Looking for a little advice...

[agpilot34]

Well, I find myself in a bit of a delima here. I fly pipeline patrol, and have been doing so for several years now. I've been with the same company since I started, and it's been great. All the guys I work with, from the owner to the chief pilot are great and easy to get along with. I'm pretty much left alone to do my own thing, as I suppose most outbased pilots are. The pay is good, but I dont have any benefits such as retirement and insurance. The insurance hasnt been a problem, as my wife works for the State of OK, and I'm on her insurance. But more and more lately, I find myself looking down the road a few years, and some type of retirement plan would sure be nice. I'm 36 years old, and if I'm gonna do it, it needs to be now. Now, another patrol company has approached me about possibly coming to work for them. It's a larger company than the one I fly for now, and they are offering starting salary equal to what I make now, plus insurance (60/40 company split) and 401K. Also, it's one day a week less flying than I do now, for the same money. Same aircraft also, 182 Skylane. This company has been around almost as long as the one I fly for now has, so I know it's a stable operation. I guess I'm a bit nervous about changing companys, because I know all about the one I work for now, know all the people well, and our headquarters is only an hour's flight time from my home, so if I have a problem, I can just go up there and work it out. I dont want to piss anyone off where I work now, but I've got to think about what's best for ME and MY future. Just curious what some of you would do, or have done in similar situations.

 

[hoop]

If your happy where your at, why not just start your own Roth IRA, and a few additonal investments in moderate risk mutual funds? sounds like your covered on the insurance from the state with your wife. I work for the state of OK also, and I'm sure not depending on the rinky-dink soonersave I'm investing in. Although I do contribute to the soonersave (I'll pony up 25 bucks to get the matching 25 dollars), I sock money back into a Roth, and some mutual funds I have set up. The way I see it, the more diversified I am, the better off I'll be.

Sounds like it's basically an issue of if you want to work one less day a week. Is there opportunity for higher pay at the other job down the road?

Good luck in your decision!

 

[agpilot34]

Heheh, yeah, the Soonersave plan is a joke, isnt it! Yes, there will be increased pay down the road with the other company. I'm pretty much maxed out paywise where I'm at now. I would start at the new job making what I make now after several years with my present company. As far as the aircraft are concerned, we have good maintainance, and our head mechanic is pretty much a Cessna guru. But there are some things he just doesnt get that concerned about. I'm a stickler on maintainance issues, because at the altitudes we fly at, over some of the terrain we fly over, EVERYTHING needs to be in tip top condition. The other guys have told me that it doesnt matter WHAT it is, if it's broke, they'll fix it.

 

[propsarebest]

why don't you go to your boss and explain to him/her that you have an offer from "brand x", and see if they will match it. If they say thanks but no thanks, RUN to the other company.

Wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[Guitar rocker]

The other guys have told me that it doesnt matter WHAT it is, if it's broke, they'll fix it.

That is what they told us when I started out at US Check.....mmmmmm, oooooooo, yaaaahhhhhh, I dont think so. That and,"if there is weather that you cant handle, just dont go." Ha aha aha ahaaaa!!!!!!! Sounds great, but reality says it doesnt work that way.

Anyway, do you know some guys that work at the other place your interested in? Might be worth asking for their insight and if you get consistent answers in favor of the new company, that should weigh into your decision. Propsarebest above does have a good point though.....

I totally understand your concerns regarding 401K and retirement. Important issues none the less. But working for really good people and those who you have a good relationship with goes a long ways too. Maybe investing some $$$ might not be a bad idea and staying right where your at....

Easier said than done ofcourse.

 

[agpilot34]

No, unfortunately, I dont know a soul there. A couple of their pilots DO go into one of the same airports that I stop at for fuel, though, and I might be able to contact one of them through the FBO manager there. I definitely would like to talk with them and see what their opinions of the company are.

 

[Guitar rocker]

No, unfortunately, I dont know a soul there. A couple of their pilots DO go into one of the same airports that I stop at for fuel, though, and I might be able to contact one of them through the FBO manager there. I definitely would like to talk with them and see what their opinions of the company are.

Thats what I would do. Talk with those guys and if you here consistent answers that are favorable, then it might be worth considering the move.