What is *THE* best company and why?

[Capt. Gab]

Hello.

I have a question for all you seasoned pilots out there. (Disclaimer: yes, I'm very new to aviation.)

I have to ask, what makes a company so desirable? From a pilot's perspective, what's the most important? The final pay at B747 Captain? The vacation? Time off in a month? The way you're treated as a person? Time to upgrade? Anything else that matters? (Pretty F/A's come to mind )

I guess I'm asking, because I seem to understand that people are really willing to get a type rating to work at SWA, for example, and I want to know why, and not from an economical perspective. Now, this has nothing to do with SWA in particular, Fedex seems to be very popular as well, and I end up wondering why.

I don't want to leave corporate pilots out either, what about corporate and fractionnals? What do you guys like the most?

And for all those pilots that don't have that yet, where do you most want to end up and why? (A reversal question would be why don't you like where you are at the moment)

Well, I want to thank everyone who's gonna take the time to reply, and before replying, please note I'm Canadian, and live in Canada, therefore this is only for my personal information, as I do not wish to move to the U.S. I'm only asking because I'd like to start looking gradually as to what that industry has to offer at the top, and what exactly I should be looking for when I get to make an opinion about one company in particular.

Thanks again,

Gabriel

 

[Beechnut]

THE best company in aviation is the one that's still in business when you retire.

S.

 

[bobbysamd]

The best company

To answer your question, all of the above.

It's a balancing act. You might make a zillion dollars a year flying for the majors, but it could mean you have to commute and spend a lot of time away from home. At a regional you might earn a lot less money and get sick of flying several legs a day between a big hub and East Armpit. On the other hand, you may be at home more and have more time off.

I think some companies are more desirable than others because of the way they treat their employees. Southwest is a great example. They don't pay as well as the larger majors and many people find it objectionable to pay for a 737 type in order to apply. Despite these obstacles, people beat down Herb's doors for jobs because of the outstanding culture. I've always believed that fair treatment of employees can more than compensate for lesser pay. Also, higher pay often fails to overcome oppressive treatment. Plenty of people leave for less pay because they can't stand the atmosphere of a company.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[TurboS7]

Just like women, the best company is the one that you are with. The rest are just a wet dream and a fantasy.

 

[puddlejumper]

I'll Tell Ya Who the Best Company is...

The local engineering firm that hired me just over a month ago is **The Best Company** on the face of the earth! And as far as I am concerned, the 3 or 4 pilots and FBO CSRs who helped me out in the referral stages have made it to the very top of my holiday greeting card list.

To be able to earn a respectable salary flying a well-maintained turbine aircraft for folks who respect me as a pilot with a company that's been in business over 70 years... now that's refreshing. Especially in today's aviation environment. (now if they send me off to a writing class, I'll owe them for long time)

I'll be giving 110% to ensure a secure future with these people. It's certainly an employer's market right now. As pilots, we need to make sure we're doing the right thing and contributing as much as possible without coompromising the integrity of professionals everwhere.

-PJ

 

[Capt. Gab]

Somehow I thought people would react more... I guess most people are getting screwed right now...

Alright, so from what I can gather, Southwest is treating its employees better than most companies. In what respect? How do they get such a good atmosphere?

puddlejumper - Can you give me an example of what really stands out from your company? I mean, what exactly is it they do to make you feel so valueable? (You can reply in private if you prefer)

 

[FearlessFreep]

At this point in time any company that pays you on time and does not bounce the check is probably a good company.

If you asked this question a year and a half ago I am sure that you would have gotten far more reponses. Right now it is an employer's market. Lots of people to choose from who would just be happy to have ANY job.

As far as WN, you would have to talk to those people individually to get a true idea of just what they think of their company. I have heard many differing opinions from the people that I have talked to that are employed there. I doubt that there would be much candor in the communication WN employees would give you on a public forum such as this. You should not think that this board is beyond the view of management from any company. On the interview board there was one member who had to cease and desist all communication because he was getting in trouble at WN. His information and communication was totally objective. Who knows what the the result would have been if there was any negative sentiment in his communiques.