codycm

I am currently in the active duty Air Force, flying T-1s (Beech 400). I flew KC-135s in a previous life. I am trying to figure out what route to take when I get out in summer 2007. Too much office work and not enough flying, especially now that we are cutting 57,000 people.

Are the corporates or commercial carriers better? I have lots of friends at Southwest and they love it. I don't know anybody in the corporate world, but have read the posts. My question on the corporates is what is the schedule like (NJ I believe is 7 days on, 7 days off)? Are the others the same? If you don't live at your domicile, will they fly you to your domicile like the commercials do? Any info you can give would be appreciated.

CptCrisp

The only thing I can say, no matter if it's corporate or commericial it all depends on the company and management.

Well, I can say other things too .. like; If I where you I would start researching some of the better Companies/Airlines/Fractionals and see which would better suit you. Another thing senority is EVRYTHING if you decide on the airline route. If you feel you want to go that way, get out early if you can, if you are able to line up an airline job. It seems some of the fractionals are going to a senority based system also.

Best of luck.

FlyerJosh

If you've been flying the BE40, odds are that you can find a pretty decent corporate job flying one without too much trouble.

The lifestyle definately varies from company to company, but IMHO, there are many benefits to flying corporate as opposed to being junior on the airline ladder.

Certainy flying corporate requires a bit more "personality" in dealing with the passengers, and probably a bit more flexibility in operating outside of the box, but I think that it's also much more rewarding getting to know your passengers to a higher degree. I always enjoy it when the CEO of my company takes the time to ask how my family is doing and remembers little details about our previous conversations, or asks if I have any concerns about whatever. I've even had had execs ask my opinion on various business issues, which I think is kind of cool.

(As opposed to the airlines, where there is a constant push and shove between the unions and management...)

Either way, take the time to research your options and consider the risks and potential benefits to both. Both can be very rewards, but also each have their own downsides. I think you will definately find that while most airline experiences will remain similar, the differences between corporate gigs can vary immensely, across a much broader spectrum.

rickair7777

There are a few really sweet corporate gigs out there, but you usually have to know someone or be in the right place at the right time.

The fractionals are run like mini-airlines, but you have to kiss the customers @ss. People who are rich enough to be in a fractional, but not rich enough to own the whole bird tend to be @ssholes. People that are REALLY rich are often pretty cool and good to work for; my experience anyway. On the airline side, I give an obnoxious customer one chance to lighten up, then he's leaving in handcuffs.

With your background you should probably look at a major airline, unless you can find some dude who owns a G-V. Or a job flying for the fed on the GS side would be better than a fractional, probably. Customs is a lot of fun. Or whatever they're called now.

loudgarrettdriver

Corporate jobs can be broken down into a few areanas.
1. 91 corporate. 2. Fractional lease (91k) 3. 135 charter.

I currently fly part 91 corporate for a construction company. Works great for me. I have a pretty fixed schedual and rarely have over nights which allows me to be home with my family. I fly about 300-400 hrs per year and rarely work weekends. The drawlback is when companies start losing money or the plane goes is for maintenence they always want to sell the plane. I've had 3 scares in the last 2 years.

Fractionals like netjets and options will typically put you on 7 on 7 off, but I have heard of cases of 10-15 on and 3 hard days off. There is also a lot of opportunity for overtime. So if you start at 30k-35k you can make up to 45k with overtime, but you won't be home. Upgrades range from 3-5 years. But with net jets attrition is low (nobody's leaving) so the upgrade could be a slow crawl. I have also heard of companies overselling plane shares so crews end up jumping around looking for an uncrewed plane. If your looking at fracs I look into netjets- they just cleared up a TA.

Then there's 135 charters. This is kinda like the wild wild west of aviation. Some companies are legit but a lot are fly by night and run as satellite opps on some other companies chater cert. You won't have a schedual and will be on call every day of the year. Some cases you could be called in less then an hours notice. You also have to be careful with the front end hiring process. some companies want you to pay for a type on the front end and then go out of business before you show up to work. Duty times are also a factor. The FEDs can access logs 30 days back and will fry you if you are over crew/duty times.

Corporate may have you doing a lot of job hopping but then again so could the airlines. You can also plan on cheap owners, sitting around in FBOs all day and drinking bad coffie. Just happen to work for me.

Hope that helps.
LGD

codycm

Thanks for all the good info. I am still learning it all, so this is great info.