Originally Posted by
evanss9550
Awesome, thanks for the update. I chatted with a recruiter earlier and got a ton of great information. I've been flying in the corporate market for about 12 years now and have my ATP, some types, and a good amount of turbine PIC. I think I'll be able to get in pretty quickly according to what he said. Now it's decision time....i'm sitting on a pretty lucrative offer to fly a Challenger 300 PIC Part 135, and also have a pretty comfortable job right now. I'm not sure that my current path will ever get me to a major though.
Oh, I'm sure the recruiter was very excited to give a you a ton of info, whether or not it was good information is debatable. The majority of guys we are hiring are cfi's with the minimum multi time, and rotor transition pilots. Our training is good, but this isn't Flight Safety, or Simuflite, where the info is spoon fed to you and the type is practically handed to you. Your success will largely hinge on your study habits and sim partner, who more than likely has never flown a jet, unless he's coming from another regional.
I'm a former corporate guy too, and you will be in for an eye opening experience in terms of pay, benefits, and how you are treated. You are just a number. No more company credit card, leisurely lunches/diners, fuel points, hotel points, and rental cars. Your perdiem will afford you subway, chic filet, and whatever fast food is walking distance from the hotel.
You have part 135 time which will be used toward's your 1000 121 time to upgrade, at which point you will be forced to the left seat to be a junior reserve Capt (hope you are familiar with crash pads if you don't live in base)on short call with for probably the next 2.5 years. QOL doesn't really begin here until you are a line holder, which means you have more control over your schedule and credit.
Not sure why PSA is your choice, but there are other good regional's with better pay and work rules. Like Chris said the LCC's are an option as well both as a career or a step up towards the Legacies if that is your goal. I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy, just trying to give you info from the other perspective. I too had a great corporate gig and miss the pay and bennies, but I do enjoy 121 as well. I'm just trying to get to the next level like everyone else. In your present position, I would rather be applying to the LCCs or legacies from a good job, than from regional level pay and never get there. What I'm saying, is don't go backwards to try and get ahead.