I Need Help You Guys!!!!

[PilotChapin]

I need some advice from you experienced guys who might have been through this already. I am a young pilot with a wife and a baby on the way and no current full time job. I've only done a few contract flights in a Lear Jet.
I have a couple of options but I am not sure which one would be the best.
Like many of you my fellow pilots I am not seeking a job to fly a new shinny jet for peanuts, altough like many of you I am working on getting my 1000 turbine PIC. My wife is currently working making over 40K a year, but the baby is due in december so she is going to stop working in october which mean I have to take full income responsability. But as many of you know 2500TT pilots arent to lucky at making enough money to support the family. Anyways, I have a couple of offers

#1 Stay in the DFW area and Fly freight in an Aerostar on weekdays, and fly some contract in a Lear on the weekends for $300 per day. But as many of you know contract flying is not a sure thing, I might fly on a weekend and i might not. There is a small possibility of full time employment with the contract deal but as always they promise and they usually dont come through.

#2 Relocate to Mobile AL, fly captain in citation 1 for 28K a year and a 2 year training contract. Insurance and all. This is for a 135 ops.


#3 Accept a job with PINNACLE AIR SERVICES in springdale arkansa in the right seat of a Lear 31 making 35K a year, good benefits, relocate to NW arkansa. But I have a couple of friends that got fired from there and I've heard that they have a 100% turn over.

Hey guys any input is greatly appreciated, I really dont know what to do. Like I said many of you guys have already been through a dilema like this. So I figured I get some advice as to what I should do. Thanks you guys

 

[pushntin]

You can do alot better than pinnacle. Turnover is at 200% and they'll run you in the ground. They are contract happy around there. And definitely not run very well. You would be setting yourself up for alot of mental anguish. Way too many jobs out there.

 

[Duderino]

I would make the move to South California or even better South Florida. You should be able to find a job as an FO making 40k working for a Learjet operator. I would check with Personal Jet. I know they have recently taken on some new Jets, Lear 60 and Hawker 800s. They used to be strictly Lear 35 and 55, but are opening the gates, with talk of a G3 and G4 on the way. So they should have room for someone in the Lear 35 and 55s. Sounds a lot better than having to move to AR if you ask me. There are probably 20 places that you could fly charter in a jet in South Florida. I don't know much about SoCal, but I do know it cost a lot to make ends meet out there. Good Luck, and let me know if I can help.
Duder
PS Don't take the 28k a year job, and don't take a job you know is a bad place to work. There are so many more options, than having to put your family thru that.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

3 - no way. your friends have told you all you need to know.

2- no way. 2 yr contract....is the job SO bad they need that?

I would stay put. Stay in a busy area like DFW. BE WHERE THE JOBS ARE (say it 10X) or where its easy to commute out of.

and...no...I cannot imagine supporting a family on any of those wages..so maybe the wifey goes back to work until you get a full time decent gig. Keep hustling and be avaliable and know your stuff...many full time gigs come out of contract work. Get qualified as a Lear PIC ASAP. I cant imagine a lear PIC with a 1/2 a brain in his head makes less than 60K/yr. Now you're feeding the family somewhat...

..but then again I have been told here (douchebaginfo.com) many times before -- that its very possible to raise a family of 10 very comfortably on 450 bucks a month....so nevermind my reality check. I just live like a king I guess (running water, indoor plumbing)

....anyways....IMHO....

- dont work for 28K/yr on some contract
- dont haul your family to the boonies for some $hit job. they will hate you.
- dont go someplace you KNOW is terrible.


Best of Luck!


PS** -- congrats on the baby...you're in for a treat...nothing better than coming home to a cute kid no matter how $htty your trip was...and yes, most of your sleep will now be had on the road!!

 

[Bandit60]

Call Jetcorp (Spirit of St Louis). They fly lears and seem to be looking for fo again. They are a good place to build quality time and pay the bills at the same time.

 

[HawkDrvr]

I would steer clear of Pinnacle. Ran in to a pair of these guys last week on the road and they both seemed like the type who could ONLY work at a place like that... Charming personalities ...

