Any Cocal-Cola drivers on here?

[say again]

Dickburns, Nice to see some guys still have a love for flying. The guys that quotes being gone 18 days on trips for big flight departments like Coke, just doesn't have a clue. They've listened to some ancient history that just isn't reality. If you fly the long range aircraft, you're gonna go international. Unless you invented a new globe, that means it usually takes more than a couple hours. Trips range anywhere from day out-and-backs to 10 days (on the extreme end). 14-17 days per month.

If guys want to be home every night, have a schedule that never changes, lost benefits, and no stability, then the airlines need you. If you like flying with a great group of people, work for a company that takes care of you with great benefits, corp is the way to go.

Wrong. I know a few pilots that are away for a couple of weeks at a clip. That is a reality at many places.

As for your second paragraph, the best group of pilots I flew with were at that airlines. Home every night?? LOL. Very few and far between.

PS-were you a little drunk when writing this?? I really hope so, for your sake.

 

[CapnVegetto]

I'm with a lot of guys on this board. I'm flying a Jew Canoe now, and have absolutely no desire whatsoever to fly a G-whiz, Global, Challenger, etc. I'm perfectly happy in my itty bitty little Citation, Westwind, Kingair, etc, makin my good but non 6 figure salary, and watchin my kids grow up. I've got a little suitcase, a laptop back, and a baggage compartment that is a perfect fit for my golf clubs. I'm sitting in Colorado, and will be heading home in about 2 hours. I've spent about 4 nights away from home in the last 2 months. I get to work in my yard, drink beer with my buddies, hit the gym, bang my wife, and sit my fatass in my La-Z-Boy every night. That ain't worth givin up to fly a Gucci in my book.

Of course, the guy I'm flying with dreams of spending time on the road flying the company Challenger. All you buddy. It just depends on what you want.

 

[Fly91]

If you fly the long range aircraft, you're gonna go international.

Most are like that, but certainly not all. My friends work for a 91 operator that has a BBJ and a Global Express, they almost never go outside of the domestic USA. Maybe 2 trips a year int'l. Rare, but it happens.

 

[Fly91]

I get to work in my yard, drink beer with my buddies, hit the gym, bang my wife, and sit my fatass in my La-Z-Boy every night. That ain't worth givin up to fly a Gucci in my book.

AMEN!!!

I've done the 8-14 hour leg, long haul crap....it sucks. IMO, you're not a pilot, you're a bored, tired warm body in a seat. It sucks the fun and life right out of flying.

Now, I have a job that'll keep me home about 25 nights a month, its great. And I'll still make almost 150K with just 3-4 days contract flying a month that I know I'll be doing for a couple other 91 operators that are friends of mine, just out and back short day trips. Or not if I choose. So, like you said, you just have to seek out and find the best job that suits you. There is no BEST job for all pilots. And we also have a Gulfstream V, which I'll be getting type-rated on early next year, but only because every pilot with the company gets typed on everything. The GV already has 5 full-time pilots, so I will only fly it when I want to/can from-time-to-time, its always good to have company pilots who can jump in for obvious reasons. And our boss does not use contract pilots, unless its seriously necessary. G650 is in the works too. But I will NEVER ask or accept a full-time upgrade to either of those planes, no way.

Just not for me.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

The GV already has 5 full-time pilots, so I will only fly it when I want to/can from-time-to-time

AH, they are sending you to GV school so you can fly it when YOU want to?

That is really a fabulous job!

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

True.

well......Id say you need to shop the company and coworkers before the aircraft...but YES, combine them all and you might be looking at the better jobs in the industry in terms of QOL, stability (careful!) and money.

Plus, some experience in these planes allows you to walk from those crappy gigs and shop more carefully for the top jobs!

A understaffed (anything under 3-4 IMHO) Gulf/GLEX job with an owner who hops the world can be an awful, horrible gig...

I also find flying all over the world to be "fun" - but its still away from home, and there better be good breaks in between all the "fun" to enjoy what really matters - a decent salary and time at home with family and friends.

Amen brother. Depending on what is important to you (equipment you fly, money, stability, schedule, etc) Equipment/Money can only take you so far, so in my humble opinion quality of life is at the top of the pyramid for me.

Try 2 Pilots, 5 airplanes all G4 and bigger = no time off. Like someone said in the post, careful what you wish for. And what is up with people that upgrade their egos along with their equipment? Sometimes I wish I was back in a light jet.

 

[Fly91]

AH, they are sending you to GV school so you can fly it when YOU want to?

That is really a fabulous job!

Yes. And when the plane gets painted early next year the chief pilot and two of the GV guys are going to Lear school. Most 91 flight departments I've been involved with like to only use their own pilots. When they have more than one make/model everyone is qualified on both planes. Its only two planes, its not like there's 5 different makes.

