What should I do?

[aviator1978]

$42,000 / year + CE-500 type + health insurance in unstable part 91 company where I'll be on call 24/7 and primarily flying a 182.

OR

Go to the regionals. I'm looking at American Eagle, ExpressJet, Republic, Air Wisconsin.

The Part 91 job would keep me at home, which I like, and near my girlfriend, but I could never really plan on doing anything, because of my on call status.

The airlines would take me away from home, but I could plan on hard days off.

It's been driving me crazy. If it weren't for the type, I'd say the regionals. How valueable is the CE-500 type for a 1700 hr pilot?

What do you guys think? Would any of you leave the regional you're at now for the 91 job I described?

 

[av8tor19]

You can get the type, but how much Left Seat time will you get? That's what matters.

A lot of the airline guys do not live in thier base.

 

[flyf15]

Is it your desire to get another job flying a CE-500 in the future? I'd say the answer to this question will give you a pretty good idea of how important the type is.

It all depends on your long term career goals. If your desire is to go to a major, flying a citation around a few hours a year + a 182 all the time doesn't seem like nearly as good of a way to go as getting 800-1000 hours a year in a CRJ and eventually getting typed in one of those too. But, you take a big pay hit, although possibly a QOL increase... especially if you pick the right regional.

 

[RedEye1]

friend of mine hired onto skywest last year and loves it, upgrades their are looking at a year and a half.

 

[DX Rick]

Are you managing this airplane too? Hoe many other pilots for this airplane are there?

 

[SEVEN]

Come and be a part of the airline hiring boom of 2007-2009. You too could be a captain in 2-3 years making 50k with 14-16 days off a month and free worldwide travel privleges for you and your family.

 

[DX Rick]

Ah, I missed the unstable part. There is a reason they're hiring. The guys who recently left know they're going under sooner than later.

 

[SEVEN]

Ah, I missed the unstable part. There is a reason they're hiring. The guys who recently left know they're going under sooner than later.

The guys that left are going to the Majors and Nationals. The others are going to Fractionals.

Did I forget to mention that any flying job right now is a bit of a gamble. But you have to take risks in life sometimes. You never know, you might get lucky. Or you can get unlucky (Last couple of new hire classes at Flight Options.) The point is, you never know what can happen, good or bad, in this industry.

 

[DX Rick]

The guys that left are going to the Majors and Nationals. The others are going to Fractionals.

Did I forget to mention that any flying job right now is a bit of a gamble. But you have to take risks in life sometimes. You never know, you might get lucky. Or you can get unlucky (Last couple of new hire classes at Flight Options.) The point is, you never know what can happen, good or bad, in this industry.

What are your long term goals? stay 91/135 or go 121?

If you want 121, think of it this way. You take the job now, fly there until the go out of business 1-2 years....only because you said they were unstable. Live "by the pager".....or go to an airline and start building a higher seniority number, so when/ if this company goes under, you're not kicking yourself for going to the airlines earlier.

Just the way I see it. Let us know what you do, good luck!

 

[av8tor4239]

Just Go Work For Burger King On The Fry Machine.. You Will Be Much Happier, Make More Money And Save Yourself A Life Time Of Pain And Horror

 

[av8er2]

Stay corp. better future.

 

[aviator1978]

Thanks for your replys.

My long term goals are 121, so I guess I should get in now while the hiring is good.

About the 91 job: there is one other pilot in the outfit, there is some aircraft management involved, and the previous pilot left because of the QOL (on call status, constantly waiting for flights that got canceled, and he got married).

I guess I'm going to try for the regionals. I'm still going back and forth. It hurts walking away from the pay the 91 gig offers.

 

[IADBLRJ41]

I would go 91.. Commuting is not fun and the regionals are a cut throat business that try to squeeze every penny out of their pilots.

My advice: Take 91 gig and the type and try it out for a period of time say 6-12 months. The regionals will always be hiring so if you are that miserable come over to the regionals. At least you would have some PIC and the type completed. The 91 gig might open up other doors that you don't know about even flying the 182 around. With the type done that is one box you can check, and going to the regionals you might have to wait 2-4 yrs for that upgrade.

I know from personal experience... No type, and 4000 hrs and 2nd regional with a upgrade on the horizon to commute to reserve for. I will not move for my company (AWAC) since we open and close bases every 2 years. I have a girlfriend and am thinking about the future with her as well. The regionals are a quick way to rack up some hours other than that it is not too much fun.

My 2 cents.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

I left a job very similar to what you just described after three and a half years and went to a regional. It was great experience, but I wish I had come to the airline sooner. Just my 2 cents.

 

[rogerwilcoout]

$42,000 / year + CE-500 type + health insurance in unstable part 91 company where I'll be on call 24/7 and primarily flying a 182.

OR

Go to the regionals. I'm looking at American Eagle, ExpressJet, Republic, Air Wisconsin.

The Part 91 job would keep me at home, which I like, and near my girlfriend, but I could never really plan on doing anything, because of my on call status.

The airlines would take me away from home, but I could plan on hard days off.

It's been driving me crazy. If it weren't for the type, I'd say the regionals. How valueable is the CE-500 type for a 1700 hr pilot?

What do you guys think? Would any of you leave the regional you're at now for the 91 job I described?

Go for the type, spend about a year building experience and cash for the upcoming regional job. After a year, go regional and contract your services out as a citation driver. Too easy.

 

[MarineGrunt]

I left a job very similar to what you just described after three and a half years and went to a regional. It was great experience, but I wish I had come to the airline sooner. Just my 2 cents.

I agree 100%. If you want to go 121, get in while the gettin is good. SENIORITY IS EVERYTHING!!! Go to a decent regional and you could be a captain in 2 years...

 

[av8tor4239]

BURGER KING.... Dont be stupid.... BURGER FREAKING KING