Should I quit my job?

[bigbird]

I have been working for this company for over a year now. I feel like I am being treated unfair. I am a copilot on a king air B200. I have about 1300 total hours now. 500 in the king air. This company is a part 91 operation, so I do get some flying time. The company has no plans to send me to school so I can become captain. This job has become very boring for me. Just sitting there in the right seat of a king air, with hardly any responsiblities. Is this the typical corporate job?? Or should I look for something that will give me a chance to advance my career? Maybe my time is just too low to do anything else. Just looking for some advice.

 

[2000flyer]

I wouldn't jump ship just yet unless, of course, you've got something else in line already. As I'm sure you're aware, now is not a good time for a pilot to be looking for a job.

With that being said, if I were you (just guessing by your brief post) I'd be looking for a job as well. While there are companies out there that hire only pilot's for the right seat, I think their few and far between. In a "typical" operation, at least from my perspective, you'll start in the right seat, advance to captain then swap seats there on, or until another new hire is brought in for the right seat.

Grin and bare it until you've got something else lined up. Having a stretch of pilot unemployment on your resume won't help you get another job.

Good Luck!
2000Flyer

 

[falcondriver]

I've been laid off twice this year. Take my word for it, stay employeed till you get something else....
falcondriver

 

[pa56pa]

I second that motion.. I have a friend who's got a little over 1000 hours who would do anything to be in your shoes... Hang in there, for something better always comes up, but you have to wait for that opportunity. Cuz if you do, let me know, so I can help my buddy out and apply for your King Air position.. lol.

It seems that, that's just the nature of the beast.. I have been with a charter company in which I've been laid of twice within 2 years, and it's no fun... not in these economic conditions btw.. good luck... and keep in touch.

 

[bigbird]

Oh, I would never quit until I had something else... I am just wondering if this is a typical flight department or is this rare? I also get no benifits and only get paid by the day. And of course I am expected to be on call all the time.

 

[501261]

Have you ever considered that they might be planning on you to quit? Why train somebody when there is no room for upgrade, or you are not planning on staying, or you don't the company "profile". Any number of reasons, I don't want to sound harsh, but sometimes it just doesn't work out, they might be doing you a favor by keeping you around till you find something that better fits your "profile". Certainly a lot better solution for everybody than putting you out on the street.

Just something to thing about.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I also get no benifits and only get paid by the day. And of course I am expected to be on call all the time

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**.....maybe consider just quitting that one!!!
No really, that is not a corporate job, sounds like a bottom rate 135 charter or rat-shiit Pt 91 management deal....

KEEP YOUR JOB, but do some serious job shopping. Many will say there are no jobs out there right now, I really believe it depends on where you live and who you know! Keep up a strong resume, strong contacts and bottom line, KEEP FLYING. Get checked out as a PIC on that King Air. Underemployment is EASY to explain, Unemployment (by choice) is harder. Believe me, people like to hire pilots who are currently working.... for some reason.....

real "corporate" jobs pay fair to excellent, have days off, DONT have pagers or on call all the time, and have real benefits, stock options, 401ks, etc......

there are lots of these out there and you will find them with more experience!

good luck

 

[Wiggums]

How can you be ATP is you only have 1300 hours?

 

[banned username 2]

I have been working for this company for over a year now. I feel like I am being treated unfair. I am a copilot on a king air B200. I have about 1300 total hours now. 500 in the king air. This company is a part 91 operation, so I do get some flying time. The company has no plans to send me to school so I can become captain. This job has become very boring for me. Just sitting there in the right seat of a king air, with hardly any responsiblities. Is this the typical corporate job?? Or should I look for something that will give me a chance to advance my career? Maybe my time is just too low to do anything else. Just looking for some advice.

Good Grief,

1,300 hours and bored with the King Air already... when I had 1,300 hours (back in 1992) I was a CFI in a C-172 and a Beechcraft Duchess... I didn't burn any Kerosene until I had 2,450 hours...

Have you taken any initiative to show you are motivated and a team player? Is there extra things you could be doing at your job to make you stand out and show them you are a good, hard working employee? If you just drag yourself in for your trips and then slink off after they are over, maybe they figure you aren't staying around... so not worth spending money on...

Just my $0.02 worth

 

[irapilot]

Falcon Capt. is right. What have you done for yourself lately? How are you logging your "co-pilot" time in an aircraft that doesn't require a co-pilot? Do you have a high altitude sign off? If not - you can't log PIC when you "some flying time".

I would have given a vital organ at 1300 hours to fly in a turbine but I was out flying freight in crappy aircraft all over the northeast, single pilot without the company culture that would “allow” me to cx the flight.

There are so many pilots without jobs out there – keep your job until you have another, work hard to develop a relationship and prove your worth with your current company. Do the best job you can for them – this might improve your situation now and put some “ammo” in your pouch for later in your career.

Good luck

 

[CL60]

Perspective

bigbird,

Sometimes its best to stop what you're doing for a while and stand back to get some perspective. Do you know how many hours... no, forget hours... years most pilots spend in the right seat?

In the not-so-distant past, things were great for newbies in this industry for a long time. Now that things have slowed down, if people don't make captain by 1,500 hours they think there's something wrong! I've heard the same story many times over the years and it still amazes me.

