Curious about Life Style and Pay

[antney]

I have been out of flying for over 6 years now, use to work at a regional and decided to start my own business.......

I am looking to get back into flying and was hoping I could get some answers to questions. I do know the market is tough right now for employement so just looking for an idea

1- Typical schedeule for fixed wing outfits, 7 on 7 off? Of those days on, how many are you away from home if any?

2- Typical pay? I know it varies by aircraft type I would assume, lets say a PC12 pilot.

3- A lot of these single pilot positions?

4- Is there a general geographical area that has more employment positions than others?

Appreciate the info.

 

[HDA]

I am speaking for my own job here. I am a furloughed airline guy that was "lucky" enough to get chopped early when there were still some jobs open. (Sept08)

Lifestyle: 7on/7off. I commute so I am away the whole time. Company supplies quarters on the field while on duty and off the field while off duty. When my week is over I drive home (three hours) and have the next week off.

Pay: I will make around 70k this year...salary as base manager with a little overtime. I get paid the same if I fly everyday of a shift...or not at all. Aircraft is a C414...single pilot...as are most fixed wing EMS jobs. Excellent benefits..much better than any airline where I have worked.

Geographical location: I am in the SW but there are positions everywhere...including Hawaii and Alaska. Times are tough right now as I have pilots knocking on the door at the airport quarters handing out resumes...most with alot of experience and no job. I applaude them for getting out and hitting the pavement like that.

That is my input....someone else may have a different take depending on who they work for.

Good Luck!

 

[CaravanMan]

I can comment on my last job, flying EMS in a C-90, single pilot.

On the rotor side there were some guys who would commute in, as HDA said above, work their 7 days, and then commute out. The company was based in the Midwest, so several of the guys airlined to/from.

On the fixed-wing side, however, it seemed that all of the crews at the several bases lived there. I don't remember anyone company-wide commuting. The shifts were also 7 days on, 7 days off. Shifts were 12 hrs and you're on a pager, which allows you to be home when not flying, but on duty. Response time to wheels up varied between bases: 15-30 mins from first notification.

The type of job I had did not involve living out of a suitcase. We'd leave, pick up the patient, deliver the patient and return home. We always came home to base, weather/duty issues permitting. Other outfits across the country are the opposite and involve the suitcase.

 

[golfkilo]

I am speaking for my own job here. I am a furloughed airline guy that was "lucky" enough to get chopped early when there were still some jobs open. (Sept08)

Lifestyle: 7on/7off. I commute so I am away the whole time. Company supplies quarters on the field while on duty and off the field while off duty. When my week is over I drive home (three hours) and have the next week off.

Pay: I will make around 70k this year...salary as base manager with a little overtime. I get paid the same if I fly everyday of a shift...or not at all. Aircraft is a C414...single pilot...as are most fixed wing EMS jobs. Excellent benefits..much better than any airline where I have worked.

Geographical location: I am in the SW but there are positions everywhere...including Hawaii and Alaska. Times are tough right now as I have pilots knocking on the door at the airport quarters handing out resumes...most with alot of experience and no job. I applaude them for getting out and hitting the pavement like that.

That is my input....someone else may have a different take depending on who they work for.

Good Luck!

You're pretty right on HDA, except for the pay. I also work fixed wing EMS in the SW flying jet aircraft, but make nowhere near $70,000. We also are on a 4 on/4 off schedule.

 

[HDA]

You're pretty right on HDA, except for the pay. I also work fixed wing EMS in the SW flying jet aircraft, but make nowhere near $70,000. We also are on a 4 on/4 off schedule.

Different companies=Different pay.....you are also an FO on the jet (at least thats what your profile says), what does your captain make? Not trying to compare weenies here....just saying that companies, and seat positions, pay different.

There is a company in south TX that has guys doing the same job as I do, but pay 30k less. I feel lucky to have the job I do!

 

[golfkilo]

Different companies=Different pay.....you are also an FO on the jet (at least thats what your profile says), what does your captain make? Not trying to compare weenies here....just saying that companies, and seat positions, pay different.

There is a company in south TX that has guys doing the same job as I do, but pay 30k less. I feel lucky to have the job I do!

I just upgraded to capt. on the CE-550 and haven't updated my profile yet. Pay is below par compared to other operators ($47,000) for new capt's., but it's an excellent company, real nice equipment with tremendous job security. I'm glad to be here at any salary.

 

[antney]

Thanks for all the replies. I am looking to relocate to the SW, preferably Phoeniz area and was just curious. I am looking to stay in aviation with a job that allows me to be home most nights due to my family.

No rush since I know the economy is weak right now.

 

[Say Again Over]

70K for working two weeks a month on a twin Cessna? Where do I sign up?

 

[HDA]

Omniflight.com

Keep in mind that I get higher salary as a base manager and I do work a little overtime...it pays 1x1/2 base rate and holidays pay 2x. It is good pay and I enjoy the job. Unfortunately we are not hiring right now, bases are fully staffed.

There is a fixed wing ambulance job in Albuquerque that starts base pay at 70k...they are not hiring either. I do have a friend who works there and he enjoys the job as well....same 7/7 and flying a Conquest.

 

[Say Again Over]

I wonder if that Conquest is the old heart doctor's aircraft? I'm glad to see that the salaries have gone up, certainly well deserved for that part of the country and equipment, if you know Dave Moya, say hello.