Thoughts on this position
 

Hi all. I am evaluating a job offer, and wanted to get people's thoughts on it as I've been out of flying for a year, and have only worked in 121 otherwise.

Position is for a Phenom 300 FO with a well-respected local company. Upgrade potential is there starting a year from the start date. Aircraft flies ~400 hours per year, with rotation of 2 CA, 1 FO, and 1 part-time SIC. Ultimately it will be 3 CA and 1 or 2 part time SIC. Not many overnights or weekends, but they are busy right now and the company is growing rapidly. As the company grows, so will the demands on the aircraft and there are already early conversations about something larger. Starting pay is $62K and includes 401k, a corporate performance bonus, and, yes, a real actual pension. I've tried to look up salary numbers, and from what I can find this offer seems to be at the higher end of range. I'm also a mid-career professional, and want to make sure I have a strong initial position. It will be a pay cut to start, but nothing like when I went 121, and when I do upgrade I'll make up much of that lost ground. The position is in a "Tier 4" city in the Mid-Atlantic, where I live, of course.

Thoughts?

New position or are they filling a vacancy?
Big part of Corporate flying is getting along, do you share
any interests, hobbies, etc outside of flying?
What's the "personality" of the company/department.
If all those things are good, sounds great.
People, not airplanes, make the great flight departments.
Dave

Dave,

thanks for the input. I suppose you could say this is a new position, but they have been somewhat understaffed really since the financial crisis. The DO is retiring, so everyone is moving up, creating a vacancy at the bottom.

As to the culture, both CAs are fantastic guys and one I've known for over 10 years - he was my flight instructor. It's a pretty good fit from a personality standpoint.

Sounds like decent gig for you.

Pay is about on par for the aircraft, although corporate pay is also heavily dependent upon experience, keep that in mind as well. With my experience level I'd be a little hesitant to take that because I make almost twice as much right now, but I'm also on the road probably 3X as much as you are. I'm really not trying to build TPIC is hard either. But do you see what I mean? It's not just the aircraft rate is, it depends on what you can reasonably value your worth and experience.

On that point. What is the per diem? Though technically not pay that's a nice little kicker if you're out on the road more. Probably 60-70 a day or an equivalent hourly rate if you are sitting somewhere out of base. Keep in mind you are a salaried employee. I've found with my own experience with these types of gigs is that they start slow but with a fast growing company (like you stated) you'll find yourself gone more and more. Again, a good per diem will help off-set that somewhat. Obviously schedule plays into that as well, are you a Part 91 24/7 on call employee? Or part 135 with guaranteed days off? If you are the latter, then you should probably have a 150-200% or better day off rate if you get extended on the road (I guarantee this will happen at some point).

My suggestion/experience be a sqeaky clean good employee. Always on time, positive attitude, hard worker etc. and after 16-18 month you'll probably be due for a pay raise, unless you upgrade.

Based at home? Worth it's weight in gold, probably $25-30,000 in monetary value. So if you decide to leave for another higher paying gig but will be either a commuter (airlines or ACMI) or will just be always getting airlined to and from the aircraft on days off (Netjets or pure corporate). That's where I'd be at.

I hope all that helps. To sum it up, I'd take it. Let go of any SJS you have (I had that real bad back in the day myself). And enjoy some more time with your family and some new hobbies.

Good luck in your decision.

Starting at 62k sounds about on par.

Will they type you immediately? They should.
Part 91 op so they probably pay actual expenses? No per diem.
Ask your friends the CA's how long and what do they require for you to upgrade and what can you expect as a raise once you reach CA? I would expect @ 20k more.
What's 401k match? Prob @ 5%.
How many more years are you going to work?
At 400 hours per year and 3-4 pilots you will prob fly 2-3 days a week.?
Lastly, there is a lot to be said for a pension..as long as it funded?

Sounds pretty good to me :)


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You would be SIC in a single pilot aircraft. $62,000 is fantastic for that job. As PIC, you should be making mid $90's. Chief Pilot, closer to $115.

Way better than my last corporate gig. Sounds pretty good.

That is the best statement I've read on here for a long time.

CP