Yeah, I guess thats why he has a 604 and Global. He sends it on ahead empty.

 

Thats a rare case. Most owners treat their pilots very well.

 

I've heard similar things about flying for an individual. Although they may treat you well, you're still at their disposal. If they feel like going to Paris for French Bread, guess where you're going - and I'm not talking Paris, TX. Only Campbell's chicken soup and tampons come from Paris, TX. I would think spending the night in the airplane is unusual but I've heard the schedule can suck.

 

Like others have said, flying for a private individual can go either way. Some of the owners are very nice, treat their crews like friends (if not family), let the crews tag along on the fancy vacations and trips. I worked at an FBO with a large charter and management department, one of the aircraft owners kept a convertible Porshce for his pilots to use when they were in town, and they (crew, owner and his family/friends) partied like rock stars together when they weren't on business trips.

There are also the high maintenance owners who think the world belongs to them and other people are only around to serve. I've seen plenty of crews bring the boss in for what was supposed to be a week long stay, only to be called the next day to go somewhere else because the boss was bored. But hey, that's why they have their own plane, to do whatever they want, whenever they want.

So it just depends on the owner. Finding those jobs is all about being in the right place at the right time, making the right friends, and networking.

Sorry for the long post, for some reason I felt like typing tonight.

 

My uncle used to own an aircraft managment company. He did business with the Rockefeller family and Calloway Golf. Part of what he did was match pilots up with airplanes. I'm sure he wasn't the only game in town, those types of companies exist. It all goes back to who you know and staying in touch with old friends.

 

Just like there's good and bad airlines; good and bad corporate flight dept's--there are good and bad owners. It's all relative.

Good owners will keep their pilots for a long, long time--another reason for so few opportunities.

 

I work for a billionaire who went the Netjets route and was very unhappy. He bought a plane then used a charter company to manage his account.

 

A former co-worker of mine, his previous gig was a private individual who owned the company (and the airplane). One memorable trip: Gets a call at midnight, going to FL tomorrow. He has to plow the airstrip that night (private field). Gets to Florida told to stay on standby (pre-cell phones). Gets a call. Boss wants him to go buy some underwear for him.

 

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to buy the boss a thong......

 

A lot of those type people are fractional owners.