Hey guys, I've been a long time lurker on here, and just got registered. I am one of the newer FOs at 9e, and given the current state of the industry, I've kept my ear to the ground for corporate and 135 jobs. So I have an opportunity to become a captain on an air ambulance King Air C90 in my home town. BTW, I'm one of the guys who likes my job at Pinnacle, so it makes it a tough decision for me. At home flying Turboprop PIC or away from home flying Jet SIC? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

For me personally if I had a chance to be a King Air PIC in my hometown it would be a no braner but maybe I just don't enjoy my 121 gig right now as much. Of course there are other variables (pay, schedule, etc) but it doesn't get much better than TPIC time and being home based in my opinion.

 

I'm also a 9E pilot. My wife and I moved to MSP since I didn't want to commute anymore. If I had an offer to be a CA on a King Air and move back to the Northwest, I don't think i would make the move yet with the way the industry is. This is just my opinion. If for some reason the new flying gig doesn't work out then i will be out of a job. I'm not saying 9E is anymore safe, i just don't want to go to the bottom right now.

 

Can you take a voluntary leave of absence? That would seem to be the best way to go if possible. You could fly the King Air for a year or two then return when things improve...

 

Don't know your background or your desires as far as your career is concerned but these could make this decision for me a lot different.
Having flown over 1000 hours as a PIC in a KA 90 I have to say I Really like that a/c, however if you are looking to have an airline career I wouldn't be going anywhere.
If however you are thinking of going corporate then it might be a good move. There are probably more 90's flying the skies than any other private turbine a/c. They have been making those things since the 60's. It's like the 172 of the turbine world.

It would definately be nice to have a schedule keeping you in the hometown most nights. That being said when things did turn around if you didn't like it you could take your turbine PIC and go back to the airlines I guess.
KA jobs are a major entry point for those looking to go corporate so I guess you need to think out the future choices you want to make in this career.

Good luck I know its never easy to switch jobs....unless you've just lost one

 

I think I'd take the job. If it was in my home town, paid decent and gave a better QOL than 9E, I'd take it for sure. If you came here hoping for a quick upgrade, judging by the canceled 07 and current 08 vacancy's, those days are over for a while. Slice has a good idea, I'd give it a try before I just up and quit.

 

The poster's situation is somewhat different than yours though...you're already a captain and he's an FO. In my opinion if you have the ability to leave the regional for an air ambulance you should at least strongly consider it. Air Ambulance jobs aren't goin anywhere while your 9e gig might dry up before the years end? Be aware though that often times the air ambulance guys live with a pager...on call nearly 24/7. this may vary by each job but that was the deal on the one I knew about. it tended to burn guys out fast. Also it's definately more stressful flying than two pilot airline flying.

 

Tough decision...

Do you think you're in danger of furlough (9E seems to be in better shape than some companies)? If so, that might weigh towards taking any resaonable flying job before the rush...it's going to get REAL hard to find a flying job AFTER labor day.

Do you want an airline career? KA PIC is probably not going to cut it, although if you already have a 1000 hours of airline turbojet SIC time, you might get lucky with SWA after you get the PIC in the KA.

Are you open to the idea of a corporate/fractional career? If so, this might be a good start. I'm on of those people who thinks most corporate/fractional flying will survive this downturn, since fuel price is much less of an issue to their customer demographic.

 

You can never get back time with your family.
Air Ambulance sounds like a personally rewarding job.

 

Oh, yeah speaking of your family...do your research on that air ambulance company. That industry does not have the greatest safety record.

Part of this comes down to YOUR comfort level flying under those conditions. Really marginal wx, down to mins, icing, night, the pax isn't going to make it if you no-go, but you're thinking about your kids too...what are you going to do?