft detailer and 4 master techs to help with any passenger bags. Yes, I busted my a** for 12 years to get to this position. If you want to compare a crap 135 gig to 121 then I'll bite, but the top tier positions offer security, compensation and a home life that I'll stick with over spending the next 3-8 years of my life as a junior sh*thead. No offense intended.

galaxy flyer

We had a guy who went to a top-flight department--nary a worry about mechanicals or cleaning, our department has a detailed and a Leading Edge contract fir when his not available. On the rids we expense a detailing when needed. The F/A does a quick vacuum on a deadhead or after landing. Yes, putting a Global to bed can take time, but it ain't that hard.

If you do get furloughed in corporates, at least you don't have to start at the bottom of a list. The demand is high now--lots of offerings and salaries improving. The guy above was just asked for " a number". At mid-thirties, he's knocking down 200K plus bennies. Not many 35 year-old RJ or mainline guys doing that.

What I like is everyday is different. This year I've done a week in ?Brasil, one in Switzerland, one in London plus an Asian trip. I get to actually plan a trip, decide on what I want as fuel stops, what hotel I'll use, what airline I'll fly.

I get to see a lot of departments, some headed by ex-121 guys including one by an ex-DL guy. Overseas, airline guys seek out corporates as their airlines are miserable to work for. US legacies are almost uniquely good.

GF

Windsor

I did 5 years at a regional. Another few years slinging freight and air ambo 135. I am on my first corporate gig as a chief for a company in my hometown. My QOL as far as flying schedule is through the roof! I only overnight one or 2 nights a month, Fly about 30 hours a month and drive 20 minutes to the hangar. Since I'm the Capt, I get to fly with my favorite pilot every trip. I contract out the right seat, so I get to choose who I want to fly with. Some guys are great, others suck and I never have to call them again. I make 6 figures to sleep in my own bed, get quarterly bonuses, turkeys for thanksgiving, hams for Xmas, fantastic company Xmas party at a swank restaurant in the area, all I can eat, no questions asked, put it all on my company card food, hotel, rental car, entertainment (golfing movies). I collected more Atlantic points than I care to pay taxes on and I fly a little rocket for an airplane.

But there are some downsides.....I am the boss. I run the whole show. I am in charge of everything from the septic tank in the hangar to the toilet in the plane (which I gladly tip line guys $50 to change out for me) I had to learn how to manage the plane, maintenance, the Feds, loa's, a boss who can be a tough read at times, flight planning, FBO planning, fuel planning, arraigning rental cars, hotels, catering. I do have to clean the plane every leg, check the stock, empty the garbage, get fresh coffee, ask the pax if they want anything every leg and when we get home, I clean the outside of the plane as well. It is a ton more work than 121. But for now, I wouldn't leave unless a major called and it looked like I could get hired into their base next to my house. I will never go back to commuting. The way I see it, I'm getting paid good money to stay at home, sleep in my own bed, see my kids and learn a ton about the other side of the industry.

PittsDriver

I like the corporate side. Been doing it for a couple years since leaving the military. Still waiting for that call from a major but not sure if I would go if I got the call. Very good salary, and fly about 20 hours a month. Owners are awesome, just had a trip to NYC for 4 days and they asked if I wanted to take my family, so did. Sure, I can make a lot more at the majors (if I ever get called) but I have 2 young kids and see them almost every day. Yes, I have to clean the plane, keep it stocked, etc, but that is minor stuff. I would take that at this point in my life instead of trying to commute to a base for an airline. Every corporate department is different. Prior to my current job I was flying 135 charter, and hated it. Now I am flying 91 only, no charter, and love it.

