Leaving Regional for charter

[Makesheepnervus]

The Insurance wouldn't be too much of an Issue, you might have to fly with an experienced captain until you have 50 or 100 hours in type, but that would be all. With your amount of PIC jet time It most likely would not present a problem at all; I can remember being assigned with another fellow on an Astra we both came on board with fresh types and zero time in type and were flying as a crew straight out of school.
Wyvern or Argus PIC minimums are a bit more tough, usually requiring 250 hours in type along with the other total, pic, jet and multi engine minimums.
Not all charter operations require these minimums though.

 

[boeing72]

I just left the Regionals for a charter job. Mostly out and backs from my home town on a BE400. Only 55k per year.

If you are not taking the charter job, have your friend call me please! lol

Is it by any chance in Naples, FL? I had a friend just mention a similar job.

Sounds like you have good seniority, might as well stay where you are until u get the main line job you want.

 

[capt_zman]

Probably not a big deal, but being a charter outfit, you can kiss your holidays goodbye.

Also, you'll need to get some intl experience as well before they turn you loose as a PIC. It's not hard, but alot different than what you're used to and will take a little time to be comfortable with. And you can bank on being gone more often, that is for sure.

Good luck.

 

[Rook]

Currently I make $90K as a CA on the ERJ

Holy $hit dude! Where do you work? But seriously, good luck whatever you choose.

 

[landlover]

when it comes to charter "the bigger the airplane the bigger the suitcase". out and backs nearly don't exist in that airplane. lets just say you do a day trip. where naples is the company's base, naples-orlando-teterboro-orlando. i bet money you drive a rental car back to naples from orlando instead of flying the airplane, or just go to a hotel in orlando and wait for a trip. the best part of this job would be the money and the type. once you feel like you have fulfilled your requirement to your buddy you could quit and do contract work for at least $2000 a day. or go teach at flight safety and be home every night

 

[hawkerjet]

Why would you even consider this move if you are thinking of eventually moving to a major? You're fat, dumb and happy right now which would change immediately when you go charter. Uproot yourself twice as opposed to just once? The grass is always greener on the other side because there is more fertilizer there, so don't forget to bring your boots.

 

[Canucit]

you seem to be getting alot of advice.
but we all like change hoping it will get better
I think that you should be looking for the long haul, most charter/corporate gigs dont always last
and you'll be on the bottom of the new job and why are they hiring anyway
good luck

 

[Captainzero1]

Rattler, you mentioned your ultimate goal is a major. If that is the case, you can forget about family, money and stability for at least five years until you build up some seniority at the major. A GV type is to die for dude. Take the GV, with your experience you are competive with just about all the majors down the road. Live life a little. Out and backs must get boring as hell after a while.

 

[MissKittyKat]

There is no such thing as to be home everynight in aviation. I've worked on Hawkers, 727's and the Global Express ( and it goes a long way). I just got back from HNL, and I used to live in Guam. QOL of life depends on you, and what your looking for. Please do not let anyone steer you away from what you want to do.

My boyfriend works for stanford financial, I now currently work for Miami Air, all I can say is, we both love what we do, granted we do not have small children, We really love what we do, and as far as the money or quality of life, we have investments, and yes it is always good to get home to your bed!

Hard work pays off!

 

[FlyFlyFly]

I know there are alot of charter guys out there that make great livings and enjoy a wonderful quality of life.

Really? Are you serious? Charter is the quintessential antithesis of quality of life. Unless the owner just does 20 hours a year for taxes, charter equals unpredictable schedule, giving up days off, pissed off families, crying children, etc. If quality of life is your goal, charter is NOT the way to go, unless you have connections and are using it to make your way to a reputable 91 operation.

 

[Rally]

Hey guys,

I have been presented with a unique situation. A long time friend of mine is trying to recruit me to a charter operation he is running. He has offered me left seat in a G5 starting at $130K(I have no experience with this type of equiptment). I will be traveling to "visit" this operation and to try and get a feel of whether this is a good move or not. The oportunity requires me to move far from where I live now, away from family and I will be taking a girlfriend and 2 year old with me.

Currently I make $90K as a CA on the ERJ with weekends and hollidays off. I usually have 13-15 days off a month, and enjoy a pretty good "quality of life". I am activally trying to move on to a major, and I have excepted the fact that I will take a huge pay cut. I know I will miss the benefits of being an airline pilot. (Example: My girlfriend and I are going to Germany in April free of charge.{vacation passes}) an other example I jumpseat to visit family on a regualar basis.

I know there are alot of charter guys out there that make great livings and enjoy a wonderful quality of life. I am interested in hearing their opinions. If I go to a major, I am optimistic I will be presented an oportunity within a year. I am 32, so I have lots of time left.

The important things to me are 1)being home for my family 2) making money 3) stability.

Thanks.

