Corporate SEL vs. 121
 

Regional Fo here. Haven't been going at it very long in 121. This is my first airline experience, all other has been 91 corporate.

I was contacted a couple weeks ago by a gentlemen I used to do contract work for, they still needed a pilot. He is paying pretty much double my 9E salary, sign on bonus, about a 12% pay raise yearly, insurance paid, hotels for commuting paid. Last but not least, he overnights a lot where I live, so I could just go home.

What's the issue though? It's a SEL recip. I'm trying to figure out current airline movement and Delta prospect vs. back to corporate with this deal.

My deal is while I am liking flying the big RJs, the time away from my little ones has been rough. This guy has an average of 15-18 days off monthly...some months like summer only 8-10 but months like winter 20-25.

I'm ATP 3k TT 1000 TPIC.

Edit> I also don't know how much longer I plan on staying in this game. I'm not sure if I can manage 50-70% of my time gone for the next 30 years. This job would afford me to go back for my masters and pursue something else. I was another guy who was gung-ho on aviation until kids and marriage came about.

Only you can determine what will make you happy. From your last few sentences, I think you have already come to the conclusion that will work for you. Don't base your life decisions on what anyone else thinks! You must do what is best for you and your family. You can always get back into 121 later on...

I completely agree that the industry is not for everyone, and the time away from family is a significant sacrifice.

Good luck and Stay true to yourself!

I've never done corporate/charter before so forgive any inaccuracies.

Some questions to ask yourself and, perhaps, this potential employer...

1. What are the chances of remaining here long-term? Over the years, I've seen people I know go corporate only to see the flight department shut down. Sometimes, it shuts down after a 20-25 year career there, others less than a year.

2. With your flight times, it seems you could be moving to the left seat in the near future. Will this improve things?

3. Do you commute? Commuting sucks. That's all there is to it. Commuting sucks a little less at a major but still sucks. I recently changed employers so I wouldn't have to commute and am back in the left seat without a commute. That makes a big difference in QOL.

4. How long do you project a move to DL/another major will take?

I understand the time away from family issues. I left my first airline job before my oldest was born. I was at my second airline job for six months when my youngest was born. The second airline was Comair and I stayed until the end 15 years later. There are no guarantees in 121 or corporate. As seniority increases, your time away from home should decrease. It does take time.

Good luck!

First you need to decide what your desired career path is going to be. Then make decisions to "get 'er done". It's hard to give you any advice without knowing that.

But ASEL (turbine or recip) is a dead end unless you want to do that forever.

Sounds like a great opportunity to jump at. The hiring in 91/135 is getting as hot as 121, and will only get better. From your post, it seems that you desire family life a lot. This career is a gamble, but I would say give it a shot. Who knows, the guy might want to upgrade sometime in the future.

The OP needs to read this post, which I think it is spot on.
Also: do you want more time at home? Go to a major, move in base, and bid reserve. At that point, if the SEL is as you describe it, you could keep both jobs and still have time to study.
But don't confuse a day you won't fly with a day off. Plus the 12% yearly pay raise can't be perpetual.