Republic Airlines or Nice Cessna 340 job?

[Ilikeairplanes]

Im looking for some advice here... I have an opportunity to fly a Cessna 340 in southern ohio for 36k a year only working 3-4 days a month and an offer at rebublic to fly as a F/0 on the ERJ-170. I know that going to the regional airline would be probably the smarter choice for my career. But it would also be awesome to only work a few days a month and make some decent money. Do you think it would be hard to move on to another better paying corporate job from the 340 job since I will only be flying 150 hours a year? Do you guys have any advice?

 

[Capt. JD]

It depends....

It depends on what you want to do... But I would say the C-340 job, especially with 36k salary flying only 4 days a month! Is that scheduled? Is there a possibility of you getting into a turboprop or jet with that job? Good Luck with your decision, you will need it if you decide to go to a regional with todays market!

 

[Ilikeairplanes]

No they owner only has one airline so no possiblitly to move to other aircraft. 3-5 days a months thats it! No other responsiblities! I have met the pilot that is leave for a new job. The owner also has to give you 48 hours notice before a flight! No on call.

 

[PlaneStupid]

The answer is obvious. Fly the 340 and consider yourself lucky. With your other 26 days of the month you could fly as a contract pilot and earn another 20k very easily. 48 hours notice is pretty outstanding.

 

[G-force]

Ila

Im looking for some advice here... I have an opportunity to fly a Cessna 340 in southern ohio for 36k a year only working 3-4 days a month and an offer at rebublic to fly as a F/0 on the ERJ-170. I know that going to the regional airline would be probably the smarter choice for my career. But it would also be awesome to only work a few days a month and make some decent money. Do you think it would be hard to move on to another better paying corporate job from the 340 job since I will only be flying 150 hours a year? Do you guys have any advice?

Are you married or single?? If you are married take the 340 job,if you are single,you still might want to consider the 340 job since you can always do some networking to find a better job down the road,plus you will have more time off,QOL is generally better.
As for the airlines,nobody is stable except Southwest and most pilots do not like labor disputes and you will be over-niting alot with a PT. 121 carrier leaving the spouse by herself.
If you take the 340 job,get a look at the maintenance logs before you accept the position,this will tell you alot about the organization,also inquire about merit raises,scheduled raises,medical plan,and retirement plan.
Good luck!!!

 

[91100 100 set]

3-5 days a month? Hell, take them both.

 

[LegacyDriver]

I agree. If you take the 340 job it is only going to make it easier for you LATER should you choose to go to Re-pubic.

Flying a 340 in the corporate world could land you some good contacts. Do it for a year and see how the industry is going. You will be an F/O forever on the 170 and F/O time is worthless in terms of upward mobility... Good training for learning how to fly as a crew, but you'll be stuck there forever and ever and ever.

 

[Ilikeairplanes]

The problem with being a contract pilot is that I dont have any type ratings and sort of low time 1800hrs 900multi. I do have 750 turbine though. I guess I could get my ATP and flight instruct on the side and build total time. How does one get into contract flying?

 

[Flybet3]

Listen good

The 340 job is the obvious choice, I know a few guys that flew corporate pistons and then got hired into the right seat of a Falcon 10, a lear or a Citation. As a matter of fact I have a buddy who flew a C421 and then got hired flying PIC in a King Air 200. You can always go to a regional and make 18K a year, those jobs will always be there. But a C340 corp job with only 4-5 days of work, you can beat that. Plus like the boys said, you can do other contract work....hell if you really want some Turb time, you can always go fly an MU2 or a Metro on your days off. If I were you I would take the 340 job and then get some kind of PIC turbine freight job. I mentioned the MU2 job b/c they usually fly monday through Thursday, and you have a set schedule which means you can plan on your sleep time. You think about it this way....
Cessna 340 $34,000/yr + MU2 job $38,000/yr = 72,000/yr
E170 Fo $18,000/yr + Food stamps = 18,200/yr

Good luck my friend and we all hope that you make the right decision (C340)

 

[sleepy]

Honestly, can you find a way to do both? If not, I would take the Republic job. You won't make $36K until your third year, you will be on reserve, but at least you are getting some jet time. The 340 job could lead to something better, but most good corporate jobs will want some jet or turbine experience.