 

[sleepy]

28K per year seems pretty low, even for a Citation captain. The place in Arkansas has been discussed on here before, it doesn't sound too good (plus, you would have to live in Arkansas). I would stay in Dallas, fly the Aerostar and do the contract work in the LJ, and get busy making contacts for something better in Dallas.

 

[Jetboy]

First of all, good luck to you.

I echo the sentiments on Pinnache-al. I have first hand knowledge of what an a$$hole the DO is. PM me if you want the dirty details. Do not go there. I know of a place in FL that may be looking for a lear FO, it is okay, not the best but a definate improvement over AR. I was going to suggest Jetcorp out of SUS also before I even saw the other reply. St. Louis is a decent place to live, and I have heard mostly positive things about them. Be prepared to work though, I heard they will keep you busy. However, they will compensate you accordingly from what I understand.

 

[PilotChapin]

Yeah, 28K a year for a citation captain did seem kinda low....and Pinnacle Air is definitly a place I wasnt to happy of going to. I've been looking for some places in florida, as a matter of fact I just got a call from a company in Orlando, but the chief pilot said that eventhough I am typed in the lear the insurance might need me to get differences training for the lear 55. I also got a call from JetCorp about a week ago, the CP said he was going to call me back but havent heard from him yet. I know Dallas is a land of opportunity but it seems like every company that I've talked to wants time in type or a type in the airplane. I think buying a coupld of types might be kinda pricey.

 

[Capt1124]

There is a lot of hiring going on so you don't need to take just anything. Relocation is expensive and stressful so don't do it unless you know you've got a good job. Fly the Aerostar- you will be glad later to have the multi PIC (Wyvern requirements.) Hustle the Lear flights on the weekend, and keep sending out resumes. In this people will give you as much crap as you will take which explains the crummy operations out there. Good luck.

 

[LJDRVR]

Sit tight and enjoy the family.


The freight dog/contract pilot scenario sounds ideal. You stay more instrument current than you'll ever be in your life, while continuing to log the Learjet time.

Here's the thing about flying Lears:

• It's a small community
• Be an outstanding "sparky"
• Continue to network and apply everywhere

If you've made a good reputation for yourself and built up some minimum experience, (100 hours for instance) you'll have no problem getting a good job that pays the bills.

To fly Lears well, you truly need to be a renaissance guy. You should have excellent systems knowledge. (You'll need it when things start breaking and they will. ) You should be equal part Aviator (Par Excellance) baggage handler, flight attendant, dispatcher, aircraft cleaner, TERPS specialist and expert practitioner of CRM skills (There may be a reason that Captain you're flying with has 10,000 hours and is still flying Lears. [Let the hate mail begin! I most certainly do exempt guys like Rick1128 from my statement.])

Don't dismiss Pinnacle out of hand. I don't know a thing about their operation, but if their CP's initials are EK, I used to fly with him. He's a good friend, great guy, and hands-down, one of the better pilots I've ever flown with.

PM me if you need some help. I'm 12 months out of the Lear community, but I know some guys in Dallas.

Good Luck!

 

[PilotChapin]

cool

There is a lot of hiring going on so you don't need to take just anything. Relocation is expensive and stressful so don't do it unless you know you've got a good job. Fly the Aerostar- you will be glad later to have the multi PIC (Wyvern requirements.) Hustle the Lear flights on the weekend, and keep sending out resumes. In this people will give you as much crap as you will take which explains the crummy operations out there. Good luck.

Yeah I forgot to mention you guys that I might also have a chance to Part-time instruct and SIC in the Lear 31 (sim) at bombardier in Dallas. I'm suppose to hear something this monday. The Lead instructor their gave me my checkride and was very pleased with my performance so he offered me a position once it came open. So he called me this past week and told me that he was going to confirm something this next monday.

 

[PilotChapin]

yeah

28K per year seems pretty low, even for a Citation captain.
Correction guys!!!! you'll love this, I just spoke with the VP of the company in Mobile AL and he said it was actually 24K a year for captain and 15K for FO's.

