Line Service
 

Hello,

I am a part time CFI with a full time desk job. I'm becoming very interested in corporate. From everything I've heard and read, networking is the best (and sometimes only) way in.

I've thought about picking up a shift or two a week doing line service. It would give me a lot of time to meet some corporate pilots, and might even be fun a night or two a week. I've known a few guys (some even fairly low time) that happened into a right seat job this way. Any thoughts or experiences?

Not a bad idea. Just make sure you're clean cut, clean (as can be), curious, and nice. I'd make sure to ask questions about the plane, mainly to learn, but also to put in the back of the customers mind that you're a pilot as well. That, indirectly, is probably what'll help most in networking. As much as handing a resume to the King Air would be nice, the better thing maybe to do is ask about the avionics setup, get a 5 minute briefing, and tell the guy if he ever needs a copilot for a maintenance flight that you're available.....

I chased a beechjet type rating for a two years at an FBO. Got to right seat in it and grab flights on some Citations based at the field as well. Never got the type rating hence the username and eventually had to cut my losses and leave for another job. The people I worked for were amazing and treated me great. There just never was a position that opened up to let me fly full time. Anyways...

There are two type of ways to approach the situation. Work as a line guy and do your job or you can turn it into a giant networking event and make yourself hated by everyone you work with. The line guys, mchanics, etc... who already work at the airport are your direct link to the pilots. They will sing your praises or throw you under the bus to anyone who asks about you. You work with them, they'll work with you. That's how it works. The pilots you meet may know youre a pilot but if you cant pull their plane out of the hangar on time or have a fuel truck ready when they are, you're worthless to them.

In my second year working the line I became a shift supervisor. I worked double, triple shifts all the time. Sometimes I'd be on the clock for over 24 hours. I had chances to do flights but my #1 job at the airport was the line so I had to pass. During the spring of that year we hired a part time line guy. A flight student from a local university flight program. He just about had his commercial and had a real positive attitude towards his aviation. Unfortunately his downfall was any time a plane came in or had to go out, he spent all of his energy talking to flight crews and not working the line when he was suppose to. When I was out in the pouring rain trying to fuel a Challenger, he was inside the crew lounge asking the F/O for a job. The flight crews based out of our FBO saw this all the time and no one wanted much to do with him. I think he still works there but I don't think he's had an many opportunities as I did by just doing my job the best I could and waiting for the right person to notice.

Or of course you could just get lucky and get a flying job in the first two weeks. That happens too.

Not to knock line work, but if you want to be a pilot, be a pilot.

Part time CFI and full time desk job isn't likely going to lead to a corporate gig anytime soon.

While I don't know your specific situation, I'd suggest fly 7 days a week to build up your time and move up and on ASAP. The networking and connections will come.

Also, some of the best lower time corporate networking gigs are at the sim centers as a right seat or part time instructor.

Good luck!

This.

In my two years as line guy trying to grab trips I flew less than 200hrs and most of it was single engine. That fancy King Air time usually isn't log-able. I was right seating in a Mustang and did probably 20 trips in the thing. My logbook shows none of that.

I did line service for about 6 years. One of the FBOs I worked for had an aircraft sales division that I worked myself into and was able to build time towards my ratings while ferrying planes they bought and sold. I also got to know a lot of the pilots that were based with us along with our regular transient customers.

I had a lot of great people during my time working line service who helped me in my career progression and I always paid it forward to the next guy. So I accredit my line service experience to where I am today along with the people who helped me. I never got my CFI. In short, my career has been pure luck.

Thanks for the honest replies everyone!

BeechedJet - your point is noted. I would intend to do my job and work hard with my coworkers. I've done some line service in the past and would be willing to do more than my share.

As far as flying 7 days a week, I realize that is the best bet. Unfortunately my mortgage and family will not enable me to do that. I am in my mid-thirties and "life happened" when I started into aviation after college. There have been a lot of serious family obligations that have kept me from pursuing this over the last decade. I don't regret any choices that I've made and I would make them again if I had to. Hopefully I won't anytime soon.

In any case, I am far enough along to realize that I've put limitations on myself, and I have to live with those. I have no dreams of flying big iron or making big bucks. It would not bother me in the least if I never get into turbojet equipment. I am also not looking for results immediately. I am just looking for opportunities doing anything to start out.

Andy

I have my current job from working line. When my boss was ready to hire a full-time pilot, he already had me in mind from knowing me as a lineman. But I went a full year after college working line (while instructing and doing some contract flying) before the job came up.

I've worked line service seasonally 5+ years. Only the last two I've been flying and the networking I've dne accidentally just by being friendly has been great. This summer I got two cards with "call me when you hit 1200 so you can fly freight for 50k a year" and a few folks even wanted me to instruct them when I finished my CFI (which is done now). It's also a good way to learn about the industry IMO. I've had so much fun doing it and I've met some amazing people. Some are jerks, many will ruin your day. You'll be a better customer for doing it, and a more professional pilot. I made some amazing friends and some wonderful mentors working line service and I wouldn't change a thing.

Beechedjets advice is on the money.
I wouldn't be too calculated, just be yourself, if you want to fly it will show.
I worked line service during high school while learning to fly. Was an extremely lucky kid to get hired into a Lear charter job during my freshman year of community college for the company I was working line service for. Finished college on correspondence while getting a couple thousand hours of jet time.
Some great memories. I liked it so much that when I retire in another eight years I'm thinking of trying to find a few shifts a week of line work to stay active.
CG