Fractionals and prior-121 applicants...

[gutshotdraw]

It's true brudda. Got my brief for next week Down Under. Can't help it if the gig is better than most.....

 

[X-rated]

Maybe this question has been asked many times. Why are fractionals (especially XOJET) not as interested, or "hate" 121-applicants applying to their company to fly a business jets?
For myself I always wanted to fly for the airlines and after being in the industry for 5 years; I realize its not for me. I frankly don't understand why a company would discriminate on that past experience. At my airline when I did new-hire interviews I never singled out an applicant that had prior corporate experience. Can anyone elebrate?

Don't believe everything you hear/read. XOJET hires plenty if not mostly former 121 guys. If you have no prior 135 or corporate experience, expect several questions in your interview geared to ensure you know what you are getting yourself into. Other than that, all are welcome!

 

[airjackson]

I am one of the 121 to frac transfers and haven't seen the discrimination of which you speak. As an earlier poster said, there are strong areas in both. Strong customer service, flexibility, and skills flying into smaller, uncontrolled and performance limited areas go to the frac or corporate/charter pilots. Rigid adherence to SOP and a safety culture unrivaled anywhere must go to the airlines. A combination of both cultures probably would be ideal.

Now I'm probably going to draw some fire but I'll venture a hypothesis regarding the age old corporate vs airline battle. YEARS ago, when the airlines were a great place to make a career, when hiring was competitive and most aviators aspired to fly the "heavy iron", those who could not get hired by the airlines often ended up flying private/corporate and eventually fractional jets. Those folks may have long-held bad feelings for the airline folks because of this. Perhaps those now in a position to hire into some corporate/ frac departments unknowingly bias against 121 pilots who now see the fracs ( as I do) as an equal if not better long term career path.

Once again, LONG TIME AGO vs Now. It's all changed.

 

[say again]

Likewise, I have noticed that those who have excellent used car sales skills are usually a little weak in the ole SOP and flying profile as compared to those who were from a 121 carrier where there was supposed to be no difference in operation of the jet between any crewmember combination. Kind of a safety thing, or so I have been told. I personally don't like to have to guess what pilot X is going to do if Y happens, but that's just me. THIS IS NOT ALL, but something I have noticed.

Nice try at sarcasm, but not really!:beer:

 

[CA1900]

Strong customer service, flexibility, and skills flying into smaller, uncontrolled and performance limited areas go to the frac or corporate/charter pilots. Rigid adherence to SOP and a safety culture unrivaled anywhere must go to the airlines. A combination of both cultures probably would be ideal.

And for that, you go to a 121 turboprop driver! (Preferably one on a plane with no FA.) There's your total package right there.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Yes. CA1900 you are the total package. Stand in front of your mirror and tell yourself that.

"I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And..."

<grin> How's it goin?

 

[CALDC9]

agreed....lumping all into a few is bad...i stand corrected

there are good and bad eggs all around...regardless of background

Most truthful words spoken about this subject!

 

[Freight Dog]

NJA seems to be one of the few 121-friendly fractionals. From what I heard, XOJet doesn't care for 121 guys anymore.

The big discriminators against 121 pilots are the charter companies and many corporate operators. You can blame it on furloughees screwing them over, you can blame it on poorly conducted screening and interview of the applicant, the fact is that in today's world, if you have Aloha/ATA/Champion/Skybus on your resume, you are not welcome at most charter companies.

 

[reepicheep]

Part of the perceived "bias" against 121 folks is just the fact that corporate/charter jobs are virtually all filled by word-of-mouth. If you've spent years in the airline world chances are you don't have a good connection in that "other world', and without one you just won't find a job, hence the bias.

 

[CA1900]

Yes. CA1900 you are the total package. Stand in front of your mirror and tell yourself that.

In my best Stuart Smalley voice. Heh.

<grin> How's it goin?

Good! Airlined to BOS, went and had dinner and beer with friends, and got back to the hotel to find the plane I was airlining to flew away with another crew. Doh! Probably airline somewhere else tomorrow!

Just doing my part to keep the airlines' cash flow up.