 

[400A]

I would fly the 340 for two reasons. First, Pay! Second, PIC time. If you already have 750 turbine you are in pretty good shape. PIC time is VERY important. Get your ATPMEL. You might be able to talk your boss into using the 340 to do that. I was able to do that. I got my ATP in the King Air 200.

Fly the 340 as your primary, and do contract SIC work in turbo props and light jets to increase your turbine time. Once you are seen around the area as a PIC, then others will consider you for upgrades or right seat jet gigs.

Both choices will advance your carrer. Just with one of them you will still be able to eat.

 

[CapnVegetto]

I'd dam-n near quit my CE-550 job for that one. $36K a year and 26 days a month off with 48 hours notice or starve to death at a $hitty regional job?? It's a no brainer! You can do whatever you want on the side, whether it be instructing, contracting, or sittijng on your a$$ playing video games. Any way you cut it, your QOL will probably never be better. Or you can be gone 15-20 days a month for half the pay, but you get to fly a shiny jet. Whooo hooo!! SIC time is about as useful as an extra arm growing out of your a$$.

Take the 340 job.

 

[rubicon789]

I had a friend that flew a PA31 for a private guy. Something like 200-300 hours a month, and he did that for about a year and a half or so. Well lets just say he was bored, lost his edge/skills, and eventhough he was making great money he left there and went to fly freight. Although it was a step down and probably half the money. He fells so much better now b/c of the experiences he has, as well as the better pilot he has become. I would giv eyou this to think about... where do you want to be in 5 years? Do you really want to be at someones beckin "spelling?" call. If thats the case take the 340 job. I you want to go to an airline or a really good corp job take the 170 job and hope for the best. You don't want to regret what you do so think hard about it.

 

[airludy]

Single pilot PIC is a good thing

 

[rubicon789]

Single pilot PIC is a good thing

Very very true, it is very nice. However, it just depends on your goals.

 

[rubicon789]

Single pilot PIC is a good thing

Sorry double post.

 

[hellas]

Are you serious? GO TO REPUBLIC, you will be flying the most advanced airliner today, be captain with-in 28 months making 75-90K and have a set schedule, as well as the 170 just got the common type with the 190 (JET BLUE) as well as other airlines in the future. And now many airlines want 121 time, you can always go backwards to 91 and a 340 kind of job but 121 can only create inertia and opportunity that may not otherwise be there...

 

[400A]

Are you serious? GO TO REPUBLIC, you will be flying the most advanced airliner today, be captain with-in 28 months making 75-90K and have a set schedule, as well as the 170 just got the common type with the 190 (JET BLUE) as well as other airlines in the future. And now many airlines want 121 time, you can always go backwards to 91 and a 340 kind of job but 121 can only create inertia and opportunity that may not otherwise be there...

Backwards?....

That would be assuming that the regional makes it 24 months. And then you can look forward to starting over again at 18K hoping to get to 75K. With most of the major carriers in or just out of bankrupcy, I would hardly call Corporate a backwards step from the regionals. Not to mention that the few carriers (Air Tran for example) want PIC 121 time. When one of these Legacy carriers goes under I think those guys are gonna have you beat.

Establish yourself a name in Corporate (with us low-life's) and you won't have to start over at the botom of a seniority list making 18K every time you change jobs. Those wages are criminal. I started my last Beechjet co-pilot at 42K.....

If corporate is such a backwards step. how come I have so many Airline pilots resume's on my desk?

 

[hellas]

Backwards?....

That would be assuming that the regional makes it 24 months. And then you can look forward to starting over again at 18K hoping to get to 75K. With most of the major carriers in or just out of bankrupcy, I would hardly call Corporate a backwards step from the regionals. Not to mention that the few carriers (Air Tran for example) want PIC 121 time. When one of these Legacy carriers goes under I think those guys are gonna have you beat.

