Jobs with day trips?

[jes77jes]

I'd really like to get into aviation and i have a long way to go. I am wondering if there are very many companies that only fly day trips. How likely is it to get jobs like this, and if so can you make enough money?($60k a year or so) thanks for any help.
Jesse

 

[PTinbound]

In the airline world, this is pretty rare. My first two airlines did, but they were both pretty shotty, fly by night commuter outfits that did outstation basing. Senior captains topped out around 26 grand on the metro. Of course, both of those airlines are out of business now. You might have better luck in the corporate world. You just have to be careful not to stereotype any corporate job into "typical" as they can all be very different. While many aren't very good jobs, the best ones have stability, pay and benefits that would lure any airline pilot - the problem is, there aren't enough of those jobs to go around. A lot of corporate flight departments do only or mostly day trips, though remember the old addage - "The bigger the airplane, the bigger the suitcase".
If Sony or whoever hires you to fly their brand new GV, you aren't going to make day trips going to Tokyo and back. But flying a Beechjet for a grocery store chain somewhere might get you home most every night. Good luck!

 

[phantom122]

It takes a long time to make 60 K in this industry. Unless of course, you are airline management.

 

[House_X]

On the Delta side at ACA we have several day trip lines...

Captains can make over $60k...F/O's...well it depends. The F/O's on the CRJ make good money.

The way things look now...you'll be lucky to get a job flying a metro for $12/hr.

My advice, don't be picky...take any opportunity that comes around.

 

[utahpilot]

CommutAir has a large number of day trips compared to other regionals. however, 60K is not really a possbility here.

some cargo companies may have lines that are all day trips, though they may be flown at night. you're home each day, and I think there are some that may approach the 60K range.

UP

 

[2000flyer]

I think your best bet if all you want to do is day trips is to find a corporate flight department that runs a shuttle operation. There is one in the Atlanta area that uses a corporate configured RJ to shuttle company personnel and a daily schedule. Xerox used to fly a CRJ on shuttle runs, but I believe they have since ended it. Someone operates an ERJ on a shuttle for Intel or HP (can't remember whom exactly) in California.

The company I used to work for used a Citation II as a company shuttle 2-4 days a week around the midwest.

Regards,
2000Flyer

 

[LrBob]

most of the flights i do are 1 maybe 2 day trips-the key is to stay in small jets like the lear-as a captain you can easily make 60-the bigger the airplane the bigger the suitcase- i have work at different companies and its pretty much the same-most trips in lears are short

 

[WhiteCloud]

most of the flights i do are 1 maybe 2 day trips-the key is to stay in small jets like the lear-as a captain you can easily make 60-the bigger the airplane the bigger the suitcase- i have work at different companies and its pretty much the same-most trips in lears are short

I have the same goal of daytrips but to expect it exclusively is not realistic. You can select a job or airline to apply for based on some assumptions like....the main headquarters or training center is where you live. You live where you are based. With an airline you can get to know the other pilots, especially those who commute and would rather stay in a hotel as opposed to a crash pad, and work out trip trades with them. You take their "bad" daytrips and you give them your multi-day overnights. Unfortunately, the airline schedule is really just a marketing tool and you need to be prepared for overnights due to unexpected WX or MX cancellations. It's really part of the job. I think you'll be happier if you look for a situation that predominantly keeps you at home. Being willing to teach and living where the teaching happens can do that for you. It will limit your career but $'s are not everything. I hope you get what you want.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Yeah, Day trips would require you to stay in Learjet-Citation sized equipment...
sure, easy to make 60K, but how long can you live off 60K?
You also may get BORED flying in the states, flying older equipment, etc....I know, now that seems unlikely, but it will happen...

The biggest thing to think about??....well, day trips are HARD work...long days getting up at 4am, sit at an FBO all day, get home at 8pm....and do this $hit all week! You MAY be home everynight, but your kids are already asleep, your wife is burned out, and you are dead tired...

NOW, get on the bigger equipment and.....Your 60K turns into 100K+, you fly nice new equipment, you have a F/A serving your great meals, etc... YES you do go out on 5-8 day trips...but maybe One or Two a month (max) with typically 7-10 days OFF in between...WAY better lifestyle! Trust me, spending 3 or 4 nights in 5 star hotels in Europe or Asia beats the heck out of the chairs at any Signature FBO!...then you get home, take a day or so to adjust your clock....and BAMM, a good week off with the family...

Just something to think about....having done both I can assure you the later is MUCH better!! (even my wife whole-heartadly agrees)

Best of luck to ya

 

[cl-65link]

I am a Captain for Pinnacle in MSP and do not have one overnight this month, legal or otherwise. Works for me because I live here, but driving to work everyday is like having a real job.

 

[KnowledgeSeeker]

Jes77,

I know you are already looking into hawaii, but Island Air is based almost solely on day trips. Now 60K's is another story...

 

[wil]

Jes- Of course you could find that kind of job. However, it will take you a long time and many hours away from home to get to that point. Your question is like a pre-med student asking, "can I practice medicine 4 hours a day and make x amount of money". Sure, but it takes years of sacrifice. If you are not willing to make the commitment now to long hours and low pay don't waste your time in pursuing a career in aviation, you will be disappointed. Good luck- Wil

 

[2000flyer]

NOW, get on the bigger equipment and.....Your 60K turns into 100K+, you fly nice new equipment, you have a F/A serving your great meals, etc... YES you do go out on 5-8 day trips...but maybe One or Two a month (max) with typically 7-10 days OFF in between...WAY better lifestyle! Trust me, spending 3 or 4 nights in 5 star hotels in Europe or Asia beats the heck out of the chairs at any Signature FBO!...then you get home, take a day or so to adjust your clock....and BAMM, a good week off with the family...

Just something to think about....having done both I can assure you the later is MUCH better!! (even my wife whole-heartadly agrees)

Best of luck to ya

Funny thing is, it depends on the employer/job. I fly larger equipment, but we don't have an F/A to serve meals, don't make $100K, 7-10 days off are absolutely unheard of, unless its vacation time. Oh, whats a five star hotel?

(eg...just finished a 10 day European trip, home and one day off, work at the office next day, 3-day trip Wed-Fri, off Saturday, out on a six day trip today.)

In all honesty, I don't mind the work, while not at six figures, I do make good money, I would like more time off, but... And we do stay at nice hotels when flying international.

2000Flyer

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I guess what I was refering to was the larger, well staffed flight departments...
yes, there are BUSY months, but we all average 15 days a month and 250-350 hrs a year.

If, say, you are staffed with 2 pilots per airplane....yes, you will fly A LOT. (like whenever the plane goes out, duh!)...

Im sure it varies greatly by company!

 

[CF34-3B1]

ASA has a few dayline only lines every month. The tend to go fairly senior, mostly for the family guys but also because they usually have pretty good block hours, mid 80s or so.

 

[2000flyer]

I guess what I was refering to was the larger, well staffed flight departments...
yes, there are BUSY months, but we all average 15 days a month and 250-350 hrs a year.

If, say, you are staffed with 2 pilots per airplane....yes, you will fly A LOT. (like whenever the plane goes out, duh!)...

Im sure it varies greatly by company!

G200,

I know you were referring to larger departments. Couldn't resist the opportunity to vent a little

Each pilot, with exception of the CP and chief of MX fly about 300 hours a year. However, when not flying we are REQUIRED to work at the hangar. It's not that bad on days where there is work to be done. The bummer is when the work is caught up and we're making work to keep busy. Top it off with the schedule I mentioned above and a few days off would be greatly appreciated without taking vacation time.

Regards,
2000Flyer