The problem with that, as I discovered after being in the same boat, is that in corporate 91 that cushy lifestyle may change. In my case, the part 91 department where I worked went from basically day trips with the occasional overnight to 3,4,7... even 28 day trips! Days off were taken away on short notice. Historic sterling job security came into question.

I realized about ten years too late the value of a contract. So, here I am a decade later, older, and wiser...back in 121. (Wishing I had that ten years of seniority)

Weren't you kind of forced into 91 due to layoffs and what not? When did you deny a recall?

2007. Seemed like the right decision at the time. Friggan Magic 8 ball.

Zap,

No airline job is what it was 5, 10 or 20 years ago, either. My airline job isn't even there anymore. My company is changing some terms and conditions around. The union or the contract icing stop the march of time.

Believe me, a seat at DL now at age 30 is a sweet deal with a great future, only a very few get lucky.

GF

THIS ^^^^ I know a guy that left 3 years of seniority at eagle to fly a citation excel 20 hours a month for 70k a year with a 15 minute commute ot the airport. Well guess what is the first thing to go when its time to trim a little fat. I am hoping to get on with a regional that will be around in the long run. Id rather get stuck in the right seat than chase an upgrade and end up on the street and have to start all over again anyway. The corporate job can go poof just like that. Then again so can a regional but i much prefer the lifestyle of flying the airplane and going home. Even having to just pick up trash take inventory deal with the big wigs in the back would get under my skin. To each their own i suppose.

Here is another difference. If you are furloughed from an airline and for ten years you can't find another flying job - you're slinging French fries at McDonalds - when you are finally recalled its up to the airline to requalify you.

If you are laid off from a corporate department and for a decade don't touch another airplane, you're probably done flying. For most corporate gigs there is no recall.

We are generally 90 days away from being unemployable at any given time due to lost currency. Like bananas that will spoil if not sold immediately. ;-)

Further, when my department laid off (fired) it was done out of seniority order and based on who management liked/ didn't like. (We assumed, they never explained their methodology) One guy had been there 30+ years. I had to wonder, what if that happens to me when I'm 50,55,60? How will I compete with young guys for a job?

I suddenly realized the value of a seniority number. It's not personal, it's just business and you always know the rules to the game.

Five days ago you posted that you don't yet have ATP minimums, but yet you think having to take 5 minutes to clean & restock the cabin would "get under your skin" and that you'd prefer "fly and go home" job duties of a 121 regional FO for less pay?

The postflight routine on our Citation took less time than it takes to go from the airplane to hotel van through an airline terminal 80% of the time, and less than 5 additional minutes for the other 20%.

But yes, the beauty of this industry is different strokes for different folks...

I was a right seater on the challenger 601 at simuflite and did contract flights. I got enough taste of the corporate world to know i dont want to do it. I am not complaining about it. I am just saying its not my cup of tea is all.

face bitten,

If you think that's a real view of it, you're mistaken. That's probably the worst way to judge--extrapolating from one data point. Yes, FAR 121 as a wide-body captain is the BEST, but how many make it? Will you? Writing off 18.000 flying jobs based on one experience is limiting yourself greatly.

GF

+1, very well said!

I would say in the corporate world, as soon as a year lapses from your last training event, then you become a pumpkin. Doesn't matter how much flight time you have or the number of type ratings or what types they are, lack of currency is a real show stopper.

Took me nearly 2 years to get back in the game, and I had to go back to a 121 regional to get current again.