Hello all. I am currently a part 91 co-captain on a well maintained C560 Ultra that is operated by a privately owned company. The job has been great overall; it has provided me with a lot of "firsts":
1. first full-time job
2. first type rating
3. first jet experience
4. first EFIS/ FMS experience
The pay is about $50,000 after 1 year on the job and the benefits include 401k, full medical/dental, and paid vacation. I know the schedule about 1-2 weeks out; it changes sometimes, but there are very few pop-ups (3/year). The company people are wonderful and caring folks, the company is the largest of it's kind in the US and has seen impressive growth. The CEO is talking about buying a second plane; perhaps a Cit X, Hawker 800XP, etc. We average about 13 days off/month and fly about 500 hours/year. However, I am essentially on-call and cannot really travel beyond about 2 hrs from my house on a "day off", ie no-fly day. So other than vacation I can't go anywhere, which most of the time is no big deal; however, I have family in upstate NY and don't get to see them often.
The downside is that the Chief Pilot is sometimes a very difficult person to be around and we are the only two pilots.
I recently had a job offer flying a Global Express for a Part 91/135 dometic/ international operation. The Chief Pilot is a friend of mine who called me about the job opening. He is a great guy and everyone loves flying with him. I am struggling with whether or not to take the job. The Pros:
1. 30% increase in pay
2. 5 pilots, all great guys.
3. Desirable Type rating is received at time of hiring (2 yr contract).
4. Very nice, well maintained airplane.
5. Great benefits.
4. Airport 15 minutes from my house vs. 1 hour.
The Cons:
1. Part 135
2. Airplane gone every holiday, and 26 weekends/ yr. Of course w/ 5 pilots it doesn't mean everyone misses all the holidays.
Finally my question. Is this a golden opportunity at this point in my career(early in my career)? Is part 135 as much of a pain as I have heard? Is flying international fun or a drag?
Like I said, I have only been flying this C560 for a year and now and this Global Express opportunity falls in my lap. Part of me is like, "yeah baby!"; and the other part is like, "ok, you have a good job, with a growing company, why throw that away for an unknown"? Even my friend, the Global CP, admitted that he would not blame me for staying where I am.
Any advice? Here are some facts about me that will help.
Single, no kids.
36 years old
2500 hours TT
518 Turbine as Acting PIC
Thanks all, I truly appreciate your experience and advice in this profession.
daneav8
1. first full-time job
2. first type rating
3. first jet experience
4. first EFIS/ FMS experience
The pay is about $50,000 after 1 year on the job and the benefits include 401k, full medical/dental, and paid vacation. I know the schedule about 1-2 weeks out; it changes sometimes, but there are very few pop-ups (3/year). The company people are wonderful and caring folks, the company is the largest of it's kind in the US and has seen impressive growth. The CEO is talking about buying a second plane; perhaps a Cit X, Hawker 800XP, etc. We average about 13 days off/month and fly about 500 hours/year. However, I am essentially on-call and cannot really travel beyond about 2 hrs from my house on a "day off", ie no-fly day. So other than vacation I can't go anywhere, which most of the time is no big deal; however, I have family in upstate NY and don't get to see them often.
The downside is that the Chief Pilot is sometimes a very difficult person to be around and we are the only two pilots.
I recently had a job offer flying a Global Express for a Part 91/135 dometic/ international operation. The Chief Pilot is a friend of mine who called me about the job opening. He is a great guy and everyone loves flying with him. I am struggling with whether or not to take the job. The Pros:
1. 30% increase in pay
2. 5 pilots, all great guys.
3. Desirable Type rating is received at time of hiring (2 yr contract).
4. Very nice, well maintained airplane.
5. Great benefits.
4. Airport 15 minutes from my house vs. 1 hour.
The Cons:
1. Part 135
2. Airplane gone every holiday, and 26 weekends/ yr. Of course w/ 5 pilots it doesn't mean everyone misses all the holidays.
Finally my question. Is this a golden opportunity at this point in my career(early in my career)? Is part 135 as much of a pain as I have heard? Is flying international fun or a drag?
Like I said, I have only been flying this C560 for a year and now and this Global Express opportunity falls in my lap. Part of me is like, "yeah baby!"; and the other part is like, "ok, you have a good job, with a growing company, why throw that away for an unknown"? Even my friend, the Global CP, admitted that he would not blame me for staying where I am.
Any advice? Here are some facts about me that will help.
Single, no kids.
36 years old
2500 hours TT
518 Turbine as Acting PIC
Thanks all, I truly appreciate your experience and advice in this profession.
daneav8