Corp.

[CXAV8]

Just looking for a debate. What's a better place to spend your flying career.

Big Department(i.e. GE, BP,TAG,Ford etc.) or small One plane operators(i.e. Mr. Big, Daddy Warbucks).

 

[banned username 2]

DEFINATELY a BIG department (Fortune 100)

 

[Gulfstream 200]

ditto...
big company no doubt!

P.S. TAG is not a big company, just a mangement company - comprised of many small companies....if you need any info - PM me!

 

[bigD]

How big are typical flight departments of large companies? I guess it of course depends on the company, but on average?

 

[banned username 2]

How big are typical flight departments of large companies? I guess it of course depends on the company, but on average?

My Company has 7 aircraft and 28 pilots, 13 mechanics & 5 dispatchers, we are a $25-$35 Billion company...

I know 3M is about $15 Billion and they have I think 5 G-V's...

Really all depends on the company...

BP/Amoco is like a $160 Billion company and they have only 3 aircraft 2 G-IV's and a G-V

 

[CXAV8]

I agree with flying for a big department. But are bonuses better, upgrades quicker, ease of operation better at small departments. It can be frustrating to be locked in a large slow moving flight dept. What about pay and benefits? Schedule? etc.

 

[banned username 2]

I agree with flying for a big department. But are bonuses better, upgrades quicker, ease of operation better at small departments. It can be frustrating to be locked in a large slow moving flight dept. What about pay and benefits? Schedule? etc.

Typically at the large departments Quality of Life is much better, a schedule usually exists and benefits are usually complete...

 

[fokkerjet]

Just to make things a little more interesting, why is a big company better?

I work for a large corporation with a fleet of large corporate jets, 28+ pilots, 10+ flight attendants, 4 dispatchers and 15 +/- maintenance techs. I've also worked at a mom and pop company with just 1 King Air and 2 pilots.

There are days when I miss that King Air because life was so much simplier than it can be at a large corporation. For one thing, little to no politics were involved. On the King Air, not only did we dispatch and fly the airplane ourselves, we also had to clean it and supervise maintenance on it. At the large company, we just fly. With the politics in place here, I'm only allowed to fly the airplane. If I see something that needs to be done, I have to go through channels to get something to happen, even if it's as simple picking up a missing glass and bringing it to the airplane from the hangar.

On the other hand, large corporations usually pay very well, have great benifits, retirements and other perks. You also usually find yourself in some very nice pieces of equipment, flying worldwide.

As with any job, it's always a matter of opinion as to which is better, but the bottom line is, what do you feel is better for you?

 

[mike]

Small corporate flight departments are good. The problem is finding a company that is all business. Our companies use the plane as a business tool. Many companies don't need an aircraft. The boss buys a toy to transport the few on weekend ski/fishing/golf trips. No, thank you.

Quality of life issues are held high with our people and the annual bonus is generous. Don't look for quick upgrades in todays job market. We haven't hired/lost a pilot in over three years.

Good hunting.

 

[bigD]

The more I read about the crap going on in the airlines, the more I'm drawn to the corporate side of the fence. I think it's pretty cool to be one of maybe 30 pilots in a company, as opposed to one in a couple thousand.

Is it possible to end up on a somewhat regular schedule while flying corporate? I'm sure it's like anything else in aviation where it'll be a little crappy as I'm moving up through the ranks, but once I get some time and seniority under my belt, can I expect a halfway normal family life?