What is Life like flying Corporate?

[Jetdriver69]

Great reply from Gulfstream 200. I pretty much agree with everything he said. Sometimes it is better to more lucky than good. That is how alot of guys find sweet corporate jobs. That is what happened to me. But the most important thing is to be a team player, try to get along with everyone and do not be the dirtbag that will throw your buddy under the bus that almost every sizable Fortune flight department seems to have.

 

[CRJCA]

Corporate

Great response G200. Well...great response everyone so far really. Humility is key. Never assume there isnt someone standing over your shoulder ready to step in and take your job. No matter how mundane things seem, be a professional. Like somebody else before said, get a good reputation. Show up on time, be courteous to everyone involved in the op, not just the principles. Corporate is much more team oriented than the airlines and will require much more of you than just good flying skills. I came from the airlines into corporate and highly recommend it. It can be a bit clicky, particularly in big departments, so be careful who you are befriending at your job. Otherwise, have fun and enjoy a very rewarding career. Good luck!


P.S. Oh yeah having alot of type ratings helps too!!

 

[FlyingPieceOfSt]

I work approx 8-10 days a month.

Never paid for a type rating (never will) Any place that brags that they pay for your type rating scares me. Its part of doing business, not a perk. Hire the person not the rating. The first rating or 2 can be hard to come by, but after a certain amount of experience look for the job that hires YOU, not the rating.

Pros are the TIME OFF. I'm home with my kids more than 99% of dads I know. I love being able to enjoy family/hobbies during the week when others are working. The money can be good for the amount of work also. I have friends at major airlines and they all work way harder than I ever have.

Cons are - an odd schedule. You will miss the occasional event/holiday. I have been lucky in this area, but expect to be away..sometimes FAR away. The better paying/more secure jobs are USUALLY on the long range planes.
Biggest Con IMHO - the challenge can wear off fairly early. It's not something I can see doing for 30+ years. Once you see the world and fly a few neat planes it sometimes becomes..well...just another F'n job (which is exactly what it is I guess?) The travel gets old, jetlag, headcolds, sleepless nights, etc are part of it.

Be known as a good guy, be predictable, and a be good pilot. Have a backbone and make rationale decisions. Nothing sells a guy better to me than someone saying "He's a real good guy/girl to travel with and I'd put my family in back with him/her on the worst winter night" etc....

The things to avoid? - avoid becoming the career Co-Pilot. Pass up that right seat gear yanking jet job and get some solid PIC time and build yourself. Also - avoid being a douc*ebag. lol. Nothing worse than being on a long trip with a judgemental, know it all, no hobby, social retard corporate pilot

Also - possibly the most important IMO - live where the jobs are!! It always amazes me how people are upset they cant find work when they live in Timbuktu. Play the percentages, its common sense...more planes, more jobs, more networking etc etc..in the best of times its tough to convince someone to move you - nearly impossible any other time.

To answer the last question - YES - I like being a corporate pilot for now. Mostly because it happens to be a great job while my kids are young and I can spend a lot of time with them (who would have thought?) However, I dont see it being the type of job I want to stay in and retire from. Who knows...

Good Luck to ya!

200, do we work together? Sounds like the same 91 gig here. Same friends, same perspective. Good statements.

flying

 

[sleepy]

Schedule: I get it at 6pm the day prior.
Work: 10 to 12 days per month on average.
Pay/Benefits/Retirement: As good as any major airline.
People: Most good, a few nuts, you have to be able to get along because you fly with the same 14 people all the time.
Job Security: Good.
Politics: Yes, plenty of drama.
TSA: Only have to deal with those idiots in BOS and PWK.

 

[PlaneJohn]

So, I have pretty much ruled out flying with the airlines. And I am now wondering if I want to fly corporate or walk from aviation all together?

How many days a month are you away from home?
Will a company usually pay for your first type rating?
What are the pros and cons to the corporate lifestyle?
Do you like being a corporate pilot?

Answers to any of these questions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Corporate jobs are as varied as there are makes and models of airplanes and seldom are any two alike. I personally have flown for two corporate departments, and a 135 operation during the course of my career. Each job I left was of my own choosing, and all have been an advancement in pay, QOL, or type of equipment flown.

7-8 days wih maybe 3-4 overnights.

I have never paid for a type rating to date, and never will.

Pros: Excellent equipment, been skiing, boating, major sporting events, fishing, great resorts, golfing, above average hotels, top of the line dining, home just about every night with family, and seldom do I work weekends.

Cons: Politics, working with the same 2 pilots (can be a good or bad thing if you do/don't get along), not always knowing your schedule until last minute, loading baggage, washing and stocking the plane.

YES

 

[pilotusnow]

Thanks for all of your comments!!

 

[pilotusnow]

Thanks!

Thank you all for the great comments!
It helps to have a perspective from someone
who is already flying corporate.