airline to corporate

[greasy8driver]

I'm looking to hear from guys who have made this transition. I've worked for 121 airlines from cargo to regional capt for 11yrs. I may have an offer coming (thanks to networking) for a top notch part 91 ops. Though there are still some unanswered questions I have. I would like to hear from guys who have flown both and hear pros/cons.

Thanks,

 

[svcta]

This is a well travelled road lately. Thread search it and you should find a bunch of info. the short version from me: I did it. Best thing I ever did.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

I am a firm believer that the best jobs in aviation belong to the corporate guys. I work for an a/c management company, and it's the best job I've ever had. And it is allowing me to network like crazy for bigger and better things down the road. All the corporate guys I've talked to who work for a reputable company, love their jobs and have no desire to leave their corporate jobs for an airline gig.

Although I must admit, having a hard schedule each month is something that I sometimes envy. :0

 

[Chi Town]

I went from 8 nights a month at home to 3-4 nights away from home.... I also make more money than a 20 year capt. at my previous regional airline.

-Free laptop computer
-Free cell phone
-All meals paid for on the road
-15 days vacation first year
-Wife welcome to come along on overnights
-Can participate in Kids lives again (priceless!)


Not bad for working 3-4 days a week flying a Citation!

Best move I ever made!

 

[7KCAB]

I did almost exactly the same thing as Chi Town and I too am happy with my decision. However, there is such a wide range of 91 operators out there, - you have to be careful and do your homework on your potential employer. There are Part 91 jobs that would almost certainly be much worse than airline "X" - 24/7 on call, won't pay for proper maintenance, pressure to go into bad wx, many "additional" non-flying duties, absolutely NO duty time limits, etc. You also have to be comfortable working in a job where you DON'T have union protection and my personal opinion is that with the right company, you don't need the extra security that may bring. I do feel that more Part 91 pilots are satisfied overall with their job than 121 pilots for whatever reasons.

 

[heywatchthis]

A good corporate job beats any regional job, and I speak from experience. BUT.... like the dream job at the majors, very few airline jobs are dream jobs and very few corporate jobs are dream jobs.

Most corporate jobs are CRAP, or at least a version of CRAP. Hell most flying jobs are crap, but if you can get a good one, then go for it whether its airline or corporate.

A good flying job is a good flying job hands down. Finding out whether it will be a good flying job before you quit your current job... PRICELESS

 

[PiratePilot]

Check you PM

 

[Sporto]

Be Careful

If it is a "Fortune 500" company that is offering up the job you should be ok. If not, beware. I try to explain it like this. When looking at jobs at either the Majors or Corporate aviation 10% are really good gigs. The other 90% are not.
Good Luck.

 

[svcta]

A good corporate job beats any regional job, and I speak from experience. BUT.... like the dream job at the majors, very few airline jobs are dream jobs and very few corporate jobs are dream jobs.

Most corporate jobs are CRAP, or at least a version of CRAP. Hell most flying jobs are crap, but if you can get a good one, then go for it whether its airline or corporate.

A good flying job is a good flying job hands down. Finding out whether it will be a good flying job before you quit your current job... PRICELESS

One huge difference: You can't just go and get a "dream airline job". It takes about 20 years of uncertainty, management, furloughs, unions, 10-11 day off schedules, crappy hotels, etc. before you find yourself at your "dream airline job". What's more is that there are a lot of people who think that they don't even exist anymore.

I totally agree that there are a lot of pretty lousy corporate gigs out there, but relatively speaking you can try them on and move around if you don't like the one you've got(I said "relatively"). My last company had about 500 pilots, only about 2 of which had a "dream"ISH job. Where I am now? I know probably 12 pilots(from around our hangar and others as friends). I can firmly say that at least 8 of those 12 have a job that most airline pilots would murder for. I'll take luck over skill any day. It's just a totally different environment. you almost can't even consider them the same kind of job except that they both involve airplanes. The main difference for me: The company I work for now WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY.

 

[snow-back]

Is there any such thing as a "dream airline job" anymore?

Everyone's priorities are different, but for me, leaving one of the so-called "legacy" carriers for a corporate job has been an incredible improvement in job quality.

Put a lot of thought into it, do a lot of research and really be sure of what you want out a flying career.

