Mustangcbra

Hello Friends,

I am a military pilot that is begining to research my flight options for after the completion of my training in 2013. My wife and I are particuarly interested in relocating to the Chicago area where there are more opportunites for both of our career fields.

My question is this. With my qualifications listed below do I have a chance with any corporate, air taxi or fractional entity around Chicago?

-Bachelors Degree from Western Mchigan University in Aviation Science and Admin (Private, Instrument and Commercial license earned at WMU)
-6 years Airline Operations Experience

-500 hours total time-
--318 Multi
--265 Turbine
--105 Turbo Jet

-Type Rated Hawker 400a

The numbers listed above are my best guess at what I will finish with. My seasoning orders and time back at base flying may provide me with an additional 100-200 hours of flight time all multi-turbine. I know that I am a fairly low time pilot but I am hoping that the turbine and military expereience that I have might help out.

Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on flying jobs that I should pursue in the Chicago area with these qualifications? Any positive feedback would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers

galaxy flyer

You'll need to get your ATP, first. It's the baseline requirement, especially in 2013 with the change in the law. Sounds like you are a ANG/Reserve pilot trainee, hang in there, bum for some Herk hours and check on GI Bill money for training money.

There should be opportunities in the Chicago area by then, regionals, lots of biz jets at MDW and more being sold there. ATP, take it from there
GF

Low Flyin

I know a couple of flight schools that really need instructors if you need to build time fast. Big need in that area...everybody's going to the airlines

HotMamaPilot

I can offer suggestions: don't move to chicago. The weather is awful, the traffic is horrendous, and the cost of living is brutal. I hear from many people how they want to move to chicago. It always seems (after I ask why) that their main reason is based on a weekend that they spent touring michigan ave in july or a cubs game that they went to in august. If one of your reasons for wanting to move there is similar, then my advice is don't!
Chicago, nice place to visit (in the summer), terrible place to live (especially on aviation salary).

Cruz5350

Quite the contrary imo as a Chicago native it's not really any of those things. Awful weather? Well it has 4 seasons much like half this country does. If you want 24/7 warmth move south. Traffic sucks in any major city, but it's nothing compared to ATL or LAX. Cost of living is really not that bad, once again with me moving to ATL it is way more expensive here than it is there. You can comfortably live there on 35-45K.

HotMamaPilot

You are probably a native who spends october thru april in florida. Traffic does suck. Most major cities have highways in all directions from city; for chicago, however, there is a little body of water called lake michigan that occupies the east (hence, no roads over there).
I'm a native as well and I'm not quite sure which chicago you're speaking of. 35 k? Lol. I guess joliet can be nice in the spring. Lol.

Cruz5350

I've lived in Chicago for 23 years and I don't know what the lake has to do with it? There is 4 sets of highways that can get you into and out of the city, if traffic bothers you live closer to ORD or MDW. There is plenty of decent neighborhoods that will allow 30-40min commutes that aren't dangerous or over priced.

Cruz5350

OP if you are looking for coporate gigs check out KARR, KDPA, KPWK, KLOT etc. etc. If you want a 91 or 135 gig those are the places to look. There is dozens of safe and reasonable neighborhoods around those airports to live in and or raise a family. Yes it's cold and snowy in the winter and yes it will be hotter than hell in the summer, but those things will never change. What is in your control is finding a suitable job and a nice place to live. Chicago has those it's just a matter of research and a good bit of luck.

Mustangcbra

Cruz thanks for the pointers. As I said I am pretty sure that I will not be able to get a corporate job right away after my training ends but after a few hundred hours in the C-130 and an upgrade to Aircraft Commander, I am sure it will be alot easier. In addition I believe that I may be hitting the industry at a time where the needs for pilots has become critical.

As far as moving to Chicago and the reasons. We have numerous friends that live there and go to the city frequently. It is possible to live on 45k a year as I have several friends doing it just North of Chicago. We want to move because of the opportunities for my wife, closeness to Michigan where a majority of are friends are and the overall personality of the city.

As far as weather goes, I grew up in Buffalo, went to school in North Dakota and lived in Western Michigan. I am pretty sure Chicago does not have anything new that we have not already experienced.

Cruz5350

You're on the right track bud! Keep it up and you'll have a job sooner rather than later.