Getting your break
12-09-2007, 03:33 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Emb 170/175 FO
Posts: 272
Getting your break
As a young person looking forward to a career in aviation, i have a couple of questions for you corporate guys. What is the best, or at least your way of getting into a corporate gig? Did you fly freight, go to the regionals or some other route? Also, how does a typical corp flight department work at a national sized company? Multiple pilots and multiple aircraft? Looking forward to any input.
12-09-2007, 03:58 PM
#2
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
Your questions are really going to need to be narrowed down to a specific company to get exact answers. Every corporate dept. works different, because each company has differing needs. Some work just like a scheduled airline in a sense, some are more like on-demand charter hours. Some companies use a SR-22 even! So the beauty of it all, you can most likely find something that fits your wants and needs also
12-09-2007, 06:14 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Emb 170/175 FO
Posts: 272
Ok, say we are talking about a company like Oakley(my fav), Nike, Whirlpool,Walmart, Exxon... What are their flight departments like and what(beside an inside reference) does it take to get a job at corporations like these?
12-09-2007, 07:53 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 919
Originally Posted by TurbineTime
and what(beside an inside reference) does it take to get a job at corporations like these?
12-10-2007, 04:22 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Citation II
Posts: 315
With departments that you've listed, it's pretty difficult. You either need to already know someone, or have a lot of time and a type rating in the equipment that they operate.
In either case, timing plays a key role also. If they aren't looking, your qualifications won't matter. By that same token if they are looking but you are someplace else in your life at the time, the window won't stay open very long.
One of your choices, Walmart, is a bit of an exception. From what I understand, they tend to hire lower time individuals from time to time. They have fairly high turnover for a corporate department, the pay and benefits are not exceptional and not everyone can happily live in Arkansas. Not saying it's a bad job, but it may not be a career position for everybody.
In either case, timing plays a key role also. If they aren't looking, your qualifications won't matter. By that same token if they are looking but you are someplace else in your life at the time, the window won't stay open very long.
One of your choices, Walmart, is a bit of an exception. From what I understand, they tend to hire lower time individuals from time to time. They have fairly high turnover for a corporate department, the pay and benefits are not exceptional and not everyone can happily live in Arkansas. Not saying it's a bad job, but it may not be a career position for everybody.
12-10-2007, 02:47 PM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: Sofa Stress Tester
Posts: 614
This has been my path:
Student
Flight Instructor
Freight Pilot
Charter Pilot
This route has taken me approx 7 yrs. Although because things have changed in recent times this might be fast tracked.
Right now I work for a great charter company, and have had offers to fly for private individuals. The past two jobs have allowed me to network and continue to climb the ladder.
To answer your question about various flight departments it depends. Nike has very close ties to an on-field charter/management operation. They told me if I wanted a job with them, then go get hired onto company B. Needless to say that didn't happen.
Student
Flight Instructor
Freight Pilot
Charter Pilot
This route has taken me approx 7 yrs. Although because things have changed in recent times this might be fast tracked.
Right now I work for a great charter company, and have had offers to fly for private individuals. The past two jobs have allowed me to network and continue to climb the ladder.
To answer your question about various flight departments it depends. Nike has very close ties to an on-field charter/management operation. They told me if I wanted a job with them, then go get hired onto company B. Needless to say that didn't happen.
12-14-2007, 11:31 PM
#9
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: DA-900EASy
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Bri85
not to hijack the thread- what about fractional?
Personally experienced one, hearsay about the other (FI post might have been flamebait).
12-20-2007, 01:31 PM
#10
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
Just like anything in the aviation world....skill is expected but luck and timing go along way. The given would be that you are qualified. I would recommend, and ambition can go a long way. Research various airports in your area with corporate aviation. If you find one that you would like to possibly work for, try to contact the chief pilot or someone you can try to sell your self to.
Goodlick...
Goodlick...
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