What should I do, regional or corporate?

[JetSpeed219]

I am not sure on which route I should go once I finish my training and build enough time. I have an excellent opportunity to possibly be an FO on either a Lear 60 or a Challenger for Nordstrom department stores at Boeing Field (I know the chief pilot). I should also add that he told me that upgrade to captain is about 2 years. Or I can do the obvious and go to a regional. My ultimate goal is to end up at a major airline though. So my question is which route should I go if my end goal is a major??? Any advice is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[rattler]

Nordstrom? That sounds like they may be a major player in the corporate community. I don't know if they pay like a fortune 500 company, but if they do...I'd take the job and never look back.

However, I still believe prior FAA Part 121 experience is the best route to a major. Regional Airline pay is poor, but some "regional" type airlines are better than others. I would recommend Comair and Air Wisconsin who apear to lead the industry in pay. Also keep an eye on Mesaba and CoEx (X-Jet) who are currently in negotiations.

 

[Gulfstreamlover]

What are the insurence requirements for them? 250 hours seems kind of low for a lear pilot

 

[banned username 2]

If you are dead-set, no doubt, gotta do it, airline... then do the Regional thing... It is a quicker, more likely way to get to a major... BUT just be prepared to possibly spend your career at a Regional... There are a lot of guys out there who are going to end up staying at a Regional, not by their own choice.

Good Luck!

 

[shamrock]

Rattler,

Whatchu doin stealin' my avatar? That ain't cool!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

If your ultimate goal is to wind up at a major airline....well....be an airline pilot. Go for the regional...

what makes you want to be a major airline pilot?

You got your private and you are already looking at the upgrade on a challenger?

No offense, but if you have the "in" there you get hired with say... 300hrs TT....2 years later you MIGHT have 1300TT. (Not many 91 corp guys fly more than 500/yr). You aren't going to be a Challenger Captain for a reputable company with 1300 hours...
no way, not even close - I dont care if your blowin' the chief pilot! (kidding).

Just keep getting the ratings and build quality time and keep in touch with your contacts.

Good Luck!

 

[JetSpeed219]

Thanks for all the replies, and just to clarify, I'm not going to get the job at 300 hours. He told me he is going to hire another pilot in about a year to a year and a half and wants me to build some descent time so I'm going to have to flight instruct. I wish I could get that job with 300 hours......

 

[350DRIVER]

No offense, but if you have the "in" there you get hired with say... 300hrs TT....

Gulf- Not to sound overly negative but I have yet to meet one person with even a 1000TT that was "insurable" to fly right seat in the equipment mentioned. When I was 135 a good friend of mine got hired into the Lear 60 (right seat) and it was a hassle for him to get insured and he had a substantial amount of time, in excess of 2400TT, 500 multi, a few hundred westwind jet time. As for us the insurance required atleast 2000TT to be "insurable" as a first officer on the Sabreliner so I have a very good feeling that this young buck will have to build up a substantial amount of hours before that "in" he has can be used. You could know the Pope but without meeting insurance minimums that ain't going to do much good.

I would assume it will take somewhere in the ball park of 2000TT+ and I guess it is just a matter of how he wants to aquire that flight time.


good luck,

3 5 0

 

[KingAirKiddo]

I'll echo the previous posts. Worry about finishing up your ratings and then focus on gaining QUALITY EXPERIENCE as opposed to simply putting hours in your logbook. Network, network, network and do NOT step on any toes along the way. The aviation community is very small and your reputation is the only marketable asset that you have.

As to corporate vs. airlines: at some point you will face a fork in the road and have to make a choice. That choice does not have to be made today, as you have not yet gotten your feet wet in the industry. As you gain some experience in various levels of the industry, such as flight instructing, 135 freight, charter, and so on you'll be able to better ascertain which path will be the right one for you.

Best of luck...

 

[banned username 2]

KingAirKiddo is right...

Also don't forget the infamous "Aviation Promise" If I had a quarter for everytime someone told me when I was just starting out "When you get more hours, give me a call and I'll hire you" I'd be rich and retired already! It's great to have good connections like that, but don't bet the bank on them coming through. If they do, great! But if not, don't be surprised.

 

[bobbysamd]

Job promises

I have an excellent opportunity to possibly be an FO on either a Lear 60 or a Challenger for Nordstrom department stores at Boeing Field (I know the chief pilot). I should also add that he told me that upgrade to captain is about 2 years.

My initial reaction was, what's there to decide? You get into a large corporate flight department such as Nordstrom's and you very well could be set for years, as Falcon Capt. would tell you, as opposed to the uncertainty of airlines. On the other hand, as noted above, job promises mean nothing, and not just in aviation. Job promises are broken every day, and not just in aviation.

Take it one step at a time. You have not even earned all your ratings. Do that first, and do that one step at a time. Then, see where it leads. It's great to set goals, and you should, but don't rely on others and their promises. Ultimately, the only person you can rely upon is yourself.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[JetSpeed219]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I will definately NOT count 100% on that job, but if it happens to work out I think that would be my first choice since there is a lot more job security and the pay would probably be better than a regional as well. But I guess I'll just have to keep on flying and see what happens, thanks again....

 

[Gulfstream 200]

one more suggestion...

take that "job security" idea out of your aviation career planning.

I wouldn't think Nordstrom has more security than a regional airline.

 

[JetSpeed219]

I think if I do have the opportunity to get the Nordstrom job I will take it over the regional. I would have to say there might be more security at Nordstrom. The chief pilot there was telling me how the flying there has always been the same, it has never changed even when Sept. 11th happened. He said one main reason is that a lot of the flying is for the Nordstrom family's pleasure. Another bonus about this job is that the family never makes the pilots fly on major holidays. He says the family treats them very well and is a great place to be for the long haul.

 

[B1900DFO]

You could probably get hired somewhere like chq or mesa with low time and build a thousand hours in the right seat of an rj. That would most likely qualify you for Nordstroms. As for Nordstroms or the regionals/majors I would say go with Nordstroms. Obviously just my opinion, but I imagine they pay comparable to majors (especially considering the current wage degradation) and your quality of life would most likely be much better. A regional is no place to spend a career and it's a long road to the majors. As soon as a regional airline gets a good contract they become a target for outsourcing to the likes of Ornstein.