sandlapper223

Fixed it for you.

Mink

The policy 11 years ago at AA used to strictly forbid outside flying for pay (other than military reserves). I would guess that's still the case.

Timbo

I was a Guard guy while flying 121, and I've never understood how the FAA buys off on the whole "Military Flying Doesn't Count" argument. If the rule is 100hrs. per month, for SAFETY, how is it less tiring, or safe to fly 80 at a 121, and another 40 with the Guard, vs.flying for a part 135 or 91 ops?

But to the dillema you are facing, ie. leaving your good paying job for a 121 and crapy first year pay, that is the choice we all had to make. Life is about choices, and there are no guarantees, certainly not in the 121 world.

I know lots of military guys who didn't do it, they didn't want to be Engineers, suffer the pay cut, had the family, etc. Be glad you'll get a window seat right away, and not have to spend 5 years on the panel, on the B scale, when you make the leap, and pray you don't get furloughed after you do...

NuGuy

That works as long as nothing happens. Stick a wheel in the mud, and it gets ugly, quick.

Not worth it, IMHO.

I understand where the OP is coming from. A good corporate gig can be pretty sweet, and your skills are directly transferrable rather than starting over. If he's pulling down $145 large, on average, it will be at least a few years (better figure 5) until he gets close to that.

However...

On the other side of the coin, Corporate jobs have their drawbacks, too. "At will employement" burned a lot of our corporate buds just a few years ago, and it can occur without warning, no matter the size or status of your department/company. One day you're flyin' your G, and the next day you find out the principal has signed with a management company, and you're stuff is handed to you in a box. Unles you're VERY junior at an airline, you'll get at least a couple of months notice for that.

If you simply want to vanish on your days off, and have your time as your own, you're probbaly not going find something like that in the corporate side. There's a lot of BS and petty politics in most departments, and the thought of putting your job out of your mind when you set the parking brake (in most cases) is very appealing.

My advice would be to start saving now, if you think you want to make the jump. Trim back to the essentials, and put that money away for when that first year happens. My guess is that things probably are not going to really open up anywhere until the end of next year, so you have some time to do that.

Nu

Climbto450

Actually if it is part 91 flying that is a grey area. A POI at the Van Nuys FISDO told me that it is the operation of the aircraft that matters against 121 time not weither you get paid or not. But like you said above "stick it in the mud and it gets ugly quick" and then your 121 job could be a thing if the past. Like you said not worth it IMHO
Another way to approach this issue is to start an LLC and your LLC gets paid for your flying you are not getting paid. If you run your LLC with a little creativity you can run most of your life expenses throught it then take a draw at the end of the year. There are plenty of 121 guys out there doing it. I advise you to look into it!

BoilerUP

Better to ask for permission after being hired and told no, than doing it anyway then getting caught.