 

[LXJ31]

Good God.

 

[knelson]

Scam of the year:

Most people would say about twice that plus a pretty decent benefit package for the citation gig. Too many tight companies out there that don't realize they could save a little $$ if they would just treat the pilots a little better. Paying for initial training every two years is a little more costly than just paying a decent salary. But what do I know???

Congrats on the baby. I have a nine month old at home and being a dad is much better than you can ever imagine. Good luck with that. Also, it was said that you will get most of your sleep on the road. . . that is true, but don't tell your wife that. They still think we are working on the road.

It sounds like you are putting a lot of thought into this and I commend you for that. Lots of good advice here from lots of experienced people. My humble/inexperienced advice is. . . keep working. It sounds like you are good at networking just from the simuflite thing and all. That's the key to a successful corporate flying career! Again, GOOD LUCK!

Kevin

 

[Brett Hull]

Yeah I forgot to mention you guys that I might also have a chance to Part-time instruct and SIC in the Lear 31 (sim) at bombardier in Dallas.

That is where you will make your connection to get yourself a decent full time job.

 

[psysicx]

What about Ameristar?

 

[Gulfstream 200]

What about Ameristar?

how much do they pay and what are the benefits like?

 

[CUEBOAT]

Get the sim instructor job and watch you child grow. Meet some good contacts also.

 

[PlaneStupid]

I agree with G200. Stay put and become mr mom until you find something worthwhile. Most 135 pilot jobs have minimal insurance if any at all. If you are leaving a household income of 40k to work for 35k you might as well subtract another 6k for your own health insurance, so now you are working for 29k, plus you have new expenses with the little one.

.02

 

[PilotChapin]

true, but....

I agree with G200. Stay put and become mr mom until you find something worthwhile. Most 135 pilot jobs have minimal insurance if any at all. If you are leaving a household income of 40k to work for 35k you might as well subtract another 6k for your own health insurance, so now you are working for 29k, plus you have new expenses with the little one.

.02

I agree with being Mr. Mom, but as many of you guys know....even when we have a supporting wife who is willing to work and believe in her husband and his career. I still feel pretty bad about having to stay at home, you guys know what I am talking about "I'm the man of the house, I'm suppose to be the provider" all that stuff.....My wife loves me very much and she has been soooooooo supportive and has had faith in my career more than I have, so I guess I am greatful for that. I just want to reward my wife for being so awesome....GOD BLESS EVERY WOMAN THAT GOT MARRIED WITH A PILOT AND STUCK MY HIS SIDE! not alot of bi**es can take that much heat.....

 

[PilotChapin]

Hmmm..

What about Ameristar?

Well I heard they where hiring, but it was to get based up in YIP....not to crazy about moving all the way up there. Plus their pay and QOL kinda sux, heck for that I might as well move to alabama and fly PIC in a Citation for 24K ya know

 

[PilotChapin]

I hope so

Get the sim instructor job and watch you child grow. Meet some good contacts also.

I know!!!! I really want that gig, I think that would be such a blessing.....Bombardier instructors make pretty good money and like you said my friend, I can see my baby grow, get home watch him sleep, make contacts and well if I sleep in a sim I dont have to worry about falling out of the sky right?

 

[Corona]

28K per year seems pretty low, even for a Citation captain.
Correction guys!!!! you'll love this, I just spoke with the VP of the company in Mobile AL and he said it was actually 24K a year for captain and 15K for FO's.

Do they include a slot at the local tornado magnet (trailer park) with that salary?

C

 

[Flybet3]

Do they include a slot at the local tornado magnet (trailer park) with that salary?

C

LOL!!! probably not......I still dont know much about the job, I actually feel like calling and asking them if that salary is for part time or what. If it's part time I guess it's not tooooooo bad, but still I would have to get another job down there as well, so I would be pretty much in the same situation I am in now. This sux and blows, and swallows

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Do they include a slot at the local tornado magnet (trailer park) with that salary?

C

Ternader Food!!!