And I said I will be able to fly the GV when I want to/can. Its not like I can just walk in and tell a pilot he's "off" because I feel like taking a trip. I'll be asked ahead of time if I want to fill in for someone, and I will ask occassionally if I can fill in for someone...when it works out, it works out and I'll get to take some trips. Probably won't be able to until there's a 3rd captain hired for the Lear though.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Yes. And when the plane gets painted early next year the chief pilot and two of the GV guys are going to Lear school. Most 91 flight departments I've been involved with like to only use their own pilots. When they have more than one make/model everyone is qualified on both planes. Its only two planes, its not like there's 5 different makes.

And I said I will be able to fly the GV when I want to/can. Its not like I can just walk in and tell a pilot he's "off" because I feel like taking a trip. I'll be asked ahead of time if I want to fill in for someone, and I will ask occassionally if I can fill in for someone...when it works out, it works out and I'll get to take some trips. Probably won't be able to until there's a 3rd captain hired for the Lear though.

Ahhh, I see.

yes, we have 2 types also - everyone qualified on both, and we do not use contractors, ever.

works out best that way.

 

[chrayo]

So....are there any Coke drivers on here? I am in Atlanta and would also like to know. I guess after 4 pages and no "yes" responses, the question is answered.

Chris

 

[AA717driver]

So....are there any Coke drivers on here? I am in Atlanta and would also like to know. I guess after 4 pages and no "yes" responses, the question is answered.

Chris

Sounds like they're too busy to be on a message board...TC

 

[willNOTfly4free]

So....are there any Coke drivers on here? I am in Atlanta and would also like to know. I guess after 4 pages and no "yes" responses, the question is answered.

In an effort to stay anonymous, most will not admit where they work on a public message board.

 

[AA717driver]

From personal experience, management doesn't like to see ANY info about their operation posted on a board like this--good, bad or ugly.

Considering the beatings Coke has taken here in the past, I'd expect that to be seriously verboten. TC

 

[Capt1124]

There is a certain operator in Van Nuys that is very secretive. They apparently fly a lot of celebrities so maybe there is good reason for it.

And yes, Coke has taken a lot of heat here, so if somebody in management there had told pilots "no public discussion of the company" it would not surprise me. You don't see much talk about big company flight departments except as second hand rumors

 

[Gulfstream 200]

There is a certain operator in Van Nuys that is very secretive. They apparently fly a lot of celebrities so maybe there is good reason for it.

And yes, Coke has taken a lot of heat here, so if somebody in management there had told pilots "no public discussion of the company" it would not surprise me. You don't see much talk about big company flight departments except as second hand rumors

You can also get a LOT of info via PMs about large departments.

And really, dont believe 99% of the garbage you read in posts, get it straight from the folks who work there.

 

[LRvsH25B]

And really, dont believe 99% of the garbage you read in posts, get it straight from the folks who work there.

Well, I must say, that is the best piece of advice I've ever read on this message board. Following that advice will save you a lot of grief. Remember, the horse's mouth.

Also, I spoke to a friend who works at Coke last night, and the advice that was given to me to pass along was that if you are wanting to work there, do your homework, find an email address, and start writing the people who need to know your name. Be honest, straight forward, and state your intentions clearly. They know you don't work there, so do not be afraid to ask questions, but just make sure those questions are applicable to your stage/status. For example, don't ask about their SOPs (You don't need to know those right now), but dont ask where they are based or the types of equipment they fly, as that shows you have not done your research. Start with questions along the lines of what they look for when hiring pilots, etc. I will tell you the new D.O. (been there for a couple 3 years) is a stand up guy, probably the most fair man you will ever work for, and he likes to see education on resumes (Masters). He is a excellent pilot, but does not fly and has not in several years, due to choice, not medical or anything like that. Good Luck, and take G200's advice.

 

[bailout]

Well, there is a current hiring freeze at Coke right now, so don't get your hopes up anytime soon.

 

[AA717driver]

LRvH25--Thanks for your insight.

Nothing personal, but I adhere to the policy that you don't trust a pilot who doesn't want to fly. In my experience, those people haven't been the best to work for.

Good luck to those applying! TC

 

[LRvsH25B]

LRvH25--Thanks for your insight.

Nothing personal, but I adhere to the policy that you don't trust a pilot who doesn't want to fly. In my experience, those people haven't been the best to work for.

Good luck to those applying! TC

Nothing personal taken by that, althought I don't think it's fair to paint them all with that brush. No matter where you are, there is ALWAYS going to be an A$$shole in the group making it tough for all the rest of us.

In this particular case, this guy talked about being a manager when he was a CFI in his early 20s. For him, he stuck with his dream I guess, and it has worked out, and I don't think you'll find anyone who has worked for/with this guy that will say he is anything less than 'stand-up'. He really looks out for the people who works for him. In Kansas City, he ran a department that closed (Ivy League Educated CEO managed to run the company into the ground after his father and Big 10 Educated brother built it up).

All of the pilots were let go, but his capacity was shifted within the company, allowing him to come out of the mess untouched with job intact. He told the company, 'I don't think so; Homey don't play that" and resigned. He'd never tell you that though, as he is not the type of guy to go talking about himself. There's a lot to be said about a guy like that.

Consider being a little more open minded on that subject, AA717. Some of them are jerks, but there are some good ones out there. Thanks for your response.