Making the Jump
 

Hey pilots,

I am asking for some opinions on the best way to make the transition from 121 to 91/135 flying. I hope this doesn't sound similar to another thread. I have decided to make the transition. I have been an 121 airline FO for 2 years now, and my trip through the 121 life has been good, but it affirmed what my original inclination was, and that is a career as a corporate pilot. I had started down that road and had worked as a CE-550 FO for a while.

Now that you have the background as to why, I need the opinions into how. Being in the 121 world, I don't really have a lot of "in's" to corporate aviation. I am trying to determine how best to get back into Dallas Area 135/91 aviation again. I am at very competitive FO mins, but I really want to get something that has career progression into the left seat, not right away, but in the reasonable future. I am wondering if I should pick up some frieght flying for some turbine PIC time, etc.

Any ideas as to how to best make my resume more competitive for corporate aviation without starving to death (i'm doing that now as a regional 121 FO), while still developing contacts into part 91/135 would be greatly appreciated. So much of this board is pure opinion, but there is a lot of value in most of it, and I thank you guys in advance for what you may have to offer. You've helped a lot in the past, and I appreciate it.

Sincerely,
CitationJason

Do you have the citation 500 type? We are looking for a pilot.

I would say that since you have citation experience, that's definately a start. If you still live within the Dallas area, just start blanketing the FBO and hangars with your resume'. Also I wouldn't discount the frac's. Netjet's has a great contract from what little I've seen. Flexjet is also one I personally would consider if going that route. End the end it's who you know, and being at the right place at the right time.
Since you've been at the airlines for 2 yrs, I would guess you're nearing an upgrade. If you are I would recommend this. Jet PIC is what's really going to help you out long term.

Hey 650, Check your PM's. Thanks for the heads up.

Ziggy, you would think. With most regionals that is the case, but my particular one has a very, very lengthy upgrade time. I knew that going in, and was willing to wait it out for a good company, but such is not the case. It is unfortunate because they could be one of the best airlines in the world if they would just try a little harder. It really is very sad. I have enjoyed my run as a airline pilot, there are a lot of things I enjoyed and will miss, but I also enjoyed my brief stint in corporate and I know the good and the bad that comes with it, so now it's just a matter of getting in with the right flight department. I'm more than willing to work as an FO for a while, serve as Co-Captain with a good captain willing to educate an eager pilot, and ultimately make the move over to the left seat. Thank you guys for your sound advice. I always appreciate the geniune help that people are willing to provide to other people they don't even know. It reminds me of what's good about this business.

That makes two of us. I flew for a regional (4 years) only to realize that airline stuff wasn't for me. I passed on a job offer from Airtran and interview offer from NW. Now I'm with NJ, best job/contract/QOL I've ever had. If you want to stay in Dallas, think about NJ and FX. Otherwise, if you're willing to go where the job is, there are plenty of kick ass corporate jobs outthere. Good luck

Good luck, I've been thinking about doing the same thing. I flew corporate for about a year so I could get to the airlines only to find out I shoulda stayed corporate. Now i need get more turbine to get back to a good 135 job. I hope it works out for you

UCLA & On The Missed,

I am always relieved to find guys that are/were in the same boat. It is not that the airlines aren't right for the right people, they just aren't right for guys/gals like you and I. I am certainly watching the fractionals. I still need a little more time and an ATP to be qualified, but if I haven't made the jump by the time I have those qual.'s, I will definitely send in my app.

OntheMissed, I am kinda' wondering the same thing as you as far as getting good flight time goes. I am getting the best turbine SIC I can get right now, but pay/QOL are very substandard. I am wondering this, since I am already getting a bad salary (and management likes to constantly remind us we're overpaid), should I go try and fly freight and get some turbine PIC at the same bad pay rate? It is just one of many questions I am thinking of as I am trying to best position myself to start making the progression towards the left seat. I am a good FO, and I need more experience, but I need to have a good plan to get the experience and transition into becoming a great captain.

I was at Eagle for 2.5 years before leaving to be a street captain at Big Sky. Got the ATP, some PIC, then furloughed. All I did was fax my resume to every charter company at a particular airport and two hours I got two calls for interviews. Now I'm flying a Legacy for more than I could make as an Eagle FO and I'll be a captain soon. I'd say to just start sending 'em out, everywhere.

what are the odds of working for a corporate company at one airport, then being furloughed, and then being able to join another corporate team in the same airport??? im just wondering if thats even possible but im guessing it would be easy since all the other corporate teams know you in that airport?

Puma,

Be glad you left the sinking ship. Not a bad move! I am happy for you.

CJ

I try to stay in contact with pilots from both my past and present. Also I try to meet new people. This especially goes for the area I live in. I've been fortunate enough to come across jobs that I've pasted onto other friends. I'm hoping that when the time comes, should I need the favor, this will work to my benefit.

For what its worth, I've spent a 25+year career at one airport. I trained, did the CFI thing, freight dog, SIC jet. Now I'm looking for a frac that I can base out of the same airport... of course it is the busiest general aviation airport in the country, but ya, its possible. :)

Question for you guys, are frac's really the place to go these days?

im assuming your talking about vans?

Yup. VNY. With any luck, the whole career right there.

Not to promote another site, but if you are really interested in corporate aviation, *************.com is a good place to start networking. It's worth the $10/year, and there are a LOT more corporate/frax guys there than on these forums. (I'd say that site is for 91/135 flying that this is for 121 flying).

The big thing for anybody wanting to make the jump is to network network network. Most jobs are right place/right time or through inside connections. Just because you work for an airline doesn't mean that you can't find a way to get to know local operators...

Local safety seminars and regional/national aviation conferences are good places to start. Consider trying to attend an event like the Annual Bombardier/NBAA Safety Standown or the NBAA National Convention.

That's a unique take on things. I really like that. It definitely is all about who you know, which in a way, for me at least, is a lot of fun.

Everyone seems to be pretty happy at Netjets. It seems like you get the best of both worlds. Having that union takes away a lot of the headaches. I've been in two 91 operations the past 11 years. I am going to make a run at Netjets. A straight 91 deal can be excellent. However, the truly excellent ones are very few and far between.

NetJets is the place to go, 'NOW'-if you get in within the next two years. After, I don't know, you'll be looking at an 8-10 year upgrade.

With the QOL I got at NJ, I just don't see how I would ever survive at an airline, not sure if I could do that again. I guess I would if I had to, but I much rather not