Pilots Who Have Left Fractionals for Airlines or Corporate - Happier?

[guido411]

- How does your current flying gig compare to your fractional job?

- Are you happier at your new gig? If so, why? If not, why not?

- Do you miss fractional flying and that lifestyle? What do you miss about it? What do you not miss?

- How does the flying equipment compare outside the fractional world - impressed/not impressed? Maybe your current aircraft can't compare to the CL300 you flew at Flexjet in terms of...

- If you could return to the fractional world (i.e., offered recall), would you return or not?

-Other than flying airplanes it doesn't compare. I know the people I fly every time and I have to answer to them. If something goes poorly on a trip you don't have dispatch, scheduling, logistics, etc to blame. Can't just go to the hotel and hope their next trip goes better.

-Yes I'm happier. Better pay, better schedule (less days and overnights), not the constant management/pilot struggles, better food, better hotels, no constant threat of layoffs, less drama/rumors, no commuting.

-I miss a couple of the guys I used to fly with. I miss the different airports we used to go to.

-Equipment is in better shape since it gets less use and the same pilots fly it all the time.

-I left before any furloughs so I would never see a recall but if I was offered one I would turn it down.

 

[Xcorporate]

Left a great corporate job for the stability of NJA. My currency ran out, got furloughed, sent out over 100 resumes, 1 interview, still unemployed. I'd have no choice but to accept a recall, but I doubt I'll make it through training at this point. My career flying is over as far as I can tell.....

In hindsight, the corporate gig was just a way better life style. NJA was fun but those days are gone forever. Resentment will prevent me from ever enjoying NJA again.....

 

[BentOver]

I'm 100% certain you'll make it through training (if we ever were to get recalled).. After a few sims and once you get back into "training mode" it'll be like riding a back..

As for the resentment, yeah we'll have that... I'm certain the NJA bashing will be prevalent in the cockpit and in the FBO's...I know every meal I eat will be hot and on a plate in the FBO. The plane will be attended to when I'm done. Etc Etc...

 

[rajflyboy]

Left a great corporate job for the stability of NJA. My currency ran out, got furloughed, sent out over 100 resumes, 1 interview, still unemployed. I'd have no choice but to accept a recall, but I doubt I'll make it through training at this point. My career flying is over as far as I can tell.....

In hindsight, the corporate gig was just a way better life style. NJA was fun but those days are gone forever. Resentment will prevent me from ever enjoying NJA again.....

It may take a few years but I really do believe you will be back on property and you will have no problem with the training.

Keep the Faith.

Try to jump on this airline retirements hiring boom for now. You CAN do it!

 

[gret]

Most of the posts so far are encouraging and it is good to hear that people have landed at what appears to be a better place. Hang in there for those that haven't found what they're looking for.

I’ve been lucky and only have had three places to call home since I graduated from the university. My average tenure was 12.5 years and while I enjoyed each position, I never wanted to return to a former job…it would never be the same and “newness” (i.e. people, challenges, lifestyle, etc) appeals to some people.

Times are still very tough, and may get worse this year, but that new job is out there some place if you keep looking. There is always a need for good people.

 

[unclepetey]

I was furloughed by Flexjet in 2009, now flying the 777 for Emirates and I'm very happy here.

 

[The Av1ator]

Left CA for a corporate gig. Better pay, better benefits. Rarely a long duty day. My schedule is not fixed but do have hard days off every month and do not get abused. Like not flying the airlines four times a month and dont miss 7 days on the road. Would not go back to CA if I had the chance. Very fortunate to have found such a good position.

 

[Ticker]

When moving from fractional to corporate the first big difference was: I got to use the dresser in the hotel because I was there a few days. With fractional you never take anything from your bag unless you're going to wear it.

Man! That is sooo true.

I left a Frac of my own accord in 2007 for a job with a Major. They guys I fly with now always ask the same question. My answer is always the same. No matter where you go, it's a crap shoot. You roll the dice an take your chance. My jump worked out. I am much happier. I was miserable before I left. Much, much happier now.

I did get furloughed from the 121 carrier I'm with and picked up a corporate gig (thank goodness for all the types I racked up at the frac). Then, as soon as I get back from recurrent for the new job, the airplane goes up for sale. Then, my carrier started recalling a month and a half later. Lucky roll of the dice.

If I had been with NJA, I likely would never have left. Good pay and about as secure a future as one can hope for in any flying job. That said, I'm still very junior...barely off reserve, making about the same money but any day I need off, I can get with little effort. I either do a little swapping or trading or call the CP. At the frac, there was one time that I asked to come out 2 days late so I could make my 20th high school reunion (yes, I actually wanted to go)...DENIED. I'm talking 2-3 months notice. I didn't dare call out sick after making the formal/honest request. Do the right thing and you get what you deserve.

Not as much variety in the flying but in the end, our time in this career is finite and my mission is to make the most money I can while getting as much time off as I can so I can spend quality time with my family.

 

[chriskcmo]

Left a frac back in October. Went to the FAA. Much better quality of life, better pay after the first year, awesome bennies, about as stable a job as you'll ever find. No regrets and no desire to go back. I still get to fly a little and most importantly, I get to see my kids grow up.

 

[deej]

Furloughed from NJA. Could not find a job flying. Worked at 2 non-flying jobs and ended up as an accountant/financial analyst with a small company.