Trip7AMT

only?? for sitting on your ass?

cleared4ils

I'm a previous 121 check-airman, that moved to the corporate world about 7 1/2 years ago. I absolutely loved the flying in the 121 world! However, since I was commuting, my wife and kids weren't happy with me...
I was blessed to get an offer at an awesome company flying 2 different brand new corporate jets. They typed me single-pilot in both right away, and after a couple of years I was above average pay on the larger of the two. After several years of being there, I was once again blessed with the opportunity to switch companies on at the same airport flying left seat in a nice Gulfstream! QOL for me is AWESOME, we fly to great places, stay in great hotels, get rental cars on the road, allowed to eat at nice restaurants, and the list goes on and on. I absolutely love the overall advantages it provides for me over the airlines, including time at home.
Yes, I am in charge of flight planning, mx, stocking the plane, etc... (Although we do have someone that cleans the hangar and a/c). I will never make $200k where I'm at, but in a small mid-west town, I live VERY well.
Most of my friends are still at the airlines, and doing well at legacy carriers. It's a totally different environment, but for them, it's what they enjoy. For me, the "right" corporate job is better for my family and I, but I would say take all of this info, and make the decision based on what you prefer. To many people despise the "other side", but we all love aviation, and that's what brings us on here! There's crappy jobs in both worlds, just find a great company/airline, and enjoy it!!
Good luck

smorgan6

Agreed. Corporate can be a tangle of politics and butt kissing. However, I've been given many opportunities and experiences that I never would have encountered at the regionals. I get paid to fly all over the world accompanied with lots of down time and relaxation. Not too bad for a single guy like myself but for a married or family man you'd better be ready to spend a good chunk of your life 'Gone.' If your going to the skanky 135 or corporate world be ready to surround yourself with a different breed of pilot as well. A lot of these dudes are "Ace of the Base" type personalities and (for me) are hard to hang out with after awhile. I left Eagle 8 years ago and wish I never would have left. I prefer the camaraderie of the 121 world myself.

Seniority= Right way of doing things
Merit= Brown nose way of doing things

Quagmire

Made the switch to corporate years ago and have zero regrets. The only thing airlines and corporate have in common is airplanes. Every other aspect is different, and EVERY corporate job is different.

121 things are relatively predictable. Most things you can see coming. Corporate is very unpredictable.

It depends on your personality and how it matches with the corporate job. Find the one that works for you and you will never look back. Find the wrong one and you will be miserable and lost.

With the job I have my income is considerably higher, less stress, great benefits, home 25+ nights a month, and job security**. Again, zero regrets.



**there is really no such thing as job security in corporate flying. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.

ThreeGreens

You'd better like the group your with, sometimes you fly with the same person over and over and over.

7700

I did 18 years of what some would consider the best corporate flying available and have spent the last 4 years at what most would consider the best cargo airline in the world.

I make great money with the a lot more in my future, have the best schedule I could hope for as a junior FO, and fly huge airplanes for an incredible company with limitless variety available.

Cons: Seniority system will always suck unless you were hired before your 27th birthday. What you pay in dues, taxes and optional insurances is about 45% on $200k which is much higher than what I was paying on a 91 gig. The best jobs have lots of very senior(old) pilots, of which you will be someday, that just aren't as much fun to fly with as I was used to. Holiday is just a day in 121(get used to working most of them for 7 years as an FO then 7 more when you make CA). Union Vs. Company politics is as painful as Flight Dept politics only on a much more massive scale and shorter cycle. Flying at night and sleeping all day ages you at a much faster rate(probably as much as commuting a pax day carrier). It just isn't as much fun but an incredible career.

Corporate Cons: One jerk or lousy pilot can be up to 50% of the crew force. Work rules are written in chalk and change as fast as schedules. Your wife's or kids events are not factored into the scheduling software( I rarely missed holidays but always missed birthdays.) You can't drop/add trips on your phone at will. 18 great years = 8 very lucky interviews and 6 failed retirements. TEB, MDW and ASE(if your not from there they get old!) Corporate Goal alignment and assessment(Don't crash is not a 6 sigma approved goal)(I'm a 3 time Green belt). De-icing part 91 is like oral surgery. Maintenance on the road requires a CPA to set up net 90 payment.

Corporate Pros: For me it was great flying, fun airplanes, and great layovers. 121 is ALL regs and 91 is just one(don't bend anything and know one cares how you got there)

Conclusion: I like them both! I will never leave what I'm doing now but if something happens I don't think I could ever take being the bottom of a seniority list again. I would go back to corporate if this job collapsed. It isn't easy to switch but it is possible.