WAG 76-84 hours.

 

No ATP and no real flying time in 10 years? I’m sorry but you’re not going to immediately jump to a major. You’d have to start at a regional and take a massive paycut. Sounds like you have a decent gig, I’d stick with that. But, if the flying bug really get ya apply everywhere and see what happens.

 

I'll tell you the same thing I tell all the young prospective pilots I know. Unless you absolutely love airplanes, flying, and the pilot lifestyle don't do this. This isn't a career you get into solely for economics. If you do that you'll hate it because in this industry things rarely go the way you think they will long term.

- A pilot of the Lost Decade.

 

My neighbor growing up was a TRACON controller and manager most of his career. Over the years he got all his certs and built up time on the side. By the time he retired around 55 he was able to build enough contacts to immediately land a job flying MD80’s for an ACMI the day he retired from the FAA. He had a full retirement with the government. Roughly a year later he was hired at Spirit. Few years after that was in the left seat for almost seven years. Pretty cool if you ask me. Do whats best for you and your family. I would say stick it out and get involved flying. I even knew another guy come to think of it, he paid for his ATP-CTP and was able to land a part time job flying for a 121 caravan operator while being a full time controller.

Many ways to skin the cat, just don’t jump to the fast track conclusions. You have options. Good luck regardless!

 

I think the advice about getting your ATP for $3-4k on your own is pretty solid.

I would definitely hold out until 50 and if you can 56 to get that full retirement.

I'm not sure if putting in a transfer to a more sleepy area is an option, but that sounds like a good way to fix your problem and hopefully get some better days off.

170k a year is too much money to risk.

I'd wait to see if there is some kind of phase-shift in the airline pilot industry, like they do away with the regionals completely. The majors are quickly going to have to choose whether they want to train people from the ground up like Lufthansa does it, or change the business model to something that attracts people with previous experience.

I'm pretty sure that the current youth views airline pilot as a dying profession. Why would you want to specialize in a career that is going to be fully automated in 20 years?

 

I am NOT an airline pilot, but like yourself considering it as I look to the next chapter. Full disclosure, I tend to be extremely risk averse when it comes to my family's financial security / stability. From that disposition, my cheap advice is finish up with the FAA (which sounds like is at least workable for you, maybe even enjoyable, hopefully with weekends off sometime soon), get back into flying when and where you can (flying clubs, maybe use some vacation time to work on the ATP), and then hit the regionals with your pension secured and money far less of a concern. This job will still be here in some shape and size when you retire from the FAA, or if it's not (because of a black swan event, global recession, retirement age to 72, automated flying, whatever else could rock the boat) then you'll be glad to have missed the tough times. Your family situation obviously plays big in this, and maybe for good will lower your risk aversion to enable a move like this.

I'm not at all knocking the industry or the prospect of what you're considering, but with the time you have banked towards a permanent membership in the check-a-month-for-life club, in a job / career field that's been solid for you, you're in a good place to keep doing as you are and still do the airline thing again in good time.

Just my $0.02.

Good luck, and may you find all due happiness and success with all of it however it goes.

 

A 6th year guy would not be stuck as 717 FO unless by choice. He could be a 717 CA most likely, or a 73 CA.

For comfortable 6th year FO pay, look at the widebody scales.

Also factor the 401k DC, since I've never heard of non-airline employers which contribute 16% out of the gate... or ever.

 

I am an HR Manager, looking to add a third full-time permanent Corporate Pilot to our team. We are looking for a highly motivated Pilot-in-Chief in the Detroit Metro area who would expect to fly about 200 hours per year.

Fleet: Challenger 350 and Lear 45.

Requirements:

• ATP Certificate
• Minimum of 4,000 hours of Total Flight Time
• Previous jet experience required
• Challenger 300/350 experience required
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an FAA First Class medical certification
• Must be able to become qualified to operate a Lear 45
• Valid driver’s license with no or low points

Duties:

Supervise the flight crew and ensure all flight and ground operations comply with FAA Regulations. Determine flight routes, takeoff and landing times, and speed to fulfill scheduling requirements and make decisions regarding possible delays, rerouting, or flight cancellations as required. Communicate changes to schedules and/or delays timely. When not in flight, this position will review activities, costs, operations, and forecast data to determine requirements are consistently obtained. Periodically meet with the Director of Operations to review operations and discuss required changes while keeping management apprise of immediate service concerns or issues. Support the Director of Operations to oversee the maintenance activities for the entire fleet as well as procurement of required materials and supplies required. Maintain long-term relationships with airports and vendors. Must be flexible and manage a changing schedule for approximately 200 flight hours per year. Weekends, nights, and holidays may be required. The expectation is this position requires close proximity to airport.

For more information, contact me directly at 313-505-5444 or [email protected]

 

“highly motivated”

“Must be flexible and manage a changing schedule for approximately 200 flight hours per year. Weekends, nights, and holidays may be required.”

so, on call 363 days/year (two hard days off!?), and sub-par pay conveniently not listed.

 

I know right!

Sorry, but that won’t fly in this pilot market!