Why do you like to fly bizjets?

[400A]

Oh really?!?! Let's see then, I celebrate my 18th anniversary in a couple of months, and have two strappin' young lads. When I'm at home [note: I fly about +/- 325 hours a year and about 60-90 RONs] I awake and go to bed with hugs from all. When I'm away I get frequent calls from all. I'd say I'm pretty well set, wouldn't you? Three guys in my department have all raised families and have been married 25-40 years. Sounds like they are pretty well set too! Our most junior guy has been here a few months. The most senior, nearly 35 years.

Now, if I went airline, I'd have...what...13-15 RONs a MONTH (roughly 156-180 a year)...more than double what I'm doing now. Given current conditions my pay would be nearly the same as with an airline. I'd probably be worrying about the next round of furloughs or if my airline will even make it to 2006!

Nah, I'm pretty well set as a corporate guy, happily married to a loving wife and two wonderful children.

2000Flyer

PS - What Falcon Capt and GV said too!

I am on board with all these guys, Married 17 years, 3 kids, help coach 2 of three teams, less than 50 RON's a year.

Knowing who is in the back is nice, as well as knowing who put wrenches on it and how it has been flown by other crews.

Also 8 hours a day of whinning and complaining about contracts and management would drive me insane.

 

[Kingairrick]

I believe there are certain personalities that fit better in the airline world, and others that are better off in corporate. Personally, I'm an airline guy. I had a decent job flying a Citation Part 91 with a reasonable salary, but it really didn't meet up to my expectations for a long term career. I decided that I would be happier with the more regimented environment of 121 flying, and I have been very happy with that decision. The thing I enjoy most about 121 is being able to put my full attention into being a better pilot. Everything I do revolves around my cockpit duties. In the corporate world, unless its a very large flight department, being a pilot is often a very small part of the job. Corporate flying is also very diverse, so you have to be careful not to get yourself into a bad situation. I have friends that have dream jobs flying corporate, and I've also had friends that have had corporate jobs from hell. The best thing you can do prior to taking a corporate job is talk to the other pilots in the department, and if you're replacing someone who left prior to you...find out why the other guy left. Best of luck.

I know some slammed him for this post, but I agree. Corporate is about personalities. Get with a good company, and you love it. Get with a dog, and it's a time builder. I also agree that it's a personalty difference that thrives in corporate vs airline. I'm not going to get into the debate as to which is better. Airline is better for some, corp. for others. It's that simple.

As for me, I'll take the long layovers, with the chance to learn and experience the culture of another place, the personal interaction with those that determine my employment fate, and the really cool, top of the line equipment any day.

 

[G100driver]

I believe you.
We only take the 50/900's long range

The 2000's dont go over the water - No RAT. - hence no long range.

It can be done I hear.

I am not getting into that moronic discussion again.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

It can be done I hear.

I am not getting into that moronic discussion again.

I hear ya. I suppose we dont because we dont have to.

I know I have made the crossing in a lot less capable a/c than a 2000....

not that I would WANT to do it again...but it sure can be done..

 

[caseyd]

thanks for the feedback.
I am interested in corporate flying. I know that between my 700tt (almost exclusively c172! and a falcon 900ex there is a long way but what should I do ? go get turbine experience with a regional and then try to find a corporate gig, or try to find a local 135 job( there are a lot in the fxe/opf area where I currently am) and then a corporate job.
thanks again

Hi saviboy,
This thread has grown to seven pages. I can't read more than three so what I have to say has probably been said already. If so, please forgive the repetition. I have spent almost thirty years in this business. The early ones in corp. equipment, the latter ones in 121 service. I have been blessed with great corp experience and seniority at the airline. What maters is the life you live. And that life is directed by you, never give it up. Many have articluated how their own situation served them well, or not so well. I've had a QOL I believe as near perfect as possible; and for that I've been grateful. But I've seen peers in near identical situations brought to ruin by circumstances at the airline beyond their control. I've seen pilots who spent a career near the bottom of the seniority list, living an uncertain life, who are as fufilled as me. And I know that for every fortune 50 guy who spends 5 days a month someplace warm in winter, there are men who can find in that situation something about which to b!tch. The bitching seems to be an occupational hazard. In the unhappiness of which you read , here and elsewhere, a common denominator seems to exist. The unhappiness is driven by externals. So I encourage you to proceed in this profession only because you love it. There is absolutely nothing equivilant to pressing your sunscreen covered nose to the windscreen of any plane on a bright sunny day. They is nothing to compare to the pride that swells when you deliver a load of people (8 or 180, no matter) who have no idea that the judgements you made brought them....home. You will never be properly rewarded for the responsibility you shoulder, I don't care if you fly a seneca, G5 or 787. Riches are reserved for other professions. Meaningful rewards are self given. Be generous to yourself. Come on it...the waters fine whatever route you take.
Regards,
caseyd

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Hi saviboy,
This thread has grown to seven pages. I can't read more than three so what I have to say has probably been said already. If so, please forgive the repetition. I have spent almost thirty years in this business. The early ones in corp. equipment, the latter ones in 121 service. I have been blessed with great corp experience and seniority at the airline. What maters is the life you live. And that life is directed by you, never give it up. Many have articluated how their own situation served them well, or not so well. I've had a QOL I believe as near perfect as possible; and for that I've been grateful. But I've seen peers in near identical situations brought to ruin by circumstances at the airline beyond their control. I've seen pilots who spent a career near the bottom of the seniority list, living an uncertain life, who are as fufilled as me. And I know that for every fortune 50 guy who spends 5 days a month someplace warm in winter, there are men who can find in that situation something about which to b!tch. The bitching seems to be an occupational hazard. In the unhappiness of which you read , here and elsewhere, a common denominator seems to exist. The unhappiness is driven by externals. So I encourage you to proceed in this profession only because you love it. There is absolutely nothing equivilant to pressing your sunscreen covered nose to the windscreen of any plane on a bright sunny day. They is nothing to compare to the pride that swells when you deliver a load of people (8 or 180, no matter) who have no idea that the judgements you made brought them....home. You will never be properly rewarded for the responsibility you shoulder, I don't care if you fly a seneca, G5 or 787. Riches are reserved for other professions. Meaningful rewards are self given. Be generous to yourself. Come on it...the waters fine whatever route you take.
Regards,
caseyd

Well said!!!

 

[seawings]

As a young pilot with no experiences I quickly bored when listening to our older pilots talk about their different trips. Now thirty seven years later (from Twin Bonanza’s to GV’s), and nearing retirement…I have “my adventures” and “my memorable trips”.

Someone once said that…“look at adversity as a thread that adds richness to the tapestry of life”. My tapestry cover the walls of my den, mementos from all over the world, domestic and international, each having a story. No matter how bad the trip was, I endured thinking that this will make a great story some day, and they do. Sitting around with other pilots, whether in Austin or Athens, Bangor or Bangladore, Chicago or Canberra, you will always be able to join the conversation with “your adventure” and like fine wine, they get better with time and the telling.

My career in corporate aviation has always been demanding, always interesting and always rewarding, maybe not monetarily like the airlines, but rich in memories, experiences, friendships and every changing new and challenging opportunities.

I wish you the best of luck in what ever you chose.