SkyWest CRJ or Left Seat King Air 350

[dodgerk]

I have 1325 hours and am currently making a pretty good salary in a corporate department. Just sold our Beechjet I flew as SIC and the owner is looking at a King Air 350. He offered me the left seat, but I'll only fly 200 hours per year. I also got the CRJ at SkyWest. Long term I like Netjets. Thoughts anyone on some decision making factors? Thanks.

 

[bmpilot2003]

Have you look at the mins for Net Jets? Flying 200 hours a years isn't going to get you there very fast.

 

[fastback]

Most on this forum would look at 200 hours a year as a good thing. I recommend considering pay and QOL at the top of your list. Do you commute, and would you have to in order to take a 1st year regional job? If your pay and QOL on the King Air are good, I would see if I could get a part-time gig to build my total time to complement the turbine time I had, and take my time going to a quality frac. If you want to get to NJA ASAP, the regionals are about the easiest way to quickly build the time you need. Best of luck in whatever you choose.

 

[BigPappa]

SkyWest for sure!

 

[IADBLRJ41]

I would take the King Air. 200 hrs is the way to go. 19 per hour (first year pay) is not.

 

[CA1900]

Just sold our Beechjet I flew as SIC and the owner is looking at a King Air 350... Thoughts anyone on some decision making factors? Thanks.

"Looking at" means absolutely nothing in this business. Approach your job prospects as if your boss never gets this airplane. If he does get it, you'll have a decision to make. If he doesn't, you'll be out of work and kicking yourself.

Also heed the lesson a friend of mine learned the hard way: can you be insured as PIC of that King Air? My friend found himself out of a job instead of in the new airplane when that situation rolled around.

 

[MarineGrunt]

FYI - I'm on year 2 at SkyWest and am very happy. I live in domicile and am gone no more than 5 nights per month. At one point, I went 3 months without spending a night away from home. Still credit 90-100hrs per month. Life is good here...

 

[FirstMate]

Do it if the pay is right on the King Air. Especially if you don't care about building time.

 

[FirstMate]

If you're on salary, less time = same pay!

 

[CFI2766]

FYI - I'm on year 2 at SkyWest and am very happy. I live in domicile and am gone no more than 5 nights per month. At one point, I went 3 months without spending a night away from home. Still credit 90-100hrs per month. Life is good here...

All right, I'll bite: how?

 

[MarineGrunt]

All right, I'll bite: how?

Mostly good timing and living in a junior domicile.

 

[BEfly]

It's all about the pay. The King Air 350 is an awesome aircraft and you get typed. If this owner has anykind of predictable schedule you could do some contrct flying on the side. That will build your time. Were you formally trained in the BJ? If so, there's alot of contrct flying opportunities out there for that too. As a PIC king air pilot you'll make double what you would at skywest anyway. Good luck.

PS. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[Say Again Over]

Most all corporate jobs come to an end, if you remain where you are or go to SkyWest, five years down the road, what choices will you have?

 

[theskyking]

I worked at Skywest prior to coming to Netjets. It's a good regional job, but you need to decided what you want to do with your career.

Neither job offers everything Netjets is asking for. At OO you will build time quicker, have a more stable job, but won't get your ATP for at least 2-3 years if you wait till you upgrade.

The King Air job will get you your ATP but take 5-6 years to build the time needed for NJ. Plus, as others have mentioned, until the plane is on the ramp and your type is in your pocket, there is no job.

If you are willing to move to an OO domicile, I would say go there. Money will be tight, but it's doable. Get yourself on a tight budget and start saving for that ATP at All ATPs. Get your time and certificate and get your resume in.

If you live in domicile, QOL won't be bad. Commuting sucks and will make your live miserable.

Good luck.

 

[tbmpilot]

"can you be insured as PIC of that King Air? My friend found himself out of a job instead of in the new airplane when that situation rolled around.

Insurance dictates everything. You haven't posted other details on your times, but in my experience, IF you can be insured in the KA, it will carry a hefty price tag.