I don't post here much, but thought I'd ask for suggestions from the group. I'm currently a Lear35 part 135 pic, and have been in 135 for the past 7 years. Total time is a shade over 3500 with 1000 tpic. The charter lifestyle is beyond frustrating and I've been looking for an out for obvious reasons. A part 91 first officer ,nbaa jet II , has presented itself and I feel I'm going to have to decide between the two. Would I be foolish to vacate my pic position? Sadly, the pay hit would be negligible.( fo pay top end of nbaa, 135 position LOW end of nbaa). Sorry this is so poorly crafted, I'm on my phone. I'd like to hear questions from the group, as well as commentzs and suggestions. Ahanks

Few more points. No mandatory office time in the 91 gig. Probably no pic type initially, maybe down the road. Would be typed initially but they hqve recently been screwed( I don't get people). Lots of down time, he said they do hqve POP up trip occasionally. He defined POP up as being called on Wednesday for a trip Friday; I laughed out loud. Not much room for advancement, small 91 department. Owner has owned for 20 year, no surprises about how expensive airplanes are. Interviewer said the owners treat him like family( is that good or....)

 

I don't think you would be foolish to consider the new 91 gig further. Yeah so it is less money, but if you have more down time to yourself, and like how the company operates and treats you, then more power to you, and that is worth that difference in pay. If the boss/company is like some of the 91 operators I know or have worked for, you will be like family, and will get to know these guys on a personal level, which I consider a great attribute. Ultimately it is up to you, but I know how you are thinking because you do not want to step on anyones feet, and hope in the end the gig is better than you had before. An eventually I am sure you will get thta PIC spot, or pilots will be typed and can be co-captains.

K

 

What is the airplane? If its a common one then I would go for the job. If it doesnt work out after a year or so then at least you have time in type (albeit SIC) and can bring that to the table of your next job should you choose to move on.

 

Good Part 91 jobs for individuals can be fantastic...and they can suck.

Since you are coming from on-demand charter, reality is anything may give you a better QOL....so that may go a long way either way.

Things I see that would need to be thought about:

- Whats with the non-type thing? - really who cares if the job is good...but WHY have people left so quick. Dont be jaded, there's likely reasons. Try and talk to people who have left. Aviation managers and interviewers are notorious for projecting their operation as something other than what it really is...

- How many pilots? 2? thats a red flag IMO but again depends where you are coming from and what your needs/expectations are. Iron out the time off thing very early in the process...if there is even one. Don't accept "we may use contractors if needed"...that often means only if you are deathly sick and it affects THEIR trip, not if YOU want a Saturday off once a year. Do they consider your time in these decisions? Quite often 2 pilots working for a family operation means "Isn't it great we go to the Aspen vacation home every weekend, how can you call this work?" etc etc....(puke)

Be careful on the family thing, I also work for a great family, they treat me very, very well...but I'm not family. No matter how personal they like to get, keep it at a certain distance. I know pilots who are expected to stay at the guest houses, have dinner with them, play with the boss, do chores etc..Not going there. Usually its just a way for the boss to save $$.

Reality Check: you are the help. You are not family unless you are in the will, and you're not.

Don't want to sound too negative, just offering some things to think about....at the end of the day I'm all for continuing the climb upward until you reach the job you want. It IS all about you.

Good Luck!

 

Thanks for the replies,



The no type c550,which is still being considered, is because they typed the last guy only to have him except recall to a legacy carrier. I'm told that this was a total blindside, no mention of the recall rights. Can't say I blame the guy for returning to the airlines, but if that's how it went down....Not cool.

Two pilots. Time off is "scheduled" around the flying schedule. Checking Flight Aware seems to trend towards a lot of down time( fly10-12 days a month). Seems like they fly the plane home, or airline, for extended stays at other homes. The no schedule is concerning, but it would be hard to be worse than what I have been doing.

I've seen how some people treat family, this can go both ways.

Bottom line is quality of life. While the salary is lower, the take home pay is almost the same with the benefits; possibly MORE depending on what is offered. I think I'll ask to talk to the outgoing party. Thanks again.

 

Good post. I agree with pretty much everything here and would like to add one thing: I personally think 91 flying is better in most areas because you're not in the business of flying to make money. Any time the airplane is viewed as a way to make money the QOL suffers because the bean counters try to squeeze every penny they can. The best jobs out there IMHO are those where the airplane is a tool for making money elsewhere and for pleasure. Obviously there's going to be exceptions here but from my experience this is the general truth.

 

Yeah that!