Some questions for the wiser. If you are wise please click here.

[A-V-8]

So here we are. I am working at a major 121 carrier and I am thankful that I have a job. I am not about to quit and leave for another job unless I think that I will stay there for a career. I want to go corporate for the following reasons.

Seems to me that the family time and personal time will be much greater.

I want to start going to church on Sunday again. I also want to remember what day of the week it is without looking at my watch.

I want to be treated with respect and I am willing to work as hard as it takes to ensure that the company that I work for has a perception of me that I go far beyond the call of duty. I intend to do just that. I always have from my first job in high school to present, you can call any of my bosses and they will tell you to hire me.

I don't care about being on call as long as the call out is a reasonable time period. If the call out is not a reasonable time period but I get called only once in a while and told we need you right now that is O.K. too. I don't drink at all (however I am not offended by it. Ill throws back a coke and laugh at drunks in a bar with my crew anytime.). So always being on duty will be no big deal in that regard.

Equipment! I don't have shiny jet syndrome. I am flying one right now. (CRJ). The nicest equipment around means little to me. I would fly a 152 for the right person. The way that the company treats me is the most important thing to me. Flying nice equipment would be a major plus though because a company that can afford a G5 can afford to treat me well. Weather or not they will is a major factor in leaving my 121 job to work there or not. At least that’s what I think but you guys who are the wiser can jump in and correct me any time.

Every one that gives me advice tells me to ask around and see who is hiring. Boy this is good advice. 3 offers in the first month. All of them like in places that I can’t work. This brings up the largest issue that I have. For family reasons I need to be within a 1 day drive of Baton Rouge. Being there or in New Orleans would be best but Lafayette, Lake Charles, Beaumont, Houston, Dallas, Shreveport, and on the western side Atlanta or any of the Northern cities in Florida would be good. This geographic limitation limits where I can work. Trouble is I don't even know who has planes in that area. I downloaded a list of the 1000 largest companies in the U.S. and looked to see who had corporate head quarters in New Orleans. I checked Baton Rouge as well. From the list of the largest companies in the U.S. I called a few that were based where I want to live. When I asked about a corporate aviation department I get answers like you can send in your application and specify that you are looking for a pilot job or we don’t sell airline tickets maybe you cold look on the expedia web site for a good deal. I didn’t call that many because it was completely unproductive.

Shell is Head Quartered in New Orleans but they don’t appear on the list because they are not an American company. Anyone know about Shell? Do they have planes?

I also looked through the FAAs aircraft data base for Gulfstreams, Lear’s, Cessna Falcons, and etc… This was mostly unproductive because a ton of aircraft are registered to Bank of America. That is who financed them. Not who operates them.

Is there a resource that I can purchase or subscribe to that has a list of corporate flight departments? Air inc.? I know they take a lot of flack on sites like this but I only need one good lead to work for me in the rest of my career.

When I find the right place I also intend to go there and shake a few hands and drop off my own resume. Is that a good idea? People are saying yes.

Also I will have to provide 2 weeks notice to my current airline for my resignation. Is that realistic?

Can any one here help me find a good corporate contact in the areas I mentioned?

Does anyone here have advice for me or others in this situation?

What does a pilot do to prepare for a corporate interview? Books? Not a lot of gouge in this area if you know what I mean.

My info: 1000 Jet. All is SIC. Will make captain around June.
Proudly served my country in the Army. Not as an aviator though.
Clean cut no tattoos, hair dye, piercing etc.. I look just like a regular guy.
No skeletons in the closet like DUIs. Just some tickets in the past. Over 4 years ago.
Other than that I am pretty much clean.

I am just an average Joe looking for an aviation job where they will treat me well.

 

[SabreFlyR]

First off, I believe that Shell's flight department is based at Houston Intercontinental. As far as jobs go here La. like anywhere else, it's who you know. There are no jobs in the Alexandria are. If you want to break into any of the areas you mentioned the best way is to start with one of the 135 operators, Acadian Ambulance in LFT or Louisiana Aircraft in Baton Rouge. Both operate tubine equipment and some of the pilots move into corporate jobs after being around and getting known. I used to do a lot of contract work for a company in BTR that had 2 westwinds and a G3, Shaw Group.There's Lamar Advertising, I think the newspaper company, don't recall the name that has an Excell and Penninton Oil with a KA 350, I am sure there are others. As far as LFT goes I am familiar with most of the operators and no one is looking right now.

Good Luck

 

[Flyerjosh]

I'm probably not a wiser guy (perhaps a bit fortunate, but not necessarily wiser...) and I don't know about the companies down your direction, but it sounds like you're headed in the right direction so far...

I would suggest that you hold out and get your ATP and a type rating. (Of course I'm just assuming that you don't yet have it since all of your jet time is SIC)... At the very minimum you are going to need an ATP to be anywhere near competitive or insurable, even as only a corporate FO.

As mentioned before, "hangar knocking" are a very good way to get to know folks. Dress nicely (suit) and take some resumes around. Find time to sit in FBO's and ask crews that come through if they are hiring or know anybody that is... often you can get tips from a perfect stranger.

