Leave a Regional or Not

[FORE LEFT]

I am currently an F/O with ASA and commute to DFW. I may have an opportunity to get on with a corporate company, make more money and be based here in Birmingham at home.

I am considering the job but am not sure if I would be committing career suicide if I ever wanted to go back to the airlines. I would appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks

 

[pilotyip]

Never give up a number

The Corp world is not all that secure, I interview on a regular basis former Corp pilots whose companies got out of the airplane business. Keep your seniority, move to your domicile, and wait for the longevity and seat pay raises to keep rolling in

 

[EMBATP]

i think if you have an oppurtunity to get jet pic faster, look into it.

 

[cosmotheassman]

Take the corporate gig. You will build pic turbine faster-- also, that will free up a spot for me at ASA...

 

[MECH]

Run, run very fast!

 

[Palerider957]

"Never give up a number" would mean more if ASA were a mainline carrier with real benefits and QOL. Such as it is, a "number" at ASA doesn't amount to much. We don't have a flow-through (probably a VERY good thing right now), no retirement, and a very poor contract. On top of this, there isn't any real job security either--what little we have will likely soon come under attack from DALPA.

If you can get a "good" corporate gig, personally I don't think you have too much to loose, especially as a junior guy. If the right corportate job came my way, I'd jump.

I guess the key is the new corporate job, is it something that will make you happier?

JMHO.....

 

[54fighting]

OK, need to chime in.

I made the move from COEX in the early part of 2001, it was my own decision. Pretty much like your desires, be at home and have more time with the family and actually be paid a respectable wage. I was in the top 200 seniority.

It was the best decision I could have made. I have more time with the family, go to great places and I am treated like the professional we all are by the people we carry. Of course it does help working for a top 125 company. Very professionally run organization.

But we all have different reasons for doing things. And always remember, the only one you need to please is yourself and your immediate family.

Oh yes, please tell me what job in the aviation industry is secure

 

[asarjfo]

I am currently an F/O with ASA and commute to DFW. I may have an opportunity to get on with a corporate company, make more money and be based here in Birmingham at home.

I am considering the job but am not sure if I would be committing career suicide if I ever wanted to go back to the airlines. I would appreciate any input anyone has. Thanks

Being that you are senior to me.........TAKE IT!!!!

 

[speedwings]

I agree with 54fighting, but I was in your shoes in the opposite situation in April. I left a 4 1/2 year corporate gig to go to the regionals. The pay cut sucks, but my quality of life is so much better now that it's worth it.

My advice to you as a former corporate pilot is ask around and try to find out how this company treats their pilots. My company had total disregard for family life, rest requirements, 24 hour on call, the only day you had off is when you were on vacation (even that would be canceled if something came up), etc. Avoid companies like that and corporate flying can be a great gig.

If this company you are looking at has little turnover and appears somewhat stable; i.e. no layoffs, long term clients, maintenance people that stay more than 4 months, I say go for it. Corporate is a very small world and if you ask around, you'll get the answers you need. If it's a well run company that treats their people with mutual respect, the people seem happy, and the airplanes are well maintained, it'll be a great change for you.

Just my $.02 and it isn't worth even that...