Off the Wall...

[SoundBarViolatr]

Staged a/c?

Its likely these aircraft you are seeing are civilian 135 operators that are working on DOD/government contracts flying any number of missions. Some companies hold a few short or long term contracts and there are a couple of operators out there for which that is basically their whole business (The latter can be some very interesting flying and mission work). But either way, although the companies are generally extremely well paid for these contracts, the crews flying them get nothing more than normal 135 (typically below average) pay.

I've seen and heard of some p135 operators both foreign and domestic that stage a/c in the region for such work and pay very well above average. Usually the Crew are assigned 3-6-12 mos rotation. I used to work for a company that did such work and they paid more than double the normal US based Crew(because no one else wanted to get shot at regardless of the pay) but said company is no longer in business.

Getting back into a decent paying Gulfstream job in the west would really be my first choice but after 2 years of trying to get back into large equipment I've decided to open up more channels in the area where I am familiar or comfortable with.

 

[Carlos O'Maley]

The companies that are actually staging aircraft (probably special missions configured) and deploying crews to those areas for periods of time is a little different than what I was referring to, I'm sure those crews do get more pay. I was specifically referring to the companies that hold random contracts a fly trips in and out on a trip-by-trip basis in corporate aircraft (like the unarmed Gulfstreams you mentioned). One day your flying Joe Gambler to Vegas or Mr. CEO to New York and the next day you might be flying "pax" into a hazardous area on contract. Apart from maintaining security clearances, there is really nothing different job or pay wise for these crews in my experience.

To the other issue, you sound like you are way ahead of the game. 90% of the Gulfstream jobs you see are in So.Cal., NY, or south FL. The higher cost of living for most to relocate is the deal breaker. Check the jobsites (climbto350, bizjetjobs, aeps,etc.) and the employment sections here and at the other info site. There are usually numerous postings for G jobs in So. Cal alone on any given day.