ZapBrannigan

The two year-old looking at me right now and saying, "Dada play?" trumps Gulfstream. But to each his own as you said. I'm off to play Thomas the Tank Engine...

Climbto450

When I get a couple of little ones I may change my tune as well.

smails

I don"t know. 10 days a month in a 900EX and the rest with my 1 year old, much better than 21 days a month in my 31 gig!!!! Point being that it is what you make of it. Problem is that we have two many *****s in aviation that will do anything to fly a jet, and anyone who ownes a jet is looking to pay as little as they can. I have flown those "small"lear35's, and the "BIG" falcon's and Gulfstreams, both were good jobs, but they should pay the same. Point being, is you $ss any less valuable sitting in the back of a lear compared to a G-550? Should you not pay for the quality of the airman. I have flow with 3000 hr pilots who I would have no problem putting my family on an airplane with, but there are 15,000hr pilots who should not be allowed to fly a kite, leat alone an airplane. Oh well, sorry for the rant, just got done dealing with the *********s at customs and I had to vent.

Frozen Ronin

I'm curious. Does a maintenance background help? I've got airline and corporate mx time (20 years A&P, IA), before chasing a flying job. Now I'm kinda old, not many hours (3500, but typed in a DHC-8), but wondering if corporate is the way to go.

I value my time off more than money right now. The 7/7 or similiar schedule is very attractive. Most of the corp stuff I've found is a marriage to the airplane kinda thing. NEVER gonna be me. I love hiking/camping/kayaking too much. My flying is a way to fund such activities!

Anyone fly with an ex-greasemonkey that's made it to the left seat?

Thanks,
Ronin

lear 31 pilot

I agree with Frozen, I fly part 135 charter and am on call alot but thankfully we do not fly every day usually about twice a week and about 400 hours a year plus we get about 7 days a month off, If I did not have any hard days off I could not take it.

Pilotpip

Ronin,

One of the dangerous things about being a wrench bender and pilot is that many places see it as a chance to get two people for one salary. Chances are they're going to want you to cut corners as they're already unwilling to pay for two qualified people.

I used to see this a lot when I worked at an FBO. Company buys an old plane that is much more than they need. They got it on the cheap becuase it's high time and unreliable. Pilot comes in, sees the pax off and then starts repairing. This could go into the night. Next day same dude is sitting up front with only an hour or two sleep.

paidtowait

Hey Ronin,

This is the way I got into , and my15yr MX background was mostly Corp. and Heavy jet before the close encounter with a Lear 25 that needed a copilot one day. So it was for the most part being in the right place at the right time with a wrench in my hand and 250 hours of C-421time in my log book.
Now 10 years later ,captain on LR-60, and MX Mgr. No wrench bending anymore.
But I don't have a schedule... in other words I live on someone else (aircraft owner) schedule and flying 450 /yr.
For you I recommend the fracs to get a schedule. Fracs have basically become the next gen airline.

Don't get me wrong I have no regrets , as is fairly common in this sector of the industry I have been places and seen things that the average guy only dreams of in a life time. But now I have grand kids and other things I like to do etc. etc. Difficult, with no schedule to plan anything.

good luck to you.

later,

Frozen Ronin

Thanks, fellas. I appreciate the insight.

Pip: You are right on, I've had to walk away from offers before because the operator either thinks a guy should be able to fly all day and bend wrenches all night, even if the pay reflects the added responsibility. I don't mind doing the 'management' of the maintenance, but my head only holds one hat at a time!

Paidtowait:
It sounds great that you've been able to reach such a level of responsibility, and I hope you are well compensated for that. As you mentioned, the older we get, the more Quality of Life is worth. A schedule would trump pay for me at this point. Of course, as I get older I'm in more need for benefits and retirement as well. Sounds like I'm being picky, but why not? Other industries compensate, support and vest their employees so they may achieve a QOL worth living!! Argh. Makes a guy contemplate moving toward 'the dark side', and work for the FAA.

Thanks again for the insight. I wish I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up!

Ronin

ONGLIDE

Its always a mystery

08udaviator

What is Voyage Air, LJ, Des Moine Aero?