RJSAviator76

I’m hopeful that if the business aviation wants to retain pilots, they’ll have to give them golden parachutes and offer various income protection schemes. I would love nothing more than to work in business aviation again. I love the level of involvement and the variety of flying. From that aspect, the airline work is mind-numbing in comparison.

At most corporate jobs, an airplane is only a tool that can be disposed of at a change of helm or in a new political climate. Remember 2008 and Obama’s war on corporate jet owners? On the other hand, airlines cannot function without airplanes.

What happens if you lose your medical? What if it’s only temporary? Will your corporate job still be there? I think it’s safe to say that every major airline pilot group has income protections until 65 in form of LTD.

As a pilot flying for a major airline, I’d have to have a significant golden parachute and income protection scheme in order to leave this cushion. In other words, the owners will have to start offering executive-level benefits and packages to pilots. Big numbers. Offer me financial security until retirement, and protect me should I lose my medical, and I’m all ears.

Brett Hull

I agree 100% with what was posted above. That’s very well said, RJS.

Bahamasflyer

Right on the money (no pun intended).

In addition to the income and medical protections you list, I'd also want the same flexibility as the majors have when it comes to trading, swapping and picking up trips for premium pay.

I know 121 flying is boring, but quite honestly, I love being ''just a number" at work and the relative anonymity that comes with it.

JohnPaulGeorge

Trade ya spots?

tom3holer

There is more to the story I bet.
I have been there and that sort of thing does not happen at least at ML Delta

galaxy flyer

He was not in my unit, but I know him and he was probation and cannot say if he had built up a bad reputation and this was the final straw.

AirBear

As has already been stated, Corporate flying can be risky as a career. When I was at Mesa around 2004 I flew with a SIC who had been flying for a corporation out of RDU for 17 freaking years, then one day....poof...they sell the jet and he's out of a job.

galaxy flyer

But, the pilot shortage is really hitting there, even in good stable jobs. Friends are getting multiple offers weekly. Not saying you’re wrong, just as the airlines evolve, so do corporates. What do you want to do in life is the question, the money will come.

AirBear

Granted, Corporate Flying is having trouble recruiting like the Regionals are but there's always the risk of shutting down a Flight Department and going with a Fractional or similar. I've flown trips for a Steel Maker in BHM who got rid of their jets and went 100% to fractional. With the whole "Flight Shaming" thing owning your own jets is not as politically palatable as using charter or fractional ownership.

RJSAviator76

This is precisely why I ended up having to go abroad - the department that was hiring me instead all got laid off, courtesy of President Obama and his warpath against “rich fat cats and their private jets” to borrow his words.

This social justice move cost many good-paying jobs in business aviation not just among pilots, but also among the maintainers, manufacturers and other support businesses. History repeats itself as we again have politicians and presidential candidates out to punish the evil “millionaires and billionaires.”

Given today’s business climate, business aviation is a good job, but given the cancel culture, social media driven policies, openly socialist candidates running for president and in Congress, combined with the sheer ignorance of the American voter, it’s a very risky proposition.

I’m not trying to derail this thread into a political one, but merely point out that the political climate is a huge driver in business aviation. How many are willing to bet their careers on the election especially given the current airline pilot hiring?