Advice to an Old Guy
 

Retirement from an international airline is looming. Have an opportunity to stick around and teach in the simulators, but really like flying. Live on the East Coast within easy drive of TEB, PHL and ILG. Any advice on who might be interested in a pilot who has spent his entire career doing international flying. Also, am the next gen go to guy at the airline for all things data.


Just looking for advice on a foot in the door...


Thx,


Skyguy...

After the 121 Gig
 

If you live near TEB, there are a bunch of operators always looking for folks. Went from 121 to 91/135 after retiring, have had to change gigs a few times do to the changing landscape that exist in this side of aviation. Owners can fall on hard times then the plane is the first thing to go.

Patience is the number one virtue, get to know some of the pilots around Meridian. Lots of job rumors never leave the airport. I have brought several folks into organizations after the 121 thing, sometimes it can be a struggle. You are not the Capitan El Grande anymore, just one of the guys trying to get the Boss from A to B with the least amount of stress. I am always surprised how much attention needs to be placed on flying and taxing the airplane smoothly with my friends from this background. You are now a limo driver and smoothness counts with most owners.


There are all kinds of types in this part of the game, just like your old job. There are some very skilled professionals that really know what they are doing, never presume superior knowledge. Always listen first, then see where you fit in for the best solution.

In the 135 part of the game plan on being a Co-Captain or Copilot for at least 300 hours on a new type aircraft. Almost all Operators are in programs like Argus and that is one of the base line requirements.

Thought
 

https://ravencareers.com/

Has a service for airline to corporate pilots. I was a 777 driver and now am flying a GIV after using Raven.


Best of luck!

Check out FlyAdvanced in ILG. Good “mom & pop” style aircraft management company. Multiple openings.

If you miss KCM, CASS and don't mind flying piston twins, Cape Air has a program for us retired guys. Lots of flexibility with bases in New England, Midwest , Montana, and the Caribbean. They pay by the duty hour with 1.5 anything over 40 duty hours a week. Lots of incentive for working extra shifts (days) and pretty easy to make 6 figures here with a little effort. PM me if you want more inside info.

Recent new hire classes at NetJets have had 121 retirees. NetJets is more structured (and unionized) than a corporate job. Decent pay, generally good hotels and negotiated work rules. Plan on being a first officer for a long time. Flight Safety training will make you think you're still at the airline.

That's some funny sh!t bro. FSI, CAE, and Simcom are nowhere near 121 training. The fact that you think they're even remotely the same speaks volumes.

Net Jets is worth considering, but you don’t want to get assigned to a light jet. I’d recommend looking at Net Jets, but also Vista Jet. While the pay isn’t as good; a CL350 or Global type rating and a year’s time is a license to print money as a contractor. The screwy schedule at VJ is a pain, I’ll admit. An acquaintance here got on with them and is very happy. Probably a quick upgrade, too.

There’s lots of jobs around, esp in the NYC area.

GF

You are the one who is mistaken.

While you may/may not be correct about CAE, or Simcon for part 91 (I have no experience), I can tell you after almost 30 years of Delta training and 12 years of NetJets supervised Flight Safety training that there is virtually no difference in standards. In fact, the training that Flight Saferty provides to NetJets is 121 training.

After the 121 Gig
 

The Netjets boys are always good to watch and listen to in the FBO's. The mentality that creeps into everyone in that operation is reason enough to keep moving and look for something a little more inspiring. A good owner has you stay at the same or better hotels, credit card for meals and all expenses and more importantly a rental car. ( personally I would miss that one). I bought a good set of noise cancelling headphones for the pilot lounges with the screaming Netjets boys.