I'm just suggesting for a young guy starting, the trade offs between DL and one of those great corporate jobs; depending on your personal priorities. I'd agree with everything NowCorporate says on the current state of play in corporates.

GF

Nah, I don't see there being a big change....big companies just don't change pay that quickly. Individual owners, well that's simply what you negotiate, always has been. There's Global pilots making 90k and there's Global pilots making 300k. Most come out somewhere in the middle...just like 747 pilots.

I think it's safe to say go with the route you would like the most (airline or corporate) and work hard to get to the top of either one...as that's the best place to be.

If a 14 year old asked me what to do I'd tell him get to Fedex as quick as possible I suppose?....but that's just not how life usually plays out. I never thought I'd be a corporate pilot when I took my first flight lessons....but so far it's been a great career That I wouldn't trade for any airline job, so I guess that's a success for me...:confused:

But hey, if this idea of corporate salaries taking off soon plays out?....I'm all for it!

Id suggest doing way more research on Spirit before you listen to this guy. Great contract, most profitable airline in the country, massive aircraft orders. The pay rates may seem a little low but we just got a bump Aug 1 and guys W-2s are WAY higher than the pay rates would suggest. Don't limit yourself to "legacy only"

Fair enough.
Interesting how much age demographics may play into this stuff--with the 80s airline guys (60's/70s military) retiring (either from corporate for airline).
For 30 years below, the odds are really in favor of a super successful airline career.
As for 14 year olds at Fedex--their hiring boom may be just finishing....by then it'll be UPS finally retiring their guys.

Yeah, there has always been a shortage of local, well qualified people looking for work. Maybe that will become even tighter...although the small/midsize corporate market is practically dead with no sign of recovery... I think there will be fewer aircraft out there to fly, so maybe not as much a shortage of pilots as people think?

Sounds like you know far more than me about hiring...I just go by the friends I have at the airlines, and the FedEx guys have the nicest boats. LOL.

I have long ago given up trying to figure out the pilot market, I just stick with what I like and make the best of it.

All in all its still a pretty good job (airline of corporate) There aren't too many other fields where you can make 150-200K and have the amount of time off we do. You wont get rich, but it's all pretty good.

There will always be fantastic corporate jobs. The ones that have US headquarters and principle operations in foreign locations that are difficult to get to will more than likely always have a department. The ones that are able to get their people to/from their principle operation locations easily are always subject to planes going away. Just depends on the financial situations they encounter. I work for a great department (fortune 500) but have had some scares that have threatened my job. As a father/husband in my lower 30's I am looking at making the jump to the majors. If I was willing to move to a different city I would probably stay corporate. I love my job but it isnalways stressful knowing that my job might end any day. Btw, I have friends at the type of departments I described and have zero concern of their jobs.

I love how this thread talks about the G550 and Global's and NOT the vast majority of Hawker, Citation and Lear Jobs which are 95% of the corporate flying, the "Average" salary is in the 50-95$ range.... and lets get this out in the open, an airline pilot goes to work and comes home and their time is their own... 98% of flight dept. have the flight crews on a tight leash for most or all of their time except for vacation..

Being a little overly dramatic? I'm not on a "tight leash", and 98% of my colleagues aren't as well. I also think your average salary range is a little low. But what do I know?

A tight leash? I know most trips three to six weeks in advance. Had two pop up (less than 24 hours) trips since I've worked here. I manage the airplane when I'm not flying it, but I live a normal life when I'm home. Very few overnights. I'd pass on a bigger airplane and bigger suitcase.

I guess I only fly a CJ.

so you can leave on your days off and travel where you like far from the airplane, not available for trips AND not be on vacation?? hmmm not buying it... (if so you are that 5% I was referring too)
do you realize that captain for Delta Airelite makes 50K and what travel management pays? I will take ALL the global's and Gulfstreams pays and average them against ALL , just hawkers , out there and what do you think you will come up with..? The pay in the Corp industry will never compete with airlines... and as you write your re-buttle please remember to put LUV in and DL in your thoughts..
my buds are working at luv for 14 -15 days and in the 120's as fo's!


I prefer not to but I can name 10 companies off hand that are in the fortune 1000 blah blah .. that do not allow hard days off without vaca and are on call almost 24/7 ...and pay is marginal..IMHO between 80-100,