550 flying
I have gotten a lot of replies from you guys, and I really appreciate all of the excellent advice you more experienced guys give! It really helps, and it's always good to get other input. I'll answer a few of the questions you guys have here, and then ask a few more of my own:
1) The airlines? I grew up in a family where my father went from corporate pilot to regionals to major airlines. He is currently Captain on the 757/767 for a major US airline. He flew up the ladder from the General Aviation world to the airline business. He has gotten very lucky, because he has never been involved in being furloughed, laid off, or a strike... I also grew up reading Airline Pilot magazine and listening to my Father talk about the business. He gave me an amazing opportunity to see the line pilot's perspective, and I grew up knowing that this is what I wanted from my career. However, due to the unfortunate state of the airline industry these days, I feel like my dream of sitting in the cockpit at the same company on the same equipment might be a little unrealistic. My father's corporate roots have always been a constant reminder to me that there are more ways than one to end up with a career flying for a living. I've been very lucky to meet some of the right people and get a few good breaks early on in this game.
2) 750 hours might seem a little pittance, but the truth is... in that 750 hours I've flown as many airplane types as I could get my hands on. I flew corporate in High School for a major law firm in my home town, and I used every cent I ever had to pay for more flight training. I've logged over 500 hours cross country in that time and over 200 hours night and over 100 actual instrument. Now that I am SIC in the Citation, I want to gain knowledge / experience as quickly as I can and make the right moves so that I can move over to the left seat some day! A 750 hour pilot that spent his whole career flying around the patch might not be able to handle PIC in an airplane like that, but I'd like to think that my past experience / determination has molded me into a pilot capable of such a feat.
3) Corporate? I have made some decisions lately, and the biggest one being that I am determined to make a career for myself in the corporate world. I like the versatility and exciting opportunities that Corporate flying provides, and I think that corporate flying offers the best opportunities in the world for someone like me who wants to do their best and fly jets professionally. The problem is breaking into the industry and making a name for yourself. Especially in a place like this, Atlanta, where there are already so many established and entrenched professionals that are seeking the same jobs as I am.
4) The Best Advice? A very experienced and wise corporate captain I flew with once told me ; "don't let anyone short change you for your service kid. Your licence says Commercial Pilot, and that means you are a professional. If I ever hear of you flying with someone for free, then you will never fly with me again. If someone needs a copilot then they should treat you like one. It's a tough job, and you deserve your expenses being paid; ie. meals, hotels, etc. and you should get a little money too. Depends on the equipment and your qualifications, but be reasonable." I take that to heart, and I think I am getting paid fairly on the Citations I am flying. I get paid $200 a day as copilot for one company I am flying contract copilot for, and $150 a day for the other. Pretty good if you ask me, but let me know if I should be asking for more. They also pay for my meals and hotels, etc.
I just want to become a professional in the corporate world so that I can give back a little bit of everything the aviation world has ever given me. It's tough to know what to do in these uncertain times, but you guys advice really helps. But if anyone can explain the way I should be logging this I would greatly appreciate it, and should the Captain I flew with initially sign my logbook or not? I guess I should be asking an FAR specialist!?!
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