ZapBrannigan

I know at least one Fortune 500 department that limits crews to $100 per night for hotels ($130 at class B airports), and permits $8 for breakfast, $14 for lunch, and $18 for dinner. (Domestic)

USMCFLYR

Gov't per diem at the *smaller* locales is $46/day - and you get 75% of that on the first and last day if the locations were at that per diem rate.
I eat like I eat and generally spend 40-50% of my per diem.
knowing where the $1 lunches are helps too

GrummanCT

That's awful.

Zap, could you share a little bit about legacy meal and hotel policy? Expense account, per diem? If per diem what does it equate to on a multi day trip out of base?

ZapBrannigan

Not really. Wouldn't want to speak out of turn. Just sharing what my previous 91 operator permitted to be expensed.

GVCPT

I have no dog in this fight but I will tell you how our flight department works. We have a couple of large cabin Gulfstreams that spend most of their time overseas. The crews work a 30 day on/ 30 day off schedule. All commutes to the airplanes and home are business class tickets on flag carriers. All expenses are paid. We stay where we want and eat what we want. With that said, all of our crews are responsible enough to not take advantage of the owner's generosity. After all, if we cause the operating expenses to increase to a point where the accountants become concerned then we may find ourselves looking for a job. The crews will also work with each other on the schedule. If someone needs extra time off, another crew member will stay on duty for a longer period of time (knowing that they will have extra time off when they get home). We also look at where the planes will be before we crew swap. If the airplane is in Moscow or Singapore and we have a trip scheduled to the US in a week, then the crew will stay on extra time knowing they will get extra time off. I know our flight department is unique and not everyone would be willing to be away from home for 30 days at a time, but I do enjoy having 6 months off a year. To get back to the original question, we have a mix of corporate only pilots and ex 121 pilots. Two of the ex 121 guys were with the majors, one was a CA, both were in their 40's when they left to come to work with us. We don't hire type ratings, we hire personalities. After all who wants to spend 30 days with some a**hole jerk. I enjoy my job and would not want to do anything different. Remember "to each his own", there are pros and cons to every job out there, make the best of what you have and if you can't do that, MOVE ON.

Std Deviation

I wouldn't exactly say that; however I did have both of them in class at different times. Very lovely ladies.

NowCorporate

These threads are always interesting...

Why are good corporate (Gulfstream/Global etc) and top airline (FedEx UPS etc) jobs considered a "rarity" and "lucky to be obtained?"

Personally, I wouldn't pursue this career without these being the expected goal. There is no reason either can't be had with half head on your shoulders...a degree, clean background, decent experience, and persistence. I do realize timing must play a part (hiring must be happening) but these jobs are far from "rare." To me they are expected if you're investing so much time and money into this career (civilian or military) Be prepared to jump when the timing is right. Right now there is a ton of hiring happening, I don't follow the airline side, but i know many corporate operations are badly in need of decent, qualified pilots. Nobody qualified is staying in crappy jobs right now.

College, learning to fly, and just plain life today, is VERY expensive. One does not need to be living extravagant to know that a 70K regional airline or charter job simply isn't going to support a family, a retirement, and a livable lifestyle (I'm sure there's exceptions to this, its all personal, but not many people want to live on $23/day on the road)

Do people actually lay out a career plan today or just kind of drift around seeking the next best thing, and when that continues to disappoint they simply log into the internet and complain?...

ZapBrannigan

Yeah... I forgot my career plan. You got it. Lol. You have a lot To learn about aviation

USMCFLYR

One of our Challenger 01/04/05 experienced pilots recently left for a corporate job. A mutual friend said he talked to him this weekend and he said that his phone has been ringing off the hook with other job offers and contract work opportunities.

NowCorporate

Yes, I believe I know him, we are practically neighbors and cross paths at local get-togethers.