Certainly 135 gigs are a way through the door, but the ultimate job is the coveted part 91 corporate job...

Take a look at this website and see what you come up with:
http://www.aviationresearch.com/CHEQONLINE/html/search.asp

Finally, have several people look over your resume, both in and out of aviation. Remember that since you aren't trying to get on with an airline the standard format "canned" resume may or may not cut it. I personally ditched the resume for a more detailed, multi-page Curriculum Vitae, which listed more than just my aviation skills. It's all up to you, but there is certainly no rule of thumb in this environment like there is in the airline world.

~Josh

 

[Canucit]

well as you know aviation is a tough field to be in but a meet and greet is always best, keep your nose to the computer sites they will let you know who is looking
besides all the aviation pilot sites, and not all corporate jobs will keep you home on week ends
good luck

 

[Peardc10]

Corporate Jobs

Looking at an old NBAA book I see the following companies in Baton Rouge:

1. Capital City Press
2. Lamar Corp.
3. Louisiana Aircraft, Inc.
4. Newton Group, Inc.
5. Shaw Group, Inc.
6. Tiger Athletic Foundation
7. TJM Travel LLC

In the Alexandria area:

1. Rusty Baker LLC
2. England Jet Center, Inc.

I'm not sure if these companies still have corporate aircraft since my NBAA book is a few years old, but its a start. As heard from other sources, network....network......network...., stop by and introduce yourself and talk to pilots, drop off some resume's and lastly hope you have some luck and be in the right place at the right time !!!!

Your flight time may be a little weak for some companies, insurance req. are getting stricter and many require "X" amount of PIC or specific type ratings and or at least your ATP. I dont want to sound negative but you are competing with many displaced, fourlough pilots looking for jobs, the problem is that their is not enough corporate jobs to go around. I wish you all the luck, we all need it in this crazy industry.

MY 5Cents Worth!

Good Luck

 

[SabreFlyR]

Looking at an old NBAA book I see the following companies in Baton Rouge:

1. Capital City Press
2. Lamar Corp.
3. Louisiana Aircraft, Inc.
4. Newton Group, Inc.
5. Shaw Group, Inc.
6. Tiger Athletic Foundation
7. TJM Travel LLC

In the Alexandria area:

1. Rusty Baker LLC
2. England Jet Center, Inc.
Good Luck

Of the above, Last I heard Tiger Athletic Foundation is now operated by Louisiana Aircraft.
Rusty Baker LLc is now defunct- my former employer of many years.
England Jet Center is no longer, now Million Air of Alexandria - No flight ops.
Only corporate aicraft in AEX is a C650, Both friends and they are not going anywhere anytime soon.

 

[A-V-8]

Looking at an old NBAA book

NBAA book? Can I get one of those?

Thank all of you for the responses this far. I have 500 PIC but no Jet PIC. I am leaning toward the fast upgrade, free ATP, and the type certification. Will I need total time only or PIC time to be competitive?

During that time I intend to compile a list of all of the gigs that I can. Get to know them and try to jump in whenever I can.

 

[A-V-8]

Your flight time may be a little weak for some companies, insurance req. are getting stricter and many require "X" amount of PIC or specific type ratings and or at least your ATP.

What else do insurance companies look at and what do they have access to. From the experts who surf here (LOL) how much time and what break down by type would be enough for the company to look at my time and say "Yea you got enough."?

 

[Melon]

Good luck in your search, it will be tough since you are restricted to what areas you want to live in.

My advice is no matter what upgrade, get the ATP, and the type. You will need both to start to be competitive. Then concentrate on getting around 1000 turbine PIC, as this seems to be a magic number. Most quality operators are not going to care that you do or do not have a type in a "X-100", they are going to care that you have good solid leadership experience and are the right person for the job. They will then send you to school. I laugh at all the job postings that are only interested in "current and typed only need apply" guys. They are severly limiting themselves to find the right applicant and in my opinion are not the type of organization one would want to work for in the first place. They are not concerned with finding the best person, rather the cheapest to bring on line, nevermind the fact the guy is a jerk, has 3 DUIs, etc. If a company is sold on finding the right person, they will have no problems sending them to initial and footing the bill for all the related costs.

Since geography is a concern to you, I would also submit resumes/applications to the fractional providers, as well as the LCC airlines. Most of these companies do not tie you to one location, so you can live where you like.

Finally, keep in mind no two 91 jobs are the same. Make sure they are a NBAA member company as there are certain standards to membership. Also I would advise doing as much research as possible before I jumped ship because it may be like going from bad to worse if you make the wrong initial assesment. At the interview, everyone is on their best behavior so fly a trip or two before you sign on if at all possible.

Concentrate on upgrading and building PIC time, something will happen for you. Best wishes.

 

[hellas]

flying a crj at a regional is NOT real 121, the majors do treat the folks with a little more respect, maybe not in compensation or retirement but the majors are definitely not the regional so be careful what you wish for.

