Originally Posted by
starphisone
Hello, I’ve read through as much as I could and found it touched on once or twice but hoping for a little more in depth information. Got an interview scheduled so no need to stress about making a decision till the interview is passed but also want all the info I can get before that time comes. Looking for peoples experience leaving the regionals for flexjet? I understand the schedule is different and the customer aspect is different. Before going to the airlines I hadn’t even thought about the fractionals, now that the opportunity might arise it seems exciting but also “scary” leaving what I know for something so different. Thanks for any and all info!
I should also add I currently commute 2.5 hr flight :/ (and live in a FJ domicile)
I’d be VERY cautious. I was 121 and I’ve been in 135 for 4years. Black in white it’s a no brainer I’m a 3rd year captian and with some overtime Im $180~$200k range. Know my schedule a year in advance, no commuting, rental cars, crew meals, door dash stipend, keep hotel/ airline points. There’s perks…but it’s a young bucks game. What they don’t tell you is it’s day 9 of 15. Your in TEB in July pax are delayed by 1.5hrs. They finally arrive only to now find out you have an EDCT delay. Meanwhile ops is already asking you about tomorrows trips for your 12pm departure out of ASE-MIA with 8 people @ 1200 local MOS projected temps are 29c-33c (fuel stop) with max baggage weight for a VERY VERY important client. Finally your loaded up for the second time in TEB and a cabin PACK $hits out on you and there’s 2 infants in the back in the middle of summer. You can MEL it but now you need a fuel stop and now you don’t have the duty. So you call ops they put another crew on the trip you Uber to EWR for a short airline flight to pick up a new jet and another journey. Some guys will say “that dosent happen at XYZ we’re amazing” we’ll a 135 pilot is the mix of a glorified Uber driver and Amazon delivery truck. Constantly re-stocking airplanes, flight planning, weight and balance, arrange hotels, a lot of “please book this or cancel that” . I’ve done both sides. It’ll make you a damn good pilot and some people love this job and to each is on but that story is one of many. I’ve got my foot out the door of 135 and into121 where I can hang my hat. A lot of work rules at regionals suck and and so does commuting but I’ll match my best day against your worst any day of the year. Best of luck