 

[byrmar]

Made the switch about 6 mos. ago. I am for sure better off now. Quality of life is a world of difference. No dealing with scheduling, unions, crappy management, uniforms, and commuting. I am gone about 4 nights per month and have not worked a weekend. Pay is a little better. The boss is great to work with and the upper management couldn't be better. The FBO's generaly treat you better than the ramp agents (especially mainline). It's nice to fly an airplane that is clean and does not smell like.................well..........I guess nothing that compares to a regional turboprop. I have to admit I was fortunate to find a great 91 job.

 

[mamba20]

Great thread. I'm in the same boat as the thread starter. Im at a 121 carrier and I need to move on to bigger and better things. I have no contacts where I am now but I'm pretty much tied to the Northeast tri state area. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

Thanks

 

[HA25]

not all corporate is equal..

the $200,000/yr 5 days away from home a month, GV jobs are the rarity.. the majority are $80-90K some schedule and benefits, and some are 24/7 on call, and slim benefits bottom dwellers.

Interview them as much as they interview you..

 

[rjpilot7667]

Corporate pilots who really love there jobs tend to keep quiet about them. Most 1st tier Corporate flight departments and individuals tend to stay away from hiring airline pilots because of the inherent culture differences (not trying to be a jerk by saying this). Usually corporate flt. dept. managers do not like the hoo ra card carrying union member attitude. In my opinion the best job in aviation is that of a corporate pilot. But lets keep this a secret and let those guys making 40 grand for 100 hr months and staying in fleabag hotels think they got a leg up on us.

 

[BenderGonzales]

I left 121 after 10 years at several airlines about 2 years ago. I don't regret the decision. There is no question that the lifestyle at a good corporate operator is 100 times better. Great schedule, plenty of time off, very few overnights. (no pager here)

I do, however, tend to watch CNBC a little bit more these days. When it is no longer the primary business of your company to fly airplanes -- then it is easy to be nervous about the long-term viability of the flight department.

Beyond that I miss some of the standardization and overall commitment to safety that the airlines had (at least at the majors if not the commuters).

The money is not fantastic and the upgrade is a little longer than I would like. But it is amazing what being home in your own bed with your wife and kid do to your perceptions. I'm not sure I could ever go back to 4-day trips again.

 

[heywatchthis]

What about stability. I think the airlines have much more stability to offer. Yea I know 9-11 screwed everyone, but besides that once you got 5 or 10 years in with a major then your almost untouchable. (I know what about USAIR). All I am trying to say is that this is my 4th charter company and I fly with a lot of guys who used to have a GREAT corporate job. If I never would have left my regional job to go to a major in June of 01, then I would be sitting pretty.

There aren't very many good flying jobs anymore. All the excellent part 91 flight departments all went fractional, so the only thing you have left is charter.

All the great airlines are not ALL (LCC) low cost carriers that work the crap out of you for low pay.

A good flying job is a good flying job, it doesn't matter if it is corporate or airlines. Finding won is the trouble.

 

[HMR]

All the excellent part 91 flight departments all went fractional, so the only thing you have left is charter.

Really? If you stand in front of our hangar you can throw a rock and hit aircraft that belong to 3 or 4 excellent PT91 companies (great pay, schedule and equipment). If you walk down the taxiway there are a couple more. 30 minutes away is another airport with more excellent PT91 flight dept's...

 

[AA717driver]

heywatchthis: Airlines and stability should not be used in the same sentence.

I made the move from the airlines to corporate--but not by choice. I landed in a good situation and certainly won't be taking the recall when it comes and the number one reason for that is stability.

I can take my qualification as corporate captain and go anywhere and compete for a job as captain. My three years as captain at TWA got me exactly squat when applying for another airline job. (JetBlue was kind enough to offer me an interview 6 months after I got laid off and 18 months after I first applied--months after they had hired most of my former FO's. Thanks. )

Keep in mind, the legacys are just now doing a little better but any hiccup (interrupted oil production in Iraq, maybe?) could send them back into their death spiral. That means you, newbie, hit the street along with thousands of others. (BTDT.)

To say that the Legacy pilots don't work as hard as the LCC's, have you looked at the workrules at UAL on the NB fleets? Howabout NWA's new contract or America West (yeah, I know what's painted on the side of their planes...)? Looks like LCC workrules to me.

Sure, it's not fun getting chewed because the hand towels are hung wrong or you have the wrong coffee on board or some ramp guy ripped the hook off the boss' hanging bag but it beats being unemployed. TC