Maybe my time is just too low to do anything else.

Maybe??? I hate to sound harsh but you need to wake up to reality. Judging from your post, you've been flying for a little over a year at best. Maybe two... You landed a King Air job at 800 hours and you feel cheated!

If you're bored in the right seat of a KA after only 500 hours then, either this type of work is simply beneath you, or you're just not paying attention. You can learn something from every flight if you want to, especially when you're just starting out.

If you're seeking advice, evaluate yourself and gain some perspective.


Good luck,

 

[banned username 2]

Well said, CL60!

 

[bigbird]

Bored? Feeling cheated?? Hell yes. I have spend alot of money and time on my career. I deserve a salary and health benfits. I dont give a #%#@ what anyone says. I will NOT fly for food or do any other work for beans. I am old enough and deserve to make a decent living just like everyone else. If this is the way most jobs are going to be, then I am going to use my degree and make a real living. I just hope someday I can find a company that I can fly for and be paid and treated fair.

 

[bigbird]

And another thing....Looking at the people that responded to the my post, they obviously are willing to fly for free. Which drives down the treatment and salaries for pilots.

 

[CL60]

You asked...

bigbird,

If you aren't interested in the advice of people who have been through this process, then please don't waste our time by asking for it. We spend our time on this board to help each other.

The way things are in most careers are not always the way they should be.

 

[falcondriver]

I don't fly for free. You can see by my profile that I have good time, including over 1000 pic turbojet. I was laid off for the first five months of this year. That is how long it took me to find a job. I worked for another 4 months and got laid off again. It took me another month to find a job this time. I have responsibilities and need a paycheck. I agree that people flying for beans hurts all of us. If you haven't realized the aviation business is a little slow. If you can use your degree to get a better job, good. But if you want to see how bad it really is then leave your present job and see how fast they fill the slot. The rules have changed since 9/11. It will get better but nobody knows when, so see ya when the economy picks up.
FD

 

[pa56pa]

**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** bigbird... perhaps someone fogot to mention due diligence and patience are two other factors you needed to have as a career pilot. With 1300 hours, you have a LOOOONNNGG way to go.. I started out like you, at 800 hours, got my first Citation SIC gig, got laid off after they sold the A/C out of the blue, got another Lear SIC gig, laid off just prior to 9/11 with the same company..

And I feel lucky to have a job at the moment finally earning PIC time on a LR55.. and yet, the job, the $$, the whole QOL picture can be better. But never forget that the road to getting there is more meaningful than the end of the road.. You're relatively new here, and you've only begun to scratch the surface at your experience. Without patience, you may as well take a different turn and get a real job.

 

[vixin]

Hey bigbird,
Its called paying your dues. I am tired of whinny pilots that just want theirs. And they use that old excuse that they will not prostitute themselves. We have all paid our share in one way or the other. If you are unhappy use that degree and open the seat for someone that will work. Its not like this is where you plan to hang your hat. Get the time, look elsewhere and for now be happy you are flying. I think your attitude sucks, given the market conditions. While I do agree you shouldnt fly for food and I never have or will. With 800 hours what did you expect from that company. You are lucky to get the time. And now with 1300-1500 you are excpecting to be captain. What have you done to prove you deserve it, bitch the entire time or being in a bad mood?. Have you talked to the Cheif pilot? You still have a lot to learn. I agree with CL60 andd Falcon.

The bored part is funny. I had a mech. fly with me once and he stated it well. Our job is filled with 5 min. of fun at both ends of the flight and filled with hours of staring out the window. That said, this beats a 9-5 job any day. My office view is great.

 

[Dep676]

Hey bigbird,

I think you should keep the job and listen to these guys. I was in a situation just like yours except I wasn't doing any cleaning of the plane and was only working for 150 a day. I know I don't want to hear it from others. I this would of aviation you need to look out for number one. You are sitting pretty good with that amount of time. You should just be lucky to have a job and be getting paid. There are plenty of guys with 2 or 3 times your time out of work. Be thankful with what you have and stick with it. Otherwise quit and let somebody else take it. You could be asking do want fries with that instead. Just be happy you are in the air. This guy could decide to fly single pilot and tell you to hit the road. Then what?

Most guys with 1300 hours are still flying single pilot in some piece of sh!t piston that has sh!tty MX. Flying around in the weather and being pressured to do so by some a$$hole CP that threatens to find someone else to do your job. (Side note not saying all CP's are a$$holes.) I just had one that was and made us feel quilty for not flying into a level 6 TS with no radar. Never did it myself. But you could be doing that instead of sitting in a nice KA 200. Think real hard before you quit. Then kick your self a month later when you are wearing the golden arches cap.

Good Luck

 

[bigbird]

Thanks for the posts. I understand how you guys feel about my so called "bitching". All I am asking is why cant the company treat me a little better. I am a commecial pilot, I deserve to get my bills paid every month. I am not looking to get rich here. How do you think I feel when the plane goes down for repairs for two weeks?? No paycheck... I am trying to find another job, but they are hard to come by as you know. I have told the company I would be willing to stick around or sign a contract. I just want some compensation for my time. I am sure the janatior for the company makes more than me and has a stable income. Is that much to ask??