 

[CFIIer]

I'm a furloughed NJ guy that was lucky enough to get a federal law enforcement flying job. Great pay, great benefits, home almost every night, great retirement, and I don't deal with TSA anymore. I'm fortunate to say that I won't be going back...

 

[nordo_2]

I'm a furloughed NJ guy that was lucky enough to get a federal law enforcement flying job. Great pay, great benefits, home almost every night, great retirement, and I don't deal with TSA anymore. I'm fortunate to say that I won't be going back...

Nice...

 

[RJ Bum]

Furlouhed NJA, now 737 capt with a supplemental. miss the hard sched, home based and free bennies at NJA. Constant drama here at the supps, losing contracts, base changes, constant pay cuts and "work rule" changes.

I enjoyed the hawker 800 and most about the flying at NJA. was satisfied and content there and was happy to "hang my hat" there. Here, this is just a transit job with not much of a future. If I got called back tomorrow, I would put it off though to get as much time in the 73 as I could "just in case."

I guess I dont share as much resentment toward NJA as others. I just hope the job at NJA somewhat resembles what it was in the past when/if I go back.

 

[Hogprint]

Have talked to close to two dozen 495ers out on the road over the past couple of years. I'd say that close to 2/3 of them have found greener pastures in my unscientific polling. My questions were along the "how do you like the job?" and "would you consider coming back" type chit-chat and I'd add that most of the folks I spoke with were between '10-'11, so that may skew the data to some extent.

 

[BentOver]

Have talked to close to two dozen 495ers out on the road over the past couple of years. I'd say that close to 2/3 of them have found greener pastures in my unscientific polling. My questions were along the "how do you like the job?" and "would you consider coming back" type chit-chat and I'd add that most of the folks I spoke with were between '10-'11, so that may skew the data to some extent.

Also, when/if recalls happen in the next few years it won't be because of growth or any positive management concept. It will be because the EMT has made NJA so much less than when they were hired people will just be leaving out of frustration with the company.... Attrition/recall due to negative career advancement is not a positive IMO. Recall by default is not something that many will be willing to leave decent jobs for....

 

[Nolife]

Laid off Flex myself. I did 91 contract which paid well but at times the airplane manager wasn't tending to the planes well which was very frustrating. Ended up at a small charter. I have lots of unscheduled time off but since I live in my home town with the fam it's fine.

Life is hard in the margins, mx is on tight budget so we carry many MEL's at times and it's a constant stuggle to get management to spend money.

The equipment, mx, pay, and schedule were exponetially better at Flex and I would go back. At Flex I was never asked if we really needed that particular gauge or system to complete the trip, could I do another trip with less than legal rest; and then get fussed at when I responded with the safe and legal answer.

It's the difference between professional and amateur.

The one large 91 outfit I've done contract work for is on par with Flex and they both pay well and have enough staff to give hard days off. Problem is some one has to die in order for there to be an opening.

 

[Mr. Magoo]

Background: 6 years at Flt options. Beechjet all six years. 13 months to upgrade to capt. Decided to leave Flops when the teamsters were voted in. Applied to SWA in mar 06, 737 type in Jun 06, interview Jul 06, started class at SWA Sep 06.
Now, to answer your questions:

- How does your current flying gig compare to your fractional job?
A LOT less stress.

- Are you happier at your new gig? If so, why? If not, why not?
So much happier now. Doubled my pay from options the second year. Great plane, great coworkers. Lots of flying, (no sitting around fbos)

- Do you miss fractional flying and that lifestyle? What do you miss about it? What do you not miss?
i miss nothing about it.

- How does the flying equipment compare outside the fractional world - impressed/not impressed? Maybe your current aircraft can't compare to the CL300 you flew at Flexjet in terms of...
The plane i fly now is amazing. The support is better. If something breaks, it's fixed at the next stop or two, max.

- If you could return to the fractional world (i.e., offered recall), would you return or not?
I don't like to say "never" but, never.

 

[clickclickboom]

Background : Hired at Corporate Wings in the beginning of 99 to fly a citation 2 and Conquest 2 was there three weeks and called for a beechjet initial and transfer to flight options did a year on the beechjet had a 6 month upgrade spent my 7.5 years there in the mid cabin program.

It was a great job I mean a blast I was single flew all over the place had some great layovers really miss the early years of flight options. Flops was a great job that got worse every year. 1 year the senior flight officer program dissappeared along with $1200 a month, next year the $450 travel bonus went bye bye, then the large cabin jets started dissapparing etc... I was sub 100 on the sen list and at the time there was around 900 pilots.

Bailed for jetblue in late 05 and dont think i could ever go back to corporate or frac. I love the pbs I love asking the wife what events we have planned the next month and bidding accordingly, I love the fly the jet go home mentality.

I certainly dont miss loading bags on a hot august summer day in pbi completely soaked in sweat


Flying is not as dynamic or exciting but who cares. The only thing i think about is my family when i am on the road anyways I could care less about the plane. It has wings, burns jet fuel and goes really fast they all do.

If i stayed at flops I would be pic on the citation X and barely making 85K

Will do about $150k this year plus retirement and benes

 

[clueless]

What Mr. Magoo said above, with 10 exclamation points.

Best day of my flying life was getting the call from SWA. Second best day was buttoning up the jet at CShares knowing I was never coming back.

After more than six years away from Shares, I still taxi past FBOs I used to rot inside of while sitting in Barcaloungers and shudder.

 

[Ticker]

Mega dittos a-la Mr. Magoo and Clueless. I suppose I'll eventually see you two on the road...likely after 2015.