Military or Gov't contract (BlackWater, DynCorp, etc.) in Afghanistan.

 

That is an idea, but I wouldn't even know where to start looking...I'll start with Google, but any other suggestions?

 

Thats a very vague view of corporate flying...I cant remember the last time I did an out and sit all day and back trip...

I guess its like saying all regional pilots fly 8 legs a day and make 20K a year...

 

Understood...I know just enough about the corporate world to question that stereotypical view, but no more LoL. What kind of flying do you find yourself doing?

 

You're simply not going to get the TOLs in the average 91 job that you get in the average regional airline job...nor will you likely fly the same number of hours. I'm probably going to average 40 hours block/mo for 2008 in the jet, and maybe another 4-5/mo in the Cirrus. I think the average 91 job flies 300-350hrs/yr, with some flying more and many flying less.

Many of our trips are your prototypical one leg AM, sit, one leg back PM. Depending on the length of sit, we get a day room...but 99% of FBOs have a pilot lounge more comfortable than the average 121 crew room so fatigue isn't really an issue. It also helps to have a crew car to go get a good meal and cup of good coffee if you want. I'm amazed I haven't put any weight on yet from how much better I'm eating...

We go into the same 5-6 airports typically, but a time or three a month we get some pleasant novelties, like going into ATL yesterday. Things like that are nice, and keep you on your toes

I've grown immensely, both personally and professionally, since I left the right seat of an RJ to go fly my little Citation.

 

BoilerUP, what year did you graduate from Purdue? I'm a 1993 grad myself. I used to go back and talk to the classes about aviation jobs frequently for the first couple years after graduation, but haven't been back to the campus for the last 5 or 6 years, which is sad considering I too live only about 1.5 hours away from WL.

 

some pleasant novelties, like going into ATL

I find it funny to hear that, being a regional pilot who flies generally too or from ATL everytime I fly. I don't know about the corporate side of the airport but the rampers on my side drive me crazy some times. I love the rare trips that don't have you flying into ATL till the end of three days. But I get what you're saying. Something new and challenging is always welcomed.

I've enjoyed reading this thread and took notice to the "GRASS IS GREENER SYNDROME" stated earlier. I've got this paranoid feeling that i may get furloughed early next year and am considering trying to find a corporate gig.
Could you elaborate a little on what you mean exactly by that.

 

2005...My wife, colleague and I (all Purdue AT grads) were in WL a few weeks ago to talk to a few classes.

We're about 3hrs from campus, but only an hour by Cirrus

 

Indeed; when you normally fly into small, rural, uncontrolled airports a major metro is a nice change.

Flying a Citation II with a Vref of 102kts into the world's busiest airport is a fun challenge as a pilot; kept 150kts until a 2 mile final and STILL almost got run over by a 757 after turning off 8L.

Basically, a job is a job. Some people think that all "corporate" (be it true part 91, fractional 91k, or charter 135) is "better" than airline flying. Others think that corporate flying is somehow "safer" and less prone to market changes and job losses than the airlines. Those beliefs, on the whole, simply are not true. I know people who have left corporate and fractional jobs to fly for a regional because they didn't like the lifestyle business aviation afforded them.

As I've said, I couldn't be more thrilled at my current situation...but I was happy working at Air Wisconsin. For ME, the grass was greener...but that isn't a guaranteedt thing.

And if you're a regional FO with no ATP, no type ratings, and no PIC to speak of you need to be networking YESTERDAY if you're interested in a pure 91 job. I was, and a relationship I had fostered for 3 years got me my current position...

 

Sounds like my adventures in a C310 going in there. At least you could do better than 180KIAS arriving, although I could take the advantage on short final speed, 170-180 until 2-3mile final. One good thing the props do!