 

[G100driver]

I agree with all the above posts. You need to get some more PIC time while continuing to fly at your commuter airline. Once you have that, you will have much better luck. One of the first captains I ever flew with (great guy) came off the commuters flying CRJ's. He is now a G captain at a major electronics store based in SJC.

Just goes to show, you can make the jump from commuters to corporate quite sucessfully. Just get some PIC and type.

 

[Emilfly]

I was able to land an ideal 91 gig in my home town area a couple months ago. The CP has since told me what set me apart from other appliciants was that I had my ATP, a type rating (even though it is not in what I fly now), and some PIC turbine time.
I learned of the opening from the girl who works the front desk at the local FBO who heard it through the grape vine. I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time asking the right questions.
Hope this helps and best of luck.

 

[temcgrew]

I want to start going to church on Sunday again. I also want to remember what day of the week it is without looking at my watch.

Five years of corporate flying and I was "inactive" at church and usually spent weekends in Florida, Colorado, Montana, The Bahamas, or any other weekend resort for rich people who were golfing, skiing, or lounging at a summer or winter home. Birthdays for kids, or any other commitments that I had were always cancelled and I ended up looking wishy washy.

I was on a pager 24x7 and was called out one morning at 5:00am because some old ladies lap dog drowned in the toilet and we had to fly her across the country to find a breeder so she could bring home a new dog. The sweet old lady was very sad and really nice to us, but my wife, on the other hand wasn't very understanding that I was gone all day on our anniversery!!

My advice, LOOK VERY HARD for the right job. It may seem all pie in the sky, and I'm sure there are plenty of corporate jobs that have a great lifestyle. I've been at a regional airline for 2 years now, my blood pressure is down, my kids love me again and I'm actually home instead of sitting in a hotel for 3 or 4 days while Mr. GoldCard golf's with Mr. Microsoft and Tiger Woods.

The grass is always greener!!!

Seems to me that the family time and personal time will be much greater.

This was true for me when I went from a corporate job to a regional airline!!! I'm not even flying a shiny new jet!!! I'm flying a loud screaming J4100, we don't ever go above 14,000 feet, I never feel like I go anywere but I have a have a life now like I never had.

This is my corporate experience, others might have a different experience but take it from me 5 years of that stuff and I had enough. Keep your eye out for the right job and you will be O.K. but those are "WELL GUARDED" and only hire friends or old co-workers, so the right one that you want will be hard to find.

Good luck!!

 

[satlol]

for those of you with access to one of the NBAA 'books', could you please list the companies listed in the san antonio and austin, tx area? i used to live in san antonio and austin, but was just beginning my flying career while flying freight and flight instructing...i took a job up north for some experience and would like to move back to texas...i mean come on, who doesnt need their daily dose of Taco Cabana???

 

[Peardc10]

NBAA Book

If you are a member you can buy one for around $400/500. My copy is an old version that I keep in hand just in case my current gig changes, you never know what will happen in aviation!!!!

Keep plug'n

See ya!!!!

 

[Flyerjosh]

flying a crj at a regional is NOT real 121, the majors do treat the folks with a little more respect, maybe not in compensation or retirement but the majors are definitely not the regional so be careful what you wish for.

??? Not to change the subject of the thread, but what makes flying a CRJ at a regional between ORD and OKC any different from flying an A320 along the same route? It might not have the same BENEFITS or PAY, but it most certainly is "real" 121. At least as far as I'm concerned.

I've had just as good a contract as a major airline pilot in terms of work rules & pay per available seat )... the only difference is that I had fewer seats. (in fact my PPS was better in many instances.)

 

[p3hawk]

For what its worth

So far nobody mentioned anything about the fractionals, unless I missed one.
Citatition Shares might be a good place to start with your experience and time.

NetJets is by far the "Macdaddy" of them all, but they want and for the most part get the most experienced pilots that apply. Flex jet also comes to mind.

Give it a shot, you'll never know until you do.
Good Luck, and Cheers P3hawk

 

[X man]

jobs in Louisiana

My favorite cousin lives in Monroe, just spent some time down in Baton Rouge, ran across a company in Lafayete(probably spelled that wrong too), who are involved in medical transport, Cessna 441, King Air 200, some piston stuff, apparently they are in the need of some expereinced crew. I will try to get their contact name and number, he has it.

 

[SabreFlyR]

My favorite cousin lives in Monroe, just spent some time down in Baton Rouge, ran across a company in Lafayete(probably spelled that wrong too), who are involved in medical transport, Cessna 441, King Air 200, some piston stuff, apparently they are in the need of some expereinced crew. I will try to get their contact name and number, he has it.

It's Acadian Ambulance. Besides the ambulance runs they do 135.

 

[LSU Fan]

Last I heard, Butler Aviation in Houma is looking for King Air pilots. Wants 3000 hrs total and 500 in type. Don't know if they will take less, but they are really hurting. One C90 and 2 200's. Don't know the pay but the people there are nice.