About three years ago I was dropping skydivers at a little airport near the Salinas Valley when a sizable business jet (can't remember what it was) landed and parked on the ramp. It was rather nondescript; all white with a thin blue and red stripe running its length on each side.

I was surprised to find the pilots were wearing Costco name badges (yes, just like the ones they wear in the stores). They were super nice and happy to talk to me and show me the airplane. We talked briefly about how they ended up flying for Costco, and I remember that at least one of them said he worked in one of the warehouses before transferring to the flight department.

I thought that was interesting. Now, three years later, I have a better understanding of the industry and what the minimums would likely be to fly executives around like that. And I keep asking myself: How would that work? How does somebody go from operating a forklift to flying a Gulfstream? Was he a furloughed airline pilot who took a job at Costco just to pay the bills? A long-time Costco employee who actively pursued his flight ratings and instructed on the side until he had enough time?

Obviously I should have asked him at the time, but I wasn't forward-thinking enough to even get a name or a business card. I've heard that Costco has a strong preference of farming-raising their corporate employees at the store level. But the flight department? If anybody has insight on how Costco selects their flight department pilots, I would be interested to hear.... if for no reason other than to satisfy this curiosity.

 

I worked for Costco just under three years. I did everything in the warehouse such as meat department to working inside the freezer. Worked my a** off! At the time I was working on my A&P license and I was a 1000 hour commercial SE and ME, instrument rated flight instructor. I used Costco to help me with continuing my education. The warehouse manager actually encourage me to call the flight department. I gave them a call not expecting much. I actually found the conversation to be discouraging. Around two months later I gave my two weeks notice because I was going to work for a charter company as a pilot/mechanic. Costco flew a position as a support person for the flight crews. Again I was encouraged to call them back. I did and found out the primary job was to update the Jepp charts and clean the cabin. I chose not to pursue it but I'm sure I would have ended up flying for them someday.
Looks like I made the right choice though. I am 5 years from retiring at a young age with full benefits but I may work another 10 to 15 because I enjoy what I do. Costco doesn't have that kind of retirement but does pay well.