Money for nothing, copilots for free

[BoilerUP]

Care to guess how many corporate pilots refuse to let the right seater fly the plane?

More than should, but not as many as internet postings might lead one to believe.

 

[timeless]

Unfortunately, this is all boils down to l supply and demand! It really comes down to finding just one person "willing and able" to take this position--and these days he will find someone. No doubt most of us took a job at the start of our career for peanuts just to gain some experience.

What is also comes down to is this: When you shop for goods or services do you always go for the lowest price? Do you care what that person building your car is making? What about that airline ticket? Do you care if your gardener lives in a one bedroom apartment with 10 others as long as he mows and weeds each week for $40? So why should we be so upset when an owner tries to get something for the cheapest price possible? Is it because we think we are immune from such actions? I am just as guilty as everyone on this issue, all I am saying is what goes around comes around.

Exactly. Capitalism has it's downsides, but I'll take it over the impending wave of socialism any day.

 

[Galaxy]

Company:Confidential Position:Citation Bravo "SIC" Non-Paid Position Type:Flight Crew Location:Scottsdale AZ Salary:Expenses Only
Description:We are currently seeking a part –time, on demand SIC for our Citation Bravo part 91 operation. Captain is single pilot qualified but we occasionally have trips that our bosses prefer to have two pilots aboard. This is time-building / learning / traveling opportunity and is NOT PAID. ALL expenses are covered including 4 star hotels, meals, rental cars, and other fun opportunities! We usually fly one leg / day and the flights are for the most part short and easy and fun. This is an awesome opportunity for CFI’s who are looking to get into Jets or for someone looking to stay current until they find their next job. No jet experience required. Could turn into a full time position in a larger aircraft if this economy comes around! We provide in-house training. Our primary destinations include: SoCal, LAS, SLC, AUS, TEB DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT LIVE IN ARIZONA! Please send a current pilot resume to [email protected]

Wow, I am sure you guys have filled his email box FULL. I don't agre with working for free either-but lets put this in perspective. The guy is single pilot qualified on a jet that is single pilot certified. I see it as he already has the job in which the plane owner has what he wants-1 pilot-1 plane. Single pilot insurance is NOT cheap-it is usually cheaper to hire a paid co-pilot instead. I doubt the boss actually asked for a second pilot for free-it is more like they could care less and buying the guy a hotel and meals to keep the paid help happy-is dirt cheap. If the personalities get along the guy did say it could turn into something more down the road wih a plane that is certified for two pilots. I feel this guy is trying to help some low time pilot by getting them jet time and keeping himself from the perverbial single pilot trip boredom. I know when I had no jet time it was impossible to get a job with a jet--so what do you do? I remember begging for time in Navajo's and King Air's willing to do whatever-where-ever to get time I couldn't possibly afford to buy. I guess all the guys blasting him got luckier than I and walked into a company with minimum time and got that sweet job in a big jet.
I personally don't need or want the position but I guess I see how he is offering an opportunity not a job. I suppose everyone did the Internships in college and got paid the BIG bucks. It is not like the guy is selling the seat off.

 

[Kingairrick]

What this guy is doing is misleading whomever takes this position. I'll wager his "in house" training consists of: "Here's the FOM and an old FlightSafety manual. Let me know what your questions are. Oh, yeah, everyone trains their FOs this way." He probably wont even get to do three bounces because, and here's the real point, legally speaking, he's a PASSENGER occupying the right seat.
No loggy the time, no gainy any real experience, except for radio skills. I'm sure this single pilot's CRM skills are up to snuff too.
Sadly, there will be takers. Hopefully, they will meet contacts through being involved that will lead them to a real job with someone. That is the only benefit I can see for them. They will be pissed when they figure out they were played by a bottom feeder.

Fly91: I get your point about doing what you have to do to survive. But doing it by undercutting others is not cool. There are furloughed airline pilots flying 210s freight doggin' right now. Good for them. But they didn't get the job by doing it for less than the other freight dogs. That's the difference here.

 

[Galaxy]

Well, I don't see what is misleading. The ad states that the applicant is not required, will not get paid, and will have expenses covered. If the guy logs it-that is his problem. I am sure it will get him more contacts being there than sitting at the flight school. As for the training-well-you said it best when you called him a passenger--passengers do not need much training. I think you get what you pay for-if you pay zero-you can't get pissed when the guy suddenly leaves to go to another operator-it's just expected. After all do you have to quit a job that you don't really have? The training-you are probably right-but we don't know this guy may be looking to rekindle his old CFI skills and pass on his knowledge-who knows.

In these tough times when airline guys are flying C210's. Well the target applicant this guy is trying for still can't apply for a 135 IFR job due to his TT. So the poor guy has to envy the C210 crappy pay freight job and has to settle for free experience in a jet. They got the job at the C210 place because they had the time. I know folks at these gigs and they really don't like hiring airline guys because they know when they get the call to go back-they are gone as quick as they arrived and the freight still has to move. It is a crappy economy with a field of work that promotes shady behavior anyway. I don't expect it to change anytime soon. All the guys I made fun of for PFT and buying zero time type ratings all went on to great jobs. I did not and struggled for every honest hour and hard earned dollar. At least I have my dignity while I drive my Ford and eat my ramen noodles. lol.

 

[Kingairrick]

the misleading parts are the statements about time building and staying current. As a passenger he or she can do neither...

 

[BoilerUP]

the misleading parts are the statements about time building and staying current. As a passenger he or she can do neither...

If the PIC has a current 61.58 and the SIC has received 61.55 training, I do believe the SIC can log that flight time...regardless if the PIC has a single pilot waiver or not.

 

[Kingairrick]

That's been debated to death on this and other forums. I really don't know what the answer is. But, if I were interviewing someone, I'd look at them a little sideways if the bulk of their turbine experience was in the right seat of a single pilot airplane. Also, it means nothing as far as the regs are concerned when you go for a type ride (re: SOE.)
You've got the type in the airplane in question, so I'll defer to you...

 

[K.V.]

That's been debated to death on this and other forums. I really don't know what the answer is. But, if I were interviewing someone, I'd look at them a little sideways if the bulk of their turbine experience was in the right seat of a single pilot airplane. Also, it means nothing as far as the regs are concerned when you go for a type ride (re: SOE.)
You've got the type in the airplane in question, so I'll defer to you...

It's not a single pilot airplane...the dude has a single pilot waiver. There is a difference.

 

[Kingairrick]

Once again. I've not gotten the type in the CE-500. I'll defer to those that have,