How come you have'nt married your gf yet? Since you have a kid.

 

[rthepilot]

Go with what your gut tells you and forget the big, shiney GV. There's more to life than big airplanes and bigger egos.

 

[Murphy]

Take a good long look at this job. Getting a Gulfstream type rating can open a lot of doors for you. I believe it can open far more doors for you and be far more rewarding long term than continuing on the 121 path. If this charter job doesn't work for you, the Gulfstream type stays with you and you could get a follow on job based on your experience. You are well aware of the 121 routine in regards to pay cuts and loss of seniority if you move on to another carrier. This is your ticket out of the 121 world.

 

[climbhappy]

An author by the name of Scott Peck wrote a book called "the road less traveled"
i would get a compensation contract from the guy in writing. doing business with friends,(sorry, but) can be quite dangerous. getting something inwriting is a good business practice.
if he won't put it wrinting, run for the hills.

this is a simple litmus test of honesty and integrity in business.

that said, a couple of years or more on the GV and given all the growth in industry, you could easily pop back in to a major when you'd had enough.

but either way, you can't lose. don't look at it like there is a wrong decision here. there isn't! my(1 7/8 cents opinion)

 

[Snaab]

Hey Rattler, here's my .02....Sounds like you have a pretty good setup right now- good pay, good schedule, and life seems pretty even right now for ya. I'd only rock the boat and go for the G-V job if, after visiting the operation, you wholeheartedly feel it's a good move. If you're at all on the fence at that point in time, then I think you have your answer. You've got a good 'bird in the hand' at the moment, and something I wouldn't give up quickly.

For what it's worth, I fly on the East Coast....Went to visit a buddy in San Diego about a year ago, and just thought S.D. was off the hook (women, nightlife, weather, young vibe, etc.) I was 'this close' to making a move out there to live like a rock star, but a wise Captain gave me 'bird in the hand' speech, and I'm upgrading real soon at my current outfit (something I wouldn't have had out there). I decided to gain PIC time first before rolling the dice on a slicker QOL.

You have an enviable decision to make. Good luck.

 

[SLFLYHI]

If it looks too good to be true.....

I fell for this type of deal in 2001. I went for the cash and ended up getting burned. I just finally got back to where I should have been in 2002 (left seat in an ERJ). Stay where you're at. QOL in charter sucks, and people don't buy GVs to fly from FLL to ATL if you get my drift.

T2S

 

[ultrarunner]

I am hoping to get all of these questions answered when I go in to see the operation next month.

Ok, here we are, almost March 1. What was the story on this gig?

 

[G-force]

Going to Charter

Hey guys,

I have been presented with a unique situation. A long time friend of mine is trying to recruit me to a charter operation he is running. He has offered me left seat in a G5 starting at $130K(I have no experience with this type of equiptment). I will be traveling to "visit" this operation and to try and get a feel of whether this is a good move or not. The oportunity requires me to move far from where I live now, away from family and I will be taking a girlfriend and 2 year old with me.

Currently I make $90K as a CA on the ERJ with weekends and hollidays off. I usually have 13-15 days off a month, and enjoy a pretty good "quality of life". I am activally trying to move on to a major, and I have excepted the fact that I will take a huge pay cut. I know I will miss the benefits of being an airline pilot. (Example: My girlfriend and I are going to Germany in April free of charge.{vacation passes}) an other example I jumpseat to visit family on a regualar basis.

I know there are alot of charter guys out there that make great livings and enjoy a wonderful quality of life. I am interested in hearing their opinions. If I go to a major, I am optimistic I will be presented an oportunity within a year. I am 32, so I have lots of time left.

The important things to me are 1)being home for my family 2) making money 3) stability.

Thanks.

Make sure that A LOT of RESEARCH is done on the outfits you are considering for employment.There are just TOO many BOTTOMFEEDERS out there that just want to USE you like a Prostitute!!!!!!!!

 

[BoeingBaller]

You also do not want to look like jump around Johnny on your resume.I would stay put, 90k is good bread.Gone 20 plus days a month could ruin your love life(at least at home).

 

[GIVDrvr]

Pros
-Nice QOL in S. FLA
-Real estate prices in retreat
-no state income tax
-good money esp for geographical area
-G type may lead to something after 500+ hours in type
-you will see most of the world much of it from a 4-5 star hotel
-Gulfstreams are beautiful a/c but in the end a glass jet is a glass jet
-accelerated advancement into management..fly when you want.
Cons
-GV type overrated;most prime positions are filled via networking(ie. you)
-lots of moves in many GV careers
-lots of negatives about S. Fla too
-stability? Expect to be on duty for most holidays and away extensively
-working for a friend can be a minefield
-coworkers may distrust you cause you're buddys with the boss
-nobody is pulling 2000/day in G contracting unless their providing adult services in the deal.

Good Luck with your decision!