Citation 500 Co-Pilot or Regional?

[rchcfi]

Oh yeah, and I forgot to mention the pay is much better at my 135 job.

 

[SigAV8R]

Oh shoot, I'll throw my hat in the ring.

I passed up gigs with a few regionals to fly right seat in a Citation. I spent 2 weeks contemplating this same decision, and after much thought went for the Citation. However, remember every situation is different. So what worked for me might not work for any other person.

BUT, I would've went to the regionals if they didn't type me and allow me to seat swap to get that PIC time. The only thing holding me from upgrading officially is the insurance company. But isn't that the way it goes.

Plus I'm one of those guys that hates repetativeness (PHX-LAX-PHX-LAX, ETC). With this job I get to go to quite a few different locales. It's almost like a lottery. Phone rings - "Hey, we're heading to Brandon, Manitoba for 3 days, then the following week we're heading to Souix City, Amarillo, and Burbank." Today I get to go to Boeing Field. But I am also single and can live from a cell phone.

It all depends on what your cup of tea is.

Good luck in your decision!

Cheers,
RCHCFI

I'll second what RCHCFI said. I'm currently doing part 91 Citation work. I love it because it works for me. I'm single so living with my cell phone permanently attached to me is no big deal. I get to go to a lot of fun places and the owners pick up the tab on hotels and meals (eating steak on the road is a nice perk). For me, the QOL right now is very good. I get to live at home (no commuting) and my schedule if flexible. I can decline trips if I have something else planned or just want to take some days off. The pay could be better, but I have an opportunity for a type within a few years if I stay. I get to fly the empty legs and the captains I fly with are great. I have a variety of captains, so I don't have to worry about being holed up with the same guy every trip. The only downside is there's no benefits (medical,dental,etc). Again, it's personal preference but I would say go for the best QOL in your mind.

 

[CapnVegetto]

Here goes my 2 cents!! I say take the Citation gig every single stinking time. 100% of the time. NEVER turn down a sure thing for something that may not transpire. Why? There are 800 gazillion regional jobs out there, and regional airline jobs f-ing suck, (at least in my opinion), so they will ALWAYS be there. Hell, Xjet hires guys with 600 hours, 100 multi, and NO turbine time. If you go to the 91 gig for a little while, and hate it, big frickin deal, throw out your resume to the regionals with 2 or 3 hundred hours of jet time on it and watch how fast they call you back.

However, I can tell you that the QOL and pay is almost ALWAYS better at any 91 job than any regional airline starting job. The dog $hittiest 135 job I've ever had (my 1st job) was worlds better than my RJ job. I made more money, had more time off, WAAAAAY more nights at home, and was treated a thousand times better than my best day at Mesa. I know Mesa is at the bottom of the barrel, but I'm a BIG QOL guy. I like my nights in my own bed and my days off. You'll get a helluva a lot more of that at a 91 gig.

I quit my airline job, gave up my seniority, to come drive slowtations under part 135. I make more money, am home every night, am treated right, and can say with about 98% certainty that I'll never go back to the airlines. For some people, it's great, they love it. I hated it.

Bottom line, the regional jobs will always be there. The Citation gig won't. Take the sure thing now. You can leave to go to a regional any time you want.

 

[English]

I agree with CapnVegetto.

Take the Citation.

I have friends bailing from airlines (and not all of them are regionals) begging me to get them a flying job in charter or corporate.

Why put yourself through the regional airline thing? So you can call yourself an airline pilot? The long-forgotten prestige is not worth the misery.

 

[leardrivr]

Go for the slowtation job. It sounds like they will at least pay you something close to a liviable wage. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

 

[FN FAL]

Ok my turn,

When I started my job we were all best friends, now we hate each other. There is nothing worse then being stuck with a guy you can't stand or who can't stand you. My point is if you lock up two people in a small confined area for too long they will fight about how to part their hair or if you should pick your nose with your index finger or pinky. It's good to have more than one or two people to fly with. And don’t be the weakest link in the company!!!

The cell phone...uhg I have to carry my cell phone all the time. For the just in case. All I can say about this is don't miss a call even on your day off or you become the weakest link.

That was my biggest fear when I read the ad for this Citation XL job in Illinois. There was some construction company that was upgrading to a glass cockpit Citation and they wanted someone with an ATP and the ability to work with the new plane. I did send a resume, even though the wording of the ad kind of sent the hairs up on the back of my neck.

The chief pilot called me and wanted to set up an interview and described the flight department...they had three typed captains and I was going to be the fourth member of the flight crew. The cp and the another typed guy were going to fly the owner around and me and the new captain were going to fly the Executive Jet Management Charters around. "I see," says the blind man, tinkeling into the wind..."it all comes back to me now!" Yea, I was going to be on call and living on a pager...no drinking ever, no fun, no plans and my new name was going to be TOBY!

The phone interview went well, but then the guy mentioned on the phone that, "We're all of strong faith around here!" OK...so you guys go to church a lot...it's your right, it's your faith. But I'm now starting to realize that advertisement for the job sent hairs up the back of my neck for a reason besides the 25K starting pay. We agree to a time and a date for the interview.

A couple days later, the phone rings and this Caravan contractor for the FedEx feeders calls unsolicited and offers me a position...schedule and pay sound great, where do I sign up? I faxed a letter declining the Citation job and never looked back. And yes, my co-workers are all of strong faith...bless their hearts, but I don't have to be strapped in an aluminum tube with them, for hours without end...amen.