Corporate and MBA
12-20-2007, 07:54 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: DHC-8 SIC
Posts: 634
I don't mean to steal your post, but I was just about to post a similar question. I have read a few posts regarding people working on their MBA's while being pilots. As I am nearing the end of my Bachelor's degree, I am also considering to get an MBA. Since my major is in liberal arts, I would very much like to focus on something like Engineering... Ok, so in a nutshell, why would you get an MBA if you already have a bachelor's? Other than having something solid to fall back on (if things go south) would airlines (like a major, fractional, Fedex/UPS) prefer a person with an MBA? (regardless of flying skills/experience). Also, maybe I can answer your question. I know there are many colleges who offer MBA's via online. Especially for a pilot, I don't see how you can attend 1 or 2 classroom classes on a regular basis (unless you fly cargo only at night)....
12-20-2007, 01:05 PM
#3
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 12
I can give you information as a B.S.B.A. Mgmt Major looking to get a masters in engineering. With regards to follow-on education focusing in an area that may be outside your area of expertise, (i.e.) your major, you may need to take prerequisites to get you up to speed with engineering degree graduates.
12-22-2007, 05:13 AM
#7
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
First off, lemme preface this by saying an MBA certainly isn't going to hurt you if you're looking for a corporate job.
However, you start to cross some interesting boundaries when you start looking for "extracurricular work activities" in a professional corporate flying gig.
I fly full time part 91 corporate for a good sized manufacturer/sales company. We have two pilots (and an Encore) and fly a very comfortable 200-250 hours a year. I'm paid to be available to the company in short notice to fly and do some light office work and airport work related to the operation of the flight department (mx paperwork, cleaning, jepps, etc). Other than that, when I'm not flying, I'm at home making sure that I'm physically and mentally fit to go to work (between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday - Friday).
I've heard stories about corporate gigs where the pilot is just another "member of the team" who happens to also fly. Is this something that you really want? Just yesterday I spoke with another pilot who was talking about a recent day. Get up in the AM, fly a light twin across three states, then pull a 10 hour day in a classroom training other employees with his passengers, then fly back home after dark. In all it turned into a 16 hour day with rough weather thrown into the mix. When he's not flying, he's over at his office doing other non-aviation related work (and expected to be in from what I gathered).
If that's cool with you, by all means go for it. Personally, I would rather consider myself a professional PILOT and choose what extraneous duties I pick up around the office. Beware of the jobs that say "looking for motivated person to join our flight department. Must be knowledgeable and interested in Sales (or other non-related business task). You might end up flying a lot less than you think.
You'll generally find that the bigger the company and the bigger the equipment size the less likely you are to work in other capacities. Larger companies begin to realize the responsibility that a professional flight crew has and the impact that a tired pilot could ultimately have on the company. That's the primary reason why my company made me sign a "no-moonlighting of ANY sort" policy. They want me fully focused on my primary task, which is getting them from point A to point B. (Of course there are exceptions)
~J
However, you start to cross some interesting boundaries when you start looking for "extracurricular work activities" in a professional corporate flying gig.
I fly full time part 91 corporate for a good sized manufacturer/sales company. We have two pilots (and an Encore) and fly a very comfortable 200-250 hours a year. I'm paid to be available to the company in short notice to fly and do some light office work and airport work related to the operation of the flight department (mx paperwork, cleaning, jepps, etc). Other than that, when I'm not flying, I'm at home making sure that I'm physically and mentally fit to go to work (between the hours of 7am and 5pm Monday - Friday).
I've heard stories about corporate gigs where the pilot is just another "member of the team" who happens to also fly. Is this something that you really want? Just yesterday I spoke with another pilot who was talking about a recent day. Get up in the AM, fly a light twin across three states, then pull a 10 hour day in a classroom training other employees with his passengers, then fly back home after dark. In all it turned into a 16 hour day with rough weather thrown into the mix. When he's not flying, he's over at his office doing other non-aviation related work (and expected to be in from what I gathered).
If that's cool with you, by all means go for it. Personally, I would rather consider myself a professional PILOT and choose what extraneous duties I pick up around the office. Beware of the jobs that say "looking for motivated person to join our flight department. Must be knowledgeable and interested in Sales (or other non-related business task). You might end up flying a lot less than you think.
You'll generally find that the bigger the company and the bigger the equipment size the less likely you are to work in other capacities. Larger companies begin to realize the responsibility that a professional flight crew has and the impact that a tired pilot could ultimately have on the company. That's the primary reason why my company made me sign a "no-moonlighting of ANY sort" policy. They want me fully focused on my primary task, which is getting them from point A to point B. (Of course there are exceptions)
~J
12-23-2007, 07:32 AM
#8
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Captain corporate
Posts: 16
From a 3 man dept's view, just keeping up with the inter-departments additional duties can be overwhelming. The pace can vary throughout the year and when it is torrid everything else takes a backseat.
Dont know if I am crossing the line here, but to me if you play for both teams you are somewhat selling out the aviation side of the house. Balancing out your personal and job required duties while on the ground can be overwhelming enough. Trying to manage 2 careers at the same time can lead to possibly neglecting one and possibly both. To include your personal life also.
Dont know if I am crossing the line here, but to me if you play for both teams you are somewhat selling out the aviation side of the house. Balancing out your personal and job required duties while on the ground can be overwhelming enough. Trying to manage 2 careers at the same time can lead to possibly neglecting one and possibly both. To include your personal life also.
01-07-2008, 01:01 AM
#9
La Familia Delta
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B-717 FO / C-17 AC
Posts: 2,467
try looking at some good distance learning programs for your MBA. theres quite a few accredited ones out there that can work with your schedule. I did mine at Arizona State and was able to do so while flying the entire 2 years. total pain and youll feel like you have no life at times, but education is always better than no education, and an MBA gives you a lot of options
01-31-2008, 05:29 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: What do you have?
Posts: 104
Yes, there are opportunities out there to fly AND do other work for the company. A lot of what I've seen is working in sales in addition to flying. Depending on the flying schedule, you may or may not want to do that. Corporate is such a different animal than 121, it all depends on the company you find. I'm sure most of them would be glad to have someone flying AND doing other work -- just not sure how many of them would want to pay you a fair wage for flying and doing other work.
