floydbird

Anyone out there working for a major airline fly part 91 (for pay) on the side?

For example pilot who works at X Airlines, also does contract work on the side flying for a corporation part 91?

Do you have to apply for permission from the airline? Any pitfalls?

Slice

It's commercial flying and counts against your weekly, monthly, annual totals. Most airlines I've heard of require permission to do outside flying of that type and I imagine most would say no due to liability. Headline: XYZ airline pilot crashes lear jet into school... You could imagine the filed day the press could have. Never hurts to ask though.

FlyingViking

Keep it reeeaally simple: Don't do it! It ain't worth it! If you get cought (and I know a few that has) you loose your job AND a few years before they consider you other places. Just my 2c worth...

FlyByCable

If you fly for a major airline, you aren't supposed to have to fly on the side for additional money.

floydbird

I have since been directed to a section in my airlines FOM, and they do allow outside flying.

Basically, a pilot does have to get outside flying approved by the company with respect to "non-competition issues". For example, outside pt 121/135 would not be approved, but "generally" part 91 flying for compensation would be approved. Another issue is that flying does count toward your max flight time numbers (month, year, etc.), so you do have to report your flight times to the company for recordkeeping.

floydbird

I didn't say I have to fly on the side for additional money. Perhaps this flying is twice a month to a really great place--I like going there--and who doesn't like a lot of extra dough for a little extra work?

Airline pilots with military backgrounds ROUTINELY maintain their positions in the National Guard--they don't HAVE to, they WANT to.

CEO's of huge corporations ROUTINELY sit on the boards of directors of other companies---they definitley don't HAVE to do it, but perhaps the perks and compensation of doing so HIGHLY outweighs the time/effort put forth to serve on the board?

Just a thought.

rickair7777

It can be, and is, done at both majors and regionals and most companies do not forbid it outright (you do need their permission though).

Some folks do it on the DL, don't tell the company, don't log it, and get paid cash...this is actually perfectly legal as long as you don't violate any 121 regs. But since the company doesn't know what you're up to they may try to schedule you for something that would exceed the limits when added to your outside flying. In this case you can either try to drop it, call in sick, or break the regs. If you get caught breaking 121 regs intentionally, you will lose your ticket and your job(s).

Other people just get the company's permission. 121 types usually have enough time off to easily avoid daily, weekly, and monthly limits so that would be up to you to schedule. You would need an agreement with the company about annual limits though. Also if you spend a significant amount of time offline in a given year (training, FMLA, military, ground/sim instructor, etc) it would be impossible to hit 1000 hours anyway so you could easily and legally fly on the side.

floydbird

Thanks rickair......what you quoted was actually my response to another posting questioning why a major airline pilot would have to work another job.

Actually, with a little more research, I have discovered that at my company, what you say is true---permission required and usually given. No need for me to do it on the DL---benefits of the side job do not outweigh career risks.

skywriter

If your company hand book allows 91 you should be able to go to your chief pilot and tell him what you want to do they are pilots also in 91 you do not have to be paid as a pilot you could be hired as the baggage loader and happen to sit in a seat to get to your next job.

StripAlert

Delta's contract states:

The FOM states further: