Any advice on landing 91 gig

[Just Jay]

Does anyone have some good advice on how to land a 91 job. I know networking is key but does anyone have more specific advice? Thanks in advance.

 

[G3G4]

Networking is the biggest key. Also never burn any bridges..

 

[Raskal]

It's irritating, but networking x2. Everyone I know got the job through who they know.

Corporate aviation is one of the world's largest and most tenacious "good'ol boy networks". It sucks badly in that regard and, in my opinion, results in a lot of really bad pilots getting really good jobs. But, play the game and you'll get the job eventually.

Rule number one, whoever the biggest a$$hole is, he's the guy to stay in touch with-they always seem to do well.

 

[Flybet3]

Yep network, and make sure you're networking for the good jobs. No, actually Network for the great jobs. There's a bigger chance of getting picked up by fedex before get that gravy corporate job. Good luck

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

Brass Ring?

Yep network, and make sure you're networking for the good jobs. No, actually Network for the great jobs. There's a bigger chance of getting picked up by fedex before get that gravy corporate job. Good luck

Greeeeat. Thanks for busting my bubble, man. Might as well apply for FedEx now.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

Check the online job ads. IMO, there have been many jobs posted online in the past few months.

Heck, last week I saw an ad that a Fortune 500 manufacturing company is looking for a Falcon 900 and G-V FO. Minimums are 2000TT and an ATP. Start looking because the jobs are out there. If you have a lot of Citation (read corporate/charter), you will have a better chance at scoring a 91 job than a job at FedEx.

Also, check out NetJets. Their captain pay is just as good, if not better, than many 91 jobs flying the same equipment.

 

[I fLy pLaNeS]

Completely aside from the good old boy factor;

1) What are competitive flight times for an initial corporate job?

2) How do you properly pierce into the corporate network of an airport and/or specific company?

3) And finally, how do you go about it being a nice guy and not a suck-up/jerk?

 

[Captain Morgan]

We just hired a guy and put him through Simuflight Lear31/35 initial training and he has 800 hours right out of flight instructing. He was just, "right time and the right place." We fly a Lear 35A for a contruction company. It's on call but pretty much you know it's Mon-Thurs. or Tues.-Fri. The previous 91 gig I was with was Falcon 900, Falcon 20, and Lear 35A and I was hired with around 3500tt and 2100 multi. with 900 Turbine (jet) just to give you an idea. Good luck!

CM

 

[Captain Morgan]

BTW, the first company I worked for I was hired as contract Lear copilot for about 6 months to see if I fit in. I was then hired full time. Additionally, I found the job through my brother-in-law's girlfriend's cousin who is a pilot with them. No joke. Once again, good luck!

CM

 

[Seadogrun]

Work line service where there's a lot of 91'ers.

 

[Goose Egg]

5000 TT
1000 Jet

"Jet" meaning turbojet? Or just turbine? Does turboprop time count for anything?

-Goose

 

[g159av8tor]

Jet is jet. And turbine is turbine. Confused? Turbo-prop is usually worthless, but better than a Seminole. Believe me I know it--I have 2200 hours in G-Is and Jetstreams. Time in any business aricraft (even KAs) is better than anything else. It's all in the eye of the beholder. I am glad to help with anymore ?s.

Tailwinds...

 

[Just Jay]

Thanks for all the input guys. It is true about the "who you know" and "right place right time".

Maybe one day the aviation stars will align for me (and all of us).

 

[cezzna]

Be persistent. If you know where you want to work, keep showing up and updating your resume and flight times. You can show a level of persistence beyond the resume mailers by showing your face every couple of months. Keep showing intrest without being a pest and you'll get in.

 

[Goose Egg]

*Goose wonders if Cannondale has any jets.

 

[SeanAucoin]

Myself being young I worked at an FBO, Met a lot of corporate flight departments, It's all about networking meeting people who can introduce you to other people etc...

 

[Just Jay]

*Goose wonders if Cannondale has any jets.

As long as they are in better shape than my old super-V.

 

[SNAFU22]

Be the best at what you do. Do that, and you'll have a great reputation. Reputation goes a long way. My old chief from a 135 company I flew for called me up for a Part 91 interview. Thing is I have a great 91 gig right now.. Tough decision.

Point is, no matter what your doing right now do a little extra than the next person. People will recognize this and oportunity will come knocking.

