yzusimon

Hello fellow pilots,

Let me introduce myself a little bit first, i'm 30 y/o, married with two kids, dual citizenship(US and Taiwan), ASEL, AMEL, IR, CFI, CFII, MEI, instructed 2 years in the US from 2009-2011, currently work for a Taiwanese airline as a A330 FO since 2011, 2000TT/ 1000 on A330, average 70/month, current pay 80K/year after tax(per diem, over time included).

And now i run into a difficult situation,

One of my close friend whose father is a very sucessful business man(top 10 richest guy in Taiwan according to Forbes), asking if im interested in flying their family owned ACJ318 as FO, and want me to find a captain who i feel confortable to fly with. Pay between 95K-100K(not include per diem) after tax/year, average 20hr/month, usually 10 days away from base per month, other 20 days standby, no pop up flight. Need to move to ShangHai, provide house. Upgrade to Captain after 5years, pay rise to 160K.

One good thing(or bad thing) is that my friend who is only 27 want me to be his No.2 guy to run his business together when not flying. For me, this is a very good opportunity for me to develope a 2nd career other than the fragile aviation career.

Now the problem is my wife love the life in the US, and want me to stay with my current company to accumulate flight time so i can apply US major airline.

My question are,
1) how is the US major airline's QOL? especially United/CAL.
2) What is the competative requirement for applying the Majors (I believe no body get hired at the published minimum)
3) any other plan that can get me back to the US besides fly for big airlines but to maintain a similiar income? Fractional, charter, Corporate, etc.

My plan is stay at current position one more year, by that time i should have 2500TT/ 1500 on A330, then apply US majors and go fly my firend's ACJ while waiting, if i get no respond from the Majors, i can start sending resume to fractional or corporates sectors since i will then have some private jet experience on the ACJ.

Please share your thought, im open to any input, just dont want to waste the great opporyunity, and try to find a plan to utilize the chance i have in my hands.

Thanks!

fisherpilot

Make sure you get a contract that spells out all things promised. I would also negotiate a severance policy. Sometimes the uber rich can be flaky. Last thing you want is the plane to be sold and now you are looking for work without any income. Also, make sure you get a pic type rating.

Good luck

captjns

Compare the stability of your position with your current carrier versus the stability of the proposed corporate position. Many have been offered positions of employment and let got without seeing a day in the cockpit of a zero time jet. Former position no longer available.

Even the Uber Rich are, at times, are protected from suits where breach of contract is involved. Appeals can take longer than the initial trial. You can bet this chap has smart attorneys looking out for their client's best interest rather than yours.

How long before you upgrade? Is the QOL that bad or objectionable where you are? What happens to your job if the owner of the 318 drops dead 6 months from now versus the CEO of your current carrier if you remain with you current job?

It boils down to security and potential of longevity.

rickair7777

The good news with the situation is that you probably have long-term job stability with the family...assuming you don't **** anyone off. In my decision I would heavily weight the son's outlook on life...is he a good guy? Was he raised to respect others and to value work ethic? Sometimes the very rich can view other people as disposable furnishings.


It all depends on seniority, it can be pretty good in the long run. There will be a lot of retirements over the next decade or two, so that should mean seniority progression.

You can get hired at the mins if you are very well connected (family in high places) or fit into certain affirmative action categories (asian male might count for something but I'm not sure).

Your airbus and international time will actually help a little too.

Having private jet experience will help, but usually who you know is very important in US biz av. Fractionals might hire an unknown off the street, but I think they all have a lot of furloughs right now.

Sounds well thought out. Like others have said, see what kind of contract you can get from the private employer.

morerightrudder

Why wouldn't he just offer you a Captain position if he is your close friend? Especially if it sounds like they are looking for a Captain as well.

Something does not sound right here. A contract would be helpful, but as previous poster said, with the very rich (especially in place like Taiwan or mainland China) contracts are worth the paper they are written on.

If your goal is a US legacy carrier, then I would stay with the airline unless the situation is really bad or you know you will not upgrade for a long time.

globalexpress

Hmmmm..... . . The wife is in love with the U.S. Sounds like the wife, the mother of your children, would be happier in the U.S. and you could go either way with your career decision and not necessarily be harmed (without the benefit of foresight) either way.

I know what my decision would be.

Happy wife. Happy life.

Good luck.

yzusimon

well, with my experience level i dont expect a PIC position, especially on the private sector, so many things that can go unexpected, unfamiliar airfield, new airplane which i dont have any time on type, etc.

They have their own airplane for two years, and they only hired dual captain to fly their airplane, so im thankful that they are willing to hire me....

As for the contract, of course i'll have them to give me one if i decide to work for them ( or should i say convince my wife to go that direction)

At my current carrier, i can expect to upgrade in 4 years on A321, pay raise to 100k before tax, same QOL.

rickair7777

I would consider that to be a good thing...sounds like the family is knowledgeable and prudent with regards to aviation, or they employ someone who is.

That bodes well for the long-term.

chrisreedrules

Sounds like a tough decision... Personally, I wouldn't make any plans on any US major or legacy airline. There is a stack of resumes just like yours (and also more qualified pilots) sitting on the recruiters desks at these places. It could be several years or more before you even get an interview.

I'm a big fan of going with known opportunities. It is a fool's bet to try and plan on the unknowns with so many variables in this industry. I'd take the job in Shanghai. Tell the wife it would lead to great opportunities for the kids and to not just think of herself. Plus it sounds like a great work environment. Just my .02