Reply to thread

Message

[QUOTE="SLFLYHI, post: 692816, member: 7318"]
Fish,
 
Great to have you on the boards.....I was in your shoes many years ago, and being that I'm typed in the CE-550 and currently fly for a regional, I can give you some perspective.  I assume you're relatively young.  If that's the case, go for the charter type job on a citation.  The CE-500 series is so easy to learn and fly, it makes a C-172 look hard.  You'll make decent coin for a twenty-something, and have great overnights in exotic locations.
 
If, on the other hand, I'm wrong and you're in your late 20's-early 30's, I'd recommend the regional airlines for one simple reason: schedule.  When I was flying charter there was no schedule - I was at the mercy of the dispatchers and sales staff who sell the airplane.  I left that lifestyle and took a $50,000/yr pay cut to come to a really good regional and fly the taco rocket to have guaranteed days off.
 
Right now, I'm a very senior FO and can bid whatever I want for days off, and it's great.  I'm lucky because I have a second job that I like that pays me well, and my wife makes a decent income, so we're ok.  
 
Bottom line: if you're young and inexperienced, go for the charter gig, if you're older and time off matters, go for the regionals.  nuff said.
 
Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll do fine.
[/QUOTE]

Verification