Leave Corporate for LCC/Regional
04-27-2017, 05:30 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 56
Leave Corporate for LCC/Regional
Looking for career advice from some of you corporate veterans.
I'm currently a Lear 45 Captain in my late 20's, I've got a great job I currently make around 95k and my salary will go up to 120k over the next few years (may jump even higher as we've had a few captains jump to the majors). With the current hiring environment at the airlines, I'm kicking around the idea of leaving to go get some 121 time and make a run at a major airline. I know this would be a massive pay cut initially though. Thoughts?
I'm currently a Lear 45 Captain in my late 20's, I've got a great job I currently make around 95k and my salary will go up to 120k over the next few years (may jump even higher as we've had a few captains jump to the majors). With the current hiring environment at the airlines, I'm kicking around the idea of leaving to go get some 121 time and make a run at a major airline. I know this would be a massive pay cut initially though. Thoughts?
04-27-2017, 05:42 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: BD-700A
Posts: 210
I was exactly in your position 10 years ago. Much depends on personality. I enjoy the perks of 91 flying. The 121 ranks are booming right now, with compensation and schedule that rival most corporate environments. That being said, Director level benchmarks in the NE are quickly approaching the 500K mark. If you aren't tied to a certain city or location, business aviation nationwide has an immense level of movement today. Best of luck-
04-27-2017, 07:17 AM
#3
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Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: B-737
Posts: 696
Originally Posted by LearPilot88
Looking for career advice from some of you corporate veterans.
I'm currently a Lear 45 Captain in my late 20's, I've got a great job I currently make around 95k and my salary will go up to 120k over the next few years (may jump even higher as we've had a few captains jump to the majors). With the current hiring environment at the airlines, I'm kicking around the idea of leaving to go get some 121 time and make a run at a major airline. I know this would be a massive pay cut initially though. Thoughts?
I'm currently a Lear 45 Captain in my late 20's, I've got a great job I currently make around 95k and my salary will go up to 120k over the next few years (may jump even higher as we've had a few captains jump to the majors). With the current hiring environment at the airlines, I'm kicking around the idea of leaving to go get some 121 time and make a run at a major airline. I know this would be a massive pay cut initially though. Thoughts?
04-27-2017, 07:18 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Dec 2014
Position: E175 FO
Posts: 114
Originally Posted by LearPilot88
I'm kicking around the idea of leaving to go get some 121 time and make a run at a major airline. I know this would be a massive pay cut initially though. Thoughts?
If a major airline is your goal, every month you delay you're passing up on 20,000
04-27-2017, 09:37 AM
#5
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Joined APC: Apr 2013
Posts: 53
Originally Posted by beech1980
No way should you go to a regional. Either a legacy or LCC. You should have the qualifications to skip the regionals. I did the same path as you are considering. Took a pay cut initially but I have never looked back and regretted it. Back to six figures plus and control of MY LIFE. That's worth a lot. Good luck
I'm looking at making a change as well. I fly a Phenom 300 for one owner. It's a great gig, but with the only benefits being my insurance paid for (families is not) & no raise in the foreseeable future I can't see myself staying forever.
Like the OP I would have to take a significant pay cut to go to a regional, at the same time it seems like the Legacies and LCCs are all looking for previous 121 time to even look at you. Has anyone else had experience with this or have any advice?
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04-27-2017, 10:40 AM
#6
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Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: B-737
Posts: 696
Originally Posted by livinthedream89
I'm looking at making a change as well. I fly a Phenom 300 for one owner. It's a great gig, but with the only benefits being my insurance paid for (families is not) & no raise in the foreseeable future I can't see myself staying forever.
Like the OP I would have to take a significant pay cut to go to a regional, at the same time it seems like the Legacies and LCCs are all looking for previous 121 time to even look at you. Has anyone else had experience with this or have any advice?
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Like the OP I would have to take a significant pay cut to go to a regional, at the same time it seems like the Legacies and LCCs are all looking for previous 121 time to even look at you. Has anyone else had experience with this or have any advice?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
04-28-2017, 05:59 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: BD-700A
Posts: 210
Originally Posted by HeWhoRazethAll
I travel all over the place for free during my 2 weeks of off time every month...and I don't have to mop the hangar floor, do paperwork, monitor maintenance, or sit around with my phone on.
04-28-2017, 07:56 AM
#8
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Joined APC: May 2016
Posts: 182
Originally Posted by BPWI
This type of comment leaves me shaking my head every time I hear it. If you are mopping the floor in Corporate aviation you are a janitor, not a pilot. 5 pilots to frame, so nearly every request off can be satisfied. I have a master tech per frame that does everything from clean and detail to major MX & I assure you that you do more paperwork than I. If you are going to paint a clear picture, make a apples to apples comparison. Top tier corporate will match most major airline salaries, and then some. The major crux in most decision making squarely falls on the retirement. 121 typically has a very lucrative retirement package, more so than any corporate outfit I am aware of. Different strokes for different folks. Best of luck and keep us up to date with what you decide-
To the OP: your age makes a difference here. Being in your 20s means that your lifetime earnings ar a 121 will be far ahead of just about any 91 gig, even taking into account the 1st couple of years at crap pay. Do a spreadsheet and you'll be shocked at the numbers...
04-28-2017, 09:53 AM
#10
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Joined APC: Jun 2015
Position: Left
Posts: 1,807
I know two former Part 91 Citation X drivers now flying for JetBlue with no previous 121 experience. Both very happy despite the first year pay cut. The fractional pilots are leaving in droves for the airlines too.
If you are interested in one of the LCCs, do your research - some are better than others... If you meet the minimums, why not apply and see how it goes?
If you are interested in one of the LCCs, do your research - some are better than others... If you meet the minimums, why not apply and see how it goes?
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