Cross roads of job opportunities

[ToiletDuck]

I could use just a little helpful and honest advice. My goal in life is career progression. Meaning to either a Major, big freight hauler, net jets. Something like that. I am currently a CFI. My boss who runs the FBO just walked into my office as I was filling out my logbook. I've told him I'm sending resume's out there. He told me that the big bossman who I do some flying in a Merlin for likes having me around and would like to hire me fulltime to be his pilot in the Merlin IIIB. If I accept I'll have to do flight training with one of the test pilots of the aircraft which costs $12k so I'd be asked to stay a year at least.

I currently have 55.3 hrs in the aircraft PIC. I'd get anywhere from 300-400hrs a year in it. I mentioned career progression because whatever step I'm making from being a CFI I'd be doing to end up in a much better place down the road. Regardless of which route I take I don't plan on staying long. So based on what I just told you which route seems most rewarding? Staying and flying the Merlin PIC or hitting a regional and seeing what happens?

Thanks for any advice. I'm on the edge of just flipping a coin so it's all very welcomed.
Duck

 

[Tarzan]

Heres the main point. If you want to fly big iron, go 121. The longer you put it off, the more senority it will cost. The longer until you can get that 121 turbojet PIC.

However, if you want to go to the corporate side of the house, you may very well have a nice oppurtunity to meet a bunch of people flying the Merlin even if you are flying boxes in it.

The major hiring boom is coming, if this what you really want, better make the jump now rather than trying whe it starts to cool again.

Just my 87 cents adjusted for inflation and the taxes you'll have to pay on it.

 

[GEORGE DUBYA]

Is this flame? lol

 

[Oakum_Boy]

No flame here. He's got 55.3 hours PIC in the thing.

 

[ToiletDuck]

No flame here. He's got 55.3 hours PIC in the thing.

I just knew that because i was adding up the past 6 weeks of my logbook today while some of my guys were soloing.

It's not flamebait. Serious question. I was offered the job to fly the thing. The my boss was saying the company would pay to have me run through the course to receive the annual training one of us has to go through to stay on insurance. I realize I don't have a whole lot of time but they don't have anyother choices out here. Not yet. that's why I moved here. I live in the desert. On the Mexican border. Not another CFI within 70nm. It was a strategic move and that's why I haven't starved yet. But I've picked up plenty of single engine pic and it's time to move on. It just happened today. I was about to pick up the phone and call HR at a couple places then he walked in.

 

[172driver]

What will he pay you to fly it?

If it's decent, I'd stay there at least long enough to get 1000-1500 turbine PIC. You can always rack up some quick 121 time later if you need it. Turbine PIC is not always as easy to come by. The quick upgrades at some regionals today may not be the same tomorrow. It's like betting on horses.

 

[ToiletDuck]

I don't know what he'll pay yet. As of now I just charge $250 a day to him and hasn't been any issues. However I'd want benefits and hopefully a 401k setup. My direct boss said I wouldn't lose any pay. And currently, due to crappy weather so not as much CFIing, that's around $45k. My 1099 said $36k and that was from March 15th. So i'm guessing they'll just match that. Plus I'd still get to CFI on the side and pull a little extra. I've been told turbine is turbine and didn't matter if it had a prop on the front. Is that true? This is the only one I've ever flown but my boss tells me jets are much easier to fly.

 

[172driver]

Yes, turbine is pretty much turbine, props or not. But, some carriers want 121 turbine, some want turbojet, some want turbine in an airplane larger than 80K lbs, etc. Check out the places you might like to go and look at their requirements.

UPS and FedEx are pretty tough jobs to land, no matter what your logbook says...especially if it's not something like F15, F18, C-5, etc. NetJets seems to really like the airline guys because of the jet time and proven trainability, but they certainly hire lots of corporate and freight guys without it too. My guess is the "major" airlines are more likely to hire someone with 121 experience.

 

[Wes Mason]

Stay and get PIC time, it will open more doors than sitting right seat in an RJ.

 

[OldManPilot]

DON'T SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT!!!!!!

At least not at the corporate level in a Merlin III. As soon as you sign your life away for a year, somthing much better will come along and you will be stuck. Tell your boss you will take the job, but no training agreement. Otherwise, there are lots of people hiring. You will have no trouble getting a job.

 

[sperfly]

I was in the same situation as you are now. I left flight school in June of 04 and did some instruction for my bosses sons, after a couple months we where in a Navajo Chieftain. That lasted about 10 months then we where in a King Air 200 and I've flown it since August of 05 single pilot. so a year and six months I ended up with around 450 turbine pic. I've decided to move on to 121 because that was my orginal goal and things have kinda stalled where I'm at now. Pay really hasn't changed much since I first came and there are alot more nonflying duties then flying ones. I went to flight school to fly airplanes not put office furniture togheter and many other non flying duties. Botttom line is if you are like me and went into this with airline aspirations then go 121. If not stay where your at.

 

[vectorvictor]

PIC 121 Turbine is the career door opener. The only way to get it is to get hired by a regional and upgrade. The sooner you do it, the sooner you'll move on.

How long will this gig last? 1 yr, 5 yrs....all the way till your retirement. Make your moves for your career now and QOL later.

 

[No Delay]

You have an office?

I never had an office....how come I can't have an office?


45K...you will not make that at a regional until you upgrade (which could take years). Stay on the corporate side of flying. You can make the same money as the majors with some corporate gigs. Even if you earn less, you will be treated so much better than in the airline industry.

 

[JettBoii]

Stay away from the regionals.

 

[SplitBar]

No flame here. He's got 55.3 hours PIC in the thing.

Lose the .3 as no one cares about what is after the decimal. It make you appear a bit over zealous.

 

[FrozenPilot]

I'd take the Merlin job. Of course, my aspirations are just to fly turbine, live in one city, and have a little extra money to have fun with (beyond paying the bills).

A year in this business isn't long, and if you agree to stay a year, I'm fairly certain if you got a better offer at 10 months they wont hold you to it.

 

[ToiletDuck]

Lose the .3 as no one cares about what is after the decimal. It make you appear a bit over zealous.

Lol I know I wasn't thinking about that I was literally sitting there with the calculator adding up my logbook then just typed what I saw when I looked down. Wouldn't matter if I had zero really. The time i have doesn't have anything to do with the question. But yea. I see exactly what you're saying lol.

 

[SplitBar]

Fair enough man. I didn't mean to razz you over it. I still remember the day when I knew exactaly how much multi & actual time I had right down to the tenth. It's all good

 

[Palerider957]

STAY AWAY FROM THE REGIONALS.....they are a poison.

Stay and fly the Merlin, network at every opportunity (sitting in FBO's) Get to know some corporate operators, and move toward a good flight department. The heavy iron isn't all that great, and there is NO career stability.

Get a job with NetJets, have a schedule, make a decent pay check, HAVE A LIFE.

At the airlines, every other employee groups sees you as the enemy, management helps to foster this image, the traveling public has little respect for you, there is NO MONEY in working for the airlines. All that is left is the long gone belief that flying for an airline is "glamorous." (it ain't).

 

[COOPERVANE]

Fly a Merlin and you will be a great pilot.

Go to Shuttle, fly the 170 and you will panic at 300 feet and scream autopilot on! Autopilot on!