Looking at corporate... Please advise!

[steveg]

Thanks for the reply,

I hope (and think) you are right. It would be a shame if all aviation jobs were tied to this messed up business called airlines.

So what about it, any future for furloughed airline guys willing to give up their seniority? Are we viewed negatively by other corporate pilots? How do we get our foot in the door? It's nice to see honest and nice postings from people. The airline boards are so cut throat, it makes me want to quit aviation.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Jack Schitt]

Most major corporations use a specialized salary survey to compare their salaries to other companies with the same size and type of fleet. In other words, GE doesn't like to lose their G-IV captains to ExxonMobile or vice versa. Ya gotta keep up with the Jones's and as long as Mr. Jones keeps payin'.........

Steve,

I personally know of 4 furloughed major airline pilots that are presently working for major Fortune 500 companies. It can and will happen.

 

[steveg]

Jack,

Again, I hope and think you are right. Problem is, that same kind of thinking is what lead to $350k+ airline salaries that are unsustainable. It's great if you are on the leading edge. If not, then witness the current problems. I'm not trying to bait anyone. Just thinking of answers to interview questions. How do we market ourselves, and still ask for top dollar when there are so many of us? Giving up pay is a bad precedence. So where do we go?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[banned username 2]

I seriously doubt it.

Among the companies I’ve worked for all pilots were considered “at the management level” and therefore salaries reflected this. Also I never went a year that I did not receive a pay raise, some were better than others but…

A big driving force behind corporate flight is the upper management; they understand what can and is accomplished by a finely tuned and smartly run flight dept. They also understand the added benefits of a private op. from the obvious security of a personal plane, being able to discuss company sensitive matters openly while aboard to just known the guys up front.

All these things come into play when salary is brought up.

Most CEO’s know that if one starts cutting pay, the heavy hitters, career corp. guys with reams of experience will go elsewhere. There is an insensitive to keep and retain the good help, and from my experiences the salaries of a half a dozen PIC type G-IV pilots pale in comparison to some of the dough I’ve seen shelled out of company department heads, senior level management or highly specialized personnel.

To answer your question, no I don’t see corporate salaries as a whole going the way of the airline paycheck airlines are in it to make money, our job is to make sure the CEO can do his job.

TMMT

I agree completely....

All our pilots are at an middle/upper management pay grade....

 

[Jack Schitt]

Steve,

I think the difference is that corp pilots aren't trying to get a bigger piece of the company profits. It relates more to cost of living adjustments and retaining good people.

 

[steveg]

Best reply I've seen yet. The airline unions I've dealt with want a huge piece of the profit, and nothing to do with the loss. The greed and arrogance overwhelms me, and I've been an airline guy for 10+ years!

So how 'bout it. What can a guy just trying to fly airplanes for a living do? Keep knocking on doors? Explain my past (I'm embarassed to say who I presently work for). Take any job I can? Or hope for a good corporate job looking for airline guys? HAHA! I truly have no ego when it comes to flying, and I can't get the time of day. I'd be happy to fly right seat in a 172!

Thanks for the Info.

Steve

 

[Frac Daddy]

Some charter outfits in Atlanta.

The other posters are correct, in my opinion. You need to start a "corporate-looking" resume. The 1900 time should definitely help land a King Air charter gig. Here is a link that lists the charter operators in Atlanta.(Mostly at KPDK). http://www.aircharterguide.com/acg/guide/operators/bylocation.asp?country=US&state=GA+&city=ATLANTA As you can see, there are a few King Airs out there. Start banging on their doors. Try KLZU, too. Georgia Jet is the name I believe.

 

[Iceman21]

I guess my question would be, where does the guy who only has 100 TT and would like to target Corporate aviation start. I know networking is the key and everyone says start banging on doors but what do you do after the door is opened?

Just introduce yourself and take it from there? I guess that is where I kinda struggle as of right now, is selling myself.

Any tips?

 

[banned username 2]

I guess my question would be, where does the guy who only has 100 TT and would like to target Corporate aviation start. I know networking is the key and everyone says start banging on doors but what do you do after the door is opened?

Just introduce yourself and take it from there? I guess that is where I kinda struggle as of right now, is selling myself.

Any tips?

Well you need to keep things in perspective... with 100TT and a Private Pilot Certificate, don't go bothering the Corporate Operators.... YET

Get the rest of your certificates and ratings.. INCLUDING your CFI, CFI-I and CFI-ME....

Get a job as a CFI and fly your butt off... Get 1,500 hours and the rest of the ATP requirements, get your ATP Certificate.

After you get your ATP, start hitting all the local Charter Operators (passenger carrying) that you can... Get a job flying Charter and move up from the turbo props to the jets... get a jet Type Rating or two and a decent amount of jet time...

NOW start banging on the Corporate Operators doors with a nice resume that includes an ATP, 3000-4000 hours Total Time, a Jet Type rating or two and 500+ hours of jet time... NOW you are a prime candidate for a decent Corporate job...

If you start bothering them too early, (like when there is no way possible they can hire you even if they wanted to) by the time you are ripe for hire they will be sick of you... Make sure when you start bothering them you have some realistic qualifications to offer them...

Good Luck, Corporate Aviation can be very rewarding!

 

[Iceman21]

Falcon Capt, thanks for your comments, I appreciate them

I guess I made it seem like I was trying to jump the gun, and I understand that I am in no way shape or form ready to banging on the doors of Motorola asking them for a seat on one of their Challengers.

My question was more along the lines of "How do go about banging on doors when I am ready to?" What sort of ways are there to properly accomplish networking without getting every door slammed in my face because I made an ass out of myself?

That being said, I will finish off my ratings by the end of spring and be instructing by June so I will have that under my belt and begin chipping away at the iceburg.

Thanks again,

Mike