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

[727C47]

in a nut shell, yes, I am happier

 

[captain007]

I was furloughed from NJA.

I got hired as manager of a growing shipping company located at the port of Long Beach. My pay is equal to a NJA JR captain, with better health benefits, and a company provided pension. I am home every night and can take time off whenever I like. The opportunities to advance in this company seem endless.

I thought I would never say this, but there is no way I will ever go back to the aviation industry (NJA recall included). I have turned down several pilot gigs, including a few Major Airline Interviews.

 

[GhettoBeechjet]

My story is similar to Mr. Magoo's. 8 years at Options all in the Beechjet. I left in July 2008 for SWA and feel so fortunate. So much less stress. More money, better employee relations, better benefits. The flying at Options was fun but at the time I left the job wasn't fun anymore. 2008 was a hard time at Options and no one was happy. I have never regretted leaving. I miss most of the guys I flew with. I feel for all the guys on the street and hope that they have the opportunity to return. Hopefully most have found something better.

 

[beytzim]

nj to wn

I got hired by WN back in 05 when I was an NJA captain. It was right before the big contract. When I left it was a no brainer: I was making about 80k/yr as a Hawker Capt.

For the first year at SWA, I often thought I made the wrong decision. I liked the flying much more at NJA, the planes were more fun to fly, the passengers were friendlier, the pilots were nicer, and the schedule better. At SWA, I flew on reserve my first year, flying 85 hrs a month with long duty days. The Captains I flew with were ex fighter pilots who clearly thought that anyone civilian is a moron and a $hitty pilot. It was not fun, and I thought of quitting and return to NJA. The only reason I didn't was for the fact that I would start at the bottom of the NJA seniority.

By my second year, I got off reserve and my pay went from about 65k to 95k. I started liking working there much more. I also started a family and having the ability to fly only three days a week was a godsend for the wife and kids. As my bidding ability improved, so did my happiness at SWA.

After seven years, I can now say that it was good decision to leave NJA. I make about 150k and fly 3 days a week as an FO. I will upgrade in another 4 years or so. But who cares.

I do miss the corporate flying and do look fondly at the FBOs when I taxi by. If you are happy flying corporate/fractionals, and are making over 100k, there is no need to leave for the airlines.

Do not come to the airlines if you have to commute and have kids at home. Stay where you're at.

 

[vixin]

I will upgrade in another 4 years or so. But who cares.

You and I are the same senority. Its not gonna happen in 4 years. I dont care if I ever upgrade, been there done that. QOL is where its at for me. Except for flying with the occassional moron.

Do not come to the airlines if you have to commute and have kids at home. Stay where you're at.

I couldnt agree more with this. If you are going to commute stay where you are at. Unless you see downsizing in your future. I dont know how some commute their entire careers.

 

[BentOver]

Being able to live wherever you want and NOT have to commute is huge. Probably more of a factor in flying for a fractional than any other componenent of aviation.

I used to do a 1 hr commute and it still killed me. Rotting in terminals waiting for the flight home after you missed the last one by 2 minutes. Sitting in Ops for 5 hrs waiting for your trip to start.... Flying is great but I want to be paid for the time I'm away from home. Commuting to an airline does not allow that unless you live in base. If you live in a base then 121 is better IMO.

While at NJA, if I had to wait a few hours for a flight home, it was done in an oversized FBO chair reclined watching ESPN. When it was close to commute time, I'd wait for my pre arranged limo, sedan or taxi to take me to the terminal. If I missed the flight for whatever reason, NJA just booked me on another one. No questions asked.

 

[RJ Bum]

^^^^^^^^
This

 

[gutshotdraw]

Going back to traditional corporate is looking better every day.

If it weren't for the schedule, I'd have been OUT long ago.

 

[imacdog]

Having the schedule is huge.

 

[jonjuan]

Having the schedule is huge.

Which schedule? 7 on 7 off or 3 on 4 off?

 

[imacdog]

Any schedule. I'm talking schedule vs. part 91 no schedule.

 

[gutshotdraw]

A lot of guys here never worked corporate and don't understand that hard schedules are EXTREMELY rare in the corporate world.

 

[Frac Daddy]

I was with RTA/FLOPS for 6 years. Bailed in '06 for FedEx. Liked my frac job, but I can't begin to tell you how much better my current gig is.

 

[johnsonrod]

For those fractional pilots who departed or are looking to depart now, what percentage are looking at jumping to the airline side vs corporate? In other words, has the type of flying done in fractional flying (i.e., adhoc flying, flying VIPs to resort destinations, etc) persuaded one type of flying vs another? If you have flown fractional for years, does flying an A320 from LAX to JFK several times a month for Virgin America or flying A319s for Spirit between FLL and LGA sound appealing? Some pilots would love the inherent stability of airline flying and some would hate it... Sort of a loaded question, but I have spoken with fractional pilots with passionate views about types of flying and what they would do...

I also understand that getting furloughed gives you few choices sometimes to support your family. Not everyone has the opportunity to go to FedEx...

 

[Helmsalee]

Flying for a major airline, while not as much fun as frac flying, is a far superior career. Let me qualify a bit. I am not talking about Spirit, Virgin or any regional. Jet Blue maybe is a possible exception. I do include FedEx and UPS but not all the other cargo outfits no matter how long they have been in business. Income, QOL, and the ability to forget the job when you go home are huge. Now, if you insist on living in one place, and cannot get a major airline job close to that place, then you will have to commute. This sucks when junior, and will erode your seniority even when senior. Those fracs with liberal basing policies might be better for you (if you can get on and stay on). Living in (or near) your base with a major is the best job in aviation. You will make far more money, be home more and can leave the job behind when off duty.
I've done both. Frac flying was a blast but for a career, the majors are far better.
Helm

 

[RideandDrive]

I left Netjets for Spirit recently and I'm much happier. I have worked for other airlines...including Jetblue.

Much easier job and the days are shorter. That being said I wouldn't commute, California to JFK to work at Jetblue. I learned the hard way on that one...
Sent from my PH44100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[FLYLOW22]

I think both have their merits.

121 Major... Live in base... Loved the money. Loved the crews and layovers. Fun. That fun factor has changed a bit I think in 11 years...

NJA... Money is ok... Could be better. QOL is great once I'm off the airline and away from the ERRline terminal. Schedule allows me to actually have a life outside of work. I can actually plan dental appointments. Also, the schedule allows me to pursue other revenue producing ventures that completely eclipse what just a pilots salary anywhere could equal.

I wouldn't say either is a bad choice... Unless your mindset is your limitation.

 

[G4dude]

One of the best threads ever! I love NJA, but am considering a managed plane with a guaranteed contract. Any thoughts?

 

[OPECJet]

One of the best threads ever! I love NJA, but am considering a managed plane with a guaranteed contract. Any thoughts?

Get out while you can. I question the long term viability of NJA. My opinion is obviously biased seeing as I need about 500 of you guys to bail so I can get recalled, but that aside, if you find something more stable than Netjets I think you'd be remiss not to jump on it. Hansell could very well sink this place. He doesn't need Warren and Berkshire to make his millions and boost his ego as Sokol did, and to a lesser extent, Santulli. This makes him one of the most dangerous SOBs out there to your career.

 

[Helmsalee]

How long does that contract run? Bet it's not long enough for a career. What happens after it runs out? Something to consider.
Helm