Regional or state govt
 

I am torn should i go 2 pinnacle (got interview not hired yet) or work for my state (pilot). State job pay start is approx X2 but no turbine equipment.

what state if its California take pinnacle !!

Step 1 get interview

step 2 get job

step 3 ask question on apc

some what helpfull dude.....or dudet.

I would also say go to the interview then if offered job then sit down and go over pro and cons for each.

I would also look at what is your end plan, what is dream job. If wanting to move up in the airline world, working for an airline will be a plus.

If the state job can be a career job? if you can not move up to TP or Tjet aircraft at the state job, you will not be able to skip RJ job to get to a major airline.

The airline world is all about seniority so the sooner your in the better off you will be.

Gov't job - probably as secure a flying job as any, probably most holidays & weekends off (and most nights at home), probably with decent health care and a pension. That said, its probably a more political position (by its governmental nature) so you'll probably have to know how to "not rock the boat".

If you're happy with the offered compensation I'd say take the state job and be done with it...

but how do i get this driving a jet or large turboprop out of my system.

only one way to find out

Flying turbine equipment is "fun" and "cool" for the first month or two...then it becomes just another job. A job I enjoy or otherwise wouldn't do, mind you...but its still just a job.

Providing for yourself & your family financially while enjoying a decent quality of life...THAT is what this "work" thing is all about IMO.

Be careful with state flying jobs. When the state gov is in a money pinch, the aviation departments usually take a hit.

Go get Microsoft Flight Sim or whatever its called.;)

How about the military? They've got both and you might get to go real fast -- and if the Navy is your choice, you get really good at short field landings. Pay is pretty good and mergers are not allowed. Job security is great unless there are too many of you and we run out of places to defend, conquer, police, isolate. Don't have to worry about contract negotiations, collective bargaining agreements, or crew tracking. Really nice retirement, free health care, cool uniforms, and discounts shopping at the company store.

Downside -- Irregular schedule, bullets and other lethal things coming your way. Not much of a grievance process, bases change constantly (and are sometimes located in very remote locations -- similar to regional airlines). Difficult commute. Calling in sick is frowned upon, especially if you miss ship's movement. If you decide to make it a career, you'll stop flying, go to the Pentagon where you'll learn strategic things that you can't talk about, good table manners, and how to "manage up" !!

Come to Pinnacolaba!!!! The guys that have been on reserve for the last few years at pinnacle are praying for some reinforcements.

State job no question. Youll have stability, and wont be transferred to MEM, JFK, DTW, whatever their base of the month is. I am sure the benefits of being a state employee are farrr better than Pinnacle as well.

I've never met anyone that had a gov't flying job that hated it. A little different work but you said it yourself you'll make 2x the pay. Now on top of that you take things like better retirement and health benefits and you're going to see a very substantial upside to flying for the govn't. If I could do it again I would. Plus you'll still have room to jump up the ladder.

My vote is go government. It's a step up from regionals so if you can do it go for it. There's no telling who will even be around 3-5 years from now. You've already seen Mesa, XJT, ASA, Colgan, Mesaba, Frontier, Midwest, Lynx, Skybus, Compass, Republic, Champion, Aloha, ATA, the Midwest regional, United, Continental, Delta, Northwest and I'm sure several others make drastic changes within that amount of time. It's such a coin flip on what's going to happen next I'd take the govn't job just to stop the insanity of always wondering what's going to happen to you next!

A pilot would not be a "political position" any more than a janitor would. Your job would be to fly, which has nothing to do with state politics. Odds are good you would have minimal interaction with the pax, and any conversations would be generic in nature (weather, family, football, etc).

As a civil servant you would have far greater job security than any part 91 pilot, and junior 121 pilots. Except for very senior executive jobs, civil servants cannot be fired on a whim, and even legitimate poor performance requires so much hassles, due process, and documentation that it is easier to just leave the slacker in place. Unlike corporate, the boss can't fire you if he doesn't like the way you comb your hair, or if a prettier pilot happens to come along.

If the state budget is in bad shape, an aviation department would be an obvious cost-cutting target. But if they are hiring NOW...odds are that their budget couldn't get much worse.

Of course the government could go the way of Greece, cut your pension and run out of money to pay you with. As it looks now, this is a real possibility within the next 10 years.

I honestly still really like it.

Well i got the call from pinnacle, interview thursday next week. I will go do my best. i have already interviewed with the great state of North Carolina and await their reply.

An airplane is an airplane is an airplane. If you can understand that, you will make the right choice. I know guys that have gone from piston to LCC's and corporate with no regional or turbine experience. You will fly a jet sooner or later. You just may take a more exciting route doing the state gig and will be able to pay off those loans:D Just my 2 cents.

Nump

No, but the department (and therefore, the position) would be...far more than most other flying jobs. And when I say political, I don't just mean (R) vs. (D)...

I know a guy who flew for a midwestern state who hated it, because the levels of red tape & bureaucracy were many. Nobody would ever do anything or authorize anything done because they didn't want to "rock the boat" or bear the responsibility of the consequences should someone disagree with their action. Even when the Governor wanted something installed in the airplane, it took months for the state acquisition office (who knows jack about airplanes) to go through their RFQ/vetting/decisionmaking process to be done where in the typical 91/135 world, that process would be weeks with the device installed in much less than the time that particular state gave folks to return their RFQ proposals.

That's what I was referring to...

Ah yes, the civil service. I see the point. I have a good friend who took a Navy civilian job to round out her resume with an unusual opportunity (a specific project). She's a real fast-track go-getter in private industry and figured that 9-12 months of federal civil service couldn't hurt her. Of course the bureaucracy and lackadaisical attitudes of her staffers drove her absolutely nuts from day one. And then the economy collapsed, and nary a job opening in sight...three years later she's about to jump off a bridge :rolleyes:

Well the first problem is you support Chelsea, i heard Pinnacle only takes Arsenal supporters :D!

We will see about that on sun (Chelsea v Arsenal. pity i will have 2 watch it on my phone, this is my drill weekend, i should call the king of the Army see if he can let me off just for the game.;)

Forestry Service?

LOL!

in any case good luck with your decision! i hope it works out for ya.

UNC (@upndsky)

I forgot about AHEC. I did a little contract flying for NCDOT and was trying to figure out what other agency flew pistons.

Not a bad gig if you want to fly Barons for the rest of your career. You won't get rich, but you won't work very hard, either.

So where can I get rich and not work very hard (do not include politics)

Don't know, but it won't be working for the state.

IMO, if you aspire to fly jets, AHEC is a dead end. It might get you a lead towards a corporate job, but that's no guarantee. The few AHEC guys I knew were all involved in other businesses. It almost seemed like flying for AHEC was a part time job.

I'm not knocking AHEC by any means. It's a great outfit but make sure it's a life style and career you really want. Have you had a chance to talk to any AHEC pilots and ask them about what life is like?

i did talk 2 some of the old timers and they seem to like it. but i will go 2 pinnacle intv and see from there thnx 4 da advice