Corporate Burnout
 

Hey everybody,

Wanted to get some perspective(s). I'm burning out at my current gig and trying to make sure that I'm not being unreasonable.

Here are the facts:

Single Pilot, 1 Aircraft (single turbo-prop)

24/7 365 on call. 56K a year. No bennies (1099). Hotels, but no meals or rental car paid for. No hard days off or PTO. No relief pilot. $50 per diem.

An average month is 17 days flying, 12-13 days overnights. Usually 12 hours notice, but about 25% less than that. Lots of redeyes and some international flying too.

I negotiated the terms for 2 years when it was represented that I'd be flying MAYBE 150 hours a year and they encouraged me to have other part time flying. I've flown 286 hours in 7 months, been gone 89 days out of the past 120. I have to give up trips on other jets all the time because of my lack of schedule.

I feel like I'm flying too much for too little (so say we all), but I am gone more than the average regional guy and not making much more coin after taxes, and I don't have hard days off. I figure I should be making $500 (+) per day if I'm flying this much and on-call 24/7, either that or I need solid days off.

My plan is to have a sit-down with the mgr and renegotiate compensation/schedule or walk (Boutique, Surf, something like that; or maybe even a Regional). They're nice enough people, but I'm burning out.

Also, I'm a pretty young guy just over ATP mins a year ago.

Am I being unreasonable?

24/7 365 and 1099 is completely illegal in the eyes of the IRS. After taxes that you have to pay, 56K is horrible. No meals or rental car? Great Scott! Run as fast as you can.

Just by reading the first few paragraphs, I would've left a looooong time ago...

Complete crap.

That sounds awful, you're not being unreasonable at all. All that too for a single engine turbo prop, which will do nothing to advance your career. Goodluck!

I'm asking because I don't know, but why is that illegal to the IRS


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Because contractors set thier own schedule.

I think you are getting a raw deal. This might get you started...

https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small...ed-or-Employee

I think it is safe to say without changes in compensation AND staffing, I would probably bail. That being said, the best way to negotiate is when you have a offer letter in hand from another employer. I would strongly advise to reach out and see exactly what is available to you at this point in your career. Everyone has had crummy jobs in this profession, but most importantly you want to be able to show recency in flight as well as biting off more than you can chew without another offer letter in hand. Sounds like it may be time to part ways either way. Best of luck-

This is a rotten deal and you should make a change as soon as you reasonably can. There are so many things wrong with it that it is unlikely to ever become an acceptable job. However, you mention that meals are not paid for; does not the $50 per diem cover that?

Umm, you could quit for any crappy charter gig and be better off. Why on earth would you stay!? Every day you stay, convinces the owners to never do the right thing and actually treat their pilot right.

"24/7 365 on call. "

That alone is reason enough to bail - everything else just seals the deal. You paid your dues and got your time, time to move on. "Burnout" is an understatement.

And they are all correct about the 1099 - if you can't pick and choose which trips you accept, then you are not a contractor, you are an employee.

Best wishes.

Get out immediately!!!!!! That is one of the worst job descriptions I have ever heard.

Every other operator flying your plane has better pay, better benefits, and a better schedule. This is not a joke. Leave your job and fly the same plane somewhere else where you will be happier.

That sounds terrible! 500 bucks a day contract rate, and a retainer if you are on call. If they don't like it leave.


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What's the end game? Airlines? If so, I'd just head to the regionals.

Otherwise, can you move for the job? 1500 hours won't likely get you a great charter gig, but it'll definitely get you something better than you have now. That situation is horrible - you need out. And while you might be able to negotiate with them, I doubt you'll get the kind of gains to justify sticking around.

JMO.

Too right. Surprisingly for some of you, this is a marked improvement over my previous job.

Spoke with manager expressing my concerns. He basically said "well, there's no way the owner will go for any of this, you already make more than the previous guy did". He said he'll discuss it.

I think I already have my answer. Fired off several job applications to regionals and others this weekend.

Thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy.

If it's part.135 you need a minimum of 13 days off a quarter. I would tell them at least 500 a day plus car and hotels. Get him to also pay for trianing if you go to a flight safety.
Hard days off and PTO are esential as well.
The only way these types of jobs will go away are if people stand up for themselves!
PIC in a single pilot turbo prop is a serious job with a lot of responsibility. It should be compensated so...
Low time or not you are a professional pilot.

OP. You said you got your ATP min a year ago. You said you are young. You already wasted a year of your life. That is more than half a million dollars less in your pocket the day you retire. The regionals are hiring, don't waste more time.

Ugh...I know you're trolling, but like a moth to flame I can't resist:

Not everyone wants to be an airline pilot. And I say that as an airline pilot at a legacy carrier. That said, if this guy wants to eventually fly for the airlines, I think you're right - he needs to head to the regionals.

I am just going by what the OP expressed (interest in the regionals) and the title of his thread. So you are assuming I made an assumption (:confused:) when, right or wrong, I merely made an observation.
I am just passionate about this subject because I wish I had made the jump myself long time ago instead of only last year. And the longer one wait the more painful it is to make such jump.
Of course not everybody wants the airlines, but that subject has been discussed before multiple times.

Thanks everyone for helping me be assured I wasn't crazy. I interviewed everywhere. Took a job with Compass. Been flying a couple citations too as a contract SIC typed FO. $400-500/day, hotel+meals. A whole lot better situation now.

Good for you. I read your original post and was horrified that an owner would expect all that from one individual. I worked some crappy jobs for a lot less money and in riskier aircraft, but not in such a relentless situation. Even if the quality of life had been better, you didn't need to waste any more time in a single turbine.

Is DL flow-thru still "a thing" at Compass. Even if not, the planes are sweet and the experience is solid. You're on the right path at the right time. Congratulations!

HeWho,
Would you give more details on what the owners said when they got back to you? And have they found someone to replace you?

Also, (to anyone): are Regionals general accepting of pilots doing commercial flying outside of the airline? I figure it would encroach on the flight time limits in the FAR's, and they wouldn't allow it.

DL flow up is not a thing anymore, I think the last guy flows up in January.

Basically they said NO to any renegotiation of compensation/schedule/duties. I am unaware about a replacement, but

I'm sure they found someone fairly quickly...there is always an unending stream of young pilots looking for a gig that pays good money, and like many Part 91 owners, they paint a pretty rosy picture.

Regionals are generally not eager about their pilots flying outside. FOMs differ, some want an LOA from chief pilot, all require you to report outside flying. Yea, at 85/hr month guarantee I'm sure you cut it close if you fly much.

As far as the owners go, if they've set up that type of environment, it's something that will never change. Owners like that believe they know everything and know better than anyone else. With the current climate for pilots, they're going to find out, in very short order, that the position will become nothing but a revolving door and, while that may be fine with them, I'd hate to be a passenger on that aircraft. Unfortunately, more likely than not, there will always be someone who will take a job like that. While we've all had crappy positions, this is about as bad as I've ever heard of.
Good luck on your new position.

PM sent...

2014 average s/e turboprop pay was $55,000.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/co...ary-study.html

I thought indentured servitude went out in the 1700s.

Stupid MOFO's. Just what I'd want. A revolving door for the guys I trust with my safety. Instead of guys getting comfortable with my plane and mission I'd like new guys (always) in those situations.
SMH

I would have given my left nut to have a job like that when I was your age !!!
Don't be listening to these other guys too much, they are not walking in your shoes .......... You are gaining valuable time and experience. What is your total time ? If you are that marketable, then I could see their points about looking somewhere else .......... But if you are still working on your resume, don't jump too soon ......... Yes, renegotiate the terms but be careful if you don't have another job waiting on you. The employer "being nice" is not an excuse to get yourself beat up in the process ................ Good luck !!!

Too late, he already got a better job.