Big Decision, Need Opinions

[Aerosurfer]

Currently Im out of school living at home in the chicago area. I have been working as a line guy for a Corporate company for less than a month. The pay is pretty descent and the facilities are top notch. They know i want to fly and dont want to be on the ground. From the first interview they said they hire from within and take care of their own, ect. Beginning last week they told me they moved me up to full time status (benefits) and said they want to make me line supervisor over the next few weeks, a raise would follow, no set amount just said they dont give small raises. I stressed that I really want to fly again.

Well Low and behold, 2 days later I get a call from Flight Express saying they want me to interview/fly for them. I know about the company and that checks wouldnt be going away in the next few months. thats not a factor. The problem is the interview is on dec1 and class starts later that day!!!!

I approached my company and told them about the opportuniy but that I hadn't made my descision yet to go. Thats where i stand now

Pro's to stay

Living at home----No rent payment
Have potential with a Corporate Company to go right to a jet
Not Flying but have a pretty nice job

Con's to stay

Potential to get to the jet is probablly about a year away
Living with the parents is annoying after being away for 4 years
Its F'ing cold up here
Not Flying

Got to Flight Express Pro's

135 Job (those are few and far between these days)
20+ hours per week in the 210
most likely moving someplace warmer or at least back South

Cons
19xxx yearly salary
RENT
its only single engine time (baron runs are few and far between)

So you see my scenerio,
I want to hear your opinions

THanks
--Nick

 

[boeingdriver213]

The only thing that counts in aviation is what is hapening right now. I think we have all heard promises about new planes, bigger planes, promises of hiring, only to see them disappear. If you want to fly, and you are still young enough and single, take your chances on the 135 job. If you don't like it, your expanding experiences in flying will open doors to better jobs. Whichever you do, do it 100%, cause there is always somebody out there who wants that job a little more than you do, and is willing to go the extra mile to show it. Good luck.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

take whatever job is offered to you TODAY.

That "potential of being in a jet in a year" is a load of $hit. Trust everyone here on that one.

In a year or so that entire company could be dead, take the job in front of you.!!

good luck.

 

[wingnutt]

im with the other two. FE is a solid company and will lead to other jobs, even if for some reason you cant snag a Baron run.

but i have a feeling...if you get in there in Dec, do a few months in the 210, then regionals start hiring in the spring, theres gonna be some movement (i know theres more than one of them baron guys waiting for the regionals to call). youll be in a MUCH better position than you will waiting for promises from your current employer. go for it...and dont look back

 

[millhouse21]

About Flight Express. If you're looking to get away from the cold, watch out. I'm pretty sure that two guys from that Dec class will be going to Kansas City and it gets cold there. However, the good news is that you'll probably get paid somewhere in the low 20s and if you go to St Louis, you can live in the hangar. No rent! Good Luck with your decision. FE is a good company and it looks to me too that things may start moving here soon.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Go fly.

 

[FalconPilot69]

I have to agree...

What everyone else is saying is dead on. While you are on the road, even though it will most likely be at night, turn your resume into other operators you come across. I left the job I am at now 2 years ago for a "great" corporate job and was laid off 6 months later. Don't hold your breath on what might happen. Take what you have and gain the experience you need. It will pay off in the end. Good Luck!

 

[English]

Take the flying job.

There is a saying in aviation that I'm sure many of us have learned the hard way...don't believe any promises of new airplanes or opportunities until you are sitting in the seat, pulling the gear up.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[learjetguy]

Your asking the wrong people. You should talk to the pilots at the company that you are at and see what they think. They will definitely have their finger on the pulse of the company. If some of the crew members told me to stick around and that the company does indeed promote from within I would stay put. As a matter of fact that is exactly what I did several years ago in a similar situation (worked out well for me). Besides, why go fly a 210 when eventually your going to be trying to get on with a company just like the one that you are already at. The experience you get flying checks is good and all but no matter what you will still have a big learning curve when you transition to turbine aircraft. I would listen to the pilots already employed at your company and go with whatever they suggest.

Good luck,
Learguy

 

[Ty Webb]

I'm with LearGuy. Single-engine 135 jobs are always going to be available later, but a year of single-engine and/or multi won;t get you much closer to the right seat of a jet than you are right now, and if this pays off, you will be several years ahread of where you would be after going to FLight Express. If after a year, the advancement isn't happening, you will have developed a lot of contacts that will help you later.

I'd work for the company, put your pesos in the bank, learn as much as you can about corporate operations in general and this one in particular.

Beg or borrow a manual for one of the jets, and start memorizing the important stuff. Start geting mentally prepared to think at 400 kts. Learn the limitations, the Normal and the Emergency procedures, study the flows, learn the profiles. If they see you are sharp and are learning, you may find yourself doing maintenance flights and such- that how i got my first few hours.

