the life as a "corporate pilot"

[HawkerF/O]

Technically speaking (for pay and regulatory purposes ) I am a captain. However, I just consider myself a pilot qualified in both seats on our aircraft. Never been a "title" sort of guy.

2000Flyer,
You're a class act. You really are. No ego, as professional as they come, and nothing to prove except for the fact that you fly the airplane safely. 1st class. They don't make them like you anymore, and that is not a good thing.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do when (if) you get pared up with someone that is none of the things I just named above? How do you handle that? How do you shut them down? Thanks.

 

[HMR]

...and then, of course, there is the benefit of watching your children grow up (and being there to participate!)

and, most importantly, spending almost every night at home in my own bed with my wife.

That's my next project.

 

[501261]

2000Flyer,
You're a class act. You really are. No ego, as professional as they come, and nothing to prove except for the fact that you fly the airplane safely. 1st class. They don't make them like you anymore, and that is not a good thing.

Having actually met the 2000Flyer, I can personally verify that he is as you have described him!

 

[Stealthh21]

Or you will find a great company, and then out of no where...it's just like the rest.

 

[501261]

I totally understand why your current position is one with high QOL....but, dont you get bored only flying 48 times a year? No offense at all. I would love barely working throughout the year, but still, barely working is barely doing anything. I guess its one of those things that having side-projects get rid of the days spent watching paint dry.

You know there's simply more important things in life than going to work. Which do you think is more fun to me, a 4 day, 16 flight-hour international trip requiring 6 overflight permits, or taking my kids to Seaworld?

Hint: I'm fired up to see Shamu!

 

[HawkerF/O]

Having actually met the 2000Flyer, I can personally verify that he is as you have described him!

There is no doubt in my mind.

 

[2000flyer]

2000Flyer,
You're a class act. You really are. No ego, as professional as they come, and nothing to prove except for the fact that you fly the airplane safely. 1st class. They don't make them like you anymore, and that is not a good thing.

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do when (if) you get pared up with someone that is none of the things I just named above? How do you handle that? How do you shut them down? Thanks.

You're (and 501261) too kind. Thank you. I'm humbled by your compliments.

We really only have one CAPTAIN ego in the department. He, and his wife of all people, refer to anyone he flies with as "his copilot." Generally speaking, he's a nice enough guy and easy to travel with until his supremacy issues surface. For example, paying for the fuel he'll hand the credit card and receipt to me (especially if there is a good looking CSR behind the counter) and tell me to put it in the log. To this I reply with a chuckle and walk off leaving him holding the card and ticket. Most of the time he knows when he has crossed the line.

Generally speaking, I'm not one to call and ass an ass unless they really cross the line. He made some self glorifying safety remark to the passengers (along the lines of he'd protect them from my landing) on my fourth or fifth trip as a new hire. Well, imagine two big horn sheep butting heads! Ever since (9 years and counting) he's never again made such a statement or joke. Lets just say I pick my battles.

To make a long story short(er), I'm not a confrontational type unless safety is an issue. If there is a issue that comes up, I'll discuss it in private over a beer and move on. I loathe people who decide to pick an argument in front of peers and co-workers (just another example of supremacy issues). I think you'll be more respected and appreciated down the road rather than to jump into it foaming at the mouth. I've found in those situations they only remember that you were completely ticked off and not the reason why you were so angry.

Again, thank you both for the kind remarks!

2000Flyer

 

[2000flyer]

Have you ever done the 91/135 deal???

I've done each separately, but never 91/135 while flying for a corporation.

 

[Flybet3]

I've done each separately, but never 91/135 while flying for a corporation.

oh ok.....How long did you do 135? did ya like it?

 

[2000flyer]

oh ok.....How long did you do 135? did ya like it?

Almost 20 years ago I flew 135 for a little more than a year. It was for a "mom and pop" operation doing charter, cargo and air ambulance. I enjoyed all but especially the air ambulance. It's nice when you know you're making a difference by helping someone.

 

[Mercury]

You're (and 501261) too kind. Thank you. I'm humbled by your compliments.