Establish yourself a name in Corporate (with us low-life's) and you won't have to start over at the botom of a seniority list making 18K every time you change jobs. Those wages are criminal. I started my last Beechjet co-pilot at 42K.....

If corporate is such a backwards step. how come I have so many Airline pilots resume's on my desk?

Republic had 16 saabs 7 years ago and now about 125 145's and about 70 170's on order as well as they have made money every quarter in the market..
By the way, why do you have such contempt in your post on someone else's opinion, and idea, why is it SO important for you to believe that you made the best decision on your career path as a pilot. Does my post question what you did? No. it did not. Im getting the feeling that your confidence in what you chose is in question. Wow, you have made yourself look like the typical corp. head pilot. A little advice, dont make yourself look so obvious. Be happy with what you chose and where you are not because you compare yourself to other pilots..
I have been both in 121 and corporate and they both have they're plus and minus. But the original question was a stepping stone for this individual and where to go for the future and from your post you dont know a thing about republic and what they have and where they are going, so why respond to the guy at all? So you can fly a plane, so what, one day you will realize you dont know everthing. The guy was looking for specific advice and I guarantee I know more about Republic and corporate flying and this choice between these two in particular paths than anyone on this board..

 

[400A]

Republic had 16 saabs 7 years ago and now about 125 145's and about 70 170's on order as well as they have made money every quarter in the market..
By the way, why do you have such contempt in your post on someone else's opinion, and idea, why is it SO important for you to believe that you made the best decision on your career path as a pilot. Does my post question what you did? No. it did not. Im getting the feeling that your confidence in what you chose is in question. Wow, you have made yourself look like the typical corp. head pilot. A little advice, dont make yourself look so obvious. Be happy with what you chose and where you are not because you compare yourself to other pilots..
I have been both in 121 and corporate and they both have they're plus and minus. But the original question was a stepping stone for this individual and where to go for the future and from your post you dont know a thing about republic and what they have and where they are going, so why respond to the guy at all? So you can fly a plane, so what, one day you will realize you dont know everthing. The guy was looking for specific advice and I guarantee I know more about Republic and corporate flying and this choice between these two in particular paths than anyone on this board..

Because you began your own post by attacking corporate aviation and calling it a step backwards!

BTW I am very comfortable in my place in life. Good pay, Nice equipment and fantastic QOL. You made the derogatory shot, and are making personal attacks again. I have no problem with your opinion. I just dont appriciate the deragatory approach to corporate as a career choice. It is YOU who can only give an opinion be attack and fear.

With the current state of the airlines I personally have no interest. When I stated my opinion, I took no shot at the regional pilots as a group. I simply stated the pay stinks. which is true. YOU spoke of Corporate as a second class group of aviators. having to step backwards..

 

[G21Agoose]

Because you began your own post by attacking corporate aviation and calling it a step backwards!

BTW I am very comfortable in my place in life. Good pay, Nice equipment and fantastic QOL. You made the derogatory shot, and are making personal attacks again. I have no problem with your opinion. I just dont appriciate the deragatory approach to corporate as a career choice. It is YOU who can only give an opinion be attack and fear.

With the current state of the airlines I personally have no interest. When I stated my opinion, I took no shot at the regional pilots as a group. I simply stated the pay stinks. which is true. YOU spoke of Corporate as a second class group of aviators. having to step backwards..

Very well said.

 

[hellas]

I would like you to post and quote where I made the corp group a " second class" and sounds to me that I hit a nerve a truth in your ego..

 

[GVFlyer]

Are you serious? GO TO REPUBLIC, you will be flying the most advanced airliner today, be captain with-in 28 months making 75-90K and have a set schedule, as well as the 170 just got the common type with the 190 (JET BLUE) as well as other airlines in the future. And now many airlines want 121 time, you can always go backwards to 91 and a 340 kind of job but 121 can only create inertia and opportunity that may not otherwise be there...

