Corporate and the Reserves?

[Phrogboy]

As I try and break into the corp. world, I am begining to see some of the difficulties that exist with trying to fly with both. I know that corp. flight departments vary drastically in manning and scheduling, but as a whole, is it possible?

If anyone out there in computer land can spare a success story or two, I would certainly appreciate it.

 

[G100driver]

Do not know, but I love your Avatar!

 

[AA717driver]

It's not right and it's not legal but you won't get hired by a whole lot of 91 depts. if you stay in the reserves.TC

 

[Quagmire11]

Corporate vs. Reserves

I can tell you, I was "leaned on" during my corporate interview that if I wanted to persue a reserve career, I would be doing it somewhere else. I pretty much had to promise that I had no interest/desire to go into the reserves. Just the way of the world. They were abused by a reservist who took advantage of the drill time/school/courses, and was never at work.

 

[Scratcher]

Concur, I've had a 3 or 4 opportunities to pursue a corporate gig and didn't get any love because of my Guard position.

 

[filejw]

The reason being is you ruin the C.P.'s budget and or the QOL of the other guys in the department. Sad but true.

 

[Phrogboy]

I asked for some success stories.....

You guys are bringing me down. Food for thought however, thanks for the input.

 

[kc135ang]

Same answer as everyone else. In not so many words it would be great to have your experience but your current commitments would be tough to fit in the schedule.

 

[Barnowl]

I'm wondering the same thing...Anyone out there thats able to balance Part 91 corporate and ANG/Reserves?

 

[Scratcher]

I don't totally agree with the QOL for all others. Most units that I've been in contact with other then my own you can be a full-time bum or a min runner and still stay active in the unit. Yes, it might take your availibility away from a corporate gig that is mostly beeper time but the gigs that I rushe were not that type and I still didn't get much feedback.

 

[G4G5]

It's not appreciated by the regular line pilots. Many line guys look at it as having to cover your a$$, while you are out collecting a second pay check. I don't agree but that's the truth.

I spent years at a place that had a few guard guys. All great guys.
The problem was their one weekend a month. The company required them to be available 2 weekends a month and then with the guard they only had one weekend a month off.

Or worse, imagine coming back from a week plus international trip on a Friday and then having to report the very next day.

Not good q of l for them.

The schedulers hated it, imagine having to crew a trip, get visas, plan to pre-position crews around the globe all around the weekend duty schedules of a few pilots. In a small corporate department, not being in the good graces of your scheduler lowers your q of l even further.

Training was another issue. Most initials last a month, Scheduling re currents stinks.

The place that I was at had guys flying helos and fixed wings, then they still had to fly their guard aircraft. I am not that smart, staying current in 2 fixed wing types and one rotor wing type. No thanks.

It really got crazy when guys did their two weeks guard training during peak summer vacation. The reality is that this isn't the airlines, most corporate operations don't have the excess man power to cover the loss of a pilot to a guard unit.

I don't agree with it but IMHO, if it comes down to two equal candidates...............

 

[AA717driver]

It's probably even worse now with deployments. I don't see how the guys who are lawyers or dentists do it--no one there to take up the slack.

Again, not many successes to speak of.TC

 

[c5driver]

Depends

It depends on the company. My company is pretty cool on mil leave but I don't abuse it either. Still most won't bother with you or ask some absurd question like "will you get out of the guard for this job..." are you kidding me?!:nuts: My advise would be to keep your FedEx and UPS apps current. Tap your squadron buds for help, they're the best references you have and you fly with them regularly. Hopefully I'll see you there someday. Good luck bro.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

I had to go IRR. No drill pay but I did get my good years and retire. My flight department told me at the interview they were not interested in drilling reservists.

 

[Phrogboy]

Thanks again, it sounds like I will have to roll the dice with any job, and really sell myself.

 

[JumpJetter]

You may be able to find a reserve unit that is flexible. If they are you can make it work. But in general, I think it's up to the reserve unit to be the flexible one, not the employer. I think in general, employers want to support you, but the fact is they aren't staffed like an airline. You usually just end up screwing your fellow pilots as the company will call someone else.

 

[Corona]

My flight department told me at the interview they were not interested in drilling reservists.

From what others have posted here, it sounds like too many corporate departments are very interested in drilling reservists.

My last flying job was corporate; I am ex-military (non-flyer), and I am appalled by what my fellow pilots have reported here.

Corporations that can afford multi-million dollar bizjets have benefitted from the protection provided by the US military (including Guard and Reserves) more than any other segment of society. The least they can do, and I do mean the very least; is hire some good people who happen to be Guard/Reservists. I'm not talking going overboard like United did with the gender thing in the 90's; just some reasonable consideration.

Phrogboy; sounds like you have the message you need but didn't want. I suggest an airline or company whose support of the troops goes beyond bumper-sticker patriotism.

C

 

[AA717driver]

Corporations that can afford multi-million dollar bizjets have benefitted from the protection provided by the US military (including Guard and Reserves) more than any other segment of society. The least they can do, and I do mean the very least; is hire some good people who happen to be Guard/Reservists. I'm not talking going overboard like United did with the gender thing in the 90's; just some reasonable consideration.

You're exactly right. But that doesn't change the reality. Active, flying reservists/ANG types will have a VERY difficult time in corporate.

Go airline or IRR. JMO.TC

 

[Gulfstream 200]

From what others have posted here, it sounds like too many corporate departments are very interested in drilling reservists.

My last flying job was corporate; I am ex-military (non-flyer), and I am appalled by what my fellow pilots have reported here.

Corporations that can afford multi-million dollar bizjets have benefitted from the protection provided by the US military (including Guard and Reserves) more than any other segment of society. The least they can do, and I do mean the very least; is hire some good people who happen to be Guard/Reservists. I'm not talking going overboard like United did with the gender thing in the 90's; just some reasonable consideration.

Phrogboy; sounds like you have the message you need but didn't want. I suggest an airline or company whose support of the troops goes beyond bumper-sticker patriotism.

C

thats all great, but when other guys cant take vacation during the summer or have to work extra weekends the tone changes quick! - rightfully so.

unfortunatly many departments are not staffed to deal with it...or rather dont feel the need to.

 

[SoundBarViolatr]

FRED's FE

You have all legal grounds to fry any employer or prospective employer that tries to discriminate you in any form whatsoever because of your service to our country as a Reservist. Your unit's First Sergeant and the base JAG should have plently of ammunition for you. I have not encountered any problems with this -- except for one and they are no longer in business. My Squadron at KSUU was really hot on this.

An (Enlisted) Corporate Pilot