Do a lot of "chair flying" and real flying when you can to stay current. Find a local 135 guy and see if you can ride along to help stay current.

 

[Aerosurfer]

in response to LearJet and TY, I have talked to pilots and most said to take the job, "Fly Now." While Im not 100 percent I still believe I want to be an airline pilot over a corporate guy, so this will help me break into a regional sooner, (hopefully). Also I think I would meet a wider range of contact on the road at various airports than jsut at work. I will be leaving my current position in good terms, so why not in 6 months or a year be able to go back with 500-800 hours more of 135 time and then ask for a corporate job.

I do agreee with the majority in the fact to take the flying job. I appreciate everyones advice

 

[Vicman]

take it.

That stupid carrot has been around....even my flight school talked about getting a citation (but usaully and always is all talk). I remember this AWA pilot telling me "get your A$$ in anything with wings....the more engines the better. and anything promised to you in aviation is all BS unless you see it.)

Good luck.

 

[Ty Webb]

Sounds like you've already got your mind made up, but if you look at the profiles of the people who told you that, most of them don't appear to have any corporate experience.

While Im not 100 percent I still believe I want to be an airline pilot over a corporate guy, so this will help me break into a regional sooner, (hopefully).

Well, 500 hours of single-engine time might get you there faster, but if the industry keeps going the way it is, be careful what you wish for.

I went the corporate route instead of going to the regionals. It paid better, I got jet PIC quicker (first jet type at 2100tt) and it got me to the next step without the Ramen noodles. Also, a corporate background can be an asset if you get furloughed . . . out of my airline newhire class of 16 people, I was the only one with a corporate background, and I was the only one that, if we were furloughed, could have started flying the next day for $450./day.

Also I think I would meet a wider range of contact on the road at various airports than jsut at work.

Not the same type of contacts. What you will meet flying night checks/freight are other freight pilots. While they will get other jobs later and can help you then, that's quite a bit different than corporate networking.


I will be leaving my current position in good terms, so why not in 6 months or a year be able to go back with 500-800 hours more of 135 time and then ask for a corporate job.

Well, Chief, what if you go fly checks in that C210 or whatever, and come back to find that they took the next Line guy and he is now the FO, and they don't need anyone . . . . .

I do agreee with the majority in the fact to take the flying job. I appreciate everyones advice

Hey, lots of luck to you. Let us know how it works out.

 

[wingnutt]

i agree with asking the pilots too. gather all the info and make an informed decision. dont let one yahoo on here tell you that you are making the wrong decision for you.

if you want to go the regional route, the pilots there are telling you to take the job, and F/E is calling...i think you have your answer

 

[AA717driver]

If you want to be an airline type, take the 210 job. There is a lot of respect for night freight guys at the airlines.

If you want a corporate career, stay where you are and hope the company adheres to its "promises".

You DO have a quandry, everyone here makes good points. I think it points out how much of a crap shoot this business is and how you make career-altering decisions early on that have ramifications decades later. Enjoy the ride! TC

 

[Timebuilder]

First, find out what those company pilots say.

Is there anyone there, even ONE pilot who was promoted to FO from the line job? Is he now a captain? Talk to THAT individual, and get his take on this. Did it happen on the time schedule the company had given him? Are they acquiring more jets? What about the parent company? Strong and growing, or pummelled by the economy and cutting back? These are important questions. If they are making claims to you that have come true before, it may be worth your while to work on the ATP written and get to know those aircraft. Know the systems cold. Know the speeds, fuel flows and weights. Be able to do the weight and balance. Don't make a secret of your knowlege. Ask the captains to test you with a question now and then.

Now, if this is all hogwash, go take the FE job. Get the ATP.

Hope this helps.

 

[210FR8DOG]

AA717- that avatar..........uuuuuhhhhhh............well...........nice!!

from a Flight Express guy- keep in mind that the upgrade here is ridiculous slow right now, over a year and a half to the Baron. I FINALLY got a few interviews coming up and the reason we have an opening or two is a couple guys are FINALLY going to the regionals. If this trend continues, this could be an OK place to come. You can also get some 135 time and continue looking at places like Airnet, Ameriflight, etc. that have bigger/turbine equipment. We have nothing bigger than a Baron. Also, this is a just a time-building job, there are some runs that pay well for what we do and thats about the best thing I can say about this place.

 

[empenage]

Dude:

Are you really sure you want to fly corporate? I'm writing this as I'm getting ready to head to Istanbul and Singapore for 10 days over Thanksgiving. It doesnt sound like your company is willing to give you anything in writing??? I would hope they would if they are promising you a right seat.