How is the Corp. world?

[bicycle]

I agree, most of us get pretty spoiled in the airlines. As with everything else you cant judge an entire group of pilots based on what they are used to. Some airlines do mostly charter work and not the nice caribbean kind, but the crappy mid east , africa and any other armpit, and are quite used to being self reliant. Having said that, there is A LOT to be said for switching to corp. Its been my experience though, that unless you have been cutivating your relations with friends and connection in the corp world even when you were flying the airlines, it is very hard to break into cold. Its a different world and you need to adapt. The airlines are not what they used to be and they never will. So if anyones got a line on a job on Long Island , let me know.

 

[cezzna]

Another thing airline guys have to get used to is the team mentality. I've never flown airline but have heard many stories of pissing matches between pilots and mechanics. In the corporate world, you know, trust and respect the mechanics. I treat our mechanics at the very least as equal to me. His job is just as hard if not harder than mine. We shoot the breeze, are good friends, and I trust him with my life. We communicate with each other face to face on mx. issues in detail. Things still get written up, but that is mostly for the FAA. I think it's hard for some pilots to get used to that, and if they view mechanics as below them, then corp. is not for you.

We had some part time mechanics from an airline once. They were astounded that the pilots were generally responsible for tugging the airplanes in and out of our hangar. They couldn't believe that us pompous pilots wouldn't make the mechanics do it. Total culture shock to them. Corp flying has a big advantage in this area of mx-pilot communication.

 

[say again]

Another thing airline guys have to get used to is the team mentality. I've never flown airline but have heard many stories of pissing matches between pilots and mechanics. In the corporate world, you know, trust and respect the mechanics. I treat our mechanics at the very least as equal to me. His job is just as hard if not harder than mine. We shoot the breeze, are good friends, and I trust him with my life. We communicate with each other face to face on mx. issues in detail. Things still get written up, but that is mostly for the FAA. I think it's hard for some pilots to get used to that, and if they view mechanics as below them, then corp. is not for you.

We had some part time mechanics from an airline once. They were astounded that the pilots were generally responsible for tugging the airplanes in and out of our hangar. They couldn't believe that us pompous pilots wouldn't make the mechanics do it. Total culture shock to them. Corp flying has a big advantage in this area of mx-pilot communication.

i have to disagree with this. at the airlines, it's not the pilots job to tug their planes, nor the mechanics, though some did to help. CRM at the airlines is, in my mind, far superior to that of the corp world. there is more of a team mentality because we deal with dispatchers, fa's, rampers, schedulers, ticket agents, etc.

As for not getting along with mech, that's BS. We used to shoot the $hit, fix the problems, and get on our way. After work we'd get together and have some drinks and party like friends, in which we were.

 

[bicycle]

Yeah, I agree with say again. We bring ou mx crews with around the world. They are the hardest working and brightest mecs I have ever worked with. Not one airliner moves without the help and coordination of many many people, all with varying different backrounds and skill levels and its usually the capt responsibilty to make sure it all happens. And it works most of the time. Its true we dont pull planes out of hangers, but it is a far cry from just shutting the engines and walking off the jetway. anyway its just different, But flyin is flyin.

 

[Steepturn]

I don't have a problem with the situations that many of you have described (loading bags, getting along and treating the mx people well, etc..), I do that now at the airline I work for anyway. I'm just sick, as I'm sure many people are, of the way the airlines have been and are going. I have a family to think about and want something as stable as possible in our industry. So I would like to get into the corp. world with a good company. I didn't think it would be easy either, and that's what I gather from all of your replies. But I thank all of you for your honest opinions and suggestions. I will give them a shot. And if anyone knows of some good places in IL. that I could possibly drop a resume to I would appreciate it. Thanks once again everyone for quality posts. I'll keep checking back for more suggestions and such.


Steepturn

 

[Bandit60]

Sounds like you have a lot of resources at hand that I never had in the old Citation. Certainly if you can find a flight department that has AFIS/XM, you're better off than not having it. And you're right - ultimately, you are the PIC and the buck stops with you. My only point was that in the airlines we have tools and people to assist with decision making that were not available to me flying the other way.

You sound like a class act. Would fly with you anyday.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

I feel pretty qualified to offer my two cents.

After all, I was born and bred airline.

As I mentioned on other threads, i've worked for 5 different airlines. 3 regionals (one who I worked for twice), an LCC, and a major airline.

Most recently though, I find myself working for a fortune 500 company. I have NEVER had as good a schedule, or as positive a working environment as I have at this company. Never.

Until this year I spent just about every weekend and holiday for the last ten years away from home. I spent countless nights in hotel rooms.

Now, i'm home nearly every night. Nearly every weekend. and Almost every holiday. Home in my own bed, with my family.

At the airlines I was just a number. Here i'm a person with a name. My supervisors know who I am. They know me by name. They know my stregnths, my weaknesses, and my concerns -- and they take the time to address them! They give me the opportunity to take ownership in the operation. I never had the opportunity to do anything other than bid a schedule at the airlines.

