SkyWest CRJ or Left Seat King Air 350

[dodgerk]

Thanks Everyone. That's the first thread I've created and I didn't expect that many responses. I will carefully weigh what everyone said. Best of luck to all of you.

 

[OPECJet]

Both jobs offer something NetJets is probably looking for. I flew both corporate and regional airline and I think it helped a lot getting on with NJA.

I hate to say it, but I would take the job at Skywest. It's probably more stable than your present job, it will introduce you to glass cockpits, you'll gain experience in a higher pressure training environment than you've probably been used to, you'll learn to deal with dispatchers, you'll be operating under regs that are closer to what you'll operate under at NJA.

It will also give you more exposure dealing with a two crew environment. I'm guessing you only have one or two guys you fly with in the Beechjet. Airline flying is vastly different than corporate in terms of crew communications.

I had a similar decision to make 4 years ago when I was flying a Sabreliner. I could either get a typed and fly about 200 hours a year in it, plus a little on the side, or go to Piedmont and fly the Dash about 800 hours a year. I took the job at Piedmont. I was miserable for the last 2 years working there, but I gained skills and tools that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise. I leave for training at NJA tomorrow, so I think I made the right choice. I also think the training I got at Piedmont will give me something to build on at NetJets.

Had I stayed on flying the Sabre, I would not have been in a position to apply with NJA. I'd be short on total time, I wouldn't have seen much in the way of winter ops, sim training, CRM, etc. I would have been happier in the short term, but 4 years of busting it a regional was worth it to get where I am now (or soon will be). Feel free to PM if you have questions.

 

[BoilerUP]

If your ultimate job is NJA, you'll need to get up to 2500tt. You'll also need an ATP.

Sounds like the money and QOL might be right in the KA job, but it'll take you a while to get to NJA's minimums there while at SKW you could fly 950-1000 hours a year and get there quickly.

On the other hand, plenty of 121 regional pilots have been hired at the fractionals but having 91/135 experience probably would be a BIG benefit.

I made the jump from AWAC (after nearly 2 years) to a pretty good 91 job and though I was quite happy with my employment at AWAC I'm not looking back. That said, the experience I gained at AWAC helped me get qualified for the new job...but the NETWORKING I did while flying 91 previously is what *got* me the job.

Decide what your long-term goals are and go with whatever you think will provide you the best compromise in speed getting where you want to be and compensation/QOL until then.

Good luck!

 

[johnsonrod]

I think I read you already flew a Beechjet 400A so you probably have some glass time (and some SIC jet time) to build upon. I would go to Skywest on the CRJ, get the hours and the experience (Skywest has a good route network with a wide variety of destinations) and later apply to Netjets.

There will probably be plenty of Skywest guys at Netjets who could also write you a recommendation when that time comes as well. You will also APPRECIATE NETJETS MORE if you get some airline experience and learn to hate 121 flying.

If you already have the offer from Skywest then I would go there. Enjoy the CRJ.

 

[John Pennekamp]

It's all about the Benjamins. Go for the best money and job security IN THE LONG RUN.

 

[corpflunkie]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but I highly doubt any insurance company will touch you on a KA350 with 1300 hrs.

 

[cfi_greg]

FYI - I'm on year 2 at SkyWest and am very happy. I live in domicile and am gone no more than 5 nights per month. At one point, I went 3 months without spending a night away from home. Still credit 90-100hrs per month. Life is good here...

What the hell I'm gone 20 nights a month, don't live in domincile and fly 80 hrs a month. Got to love to commute. We're all crazy

 

[Sig]

You will also APPRECIATE NETJETS MORE if you get some airline experience and learn to hate 121 flying.

You [orginal poster] gettin' all this? This is one of the best threads on flightinfo right now. Gold.

 

[Vegaspilot99]

I fly the RJ at OO right now and if someone threw a King Air 350 job my way where I could be home based, I jump on it. I don't live in any of OO's domiciles, and we aren't willing to move again right now. To me, it doesn't matter if it's 4 hours or 1...commuting still sucks and I hate it (still on RSV doesn't help). Do what will get you to where you want to be the quickest, but don't give up your QOL to do it. I used to think 121 was where its at, but thats not so much the case anymore...good luck.

 

[WalterSobchak]

...you'll learn to deal with dispatchers...

Oh, c'mon...we're not all bad.

 

[JOPILOT]

I tend to agree with theskyking, OO is a good company although things are possibly looking kind of dark in SGU...DAL+NWA = less CRJ. and < DC9 on shorter jet routes, which means less pilots @ $19.25/hr ! This should not break too many hearts unuless you just signed up for the $19.25/hr.

I would look at the regional that gets me PIC the quickest with a fair QOL, maybe ask for the BRO at 00 which would get you to NetJets sooner!

I think that reaching a fractional for a career is a great goal and possible where the best opportunity other than Fed Ex is today.

 

[BIGGOAT]

Are you insurable on the 350 with 1325 hrs? I used to fly King Airs part 91 and I think the 350 requires a type rating. 1325 is low time for a PIC job.

Goat

 

[dodgerk]

I'm going to go with Skywest and just bite my lip for a couple of years. The insurance company apparently will cover me on the King Air, but the owner is looking less and less like he wants to own his own plane and more like he wants a NJ card. I may not be in the King Air long enough to get my time for NJ. Severe pay cut and all long term it seems like the thing to do. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Vegaspilot99]

Good luck with it. I hope you like it better than I have. I'm on the brink of throwing in the towel at Skywest cause I don't like the flying and can't take the commuting anymore.

 

[bmpilot2003]

Good luck with it. I hope you like it better than I have. I'm on the brink of throwing in the towel at Skywest cause I don't like the flying and can't take the commuting anymore.

where do you commute from and to which domicile? how long have you been at skywest?