What Would You DO?

[Nappy]

A question for the board.
I recently got a new corp. job which pays well (top 10% of NBAA), is on very good equipment, and has potential for growth. It required me to move away from a home of 10 years and the wife and kids are not happy with the move so far.
Yesterday, a friend who's been trying to get me an interview at his airline(not a regional), called and said that he was told that I will be getting a call next week for the next interview group.
If and I know its a big if, but if I make it through the interview and am offered a job with this airline it would mean a cut in pay of more than 60% in the first year and probably at least 4 years until the salaries equalize. But we'd also be able to move back home (same house/schools even).

What would you do?

Thanks

 

[banned username 2]

Well.... Do you want to be a Corporate Pilot or an Airline Pilot?

If you jump, you will probably have a very hard time getting back into the Corporate world if they see you left after such a short time...

Are you SURE that this airline is stable and will not be furloughing anytime soon? Make sure you aren't jumping out of the pot and into the fire....

Botton line is only you can make this decision... everyones situation is very different and what might be right for one person might be completely wrong for another...

All I can say is in todays environment, with war looming in the near future and an uncertain economy... be VERY sure about your decision before you leave a good job....

 

[Timebuilder]

I'd keep the good job, and make new friends.

 

[hogdriver00]

ditto

Roger all the above.

Join a gym, church, playgroup, whatever she needs to make friends.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

My 2 cents

 

[V1RT8]

If you had taken a job with just about any airline in the past two years, you would be on the street looking for a job just like the one you have. Be careful. Do what is best for you.

 

[DAL737FO]

Nappy,

I would take the airline job. I mean right now. I'd jump on it! By the way what company do you work for? Could you walk a resume in for your replacement. If you couldn't tell this is a joke. Move the family, buy a lot of phone cards at Sam's club for 3.5 cents a minute and keep in touch with your family. There is a lot to be said for stability in this industry. If the job pay like you say and it's good equipment then that would be the route I would go.

GII/GIII FO

 

[Nappy]

WOW!!!!!!!!!

I'm really surprised by the answers so far. I'm gonna post the same question over on the "Majors" board and see what happens there.

Thanks,

Nap

 

[h25b]

I'd sit back, relax, and be happy that you've got a good job right now. Sounds like you've got a pretty good deal going for you right now and as you can see from DAL737FO's comment there's plenty of people that would love to be in your position. I think now is the time to dig yourself a nice deep trench, keep your head down, and wait for the gunfire to stop before making any drastic career changes in this industry.

On the other hand, "if Mama ain't happy.... ain't nobody happy"

 

[banned username 2]

Re: WOW!!!!!!!!!

I'm really surprised by the answers so far. I'm gonna post the same question over on the "Majors" board and see what happens there.

Thanks,

Nap

Did you really think people would tell you"Run for the Majors"?

On a day when it gets leaked out that UAL is planning to furlough another 2000+ pilots in addition to what they have already... and may other airlines are tetering on bankruptcy...

Even Jet Blue and Southwest may not sail through unscathed...

time will tell...

I have to agree with the rest of the respondents... sit tight and be grateful for the job you have... it sure as he!! beats unemployment!

 

[Heavy Set]

Any hint on equipment type? "Very good equipment" is a bit vague. Are we talking GIV, Global, Falcon 900?

Go for the interview and make your decision once you actually have an offer... Until then everything is moot... It is good to have options.


Good luck!

 

[hogdriver00]

In Denial

Did you really think people would tell you"Run for the Majors"?

On a day when it gets leaked out that UAL is planning to furlough another 2000+ pilots in addition to what they have already... and may other airlines are tetering on bankruptcy...

You guys have to check out thier answers on the major page.

 

[Nappy]

Yeah I just finished reading it. I guess it all depends on what side of the fence you're on.
To answer some questions; yes it is one of those larger aircraft and the pay is like I said, in the top 10% of industry for that size equipment, about 30 hours/mo and 5-10 RON's/mo. The only downside is that its away from home and not in the most desireable part of the country (from a cost of living standpoint).
Disclaimer: I've never flown for an airline so I have no first hand experience as to whether or not I'd like that world, but after 8 years of mil flying and 6 years and three jobs in the 135/corporate world, I'm not sure the grass is any greener there.
Thanks for the input, like someone said earlier, I still have to get the interview first.