As far as i'm concerned this is the best kept secret in aviation. Leaving the airlines was one of the best decisions i've made in my life. (I put it right up there with getting married and adopting a dog!)

Will it last until retirement? Beats me. But I have every reason to believe that is is 1000% more stable than my jobs at the airlines ever were.

A corporate pilot wrote to me when I was contemplating making the move. He said, "Dont ever work for a company that makes its money by flying airplanes." I'm glad I took his advice. I'm happier than i've been flying airplanes in years. And, part of that happiness is being PROUD of the company I work for.

Boy... can't remember the last time I didn't feel ashamed of my company.

I'm with the American guy. If I decide to go back to USAirways if/when they call -- I hope one of you comes and knocks some sense into me!

Best of luck to you!

 

[semperfido]

Will it last until retirement? Beats me.

...if the terrorist attacks, bird flu pandemic, drunk drivers, cancers and misc other natural and un-natural disasters don't get you. enjoy it while it lasts!


....sorry - i was just reading the news before this

 

[AA717driver]

Semperfido--Now, now... Take a deep breath and switch the channel to SpongeBob. Everything will be ok. TC

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Semper has been "glass is 1/2 empty" lately....

cheer up FIDO!

 

[2EASYPilot]

Once thought I wanted to be an airline guy...you know the exotic layovers, cute ( back then ) flight attendants, big shiny airplanes but cicumstances led me to corporate aviation and I am so glad it did. I have several close friends with the majors and they are are asking ( after 15 plus years ) what are the chances we could get into corporate aviation. Nice guys and good pilots but at a loss what to do career wise...glad to be where I am and feeling really sorry for their situation. Wishing everyone well for the future.

 

[skychicken]

I have only been at the airlines for four months and I am already realizing that I made the wrong move. The airline I am at is talking possible layoffs at the end of the year and I can't say that I am too upset because it gives me an excuse to search out corporate aviation! I have figured out that I am not going to be away from home and family on every holiday and birthday my family has. I realize that corporate aviation has its time away and down sides as well, but I'm sure that I can find someone out of MSP that keeps me home more than the airline!!!

Previous posts are right on, you got to do what makes you happy otherwise you will go insane!!

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Things that I dont miss. (feel free to add on...)

Thought of a few more things that make me happy:

1. No more hats (yes, I wore mine like I was told)
2. No more ties
3. No more dragging my rollaboard around with a 50 lb flight-kit attached
4. No more dragging said rollaboard through ice/snow in the employee lot
5. No more employee lot busses lacking air-conditioning, heat, and shocks
6. No more waiting at employee lot bus-stops
7. No more entering security codes at every &%@$# door in the building
8. No more TSA telling me to take off my shoes
9. No more TSA inspecting my flashlight for the 40th time
10. No more TSA telling me to remove my hat
11. No more TSA leaning in to smell my breath
12. No more TSA
13. No more gate agents taking their good ol' time printing the release
14. No more waiting for gate agents to give you access to your airplane
15. No more waiting for jetway drivers
16. No more calling ops to ask for said jetway driver & being told, "shift change"
17. No more flight attendants calling up front because it's too hot, cold, bumpy
18. No more flight attendants sitting in first class instead of providing customer service
19. No more flight attendants whining about not getting crew meals
20. No more flight attendants whining when they DO get crew meals
21. No more APU's deferred with no ground air carts available
22. No more waiting for the hotel van
23. No more roadside fleabag hotels
24. No more :40 van rides to the long-overnight hotel so the F/As can shop
25. No more apologies for being away on weekends, holidays, special occasions
26. No more watching flying be outsourced to the lowest bidder
27. No more watching ALPA spend dues on "strongly worded letters"
28. No more ALPA (thats the best part!)
29. No more delapidated "crew rooms"
30. No more junior manning or extensions
31. No more pagers
32. No more calls from scheduling at 2am to transition you from regular reserve to short-call
33. No more quick-calls to go to Akron and back
34. No more racing through the terminal and grabbing a McValue Meal during a 15 minute break
35. No more equipment changes every time you fly through the hub
36. No more nastygrams from the company whenever you're in negotiations
37. No more feeling ashamed at the lack of customer service the company provides.
38. No more apologizing for weather, aircraft size, ATC delays, mechanical delays, etc.
39. No more groundschools in converted hangars or old elementary schools.
40. and finally... no more turning on CNN every night and wondering whether the airline is still in business.

(ahhh... I feel better now)
Did I miss anything? Feel free to add to this list.

 

[English]

41. No more preflighting in the rain.
42. No more preflighting, period.
43. No more waiting in line on the jetbridge during a 20 minute turn wondering if I'll have time to eat my lunch once I return to the cockpit.
44. No more commuting!
45. No more paycuts and broken promises of future compensation.

 

[cezzna]

Well I never flew airline but...


1. I still wait for hotel vans, sometimes renting a car is too much hassle.
2. I still preflight the airplane.
3. Glad to hear some of you airline guys got along with mx., I guess the stories I heard were in the minority.
4. Don't brag about it too much, we still want to keep it a secret;-)