You are very correct aa - some corp. gigs can be very fun. My gig is actually pretty cool and my company is/has been good to me but my personal QOL issue that is now most prominent is "knowing" when I'm working, not how much or how little I work (thus the need for a schedule and to "lose the pager 24/7" as it were.)
And while I agree (as I have been there on both instances), new airports and new aircraft ARE very fun (been to the arctic circle and beyond!); Keep this in mind, while no TSA and terminals may sound great you trade that with often times with having to organize your (and the clients) ground tarnsportation, catering, all flight planning, sitting around ALL day and sometimes dealing with maintenance oversight. So, there is a lot to be said for putting the parking brake on and it being "someone" else's problem (meaning I don't have to make the phone calls!)

Bottom line is both sides of the airport can either be very sweet or very sour depending on who you work for!?...

Moving to your side of the airport!?...

 

Thanks for the info. I guess there are always caveats!

73

 

Always caveats Feels sometimes like the whole industry is one big caveat!?...

 

I want to first say thanks to everyone who has responded to my post, like I said earlier, I dont have too many connections in the 121 world so you guys have been a great asset. I want to explain to everyone, in my personal view, why I would leave such an "ideal job"...

I was a CFII with 400 hrs when I got my first charter job, I flew kingair 200's around for 4 years first as a FO, then as a captain. I then went to work for a company that had a brand new Citation Excel. I was hired first as an FO, then as a co-captain. It was a great gig, payed well past 100G's, full pt 91, non-oncall schedule. This job "on paper" was perfect. Then one day, out of nowhere, they informed me and the other pilot that they were selling the plane and leaving corporate aviation. This was the most stable, and one of the most desirable pt91 jobs available in the country and then it ended just like that. Although I did receive a large severance, it was still no consolation, considering that I thought this was a family that would always own a plane aka a job always available to me. Less that 7 days later, I got an offer from my current employer to be a captain right out of the gates, typed in a Citation 7, with a great work environment in my home-town in socal. Although I am young (late 20's) I have learned that no matter how stable and wonderful you think your job is, it could disapear in a heartbeat.
I am looking for stability and longevity, and I have wanted to fly 121 since I could remember, it just so happened that my career path took me into charter/corporate. I figure this is a good time for me to make the leap. I like my job but who knows whats going to happen in the next 12 months. If I could get an interview with southwest or another stable carrier I would jump on it. I guess the bottom line is, no matter how perfect a job you think you might have, it could end in a heartbeat. Trust me, I was flying 100K+ out of San Diego mabye 250 hours a year on a full schedule. Anyways, I have decided to chase after what has driven me all along. So I am young, and in a position where I could move and sacrifice, and so now is the time for me to make the leap.

 

Well come on in, the water's luke warm!

 

I've pondered corporate extensively, and am still pondering. I have a lot of friends doing it, but they seem to switch jobs (and cities) frequently. Some of them are on-call 24/7 and have to plead with their company for permission to have a beer on a Saturday night...one girl effectively became our designated driver for three years

I've kind of gotten the impression that the corporate jobs which offer great pay, bennies, schedule, AND stability make up maybe 5% of the industry.

 

The last line about hits the nail on the head! I've been doing corporate for almost 10 years and I'm lucky - most corporate clients are a 5 year deal and keep in mind the old saying - When the money goes away, the luxuries go away in alphabetical order - airplanes, boats, cars, etc. We lost two of three clients after 9/11! You roll the bones on either side of the fence I guess!?...

 

Well like I said earlier, for 4 years I had a job that had the envy of every professional pilot I have ever met. Never in a million years did I think that today I would be a line captain for a 135 and putting out resumes to majors.
As you progress in your career, your priorities change. For me, first it was accumulating as much turbine time as possible. Then it became having a salary and some quality of life. Now, I just want some stability. Not sure if 121 can provide that, but it cant be any worse than corporate aviation.

 

Life's too short to do something that doesn't make you happy for 20+ years - That's how you end up having heart failure at 46! And, you're absolutely right too, it is all about priorities. I'll probably work more in the airlines BUT, at least I will know definitiviely when I work (or sit reserve) so to my family, that's much more important! Go with your gut and good luck! Also, keep this in mind - if you wake up and "get to go to work" you're doin' good, if you feel like you "have to go to work" you're not!
I just happy I'm not wearing the "Uncle Sam" costume hustling people to the nearest H&R Block! That dude "Has to go to work!"

 

Yea Im sure Im staying put for a long time but its always nice to see what the options are down the road if things dont work out or if it feels like the right time... Thanks all