We really only have one CAPTAIN ego in the department. He, and his wife of all people, refer to anyone he flies with as "his copilot." Generally speaking, he's a nice enough guy and easy to travel with until his supremacy issues surface. For example, paying for the fuel he'll hand the credit card and receipt to me (especially if there is a good looking CSR behind the counter) and tell me to put it in the log. To this I reply with a chuckle and walk off leaving him holding the card and ticket. Most of the time he knows when he has crossed the line.


2000Flyer

Geesh, he works for you guys too!!!! , Just kidding, I shouldnt judge someone I've never met but it seems to me there is always one in every group!!!!

Cheers

 

[AA717driver]

GulfstreamSDL--When I got started, only flying 48 days a year would have been like a prison sentence. I wanted to FLY!!! Get me out there on the line!

But now, I'm 47 and my daughter will be off to college in a year and my 8 year old likes me being around. You cannot get that time back. That's what's important to me now.

When the kids are gone and the wife is working full time, I may want to fly more. But until then, I'll take these long stretches with time off.TC

 

[BizAvFA]

No one has mentioned that some are one heart attack away from the Dole.

 

[Lead Sled]

GulfstreamSDL--When I got started, only flying 48 days a year would have been like a prison sentence. I wanted to FLY!!! Get me out there on the line!

But now, I'm 47 and my daughter will be off to college in a year and my 8 year old likes me being around. You cannot get that time back. That's what's important to me now.

When the kids are gone and the wife is working full time, I may want to fly more. But until then, I'll take these long stretches with time off.TC

Exactly. Having a low key job is as good as it gets at this point in my career. If the wife and I have a spur of the moment urge and feel like jumping in the 'ol S2000 and taking a 5-day road trip we can - and do.

It wasn't always quite this good. However, during a 25 year corporate career I've avaraged 12 days duty days and approximately 50 hours per month. I've also averaged 8 RONs per month during that same period. (My wife of 34 years tells me that the RONs got me out of the house and saved our marriage. :0 )

I did the airline thing a long time ago and I found out that it just wasn't for me. Different strokes for different folks, but once the novelty of flying "big" airplanes wore off (and it does very quickly) I found it pretty boring - just how difficult is flying a radar vector departure to the departure gate, fly the route, then vectors to an ILS - repeated ad nausium. Personally I really preferred the "hands on" aspects and variety of corporate flying. There are few places on this planet that I haven't flown myself to. I think that if I was a Southwest pilot and only had to look forward to a 35 year career flying 737s on domestic routes I probably end up slitting my wrists. But hey, that's just me.

One thing about it, there is a lot of variety when it comes to corporate aviation. (Please don't confuse those 91/135 positions as corporate. They're not and they, almost across the board, suck.) If you can find a good corporate job there's nothing better. Unfortunately, there are also bad ones out there and there's probably nothing worse.

'Sled

 

[Jeff775621]

thanks everybody for the advice

 

[AA717driver]

Sled--Having done 15 years in the airlines you are right on the mark. I wouldn't trade my time there but I'm glad I was able to make the move I did.

THANKS AA! TC

 

[Spooky 1]

Agreed. To many years at the airlines although they were what some would refer to as the "Golden Years", but none the less I have enjoyed the coprorate flying as much as anything I did in my prior life. Leaving the company that I have flown for during the last five years and starting anew with someone else next week. Life is a hoot if you just keep thinking positive.

 

[Propnose]

I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones who works for a unshceduled 135 charter company that loves my job AND the company! Although we are "unscheduled", we fly corporate shuttles that operate on a schedule. We also do charter search stuff, which is a nice change of pace after doing the shuttles for a while. We also do some 91 stuff, but the bread and butter is the 135 ops. We know our schedule a month in advance and our work week is 7 on 7 off.

 

[Groundpounder]

5: Our new plane is scheduled to enter pre-buy next week.

What are you getting, and what do you have now?

 

[Flybet3]

I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones who works for a unshceduled 135 charter company that loves my job AND the company! Although we are "unscheduled", we fly corporate shuttles that operate on a schedule. We also do charter search stuff, which is a nice change of pace after doing the shuttles for a while. We also do some 91 stuff, but the bread and butter is the 135 ops. We know our schedule a month in advance and our work week is 7 on 7 off.

That's nice...I dont understand why all the other 135 operators can't do something similar.