Frac to Corporate...

[screwed]

Would you leave an FO spot at a fractioanl (not NJA) for a large corporate flight department?

 

[jtf]

I think it all depends on the company and the job offered. A flight department with big airframes and big pay may be worth it for any pilot. I'd imagine lots of fractional pilots would leave for a Gulfstream or other large cabin job at a big, stable corporation. There really isn't any job in aviation that is truly stable and turning down a particularly good corporate job probably wouldn't be a wise move for any pilot.

 

[SDCFI]

Are you asking in general or are you in a position to have to make this decision? Because more details would certainly help get answers.

I'm a 4th year Flexjet FO and it would have to be a damn good deal for me to leave. The biggest factor for me is I pretty much get the schedule I want and I know it at least a month in advance. Also my days off are not negotiable, the company can ask for volunteers to work OT but you will never be called on days off or vacation, which I'm on right now since the busy Thanksgiving weekend. Assuming I can manage to upgrade in about 2 years I'll be making in the 110-115k range (I certainly wouldn't complain if that were to increase over the next couple years but either way it's pretty fair). Stability is pretty much a wash as we've seen over the last couple years that NO one is safe in this business. Now if I were an FO at Options or Avantair where the pay and benefits leave a lot more to be desired it might be an easier choice.

 

[gutshotdraw]

We had a fairly senior GV Captain leave for a corporate gig so it is definitely possible. I love the schedule but otherwise, I miss my old corporate world. The right gig at the right price? You just never know.

 

[johnsonrod]

Some questions I would be asking: Is the company stable? Is the company in an industry where mergers/acquisitions are frequent (consolidating industry - could this particular company be a target)? Would the new aircraft type be marketable to you going forward (i.e., F900, Global, G450/550)? How would the schedules compare to your current schedule? Are you enjoying your current flying (or are you interested in more international, etc.)? Has the flight department ever laid off pilots in the past? Were those pilots asked back?

I would probably do the interview regardless just to check out the operation.

Good luck!

 

[RoughAir]

Go for the interview. Check it out. You may get turned down after the interview.
If I were Netjets or Flex, would probably stay. Options, Avantair, etc probably leave for the good gig.
Note: Been there and got that T-shirt. But the gig went away 2 years later. Always have a resume ready!

 

[johnsonrod]

Go for the interview. Check it out. You may get turned down after the interview.
If I were Netjets or Flex, would probably stay. Options, Avantair, etc probably leave for the good gig.
Note: Been there and got that T-shirt. But the gig went away 2 years later. Always have a resume ready!

I could be wrong, but it looks like he could be at Citationair with his background.

 

[screwed]

Good guess. I appreciate the advice.

 

[Mountain Troll]

A: NEVER chase an airframe (Gulfstream/challenger/falcon/boeing)
B: Stable jobs have very little turnover in location, personnel, airframes,executives and so on.
C: It's all about how they treat you, period. Money is a short term satisfier also, you have to eat, but, it's not the end-all.
D: Big airplanitis dies soon and hard.
E: The devil you get may be worse than the one you got.

There is a notorious flt dept. at PWK that is huge, but, turns people over every few years for younger less expensive talent. See where I'm going with this?

Best wishes

 

[fugazi]

A: NEVER chase an airframe (Gulfstream/challenger/falcon/boeing)
B: Stable jobs have very little turnover in location, personnel, airframes,executives and so on.
C: It's all about how they treat you, period. Money is a short term satisfier also, you have to eat, but, it's not the end-all.
D: Big airplanitis dies soon and hard.
E: The devil you get may be worse than the one you got.

There is a notorious flt dept. at PWK that is huge, but, turns people over every few years for younger less expensive talent. See where I'm going with this?

Best wishes

Very very good advice!

 

[FO4life]

What I learned about chasein an airframe. the view is the same in the front, you just gotta look at it for a longer period of time.

 

[Galaxy]

Yes, Yes, and Hell Yes

After spending 7 years at a Fractional I saw the writing on the wall at FLOPS and knew I would be better off controlling my own exit rather than wait for a pink slip.
By chance I happened to find a small corporate job with one airplane. I already knew the CP but researched the heck out of the company and the flight history of the plane. The job would require a move which sucked but at least I would have a job.
As it turned out had I stayed at FLOPS I would not be flying today. Many of my friends still contact me monthly to see if I know of any job for them or job in the US instead of Africa or the Sandbox. So I guess my gamble paid off.
The Pros-
*I fly with a decent guy who is willing to do things while on the road
*The longest I have been away from home is 4 days
*Most trips are day trips or just overnights.
*No more kid drama the night before I leave for 8 days.
* I can't remember the last time I didn't have a rental car on an overnight.
*We pick our own hotels
*I have eaten 3 meals on my lap in 4 years
*I don't have to look at the hotel phone to figure out where I woke up
* I don't answer the owners question of "where did you come in from?" with Uhmmmmmm give me a second..............
* Same passengers- so I know the likes/ dislikes and tolerances of them.
* Boss HATES TSA and Commercial Flying
* I have not sat on an airliner for work in 3 years.
* Company business model is stable and just ventured into great new opportunity.
* I have yet to work a holiday or more than 2 weekends in a year.
* Plane is used for business 98% of the time

The Cons:
* Its the same places with the same faces..lol
* No Contract or set work rules ie FAR 135
* I have done some loooooong days and some short nights.
* Still have to wear uniform
* No week long break periods or 3 week vacations
* No quick replacement if I get sick or hurt
* Nothing to buffer a downsize-2 pilots-1 plane
*Unknown future-will our private small company sell to a Giant and be absorbed?????
* Lack of Schedule (Although I still only work about 12-14 days/mo)
Mountain Troll is dead on about not chasing the planes or the money. Find the right fit for you.

I made the move and I am very happy that I did. I hope the best for you and your family.

When I was with FLOPS I was on here all the time because of company drama and uncertainty. Now I get her every few months and I don't miss any of the drama.

 

[glasspilot]

The Pros-
*I fly with a decent guy who is willing to do things while on the road

What "things" is he willing to do?

 

[Galaxy]

What "things" is he willing to do?

Sailing, Snorkel or Scuba Trips, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Amusement Parks, Tourist stuff/ Sightseeing, etc..

By "Things" I mean he is not a slam clicker where you see him going into his room and may see him during meals or may never see him for days.

I am not a loner or a hermit-

 

[old*art]

be sure to check and see if its EVERY Tuesday !