Hellas. Is that a Hellenic reference? In any event, yours is an interesting assessment of the industry. In the past, regionals/commuters were a path to the majors. I'm not sure that the majors (other than flying boxes) are a worthy destination any longer.

When I left the military, I went corporate for a number of reasons. If you get the right corporate job, you will earn as much as a legacy airline captain used to make, fly better equipment to more interesting destinations and have a better quality of life. Another factor affecting my decision was that I couldn't accept the economic opportunity loss that going to an airline would entail. At Delta, it would have taken seven years to reach pay parity with the salary at which I started in corporate.

I think you need to carefully consider the career tracjectory you launch yourself on as the industry is changing.

GV

 

[LegacyDriver]

Are you serious? GO TO REPUBLIC, you will be flying the most advanced airliner today, be captain with-in 28 months making 75-90K and have a set schedule, as well as the 170 just got the common type with the 190 (JET BLUE) as well as other airlines in the future. And now many airlines want 121 time, you can always go backwards to 91 and a 340 kind of job but 121 can only create inertia and opportunity that may not otherwise be there...

28 months? You gotta' be kidding dude. There is no way he will upgrade in 28 months if he gets hired now.

 

[LegacyDriver]

I guarantee I know more about Republic and corporate flying and this choice between these two in particular paths than anyone on this board..

I highly doubt it.

I wouldn't step foot anywhere near RP. Remember, this is the group that rationalized giving the F/Os a crappy pay scale thusly: "It won't hurt anyone who is here right now because everyone here will be a Captain." Take that for what it's worth.

Flying a Mexican Airbus for peanuts? You can do much better than that. And the QOL at the regionals (YES, CHQ, RP, etc.) is sh*t compared to what your 340 job will give you. Going to RP would be a true step backwards IMNSHO.

Why be Joe Cespedes' b*tch when you can be at home kicking back?

For all intents and purposes I am flying the same airplane I flew at CHQ (in actuality I flew mostly the 140 and 145 so this airplane has fewer seats in its 135 guise) and I make twice the money for half the work with twice the time off. The regionals should be your last resort not your first. I was ready to club myself in the head at that place long before I left. It is monotonous and miserable, full of politics and backstabbing...four days on...three days off...four days on....three days off. GAG.

Run. Fast. In the opposite direction.

 

[LegacyDriver]

Hellas. Is that a Hellenic reference? In any event, yours is an interesting assessment of the industry. In the past, regionals/commuters were a path to the majors. I'm not sure that the majors (other than flying boxes) are a worthy destination any longer.

When I left the military, I went corporate for a number of reasons. If you get the right corporate job, you will earn as much as a legacy airline captain used to make, fly better equipment to more interesting destinations and have a better quality of life. Another factor affecting my decision was that I couldn't accept the economic opportunity loss that going to an airline would entail. At Delta, it would have taken seven years to reach pay parity with the salary at which I started in corporate.

I think you need to carefully consider the career tracjectory you launch yourself on as the industry is changing.

GV

Well said, GV.

 

[AA717driver]

I was going to stay out but here goes:

You go to a regional and you go behind all of the regional captains out there. And, they are behind all of my F/O's who are on the street with big airplane time. AND, you go behind me who was a captain at a major. Now, I'm 47 and have a great corporate gig so I'm out of the mix--but my friends aren't. Now, include the military guys who will soon be leaving the service with lots of combat time. Airlines like that.

That is a very long line to get a chance, just a chance, at the "brass ring" such as it is today.

I'll call and ask my buddy at RP who is an E-170 CA (who, btw, has been trying to get on with MY company...) what the upgrade time is there.

You go corporate and start networking and getting a reputation (it'd better be a good rep 'cause bad news travels fast) and you will move up in the world. You stick around here and get contacts and one day you will take GV's, G200's or my place when we retire. The biggest plus is that you get credit for your experience in corporate. If you've been a Lear captain somewhere, it means something. You take that and move up.

