All your replies are much appreciated. I know it wouldn't be simple breaking into corporate aviation when I returned which is why I'm debating back and forth so much. I have a good job now which is better than a lot of pilots can say right now. Sometimes I think I'm selfish for trying to better myself and get what I want. Is that strange???

 

My best recommendation is stay where you are at if you're pulling down 150K or even near it and it's a fair job or better. I know more GV/GIV rated folks with great experience that are out of work than I know that have jobs.

As for international experience ... GIV/GV rating = international experience. I don't know a single guy/gal with significant time in these types that don't have lots of international time and are not completely capable of going anywhere in the world on a moment's notice.

With only an airline background, if you spend a couple of years in Asia on a GIV/GV/G450/G550 and return to the U.S. you will still be significantly "out classed" by bunches of folks I know who are out of work, highly qualified and hungry.

Now if you have an "in" that's another thing ... but absent that ... stay put.

TransMach

 

If I had the opportunity that you do I would jump on it in a second. You will most likely cut your flying time in half for a small pay cut which means more time for yourself. Plus you'll probably eat better I think everyone on here can agree that time off is invaluable. As for being marketable I think you would have a pretty good chance of finding a job in a few years if you wanted to leave the Asia gig. Gulfstream has been spitting these planes out at a rate of 60-70 planes a year for quite some time so the planes are out there once you start to network.

If thats selfish then we are all guilty. At the end of the day the only person who is really going to watch out for you and your ultimate best interests....is you. I think it would be unwise to let this opportunity pass and you if dont take it the next guy will.

 

Back in January NJI furloughed 30 G-V type rated guys, some of those guys came from UA, AA, CO, Polar Air cargo, etc. They already had lots of international experience prior to NJI.. .. most of those guys are still looking, times have changed my friend... I'm not saying it can't be done, but I'd certainly come up with a plan B...

But I do see your point, the G450/550 type is in mine opinion the best type-rating in the industry.... I'd get the type and wait for the market to recover

as far as G-V captain pay I remember reading average pay is around a buck forty, maybe $145K... high pay can probably as high as $160K, maybe?

 

Hey Oceanicpilot is it this company???

Photos: Gulfstream Aerospace G-V-SP Gulfstream G550 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

if you don't wanna tell me just ignore my post, no worries man

 

I agree with your plan b. However having recently interviewed pilots for a G450 position I can say that there aren't alot of current and qualified guys on this type. GIV guys are a dime a dozen but the 450/550 guys are much harder to find. I agree times have changed but times are changing. Every day I hear of new deliveries of aircraft most of what I am hearing are G450 spots in vny/lgb/sna/bur area.

 

Is it safe to say that pay for a Global Express captain is pretty close to that of a GV/ G550?

 

For the most part, but again that mostly depends on the company as well as bonuses. I know for a fact the company I used to work for, the GV guys made less than the GLEX crew.

 

Depends....I know Midwest based G550 fortune 500 experienced "Senior International Captains" who make 110-130k but are all giddy because, well, it's a G550!

Most flex guys I know are 150-160k.

In reality I would say it's department specific, but those gulfy gurus will do anything to fly their beloved grummans.

 

UCLA....Nope, but nice picture.