Advice for an aspiring United pilot
 

My college roommate is currently sitting at ~2000 hours as a CFII, and is waiting to hear from the couple of regionals he had CJOs from last year pre-Covid. He was just offered a position flying SIC (with a PIC type rating paid for) in a Citation X as a Part 91 operation with his current company - making around $120,000 total (CFI +Citation) and flying around 350-400 hours per year. He would continue in his role as CFI and be given some administrative duties to comprise the rest of his salary.

His long term career goal is to make it to United, and he's wondering if he needs to turn down this job and wait on the regionals to call, or if he'd set himself up better by taking the jet job. If taking the jet job, how long should he be there before attempting to move on?

Any thoughts or advice?

This sounds like the sort of Caribbean gig where you fly fast and low at night to uninhabited islands. Not that I know or anything about it personally... *quickly looks away*

Let me offer counter advice. The majors are typically looking for 121 experience along with 121 PIC experience. Sure, few have made it without. But they’re the exception, not the rule. I offer this as someone who has the bulk of their experience in the 91/135 world.

This is totally subjective, as everyone's path to a major is different. At the end of the day, taking care of #1 is the most important. $120K isn't too shabby that early in his career!

If United is the end goal, definitely look at the regionals currently in the Aviate program: Air Wisconsin, CommutAir, Mesa and Go-Jet. These will have a pathway based off of service requirements. You apply, do the interview and wait for your FIFO (first in first out) number once you've fulfilled the time requirements.

Taking the Corp job sounds awesome. The flight time will likely take longer to get to be competitive as an off the street hire, but the pay might buffer that blow a bit. But is the pay worth the possible loss of seniority due to the time to get hired? Tough questions. Long term, I'd go with that better seniority number.

Long story short, it's all opinion and an educated guess. However, there is plenty of info out there to help make the decision.

https://unitedaviate.com

I need to edit the original post to include that the jet will only be a portion of his pay. It's an interesting layout, and will be with the company he's already working for. Total salary will be $120,000, but he will also be given administrative duties and continue to fly for the company as a CFI in some capacity during days he's not on the Citation. The jet portion will make up about $75,000 of his salary.

Any chance he could identify as female?

:rolleyes:

That was my initial thought when he called me last night. But after looking at the contract - $120,000 to work about 20 days a month and fly the fastest civilian jet in the world to some pretty cool places doesn't sound like a terrible alternative to sitting reserve at LGA and making $45,000. And it's certainly better than waiting on a call that might not come for another several months, IMO.

My gut says doing it for a year would be a good experience for him and may open up some opportunities down the road. But, I agree with you that there will probably be some really crummy aspects to that gig.

Why “wait” for a regional job that may not come for some time? If this is an opportunity available right now, take it. If a better regional or other opportunity presents itself later, then you can make an informed decision then.