TheSultanofScud

Have any of you successfully made the jump from being a light to super-midsize corporate jet captain straight to a mainline 121 gig?

Do you know of anyone who has?

I understand that there are probably few corporate captains who would want to make that transition at that point in their careers...

...but I am really curious about such feasibility, due, in part, to the varied nature of corporate jobs and the eventual possibility of any given corporate job to be liquidated.

I appreciate your insight--I understand this is an odd hypothetical situation.

forgot to bid

I did but I was Part 121 prior to that. I know of another hired with me but fwiw he was USMC helicopter before that. I met a guy the other day on the bus that was Netjets prior to Delta. An FO I flew with on the 767 international was also a King Air missionary pilot in Africa. I also know one who flew King Air's out of BNA hired back in the day when DAL almost did nothing but military much less corporate. And I know of a pilot hired in 2001 that was strictly Part 91 with nothing bigger than a Hawker, if that. Maybe the largest jet they'd flown was a Beechjet, I don't recall but it was all part 91 with maybe some 135 time.

So they're out there. As always, networking is everything and if you don't have anyone to network then the job fairs could be extremely helpful. Or both. Nothing wrong with both. Nothing wrong with more than one job fair.

TheSultanofScud

Thank you for your information, FtB.

rickair7777

It can be done, especially helps if you know anyone on the inside. Also may help if you have mid/large bizjet time, and/or international experience.

You might be slightly less competitive than an identical guy with regional or military hours, but not a show-stopper by any means.

Coto Pilot

As a 121 guy for a long time I have flown with many pilots that came from the corporate ranks. The obstacle seems to be going the other way, from 121 to corporate.

fisherpilot

I went from 121(regional) to corporate and am trying to go back. I have several people I know that were all corporate that went to a major. Only problem is that I flew 160 hrs last year while my buddies still in 121 world flew 900!!! But I've been told that the recruiters understand the different flying that goes on at each so that is taken into consideration. I think it is all about the individual......BUT, I think it also helps to have internal recs!!!

fisherpilot

I agree. It is very tough to go 121 to 91 right now. Lot's of very qualified guys on the street right now. Luckily though there are less and less each month. Good sign!

maddogmax

Yep. Have always found it interesting that to get a PIC job in a nice Part 91/135 jet you need at least 500 hrs. in type yet I can give 25 hrs of OE to a new A330 CA and turn him loose.

aa73

Going from 121 to Corporate is not just an oversupply issue... it's also because most corporate flight dept's do not want anything to do with hiring airline types. I guess we just don't fit in to that type of culture. It's also because they have been burned in the past when pilots have taken a recall at their airline and stiffed the flight dep't out of thousands of $$$.

I have talked with a few of my corporate friends. After listening to all the work they have to do in flight preparation, cabin cleaning, sucking up to El Jefe, etc, I suddenly needed a nap, badly. Granted, they make about what I make as a 12 year 767 f/o, but man oh man, the hours they put in... whew! No surprise that we don't quite fit in. That said, he is quite happy and cannot believe all the crap I've been through as an airline guy either.

Different horses for different courses.

I'd echo what everyone else posted - going from 91 to 121 is very possible, especially once hiring gets going again. In fact, I distinctly remember at least 10 former corporate guys in my new hire class of 47 back in 2000.
73

tailendcharlie

Doesn't seem to be any such thing as "corporate stink" so the 121 world should be glad to have you. You won't even have to be typed & current or friends with the chief pilot either. Piece of cake!