Best corporate personnel departments?
12-25-2012 | 03:54 PM
#11
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,080
Likes: 0
From: Executive Transport Driver
Been at a Fortune 500 flight department for a little over 8 years after spending 10 in the 121 world. There are definite pros and cons to both. Much of the time I miss the predictability that comes with bidding a schedule, and the protections that come with a contract. Other times I appreciate being home most every holiday and most weekends, flying one or two legs a day, and choosing my own hotels, and a corporate card for expenses.
When I had the opportunity to go back to USAir after an extended furlough I chose to remain here instead. Time will tell whether that was the right decision.
When I had the opportunity to go back to USAir after an extended furlough I chose to remain here instead. Time will tell whether that was the right decision.
12-25-2012 | 06:21 PM
#13
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Small departments can be ok if with the right bosses. If the 2-4 pilots get along and really care about the operation it can be a great life.
People often ask these general questions and think Fortune 123 or the big name/plane is best. Not often the truth. People confuse Bill Gates with Microsoft and Steve Jobs with Apple from Fred Smith with Fedex and Sam Walton with Walmart---principle owned aircraft vs. a big corporate structure. Best short term pay is probably better on the principle aircraft, longer term pay and benefits better with the corporations.
You really have to nail down what you are looking for.....The people with the best jobs in personal departments probably don't talk about it too much though.....
People often ask these general questions and think Fortune 123 or the big name/plane is best. Not often the truth. People confuse Bill Gates with Microsoft and Steve Jobs with Apple from Fred Smith with Fedex and Sam Walton with Walmart---principle owned aircraft vs. a big corporate structure. Best short term pay is probably better on the principle aircraft, longer term pay and benefits better with the corporations.
You really have to nail down what you are looking for.....The people with the best jobs in personal departments probably don't talk about it too much though.....
12-26-2012 | 04:35 AM
#14
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: King Air Driver
Small departments can be ok if with the right bosses. If the 2-4 pilots get along and really care about the operation it can be a great life.
People often ask these general questions and think Fortune 123 or the big name/plane is best. Not often the truth. People confuse Bill Gates with Microsoft and Steve Jobs with Apple from Fred Smith with Fedex and Sam Walton with Walmart---principle owned aircraft vs. a big corporate structure. Best short term pay is probably better on the principle aircraft, longer term pay and benefits better with the corporations.
You really have to nail down what you are looking for.....The people with the best jobs in personal departments probably don't talk about it too much though.....
People often ask these general questions and think Fortune 123 or the big name/plane is best. Not often the truth. People confuse Bill Gates with Microsoft and Steve Jobs with Apple from Fred Smith with Fedex and Sam Walton with Walmart---principle owned aircraft vs. a big corporate structure. Best short term pay is probably better on the principle aircraft, longer term pay and benefits better with the corporations.
You really have to nail down what you are looking for.....The people with the best jobs in personal departments probably don't talk about it too much though.....
12-26-2012 | 07:24 AM
#15
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
The only way to get hired into the flight department I fly for is to know someone personally. The nature of the flying is revealed after training is passed. "Interviews" are held at restaurants and bars. Flights are blocked. The passenger range is wide. And the entire fleet is 3 King Airs. Pay is above average, and QOL is awesome, plus the other perks of corporate. That is the only things I can reveal according to my confidential agreement.
12-26-2012 | 08:59 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 0
From: Square root of the variance and average of the variation
Sometimes the neighborhood looks real nice but you have to live there before you decide for yourself. Some of the CRM issues/events I've been asked to consult on (both from the FAA and from the department/pilots themselves) would shock you. 
12-26-2012 | 02:00 PM
#17
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: King Air Driver
12-26-2012 | 03:08 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
The tone for any department is generally set by its top management. Unfortunately MANY large departments wind up being run by people who have no business running anything...Yes men.
Way too many Safety Committees, Standards Committees, Training Committees, hell I have even heard of "iPad Committees" I understand theres a certain level of admin work that needs volunteers or expected participation - but its gotten way out of control at many places. Beware buzz words like "optics" "team building" "win-win" etc...they are all code for "busy work"
Do a lot of research when interviewing around, be sure you can fit in well. You should look at them as hard as they look at you. Some places expect a lot more out of a pilot than others. Dont be surprised, know what is expected of you PRIOR to the marraige.
Downside to smaller operations? - same thing..a spineless leader who will do anything the owner asks. Throw in a Management company in the mix?? - recipe for disaster.
From 3 pilots to 25 pilots, find a place with a strong leader who looks out for his pilots instead of filling in a list of budget savings BS initiatives for himself...and you may find a decent job!
Impossible to name specific dream jobs, someones dream is anothers nightmare. I can read through some of the names mentioned here and cringe...but to each his own. Its all really just an opinion...and yes, most of the best jobs stay completely off the radar. Positions filled long before someone leaves.
Good Luck!
Way too many Safety Committees, Standards Committees, Training Committees, hell I have even heard of "iPad Committees" I understand theres a certain level of admin work that needs volunteers or expected participation - but its gotten way out of control at many places. Beware buzz words like "optics" "team building" "win-win" etc...they are all code for "busy work"
Do a lot of research when interviewing around, be sure you can fit in well. You should look at them as hard as they look at you. Some places expect a lot more out of a pilot than others. Dont be surprised, know what is expected of you PRIOR to the marraige.
Downside to smaller operations? - same thing..a spineless leader who will do anything the owner asks. Throw in a Management company in the mix?? - recipe for disaster.
From 3 pilots to 25 pilots, find a place with a strong leader who looks out for his pilots instead of filling in a list of budget savings BS initiatives for himself...and you may find a decent job!
Impossible to name specific dream jobs, someones dream is anothers nightmare. I can read through some of the names mentioned here and cringe...but to each his own. Its all really just an opinion...and yes, most of the best jobs stay completely off the radar. Positions filled long before someone leaves.
Good Luck!
12-26-2012 | 06:19 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: A320
The tone for any department is generally set by its top management. Unfortunately MANY large departments wind up being run by people who have no business running anything...Yes men.
Way too many Safety Committees, Standards Committees, Training Committees, hell I have even heard of "iPad Committees" I understand theres a certain level of admin work that needs volunteers or expected participation - but its gotten way out of control at many places. Beware buzz words like "optics" "team building" "win-win" etc...they are all code for "busy work"
Do a lot of research when interviewing around, be sure you can fit in well. You should look at them as hard as they look at you. Some places expect a lot more out of a pilot than others. Dont be surprised, know what is expected of you PRIOR to the marraige.
Downside to smaller operations? - same thing..a spineless leader who will do anything the owner asks. Throw in a Management company in the mix?? - recipe for disaster.
From 3 pilots to 25 pilots, find a place with a strong leader who looks out for his pilots instead of filling in a list of budget savings BS initiatives for himself...and you may find a decent job!
Impossible to name specific dream jobs, someones dream is anothers nightmare. I can read through some of the names mentioned here and cringe...but to each his own. Its all really just an opinion...and yes, most of the best jobs stay completely off the radar. Positions filled long before someone leaves.
Good Luck!
Way too many Safety Committees, Standards Committees, Training Committees, hell I have even heard of "iPad Committees" I understand theres a certain level of admin work that needs volunteers or expected participation - but its gotten way out of control at many places. Beware buzz words like "optics" "team building" "win-win" etc...they are all code for "busy work"
Do a lot of research when interviewing around, be sure you can fit in well. You should look at them as hard as they look at you. Some places expect a lot more out of a pilot than others. Dont be surprised, know what is expected of you PRIOR to the marraige.
Downside to smaller operations? - same thing..a spineless leader who will do anything the owner asks. Throw in a Management company in the mix?? - recipe for disaster.
From 3 pilots to 25 pilots, find a place with a strong leader who looks out for his pilots instead of filling in a list of budget savings BS initiatives for himself...and you may find a decent job!
Impossible to name specific dream jobs, someones dream is anothers nightmare. I can read through some of the names mentioned here and cringe...but to each his own. Its all really just an opinion...and yes, most of the best jobs stay completely off the radar. Positions filled long before someone leaves.
Good Luck!
12-26-2012 | 06:25 PM
#20
Working weekends
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 0
From: Left Seat
Also, "great place to work" is not automatically associated to "they just got a new G5/Global/Falcon/BBJ"
Some solid, stable, companies, with 100K+ salaries, exist, flying Lears/Citations/King Airs. Just as an FYI
Some solid, stable, companies, with 100K+ salaries, exist, flying Lears/Citations/King Airs. Just as an FYI
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