FlexThrust

Hi Guys-

The title says it all, but here is the background;

I have 5300+TT, 3,300 Turbine, 200 Jet (all heavy intl), 1600 Turbine PIC (almost all large turboprop, a little small turboprop) 3,000 121/135.

About 8 months ago I quit flying due to a medical issue. This is now resolved and I have a new 1st Class in the wallet. When I stopped flying I was lucky enough to find a non-flying aviation job that I like, but the pay isnt the best and there isnt a lot of room for advancement. I'm about to start doing some part-time 135 flying in a King Air and possibly a Citation II.

Leaving flying for a while showed me that life can go on outside the cockpit, and I've loved being home with the family every night. Still, I miss flying and know that it is my (our) ticket to a very comfortable lifestyle.

Now that I'm able to jump back into the game I've been looking at my options. I considered a regional with a very quick upgrade to get some jet PIC, but the schedule and commute are real negatives there. When I look back and compare my 135 and 121 time I really think my personality fits the 135/corporate/frac world better than airline flying. In the past I've jumped around a few jobs, but I'm really ready to settle in for the long haul now.

My wife's job (great Realtor, if anyone's looking )and both our families make western NC our home, so the CS GSO base is a big attraction, but even disregarding base everything I've read makes it stand out as a place I'd love to work.

Anyway, to get to the point of this rambling post, I'm not desperate for a job, so I can play the waiting game for a while, but what are my realistic chances at CS with my times. In the past 12 months I have a little less than 100 hours so that doesnt meet the mins, but should I e-mail a resume anyway? If so, to whom? Should I bite the bullet and go fly as a regoinal FO for a few months to get a few hundred hours of current jet time or will the King Air/Citation time increase my chances enough?

My current non-flying job is very customer service-oriented (I'm the guy explaining why the pilot cant take off into the thunderstorm with a flat tire after 15 hours of duty time in a way that makes the customer thank me for my efforts), so I think the experience will serve me well at CS.

Thanks for any and all insight, advice, and ugly truth. I'm ecstatic and grateful to be able to get back in the cockpit, but at the same time I have the patience to wait for what I've come to view as my 'dream job'.

wxyz

My limited experience with CS tells me they are all about customer service as long as they are comfortable you're not going to ball up one of their nice jets. I was hired by them late last year but had to turn down the offer due to family medical problems. I had lots of time, but no recency and the only way I got an interview was an inside reference who went to the C/P office on a day off and spoke on my behalf. If you can get one of those, it will greatly enhance your chances. It sounds like once you get in the door, you'll be fine.
good luck livin' the dream
wxyz

FlexThrust

Thanks for the info!

Anyone have anything to add?

flyguy37

They don't really budge on the mins because of contractual issues with the owners stating certain pilot experience levels. But they are not looking for one particular type of pilot. You will find regional guys, military guys, 135 charter, Cargo and others with the important thing being they like you. If you really want it just be persistent. They like people who are really interested. Good luck

captainkudzu

Come to a job fair and hand them your resume. I have heard that there might be some wiggle room on some of the minimums. Just give it a shot.

Jared

Do you know which job fair they will be going to? It would be great to get to see someone in person, but I haven't seen them advertised to appear anywhere lately.

Has anyone else seen where they are scheduled to appear?

247reserve

They will be in Atlanta, GA at the end of this month. It is the jet-jobs Air Inc. job fair.

captainkudzu

It is ATL next weekend (5-19).

navinalign

I went to a job fair in 2006 and had never heard of Citation Shares. I liked the presentation they put on and went and talked to their reps. I was interviewed and hired within a month of the job fair. It really helps to get face time at a job fair, if they like you they will call you for a phone interview. At the end of the phone interview if they invite you in for a formal interview you are pretty much in unless you do something really dumb at the interview. Just be yourself.
PS I did have over 15000 hours at the time and this may have helped.

Chris99

I talked to them at the job fair last weekend and got invited up for an interview on May 31st. I'm pretty excited about the opportunity and am currently studying for the interview. Does anyone who works at CS have any advice? Thanks.

Chris