Corporate, Frac, or Regional

[JetFumes]

I have over a little over 5000 hours and 2200 turbine 121 PIC with two types. I'm about to get displaced, and most likely furloughed. Once that occurs, I'll be looking for new employment at a national carrier. That will take some time, and in the meantime I'll need to find a more readily accessible job. So, should I go to another regional, or one of the fracs, or try corporate. Not sure what to do, honestly, as things are looking grim at my carrier. Yes, another Indy guy.

 

[Kingairrick]

I'll be looking for new employment at a national carrier. That will take some time, and in the meantime I'll need to find a more readily accessible job. .

Make sure you say it exactly like that in your interview. Good luck.

 

[JetFumes]

Great! First reply is sarcastic! I obviously would word things differently in an interview. Now, anyone with some real advice?

 

[Roadie]

Sarcasm or not, Kingairrick is right. If you're only looking to corporate as an interim until you can find a "real job" with an air carrier, don't waste your time or the time of a potential employer by telling an interviewer what they want to hear.

If you want that "coveted" airline job which offers so much, then go for it and leave the "more readily accessible" corporate, frac, or regional crumbs for the great unwashed.

 

[aroundtheblock]

Jetfumes, usually you need to know someone in the corporate flying field to get a foot in the door. I'm furloughed from US Air and found a great corporate job (this is my 3rd job since being furloughed). 121 flying was great, but a great corp job can be rewarding (until they sell the plane). The main difference from the 121 and corp flying reqires a whole different mindset. During days off from 121 flying you don't even think about work. Corp flying, if you are also the airplane manager or department manager, you do alot of non flying duties even on your days off. It's part of the job. You have to go into a corp interview with the attitude that they'll be paying you for the non flying duties and you fly for free. I learned that even though I had 7000 hours of Dash 8 and 737 time that most corp guys didn't think that was all that impressive. They'd rather hear that you're willing to do whatever it takes to help their department.

Good luck

 

[JetFumes]

[/QUOTE]If you want that "coveted" airline job which offers so much, then go for it and leave the "more readily accessible" corporate, frac, or regional crumbs for the great unwashed.

That's what I am doing! But when your on the street with a family to feed, your perspective changes a bit, no! If your not getting called at job A, what do you do, sit around and collect tax payer money, or look for a job?

 

[parrothead]

Aroundtheblock,

How's the corporate side of it for you? Would you go back if Airways was doing any better and called you today? The nonflying duties may be too much of a hassle and the schedule sucks a lot more. Yeah, it's very nice to be homebased, but is it worth giving up the freedom of having many more days off and a better salary in the long run? The short term salaries are a whole lot better, but I don't want to get capped out at 60-65K.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Aroundtheblock,

How's the corporate side of it for you? Would you go back if Airways was doing any better and called you today? The nonflying duties may be too much of a hassle and the schedule sucks a lot more. Yeah, it's very nice to be homebased, but is it worth giving up the freedom of having many more days off and a better salary in the long run? The short term salaries are a whole lot better, but I don't want to get capped out at 60-65K.

capped out at 60-65K?

...


where the FRUCK do you tools job shop?

 

[parrothead]

Well, what are the salaries for corporate guys? I keep hearing stuff like maybe in a couple of years you'll be making $65K. How high does it go?

 

[aroundtheblock]

As i said earlier, I have a good corporate job, And it took me 3 tries after furlough to get it. Yes, I do work more than at the airline, but professionally I feel it has been very rewarding. As far as pay, 60-65K would be about right for a good 135 capt jet position. Part 91 almost always pays more. If you work for a company as compared to a charter outfit, they expect to pay more. Heck, some of the middle management or even personal secretaries make as much as 50K or more. So many CEO's want the guy who's flying and maintaining his plane to make more than that. At the airline you are just a number, a warm body in the seat. As far as the airline is concerned, you are no different from the next pilot who holds the same position. For a small corporate department, you are a vital piece to the puzzle and appreciated. And for the first time in my 16 year career that feels kind of nice.

 

[Bandit60]

I work for a good corporate and I had a record month of days flying last month. I flew 16 days with 5 overnights. I dont know but I think even my record number of days I flew in a month is still better than most airline schedules. (keep in mind that I was home on most of those nights).

And the pay is better than most airlines (including the majors).
And my job is more secure than any airline out there today. Our company is private and needs their planes to do their business. Like some others have said a good coporate job can be rewarding and great.

Good luck to you

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Well, what are the salaries for corporate guys? I keep hearing stuff like maybe in a couple of years you'll be making $65K. How high does it go?

I would say take a look at the Fortune 20 (for example)

A good guess is that Pilots start at a MINIMUM of 80-85K. Average salaries are probably 120K and some higher.

Benefits are usually pretty good, pensions, 401k's, stock options, stock grants, are also common.

Many also start with a minimum of 3 weeks vacation.

Schedules are not in stone, but large departments (especially Intl) keep a decent schedule. You simply cant do pop ups to Japan tommorrow. I typically know my next 30-60 days fairly well. Personal and vacation flying will kill you, the less the better in the corp arena.

They can be decent jobs if you dont mind the traveling. You arent going to be coming home each night working for a big rich corporation....GV/GLEX/DA900 type aircraft go far and go often..so its not for everyone. Walmart seems to be the exception...they do tons of day trips in Lears....but I am guessing you wont be makiing the 120-160K range of your fellow GV drivers. Your choice I suppose. A 5-8 day trip around the world on a GV type a/c is pretty normal.

Who do these companies hire??? -- Everyone! charter guys, military guys, even airline guys....YES, airline guys...that stupid stigma seems to be finally disappearing. One thing most have in common in an inside connection - but not all the time..the hard part is getting an interview, after that its up to you. I would say mins are near 5000TT, a few types maybe, and an education. Many simply want that 4yr degree, some even prefer advanced degrees (god knows why..)

All Im saying is that dont assume fractional or charter is the same as corporate. To this day I cant imagine why anyone would aspire to work at a fractional.....fly 3X as much for 1/3 the pay....(well hey, you do have a Union protection though...

...

 

[Kingairrick]

now that's just mean...lol

 

[AA717driver]

G200--ALRIGHT! I admit it, I'm the tool who put the $65k figure in parott head's head. What did you want me to do? Tell him $120-$150k and let him find out like I did?

Seriously, I really didn't want to inflate his expectations. You and I know there are much higher paying jobs out there to be had but that's down the road a piece. Parott is looking at a King Air with a Citation maybe around the corner. He won't grab the brass ring right away and he shouldn't be disappointed too early on. On the other hand, I can't tell him that SWA and FEX are hovering over the phone to call a Saab captain for an interview.

Just trying to temper some of the enthusiasm.TC

 

[Gulfstream 200]

AA717 - you are right..

I hear ya...Im just trying to help him see that corp certainly wont top out at 65K and that fractional is certainly not corp flying - to some I guess this is thier only exposure...

He may just qualify for a great job if he knows where to look! (4000TT is up there..)

.

 

[LegacyIIDriver]

If you find the right Corporate or Fractional job you'll never even CONSIDER the Regionals again short of Wal-Mart as the alternative.

Best advice is find the best job you can. It doesn't sound like you can afford to be picky at the moment, but regardless you will wind up where you are supposed to.

 

[FlyFlyFly]

You definitely want to stay 121. Trying to build a career in corporate flying overnight is a waste of everyone's time. You will be frustrated and the people you work with and for will be too.