Better job: charter, corporate or fractional?

[aa73]

To me (121 airline) they all sound the same - same aircraft, same type of flying. But which one tends to be better over the course of a career?

 

[cynic]

The one where you get paid well, don't have to spend several days on the road with a jerk-off, have job security and a good schedule.

 

[ttflyer]

To me (121 airline) they all sound the same - same aircraft, same type of flying. But which one tends to be better over the course of a career?

Aren't all 121 jobs the same? I hear working for ASA and working for Delta are identical...

 

[cynic]

Aren't all 121 jobs the same? I hear working for ASA and working for Delta are identical...

No no... ASA pilots ARE Delta pilots. Just look at the pax tickets.

 

[njcapt]

To me (121 airline) they all sound the same - same aircraft, same type of flying. But which one tends to be better over the course of a career?

It's all about the dollars and the days off. A good charter company with company work rules (that they won't waive) can be a good place to work, though the same can be said about a pt 91 management company. Good luck keeping a job at any of them for more than a few years. That said, working for the same guy all the time tends to humanize you in their eyes and they are less likely to throw you under the bus for stupid reasons.

 

[Hawker800]

Bottom line, quality of life and money. What do you want?

 

[CorpCaptain]

Complete toss up. In general terms, the better you are at BS'ing and networking the better career you can find in the Pt91 field. Im unaware of anyone that enjoys charter unless you being on call for extended periods of time. Fractionals can be enjoyable if you can stand being away from the family for a week and over. No job is perfect unless your G200 or AA17 making the big bucks

 

[aa73]

Aren't all 121 jobs the same? I hear working for ASA and working for Delta are identical...

No, ASA is Delta's regional partner, so no, it's not the same. ASA is a regional airline and you'll never top out at what a Delta pilot will make.

My question revolves more around the progression of a bizjet pilot from the ground up, the way a 121 pilot would. A 121 pilot would typically flight instruct, then move to a regional, and finally a major.

Along those lines - let's use someone who wants to just stay flying bizjets. How would the progression go - charter, to fractional, then to corporate? (i.e. is corporate the "top of the ladder?")

 

[BoilerUP]

Along those lines - let's use someone who wants to just stay flying bizjets. How would the progression go - charter, to fractional, then to corporate? (i.e. is corporate the "top of the ladder?")

There is no fixed path in business aviation.

Most would say a large-cabin Part 91 job is "top of the ladder", but I'm sure there are plenty of those out there that make less money than a NetJets Ultra captain.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

No job is perfect unless your G200 or AA17 making the big bucks

The big bucks!...lol, no. I have heard I make 80K/yr.

Plus that AA717 clown has gotta be making a lot more than me, he's a major airline pilot for chrissakes!..I just fly a little ole mini jet and carry a briefcase for Mr Rich.

Also, as you know, I'm bound to lose my job if they dont like me today, or if the chips are expired, or if I don't show enough face time around the office. It's a rough business.

But, G200 is patient.....just building up my PIC jet time and waiting on the application window to open at my major airline of choice.

 

[CorpCaptain]

Lol. +1

 

[aa73]

But, G200 is patient.....just building up my PIC jet time and waiting on the application window to open at my major airline of choice.

C'mon man... you'd be a fool to leave an $80k job to come work for a "major"!... Believe me when I say that the size of aircraft one flies is completely irrelevant, anyone who tells you differently is also a fool! If your G-job is stable, I'd stay where you're at. A major 121 job is NOT what it's made out to be!

 

[AA717driver]

The big bucks!...lol, no. I have heard I make 80K/yr.

Plus that AA717 clown has gotta be making a lot more than me, he's a major airline pilot for chrissakes!..I just fly a little ole mini jet and carry a briefcase for Mr Rich.

Don't you ever forget it. AND, I'm DOUBLE cool--I'm a MAJOR airline pilot AND I'm typed in the GV/GIV=babe magnet.

You may kiss my ring...



TC

P.S.--JP, you need to call me if you have any questions. I'll PM my #. G200, I lost you're number, PM me yours--that is, IF you are willing to lower yourself to talk to airline scum.

 

[ttflyer]

Deleted...

 

[CorpCaptain]

AND, I'm DOUBLE cool--I'm a MAJOR airline pilot AND I'm typed in the GV/GIV=babe magnet.

I think this is the line you were looking for. Just dont use it at the Airport Marriott. I like the rum and coke reference though.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=double cool with ice

 

[NCherches]

The best job is flying part 91 for a cool owner in a decent airplane with a good schedule, pay and benifits with job security.

 

[AA717driver]

I think this is the line you were looking for. Just dont use it at the Airport Marriott. I like the rum and coke reference though.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=double cool with ice

There you go. Thanks for further enhancing my coolness, CC.


TC

 

[Flyingdude]

I hate to tell you, however, their is no one way that is absolutely better than the other. I have flown for two Part 121 airlines and been furloughed from both. I have flown fractional, which was at the time the best job I've ever had, and loved it. With that said I got furlouged there too. I have flown charter as well, which for the most part sucks everywhere. I got lucky and found an outstanding Part 91 gig flying for a Fortune 100 flight department. However, their are some Part 91 jobs that really suck. At my company, all of our flights are scheduled in advance, yet many of the Part 91 jobs are completely on call.

The point is that it completley depends on the specific company, not whether it is fractional, Part 91 or charter.

 

[aa73]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like Part 91 is the way to go, as long as it doesn't suck.

 

[BoilerUP]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like Part 91 is the way to go, as long as it doesn't suck.

I think the biggest thing, regardless if you fly 91 or 135, is working for a company that doesn't try to do everything on the cheap.

There *are* charter operators out there that do things "the right way" with regards to operations and with crew compensation...they are just relatively sparse few and far between compared to those who ride their crews hard and put them away wet.

 

[gern_blanston]

Seems like Part 91 is the way to go, as long as it doesn't suck.

Well... Yeah... But Anything is the way to go as long as it doesn't suck.

 

[aa73]

Well... Yeah... But Anything is the way to go as long as it doesn't suck.

Well yes - for the most part. :laugh:

 

[Wankel7]

I know of a charter company that gives their pilots 5 hard days off a month. That leads to some rough QOL. I would say fractional if you care more about your QOL.