 

[BengalsFan]

Someone on here mentioned that NetJets pay is comparable to a good corporate outfit. So knowing that NJA is generally 7 on 7 off (and no desk duties), what do some of you folks, who have good/great corporate gigs, think about QOL comparison? Is NetJets just as good as any other corporate gig for QOL?
Thnx

 

[lazyace75]

Someone on here mentioned that NetJets pay is comparable to a good corporate outfit. So knowing that NJA is generally 7 on 7 off (and no desk duties), what do some of you folks, who have good/great corporate gigs, think about QOL comparison? Is NetJets just as good as any other corporate gig for QOL?
Thnx

I just heard today from a friend of mine that the new contract that Netjets is going to sign will start their FO's at $65K.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Netjets guys are away from home a LOT more than good part 91 operators.

 

[lazyace75]

Netjets guys are away from home a LOT more than good part 91 operators.

Oh I agree...I've got a great 91 gig myself. I was just throwing that out there to let everyone know what I heard.

Of course, that's heresay.

 

[Say Again Over]

Just Jay, don't be afraid to get out and beat the bushes.

 

[rumrnr78]

Flew last Sunday, one leg to IAD. Early departure monday, a little paperwork, bantering with the guys, et cetera, home by 10am. Not on the schedule till next Sunday, one leg to FTY, in by 1600, drinks in Virginia Highlands, then late Monday morning departure, home 3 or so. We are on a two hour call out if not on the schedule so I just bring the dingleberry to the river during the week.
Is it always like that? No, of course we work hard but we do get rewarded!
And, our company (91 ops) adhere to the strictest of duty regulations. Suffice to say they were horrified when I described "nap" flying at ASA!
Keep positive and network, network and network.
BTW, the fracs are great for experience and contacts.
Cheers- rum

 

[AZ Typed]

Both corporate gigs outside of 121 I got because I no only sent in a "hiring package" (more below), but I also came a knocking on their door within a week of sending my "hiring package."

Look - make it easy to hire you. I was underqualified for both gigs, but both gigs put me in brand new jets (mid size and large cabin). In both circumstances, the CP told me that I was hired not so much because of my experience, but because I made the decision to hire me a no brainer.

Here is what you do. Go to Office Max and buy a 1/2 inch binder (buy 2 or 3 of em), buy some nice heavey resume paper, and some plastic page covers. Go home or to Kinkos and make COLOR copies of all your cirtificates, medical, diploma, FlightSafety type rating certificates (if you have them). Print them out on that nice resume paper you bought and print them in COLOR. I recommend boardered paper with the title of the page on the top (for ex: the page with your pilot cert should be titled ATP Pilot Certificate" or the like). Slide the copies into the plastic sheets and put these sheets in your 1/2 in binder. Then, print out your cover letter and resume on that heavy weight paper, slide into plastic cover sheet, put in binder. Add anything else you see fit - letters of recommendation, diploma, award or two from anything, etc. Don't have more than 8 or so pages - all in plastic cover sheets in your binder. Then, print out a table of contents and place it as the first page in your binder, of course it should also be in a plastic cover sheet. Then, the icing on the cake is to find a picture on the net of THE airplane you're applying for - heck go take a picture it taking off or landing. Using MS Word or something similar, make a page to insert into the binder's cover. Have your name at the top and your phone and e-mail at the bottom. Print this in HIGH COLOR with a border - make it look 110% PRO. Put together 2 or three of these binders, in case you are interviewed by more than one person.

Send one of the binders overnight FedEx to the job you want. Follow up IN PERSON a few days later if you don't hear anything. At this point, you will get the interview. Then, bring your other binders, with updated resumes if you've flown in the meantime, for anyone else who may be interviewing you.

I've used this strategy for 3 jobs I was underqualified for - all 3 gigs were flying brand new glass cockpit jets from mid to large cabin with all payscales. The last time I used this gem, it landed me one of those 1 in 1000 91 gigs in an airplane that still blows my mind today with a schedule that is a total joke (100 hours in the last 6 months) for a salary that is nearly ridiculous in my opinion.

Again, every time they told me I got the interview because of that binder and knocking on their door a few days / week later. The interview is a cakewalk if you know yourself and you are confident, humble, and can show them taht you go the extra mile when needed - they can depend on you and you're not an hour builder.

Let me know how taht works out for ya.

 

[maximizer]

I too have used a similar technique in the past and thought it worked quite well. I have enjoyed p91 flying for many years and wouldn't really want to trade it for a Netjets, p135, p121 or any other gig.