Corporate vs. Regional

[GEUAviator]

Any comments on the two and how they compare?

Lifestyle, pay, flight hours, long term goals, etc.

I would like to make an informed decision regarding my flying career. I'm familiar with the basics, but I'd like to hear from folks with actual experience flying for either or both!

Thanks in Advance!
GEUAviator

 

[enigma]

I've worked for a commuter/regional (before RJ's) and a part 91 corporate operation. I would pick an average regional over an average corporation. Here's why, regionals will all offer a reasonable life, but corporate operators vary widely; there is no average corporate job. With that said, I know of a few corporate jobs that I would take in a heartbeat. God has blessed me with a decent airline job, but I would leave it for that "good" corporate job. Some corporate jobs work you like a galley slave, others offer you a lifestyle that is virtually unmatchable by any other profession. If you can find a good corporate position you will be quite happy, there's only one problem with that; you are not the only one looking for an outstanding corporate job.

regards,
enigma

 

[shroomwell]

You will probably find it hard to get a decent corporate job with low time and especially low turbine time. With insurance the way it is nowadays the only way to get that initial turbine time will be a a regional. At least thats my plan, give the regional a try (assuming I can get a job) and build 1000 hours or so turbine and then try to find a good corporate job. A big part of corporate is who you know, so keep networking.

 

[captainv]

i've done both and I'd have to recommend a regional as well. the good corporate jobs (i.e. something like Coke, Home Depot, etc.) you either have to know someone or have tons of experience, preferably both. and the good corporate jobs run themselves like airlines, with hard days off and standardized training/flying.

with a regional, you know exactly where you stand at all times. you'll quickly get a good idea of how long it'll be before you can hold a regular line, get weekends off, upgrade, etc.

flying an entry-level job in a biz-jet is exactly the opposite. always on call, can't ever plan time with family, never know where you're going, never know when the phone will ring, or even worse, will stop ringing...

i got into a bizjet very early, and was able to build my hours that way. i did it for three years and loved every minute, despite almost everything (planes, owners, schedules, pay, jobs) being in constant flux. but unless you can land a gig at an established company, i'd say the airline route is the way to go, hands down...

 

[Gulfstream 200]

If it isnt a company VERY high up on the Fortune 100 list, I would go the airline route.

A "super rich" guy with a 30 year old Learjet does not qualify....thats a charter/management job....and they $uck.

No Offense, but with 1300 hrs, a good corporate outfit CANT hire you!. Maybe 2500 hrs...but not much lower

good luck!

 

[rattler]

I have flown for a large regional airline and was furloughed, and then picked up with a small fractional.

Regional Airline:

1st year pay $19K for reserve. I held a line right away and averaged $400 a week. 2nd year pay $28K for reserve.

Typical line was 4 days on 3 off. Reserve has 11 days off a month. A typical line has 12-13 days off. Super senior pilots can hold up to 18 days off.

You know your entire schedule 1 month in advance

You are protected by a union.

You are FAR part 121. This means there are rules that protect you that the company must comply with. For example rest and duty times.

There is a seniority list. You have a better picture of your progression. Schedule, pay, vacation, upgrade etc.

You can jump seat, and have travel benefits for you family.

Other fringe benefits include: big discounts at hotels, and resorts throughout the world. Discounts on products from companies like FedEx, Dell and Sprint.

Fractional company:

FO Pay first year $25K. Never increases untill you upgrade. CA pay $35K for 1st 6 mo, the $40K untill 12 mo, then $44K up till 24 mo, then small annual gains untill a top out at $60K.

Typical Health and Dental benefits are better and cheaper.

Away from home alot more. Schedule is a rotating 6 on 4 off. You never know where you will be or when you come home. It's hard to plan your life.

No seniority list, upgrades are given out on merit only.

No union. Managment can do whatever they want. Many decisions are cost driven as apposed to safety driven.

Part 91. There are almost no rules to protect you. Some duty days are excessively long. There is a lot of down time, sitting around FBO's waiting for pax.

No jumpseat, or travel benefits.

Having seen both sides, I believe the airline route provides a much better quality of life.

 

[2000flyer]

It all depends on what type of lifestyle you're looking to have.

True, in 20 years with a major, you'll enjoy the 'lite' schedule, large paycheck, etc. However, in 20 years, how many of those years have you been away from home and family? Friends I have at the regional level flying roughly 90 hours a month (give or take a few) are spending nearly six months on the road. Compare that to a typical corporate flight department where you may spend 75-125 nights away.

Also true, at an airline you'll have a schedule. However, you don't always have to work for a Fortune 500 company to get a schedule. Granted, you probably won't get a months notice on what you'll be doing, but what is wrong with a week or two notice? I've worked nearly 15 years for privately held corporations and I've never carried a pager or been required to have a cell phone. In that time I've been called at home TWICE for "pop-up" trips. Most often, I know my schedule one week in advance which is plenty for me as the only time off I'm really looking foward to is vacation, which I have some control over when I request time off. Many corporate departments will work with you on other time off when needed.

Another truth, there are some corporate departments I'd advise you to stay away from. However, I bet there are some airline pilots that will advise you which airline you should avoid. It plays both ways.

Personally, I feel a corporate job would give you a much better QOL than that of a regional pilot. As a corporate pilot, while I go to many of the same places througout the year, I also go to many new places. I'm not stuck flying ABC-XYZ, DEF-UVW all month long.

A relative of mine, an FO at a major, once told me that if I chose the airlines I'd better prepare for atleast one furlough in my career. Since giving me that advise, he has been through one furlough, one airline shutdown and if he weren't retiring in less than a year, probably face another furlough at his present airline. I'm fortunate enough to work for a corporation who has had an aircraft for nearly 50 years. Granted, no job is certain, but I'd bet they'll have one for another 50. Argue if you wish, but I'm sure hundreds of Braniff, Eastern, TWA, etc., pilot's thought they'd be employed there forever too.

In a nutshell, do whats best for YOU and never look back and say "I wish I had..." I never look at "what might have been" because I control what was and, hopefully, what will be.

Fly safe!

2000Flyer