But, this is just my opinion and I cannot make your decision for you. A whole lot of people who never went the airline route wish they had. Days of listening to my horror stories and those of my friends from TWA, Eastern, PanAm and now UAL, NWA AND maybe in the future, SWA and Jet Blue etc. won't change that. Good luck.TC

P.S.--Sorry for the lousy last sentence. Hope Tony C. hasn't migrated back from CaaM!

 

[hellas]

legacy, I know you ...and you are slightly biased and bitter, and by the way you would not be where you are now without CHQ and that mexican equip. As grown ups and professionals it is in your best interest and character not to bash former employers. You had issues there, so you left, period! And as for specific people that work there, all places are 10% assh*&es, but 90% of that company were the BEST people I have ever met and what I learned there was invaluable to my (and yours evidently) career. Some of us left on better terms..and felt better about our experience there..


To all the rest, please read my original post the person who was asking the question was looking for a stepping stone i.e. transient stage..If any person can tell me that flying a 340 is better than going right seat 121 for a stepping stone then be my guest, it is my opinion and if the guy ask me again I will give him and anyone elese the same advice. This is now boring me...

 

[hellas]

I highly doubt it.

I wouldn't step foot anywhere near RP. Remember, this is the group that rationalized giving the F/Os a crappy pay scale thusly: "It won't hurt anyone who is here right now because everyone here will be a Captain." Take that for what it's worth.

Flying a Mexican Airbus for peanuts? You can do much better than that. And the QOL at the regionals (YES, CHQ, RP, etc.) is sh*t compared to what your 340 job will give you. Going to RP would be a true step backwards IMNSHO.

Why be Joe Cespedes' b*tch when you can be at home kicking back?

For all intents and purposes I am flying the same airplane I flew at CHQ (in actuality I flew mostly the 140 and 145 so this airplane has fewer seats in its 135 guise) and I make twice the money for half the work with twice the time off. The regionals should be your last resort not your first. I was ready to club myself in the head at that place long before I left. It is monotonous and miserable, full of politics and backstabbing...four days on...three days off...four days on....three days off. GAG.

Run. Fast. In the opposite direction.

What was your seniority number when you left..you a betting man?

 

[LegacyDriver]

legacy, I know you ...and you are slightly biased and bitter, and by the way you would not be where you are now without CHQ and that mexican equip. As grown ups and professionals it is in your best interest and character not to bash former employers. You had issues there, so you left, period! And as for specific people that work there, all places are 10% assh*&es, but 90% of that company were the BEST people I have ever met and what I learned there was invaluable to my (and yours evidently) career. Some of us left on better terms..and felt better about our experience there..

90% of the company were the BEST you have ever met? You must not get out much. There are some truly great folks there like Paggie, Roberg, and a few others... But these are rare individuals for my money (in ANY industry at ANY company).

I'm not here to bash anyone but you don't even KNOW 90% of that company so your statement is ridiculous in the extreme.

Bitter? I was bitter long before I left because there were only 10% of the employees there that seemed to have any integrity. The rest would stab their mothers in the back to get an upgrade or a promotion from my perspective. Why would only 11 pilots vote to strike when push came to shove if everyone was so wonderful as you claim and put the interests of the whole over themselves? Sorry but that was a major sellout and it was done for SELF-INTEREST.

If the company was so great all the rumors and B.S. that pour out of that place on a daily basis about people (not just me) would stop.

Leaving CHQ was THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED to me and I am no longer bitter. I was bitter only as long as they were trying to screw me over. That's all over now. They can't touch me. They can't hurt me. That was the UNION working to right a wrong on my behalf not the backstabbers...

It is far better to be a pilot for a man who knows you by your first name and comes to the hospital to see your three year old with her broken nose than to be number 2246 out of 2800 pilots.

My boss is worth a BILLION dollars and he throws his own bags. I'd rather work for a man like that than for some guy who barely got out of highschool and thinks he is a king because he has "CHIEF" in front of his title.