Change from Regional to Corporate
 

I am currently a fairly low time pilot with most of my experiance being turbine time. I grew up working at a few FBO's and learning about corporate flying. My intrest grew in becoming a pilot because of this. After spending about five years at an FBO working the line and putting myself through college I went to flight school. After that I got hired with a regional carrier and am currently flying the line.....I am absolutley misrable and my QOL isnt good at all. I love my job and flying is what I have always wanted to do. However I am not cut out for the airlines.

Working at FBO's and learning about corporate aviation is what got me interested in flying. I liked their lifestyle, the appreciation that they had for their job, and the hard work and rewards that they recieved from it.. I liked that they were proud of what they have done and are doing, none of this is what I have felt at the airlines....

I knew nothing about the airlines when the oportunity for me to sit right seat in the EMB came along, so I took it. I am upset with the taste it has left in my mouth about aviation....

I have lost many of my networking connections through time, I am wondering if anybody has any advice, ideas or help on how I can transition from the regional carrier to corporate flying. I currently live in Orlando and am open to any suggestions....
Thanks in advance

I'd say for now stay where you are a continue to look. The market is very competitive, and from the sound of it you have alot of SIC. Thats not bad but it will make it very hard to find a job unless you have an "in." So in the mean time try networking at some of the local airports, Orlando has numerous charter and corporate gigs. Also maybe you should look into clilmbto350 or findapilot, you might not get a job right away but at least they will have your resume on file. Oh and almost forgot simuflite has an SIC program, basically you sit in the right seat as support and you get a type out of it. They don't pay you for the hours in the sim but you can make some good connections. Maybe flightsafety has something like that.

#1 - Get the hell out of Florida. The market down there is saturated with pilots and while jobs are somewhat plentiful when economic times are good, there are too many people willing to work for peanuts and too many airplanes/jobs based around real estate and market fluctations to, in my non-Floridian opinion, to have sustainability. This is the hardest thing to do for a multitude of reasons (believe me, I know!) but be prepared to move for an opportunity.

#2 - Reestablish those connections you have lost. You know enough that networking is KEY, so get started on it right away. Don't go after it asking to get a job, but renew those relationships and convey what you want and are looking for. People talk and will either drop your name or introduce you to more people, and the network grows. Websites like BizAvCentral and ************* are great ways to do this online, and both are full of charter/corporate pilots.

#3 - Emphasize your customer service skills and history to everyone you speak with. That is MUCH more important than your flight qualifications once you get beyond a basic level (say 2500tt and perhaps an ATP).

#4 - As dn_wisconsin said, keep flying where you are, as much as you can get/stand. If you're low time you need as much quality experience in your logbook as possible for insurance requirements.

#5 - Did I mention networking?

GOOD LUCK!

Great advice above!

You HAVE to be where the jobs are to be minimally in the game.

Making the jump right now might be a tough move, there is very little hiring going on, and there are more corporate pilots in need of work than in the last few years.

Good Luck!