Hey,

I would like some "real world" input from you guys...

I am a corporate pilot, I have always been a corporate pilot (ZERO 121 time). I have kinda built my life around corporate aviation. Currently an International Captain on Falcon 900EX-Easy and Dornier 328-100. I also function as a line check airman on the Do (we call it a "new pilot mentor"). I am 37 years old and have about 7500 hours TT, 3000ish turbine PIC. I fly about 450hours a year and do about 30 nights on the road a year.

I have gotten a bit burned out on the Corp Pilot gig.... Always doing EVERYTHING for a flight has gotten a bit old. Flight planning, fuel loads, W&B, hotel reservations, rental cars, catering, negotiating fuel prices, dialing the flight phone for the boss (NO, I am NOT kidding)..... hurl! It seems like it would be nice to "just fly the plane"

I have also maxed out in my career unless I go management. Not wanting to go to the dark side, I am feeling a bit trapped. No room for advancement in career or salary.

So, speaking to an "Airline Virgin" here... What would be your thoughts on switching to 121? Whats the good/bad/ugly of the other side of the airport? Some of my airline buddies tell me I would love it, others say I would hate it...?...

I do have my applications into FedEx, UPS, United, Delta and Southwest.... So far I have not received any reply except 2 "fix it" emails from DL.

Thanks!

 

Where do you live? Would you be willing to move?

In my opinion, there are 2 types of airline jobs. Ones where you live in base and others where you commute. They are drastically different animals.

 

I am in upstate NY. A cozy little place I like to call hell.

I am in a "one horse town" if my employer has a hiccup and the department closes we are totally screwed. My house would instantly be worthless and there are no commutable or local jobs to be had. Most of the airlines have pulled out of here, so our Corporate Op is about it for the airport.

I REALLY want to move away from here! That's actually a huge part of the reason I am looking get out. There are no good schools for my kids, no infrastructure, HUGE taxes and horrible weather...

I was kinda thinking DL and an Atlanta base or SWA and Phoenix. I don't have a desire to commute to work.

FD79

 

I'd jump on it and apply to AA/DL/UA/WN and get out asap. Hit up the job fairs and do whatever you can to get hired.

 

I bet I know who you fly for - I think I used to see your planes in KLEX quite often. (?)

As far as the 91 to 121 question - you'll get a thousand different answers. Everyone's preference is different. Absolutely no comparison in earnings potential though. The absolute best paying corporate jobs equate to about average First Officer pay at a Legacy carrier.

I spent 15 years 121...12 of which was at what I thought would be my "forever" job....until they went out of business. I'm now in what I would consider one of the better corporate jobs around - flying a 604 and going to school on our new Global soon. Nevertheless - I would still consider going back to a couple of different 121 jobs (even at my ripe old age).

No doubt about it - corporate flying has been the most "fun" flying airplanes that I've had....week long layovers in St. Maarten in January...skiing in Aspen on layovers...basically only flying 1 leg to vacation spots and having an expense account and rental car everywhere we go, etc. But in the end..."fun" doesn't pay the bills (mine is a good paying job...but not Major airline money/retirement). And I also can appreciate the idea of "just fly the plane". But at my age...in my current job...there are really only 2 121 carriers I would consider leaving my current job for (both due to domicile locations).

Good luck in your decision. At your age, you really can't go wrong going to a Major airline - but there WILL be aspects of corporate flying you will miss.

 

Tony,

You sir are correct on the operator......

It has been a fun ride, I have been here 11 years this week. I was basically given a brand new Falcon 900 and a credit card and told to "go". All at the ripe old age of 30. I however need to think of my kids future and the practicality of raising a family.

This job is fine. If the job was somewhere I could raise my family I would not be looking for something else. It scares me to death that I have zero options here should something happen. If I was in ALT, CLT, DAL, ORL...... totally different story.

I know that I will miss the autonomy... I have to do everything, but I get to do everything. I don't depend on anyone for anything. Sink or swim, its my show. And yes, unlimited expense account and whatever rental car I want.

FD79

 

I did 2 years at a regional (in and out of your home airport), 6.5 as a 91 CP, and have 2.5 so far at a major cargo carrier.

Everybody wants something different out of this career, and now is a time when there will be plenty of movement both directions.

If you go airline and just hate it, your experience will get you back to 91 with a good story to tell in an interview AND it will give you an excuse to punch out to a more desirable location for your family no matter how it works out.

Good luck!

 

I'm curious why you are only just considering leaving? You're willing to move and you could double your pay with an easier job. What worries you about the switch?

 

In 121 all you do is fly the plane, but you will be doing a lot more of that typically.

If you pick the right airline and the right base, you could eventually minimize or eliminate overnights, but that's probably a long way off as local trips tend to go senior.

There are about 10,000 RJ captains with similar numbers to you, and all of it in 121. Many of whom have had apps out for about a decade. You're going to have to beat the pavement pretty hard to get an interview right now, sitting back and waiting probably won't get you called short-term. Do you have multiple LOR's from airline people at your target airlines? But if you're not in a hurry, you don't need to be as pro-active, you'll probably still get called eventually as the pilot shortage drags on.

Be prepared when call, get some interview prep.

 

BoilerUP could answer better because its in his base, but I'm pretty sure the turn lines for UPS SDF crews go junior.