ATC or Fly?
Hey everyone and thanks in advance for any insight you're able to provide.
I've been a long time lurker and have found this forum instrumental in my research, though I still have some basic questions.
I've gone through and looked at what I can find on the lifestyle, general outlook, QoL, etc. between the different types of operations. I don't have a certain direction picked out soley as everything is still on the table but I am leaning more towards Charter/Coporate operations.
I am currently an Air Traffic Controller/TERPSter in the USAF, due to get out soon. I have a few recruiters hitting me up to do TERPs for them and have considered it for an airline or two. Though sitting behind a desk isnt the most glorious thing and I've been dying here lately. I also have a TOL for the FAA to do ATC. I left ATC in the AF because of the constantly rotating schedule.
I am set to graduate next may with a BA in Aviation Business Management/Logistics and also have my Dispatchers License ( I plan to do nothing with this).
My earlier goals where to leave the ATC and TERPS world behind, with the goal of finding a GM postion at an FBO or work my way into airport operations (airport or airline). All airlines are also an option, but I found that not many of those positions get to work directly with the aircraft. So now, I have set pilot as my #1 option.
As I continue my training and build these hours, I have a few remaining questions about some of the difference between a few operations as these are what I am most interested in.
Charter vs Corporate
Just doing some preliminary research around the web I have found a few terms that I am not able to find concrete definitions for and seems like one company may use a term differently than others.
Home Basing- I see some conversations or titles advertising this, with it being an option or not allowed. Some conversations lead me to believe that this is an option that you are allowed to commute to the airplane. I have also seen "home basing" but then a certain hour restriction from the airplane.
So my question is, what is the general definition and to be expected when trying to find an outfit that allows home basing?
Schedules- Yes, I don't want to run back into ATC because of the schedule and I understand that flying may not present the most glorious schedule either. Here is an example of a few of the schedules I've worked:
Schedule 1- Day (7a-3p), Day (7a-3p), Swing (3p-11p), Swing (3p-11p), Mid (11p-7a), Mid (11p-7a), Off, repeat.
Schedule 2- Rotating weekly; week 1 days 7:30a-4:30p, week 2 swings 4:30p-2:30a, week 3 swing help 6:30p-1a or 2a), start schedule over, days off s&s.
Schedule 3- Swing (2:30p-10:30p), Swing (1:30p-9:30), Day (6:30-2:30p), Mid (8 hour turn from day shift; 10:30p-6:30a)
These schedules are miserable, mandatory over time that is scheduled in the FAA and if you get called and accidently answer the phone, you must come to work.
What I like about the Charter/Corporate flying that I have seen a lot is pilots express that they are home most nights of the month. Either way, in ATC or Flying, I'm either working the mids or asleep at home.
So, in the last 90 days, if you're a C/C pilot, how many nights have you been away?
Type Ratings/Contract Work- I see a lot about type ratings, who will type pilots, contract work for certain types. Is there anyone that can shed some insight in their daily/monthly/yearly lives that may be only doing contract work? I have lightly browsed around looking for type requirements and where this happens. I have come to the conclusion that it is all done in the simulators at companies such as Flight Safety.
Benefits- Are these laregly provided across aviation or am I going to find that this is lacking in some sectors versus the 121's?
Last, past non-flying experience- When trying to sell myself, should I really emphasize my past non flying experience? I know my experience is soley in the aviation realm, but how much should I place on that when it comes to abilities in this new to me sector?
Thanks everyone again in advance.