Question for the wiser

[NYYfan]

Alright heres my question. I currently fly for a frax company with the pc 12 as a fo. Im still relatively low on the total time (around 1000) and im wondering if I should either a) stick it out with the company im with till i make captain b) try to find another type of corporate gig or c) go to the regionals like many of my friends to get some jet and 121 experience.

My ultimate career goal is to stay in the corporate field

my issue is that right now im flying in a plane as an fo but the plane does not require a second pilot and im really starting to wonder how useful that time will be later on when i go to apply to another company.

Any help from you guys would be appreciated thanks a bunch

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Well, Look at it this way...After being furloughed I flew a PC-12 for about 1.5 years. Somewhere around 500 hours or so in the thing. Nice airplane, pretty fun to fly, fast for what it is.......HOWEVER, at least for me it was completly useless as PIC turbine time, Most of my career has been spent 121 however so it may prove more useful to you in the corporate sector. Most majors and large aircraft operators (74's cargo etc.) do not even have a place on the application to put "Single engine turbine" much less give it any weight....unless it begins with an "F" an "A" or a "T" and involved a paycheck from Uncle Sam.

Basically, from an employer standpoint, you are co-stoker on a very simple to fly and maintain single pilot airplane.

Bottom line, it is good experience for someone with low time to learn basic turbine. Past that it is pay and QOL. If it pays well and has good working conditions that could be a long term thing, then stay.

If you are looking to fly for SWA or Fed-ex or similar, I would probably look around.

 

[NYYfan]

i thought the pay was pretty good till it did the math and found out that the dispatchers make more....other than that QOL is pretty good

 

[temcgrew]

find another job in the corporate world, if you want a corporate career then 121 time will be somewhat of a blemish for some of the 91 departments. Paywise, doesn't sound like you'll get much more a single pilot A/C F/O. How long till upgrade is possible? If its gona be more than a year, I would find a jet operator to go to, just stay 135 or 91.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

i thought the pay was pretty good till it did the math and found out that the dispatchers make more....other than that QOL is pretty good

Truthfully, If you want to remain in the corporate field, I would try to find a Citation in the area that you could be co-stoker on. The pay is probably just as bad to start, but you would be a required crewmember (on most of them) and will probably be able to at least get a type out of it. Not that a Citation is much better on the resume...but at least the applications have a place to put it!!!

If you cannot find one right off the bat try to find one of the single pilot operators out there and get on their list for F/o on the long days or what ever to get yourself known. I flew a Citation single pilot for a while and used contract f/o's for the real long days and out of the country stuff (ICAO doesn't recognize the SP waiver on the 550 series)

 

[razorbacks]

I can't answer your question directly but I can offer some input towards the 121 question. I flew corporate for a while before being hired with a regional carrier. I have learned a lot flying for the airline and have gotten some great CRM experience but the QOL issue is just too much for me. I commute and am never at home. I make less flying a CRJ than I did flying a Baron 3 days a week. If you can put up with the lifestyle and income of the regionals then you might want to do that briefly to get the jet experience (quickly). Otherwise I would try to make contacts with a 91 or 135 carrier flying whatever multi-engine aircraft you can (especially a multi-turbine). As I have said I've been out of the corporate "loop" for over a year and have since found that it's a tough one to get back into! Hope this helps.

 

[NYYfan]

hey i really appreciate all the advice so far. Im trying now to get a part time job sitting right seat in a citation or kingair but its been tough. If anyone knows any companies looking for an fo in the northeast drop me a pm I would really appreciate it, thanks

 

[G21Agoose]

I would stay where you are- until you find something better; most young/ inexperienced pilots are always looking for a new gig. Enjoy, learn and your chance will come sooner than you think. Good luck.