Nap

 

[750driver]

All I can say is in todays environment, with war looming in the near future and an uncertain economy... be VERY sure about your decision before you leave a good job....

Excellent advice. I couldn't have said it any better. Do your research, speak with Pilots on both sides of the fence, and then ask your family what they want. Family is always a prime consideration, at least for me. Good luck on your decision.

 

[banned username 2]

The only downside is that its away from home and not in the most desireable part of the country (from a cost of living standpoint).

Ok, I might be a bit confused here...

You keep saying "Away from Home".... Does that mean your family is NOT with you right now... Or do you mean that it is away from the geographical coordinates you once called "home"?

Remember "Home" is where you hang you hat...

 

[Nappy]

Referring to geography in the case of home. Guess the family has gotten to me because when we moved I kept saying to them that this is our new home. But they keep referring to our previous residence as "home" and now I'm doing it too.

 

[md8pilot]

Nappy,

Having flown for a major airline for several years I personally would return to a "good" corporate job if one were offered to me....and hopefully, I'll have that opportunity soon. Flying an airliner, or any airplane for that matter, is an absolute thrill. However, delays, trip extensions, crew scheduling, dirty cockpits, union issues, etc., associated with airline jobs tend to steal from that thrill very quickly.

 

[pa56pa]

Nappy,

Someone said it.... what is valuable to you? If you can get by with an airline job "at home", go for it. If your family isn't going to be happy with the current situation, go airline (as long as it is Southwest.... ) otherwise, stay at your corporate gig. Maybe the wife and kids will just need several months to adjust.

I only know of Southwest being able to ride this storm as they have for the past 31 years.... I was with them for over 12 years thru the fuel shortages, the gulf war.... I have alot of faith in the people of Southwest... I don't think even Jet Blue can survive it.
Anyway, enough of that.. if you want to find out more, PM me.

 

[pa56pa]

Nappy,

BTW, if it is Southwest, even after you have interviewed, it will be at least the year 2004 before you start your class.... they're backed up right now.

 

[P3-Adub]

Been there, done that.

Hey Nappy,

I left the excellent paying Gulfstream job for a MAJOR a while back, back when it did not look like the sky was falling for the industry. I really enjoyed the summer of love, contract negotiations, US Air aquisition talks, Avolar Fiasco, 9/11, bankruptcy threat/realization, and finally a furlough. That aside, I did enjoy the schedule, flying a 737, pay, benefits, and career potential. Unfortunately, that has all changed and the big question is not when will I get recalled, it is if ??? UAL's plans will have far reaching affects on the rest of the industry as well as this possible war, lest we forget the miserable economy. There has been some good advice given here, as they have said, a bird in the hand ! Heavy corporate equipment pays pretty nicely and when you make captain it will be really nice. Especially if it is in the top 10% ! That is not to say that once this mess recovers that you cannot start over again at an airline. I would have had 24 years at UAL so I too was willing to take that huge pay cut. I had a 5 year plan to catch up and recover from the early years at the airline. Now with my furlough and renewed corporate career, it will be quite a bit longer. I am very grateful to have a flying job ! Don't think that other airlines are not watching what UAL and US Air are going through, I truely beleive that all of the great benies and great pay are going to be things of the past. There are a few success stories out there with SWA and JBLU however there is still some uncertainty. Then again, no job has an absolute gaurantee.

This is only my experience so don't take this as a big slam to an airline career, I truely wished it would have worked out. I am still reading posts on this board as a result of my continued interest in UAL and hoping for a glimmer of good news from time to time.

So, good luck with your decision. Make the best of whatever you decide !

PS. I too made the move to another city, fortunately, we are really happy and our previous home is still home to us, always will be but we are really having fun here ! Once you settle in and make some friends, a person could be happy almost anywhere ! Even Detriot, well, maybe not. I would not do that to my family ! Also, a little distance from the inlaws is nice !

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Nothng better than a major airline job.

I would definitly leave a good corp job for the opportunity to fly a big bad 737 and have the opportunity to get govment' cheese........

Is this really a question today? c'mon.....If you have a decent job, BE HAPPY!!

I would rather be flying a pink Citation Jet (well........) than getting unemplyment waiting for UAL or DAL to call me back. (really, that will be soon......ya)