How do I find a good corporate job?

[FurloughedAgain]

I would agree. I've had the misfortune of working for 3 regionals (two might have even been more traditional "commuters"), one national, and one major and I still can't believe that I was lucky enough to find one of those needles in the haystack.

I have a guaranteed schedule (no pager), NBAA average pay, and more time off than I ever imagined was possible -- so much time off, in fact, that I tend to get scared!

In the airlines time off meant they had no need for you. To me it meant a furlough was right around the corner.

Here it seems to be just a part of life. It may take years to get used to it.... but if this is standard procedure for a corporate operator -- well, I'm only sad that I wasted 10 years at the airlines!

 

[AA717driver]

I wouldn't trade my 15 years in the airlines for anything. I have great friends, great memories and great experience from that time.

I wouldn't trade what I have now for the airlines (as they are today) for anything. Commuting (or living in a crappy city in order to drive to work), TSA, bottom dollar management assisted by worthless unions, worrying about fuel prices, what line did I get?, vacation in February...AGAIN?!, who's buying us THIS time? and "what did the WSJ say about our cash position...?"

The business has changed forever. I got a piece of it when it was still decent (yeah, TWA in the '90's was still better than UAL or USAir today) and I'm content with that.

Gotta run, my Marriott Platinum card just came in the mail... TC

 

[LegacyDriver]

Yeah and how many days on are you usually on before that 7 days off. Plus just because i am on for 4 days doesnt mean i worked them either. Plus i am still on probation so once i get a line i will have a lot better schedule. dont get me wrong i am sure corporate has its good sides also. I guess it depends on what you want.

Well I will give you a rundown of my schedule for the last two months....

June 1 - Ended a Trip (After Five On)
June 2-6 - Recurrent (I considered this OFF - TNG was half a day each)
June 6-26 OFF (20 Off)
June 26-July 4 - On (8 On)
July 5-19 - OFF (14 Off)
July 20-28 - On (8 On)
July 29-Aug 4 - Off (7 Off)
Aug 4 - Aug 13 - On (9 On)
Aug 13-29 - OFF (16 Off)

I go ON for 8 and will be OFF for 13 after this trip.

The REGIONALS *NEVER* GAVE ME THAT QOL even when a SENIOR F/O paired with Check Airman and getting trip releases with regularity. NEVER.

We stay in the best hotels (Embassy Suites or a VERY NICE HILTON/HAMPTON INN - not the hot sheet motels I stayed in with the airline), get crew meals, and are treated as humans not seniority numbers.

I have done the Regional thing and I say Corporate is hands down the winner by FAR.

No Regional gig in the world could beat this job...

 

[LegacyDriver]

LG diff strokes fo diff folk- blanket statements rarely apply

You are right, but rules of thumb do apply. As a rule of thumb a Corporate gig beats a Regional one hands down. YMMV, true. I concede that point.

 

[BenderGonzales]

LegacyDriver.... but didn't I see another thread where you said you were considering leaving that "needle in the haystack" job?

 

[LegacyDriver]

LegacyDriver.... but didn't I see another thread where you said you were considering leaving that "needle in the haystack" job?

I am considering it, but...it is a tough one. I am working for a great group of people. The place I was contemplating going to is also a great bunch. I think it is possible to leave a "needle" job for another if you are REALLY lucky. It is a very tough choice and I am the first to admit that the unknown scares me quite a bit and might be enough to make me stay put. After all, I just bought a house and moving my kids around for the third time in a year is not necessarily fair to them. I have to take all of this into account.

I am in a very unique position. I have a great job right now and a great offer on the table. I must think it over carefully and decide.

I wish my current problems on everyone here--it's a great place to be, really it is.

 

[inthewind]

Ok, we've discussed corporate vs regional. I'm up against a bigger dilemma. A shot a dream corporate or World Airways. At the corporate pay is better and the planes are cool but at World I could live anywhere in CONUS that has three airlines serving it, good pay, long trips but lots of time off too. Pretty hot flight attendants(so I've heard), exotic overnights and oh by the way the MD-11 is awesome and for good pay at that.

 

[BenderGonzales]

What's good pay?

 

[inthewind]

first year fo pay in the 40's, second in the 70's plus profit sharing
first year captain pay around 115k

 

[semperfido]

what are the particulars of the corp job?

 

[inthewind]

The corp. gig I'd have to move. I have three daughters and am divorced. So the ability to live near them may be worth more to me than cash. The corp gig has BBJ, G-IV and CL-65's

 

[semperfido]

sounds like you don't really have a choice after all. as moving is not an option.

....if you didn't have to move too far and it was a P91, well managed, good bunch of guys, good company with long term prospects kind of place....then i would take the corp job. BUT, family first, job second.

.....

 

[HMR]

Choose the kids.

 

[LegacyDriver]

Been away from my kids before and it sucks worse than anything has ever sucked.

Go with the kids. Your sanity will thank you.

 

[kingairyahoo]

another vote for the kids...thats what keeps me in the king airs. the jet guys can poke fun, but im home most every night except for 2-3 a month, while they are stuck on the other coast for 5 nights a week...regionals arent even an option for all of the afore mentioned reasons

 

[AZ Typed]

Plus i am still on probation so once i get a line i will have a lot better schedule.

HA HA...that 'ol trick. Don't fall for it. Give yourself a few years "greenie".

AZT

 

[Lear70]

Whoaaa, wait a second. Good Corporate Gig + good pay + BBJ, G-IV, CL-65 (all large cabin class jets) = $40,000 to start, $70,000 as Captain?

No offense, but those are some of the worst pay rates for those classes of aircraft I have ever seen in my life. Am I missing something? Those aren't even CLOSE to NBAA numbers for those aircraft.

Should be closer to $60-75k for a starting F/O, $95-125k for Captain (both categories depending on region), plus benefits such as full medical, dental, 401k with a good employer match, vacation, and sick leave.

Wouldn't leave my regional job for anything less... which is probably why I'm still here. Sure as h*ll wouldn't take a pay CUT (from my $75k 5th year Regional Capt pay averaging 13 days of a month) to $40k for an F/O? On a Gulfstream?

There must be something I'm missing here...

Oh yeah, another vote for "stay with the kids". My wife was divorced with a 9 year old little girl and I wouldn't ask her to move for anything in the world unless it was to somewhere within an hour's or so drive - that just wouldn't be fair to either the little girl, her dad, or my wife having to drive back and forth. Plus, it'd be just like commuting if you were swapping kids every weekend over 200 miles or more of road.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Add my vote to the "kids". I dont even have kids yet, but with all the time I spend at home I can see the benefit.

I do agree with Lear70 though. NBAA publishes average pay brackets for equipment types. You should be paid somewhere close to those averages regardless of how good the lifestyle is.

 

[Brett Hull]

Lear 70,

I believe the good pay was in reference to World Airways (last sentance of post 27). And the 45K and 70K are 1st and 2nd year f/o pay. 1st year Captain is around 115K.

inthewind,

Is this corporate job in CMH?

 

[Lear70]

Oh, OK... I gotcha now.. thanks.