Making the switch

[chperplt]

Hi everyone

I would like some info from some of you guys/gals about making a switch from airline flying to coprorate flying.

My wife and I just bought a house in Las Vegas and my current commute to upper Maine stinks. I was thinking that flying corporate may give me the opportunity to enjoy life a little more. I don't mind being away from home, just having to leave home two days prior to a scheduled flying day stinks.

I plan on dropping by local flight departments and applying on-line for positions. I would appreciate any information that would help me from making a mistake, or information that would be useful in making the jump.

Thanks!!

 

[avratdwc]

Hey Mate!!! Looking at freeing at slot a Colgan I see. I fly out here on the west coast and I was actually stuck in LAS on a mechanical yesturday. Anyways, I honestly have to say that I think LAS is a big corp. destination however not a huge corp base for company's. You may wanna look into the private individuals with A/C that may live in Vegas part time and commute to other places. I could be wrong though, havent done much research into who has bases there. Down in SO CAL there is alot of stuff if you have the types. How long would the drive be to LA for you? Other than that I love flying Corp. on the west coast. Hey you may wanna check out Skywest, especially with you experience and also America west Xpress. Good luck, cya.

 

[J41 Pilot]

I made the transition from regional to corporate about 3 months ago. Some people thought that I was crazy to make a move, giving up my seniority and the way the industry is these days. Even though I do miss my regional job at times, it was definitely the right decision. My QOL is soooo much better. No more commuting to/from work, the pay is almost twice as much with good benefits, the owner treats us well, flying to interesting places rather than the 7 or 8 leg days to the middle of nowhere, etc... I'm home alot more which is important if you have a family. If you find something close to home, go for it and don't look back.

Tom

 

[Jeff Helgeson]

Primo corporate gig!

A classmate of mine from TWA LLC (AA) furloughed, just got a high-paying corporate gig five minutes from his home. He will never come back to the airlines. I have flown corporate; it can be nice if you land the right job.

Good Luck

 

[LearLove]

chperplt,

I'm sure you know or already applied but try NJA. Net Jets has a gateway their good pay equip......yada yada yada. You'd be stylin no more commute.

Also try the area 51 guys w/ the 737 if you can find them. Try getting their attention by wraping a white towl around your head and standing outside their gate with a 4 foot metal tube slung over your shoulder aimed at the 737 w/ a red stripe.

In all honesty though and as you already know your best bet is to hit the street and give flt. depts. face time.

 

[GVFlyer]

chperplt,



Also try the area 51 guys w/ the 737 if you can find them. Try getting their attention by wraping a white towl around your head and standing outside their gate with a 4 foot metal tube slung over your shoulder aimed at the 737 w/ a red stripe.

LMAO! Thanks....

 

[P3-Adub]

LAS Corporate ?

I use to fly in and out of LAS a lot ! We were actually going to relocate there at one time. Try the Quail Air Center, it is a corporate hangar park that has a bunch of operators based there. They are located near the old Sunderland ??? Whatever that old plane is that was to become a restaraunt. Not really sure how you will find out who resides there however if you go to the main office and talk to someone in person, possibly you will get a list of tennants. There are several Gulfstreams and other jets based there. All of the major casinos have coporate jets based in LAS. We use to park next to the MGM Grand GIII at Executive Terminal, they fly around 800-900 hours a year ! Tough crowd to break into however QOL can be pretty good with some, not so good with others. I am once again with a corporate career due to downsizing/furlough. I really enjoy both ! Looks like it will be quite some time before I need to worry about being recalled so I will move forward and enjoy the corp. flying.

Good luck !

 

[reepicheep]

chperplt,

I'm in a similar position. I have to say from my experience so far it seems like without a type rating or at least currency in something that a charter or corporate outfit flies, they're not going to talk to you. A zillion hours in an airliner really doesn't translate that well. You could get lucky, and if you have a good connection that would help, but so far my own efforts have not left me encouraged. Even Clay Lacy at VNY basically told me no way, even for a entry level Lear f/o job. Supply and demand. They were very nice about it though.

Good luck to you, if you're persistent something will turn up.

 

[English]

chperplt,

Do it, do it, do it!

You might remember my story...I was a captain at Colgan and furloughed right after 9/11. I got a gig flying a Citationjet soon afterwards.

I thought the Citationjet thing would be a short term deal and that I'd go back to the airlines as soon as I had the opportunity. Well, I've had a couple of opportunities, and I've turned them down to stay put. This is the best flying job I've ever had, and I'm loving it!

If you get the right gig, corporate/fractional can be substantially better than working at Colgan. The pay is better, there are actual benefits, the lifestyle is better (I'm home every night, and I work on average three days per week), and the job is a heck of a lot easier than flying eight legs a day with no autopilot!

The downside is that you'll lose your jumpseat and travel privileges. If you get a gig near home, you won't miss the jumpseat privileges. I married an Eagle captain, so I got the travel benefits back !

If corporate or fractional doesn't work for you in LAS, you could always try flying the canyon. You'd be home every night.

 

[chperplt]

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm going to do my best with the local companies as well as some fractionals. I know with the number of qualified pilots out there it'll be tough.

The LAS-PQI commute is going to kill me, so I've got to do somthing. I applied for an FAA field inspector position. Maybe my education can be used for something.

Anyone wanting to swap jobs, let me know!