Why go Corporate/Business?

[jetblast27]

I am just wondering (not in a condescending way at all) why someone would choose corporate aviation as a career rather than a major airline? I am not referring to using it a stepping-stone to bigger and better things, but as a career. My impression is that majors pay better, have semi-set schedules, and have a bit more job security. Just wondering what others opinions were.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I think its definitly the job security that is selling the major airline career today.

 

[johnpeace]

No kidding.

Which major would you want to be a 15 year captain at right now? UAL? DAL? If I had 15 years invested in either of those I'd be shaking right about now.

I'm planning corporate/charter as a career because:
1) I prefer working closely with a few people that I know well, especially leadership. I like working in smaller companies/departments because each individual in the company/dept is more likely to be heard. Good luck inciting policy change at a company with 100,000 or even 1000 employees.
2) I prefer the more 'hands on' flying, it looks like the 91/135 guys get to take a little more responsibility for the whole flight than the 121 guys do.
3) Serving a few passengers who really appreciate their flight looks better to me than aviation as mass transit.
4) I believe in it. Airline flying, even first class, sucks. I relish the thought of being able to turn people on to a means of air travel that just totally kicks ass in terms of convenience and comfort.

Lower pay? Less benefits? So what! The guys who have respectable 91/135 jobs that I know are all doing well enough. Will I be able to properly support my family on net jets/corporate/135 charter pay, it looks like I will....and even have enough left over for a bass boat.

 

[FN FAL]

I am just wondering (not in a condescending way at all) why someone would choose corporate aviation as a career rather than a major airline? I am not referring to using it a stepping-stone to bigger and better things, but as a career. My impression is that majors pay better, have semi-set schedules, and have a bit more job security. Just wondering what others opinions were.

The first corporate job offer I ever recieved started at better than 55,000 a year. They had a King Air 300 and a Lear 55. I hear now they start way better than that. I would have been leaving a 38,000 a year pax flying 135 job to take that position.

You ask why some would do the 135/91 route? Simple, more pay now, means more money in the investment portfolio later. Spending all that time and money to get into flying just to wind up bouncing around in a twin turbo prop banging out six legs a day, while making 15-18 grand a year at a regional! Why would anyone want to do that? That's what I want to know.

 

[Lead Sled]

I flew for a major back in the mid-80's. After the novelty of flying a big airplane wore off it was a sucky flying job. I went back to corporate and have never regretted it. Personally, I like the "hands on" aspects of corporate flying as well as the variety - if I had to spend an entire 35 year career flying a 737 on domestic routes I'd probably go mad. Eat your hearts out Southwest pilots.

Lead Sled

 

[UPSer]

I think its definitly the job security that is selling the major airline career today.

Don't compare ALL major airlines to one another, my airline and FedEx both have excellent job security.

 

[Tripower455]

Eat your hearts out Southwest pilots.

No thanks....... I did the corporate thing for a short time early in my career, and while SOME of it was fun, I prefer what I have now........ To each his own........YMMV

 

[350DRIVER]

Spending all that time and money to get into flying just to wind up bouncing around in a twin turbo prop banging out six legs a day, while making 15-18 grand a year at a regional! Why would anyone want to do that? That's what I want to know.

Much easier at a low total time after spending $120,000+ of Daddy's money to go to a ERAU/UND versus trying to get on with a 91 or 135 flight department would be my guess. At that age and fresh out of a "money program" most of these kids are in love with the "airline mystique" and will accept no matter what. Most of the low time guys have very few other options available to them so they are pretty much stuck no matter what they may desire or wish. I have met very few who have been able to make the corporate or 135 jump at such a low total time. The pay will always be relatively low, airline management knows for a fact that these young kids will always be willing to fly at the p!ss poor wages that are being offered, sad but true. Surplus will always exceed demand in this sector of flying, bottom line... If one isn't willing to "accept" the pay then guess what? Yup, 10 others are waiting in line that would gladly accept the pay and compensation that is being offered. I think this outsourcing of mainline flying will not continue to be what it has been in the past.... Keep an eye on DAL in the upcoming months. This industry will never again be what it once was, atleast not in our lifetime. Either accept or let the other 10 people in line take your place...

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[Bandit60]

Lets see..... I fly high tech aircraft. I know the people I fly. I sleep in my bed all but 2-4 nights a month. I make good money, and my particular job is extremely stable. Much more stable than any other major airline out there.

That is why I love corporate flying.

Oh yea, I forgot, my company can't take away my retirement.

 

[mike1mc]

I'd rather be a chauffeur than a bus driver. I like the variety of flying (not Point A - Point B- Point C - Point A everyday). And I enjoy being a part of the operations team, having a hand in what goes on in my job, rather than just being told what to do. There are plenty of corporate gigs out there with great pay, even better benefits, job security, and yes, even schedules.

 

[banned username 2]

Much easier at a low total time after spending $120,000+ of Daddy's money to go to a ERAU/UND versus trying to get on with a 91 or 135 flight department would be my guess. At that age and fresh out of a "money program" most of these kids are in love with the "airline mystique" and will accept no matter what.

Easy on the Stereo Typing/Generalizations there hoss...

I went to ERAU on my dime... Never had any interest in the airlines (although a lot of my fellow students did)... Plowed my own road without any guidance for anyone before me (I didn't know anyone who flew who was ahead of me career wise). Made my own decisions and dealt with any consequences, and got to where I am today on my own... Yes, there were few "rich kids", you will have that at any school... but a very large majority were kids who were trying to scrape up enought cash to pay the bills and eat some mac & cheese all while incuring quite a burdensome debt load...

Your derogatory comments would be like me saying that all America West pilots are cowboy boot wearin', twelve sammich eatin', knuckle draggin' neanderthals who couldn't make it to a real airline... I would never say that... As a matter of fact when I was at ERAU I used to fly American West almost exclusively, and enjoyed their service very much (of course that was 15 years ago, I haven't flown them in a while so can't speak from recent experiences)... America West was my airline of choice as they were less expensive and the service was better than my other choice (UAL)...

Now lets all play nice...

 

[banned username 2]

Wait..you're saying when I graduate Riddle, that I'm not gonna be a captain on an airliner!?!?!?!?

Well... You will, but it will only be a 737... you will have to pay your dues and wait about a year before you can Captain the 747-400... Sorry.. life is rough...

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I gotta say...

The stereotypical Rich Riddle Brat was a very small minority (although very annoying!)

Usually they were military wannabees that couldn't even come close to an academy, so they were 172 Commanders who had nice cars. We called them "mydads" as thats usually how every sentence started...they were also the tools at the bar all crowded together (5 or 6 guys) who said every girl was fat and they wouldn't touch them - and they never did!!..at the end of the night they piled back into dads BMW and went home - together...oh, those poor mydads.

they were a strange group - but I bet thats at any college...

The vast majority were/are , as FalconCapt put it, normal mac n' cheese scarping to get by folks who have loans and work hard for the positions they now have.

 

[learflyer]

Hey, Falcon Capt. I just got back from Smoky Bones!! Finger lickin' good ribs!!
Not bad for a national chain.

 

[AA717driver]

I have the perspective of having chosen the airline route over the corporate world, made it to captain at TWA, got furloughed by AA and am now at a corporate outfit flying great equipment.

If we are going to have upheavals(sp?) in the airline world every 7-10 years, you have to take that into account. You also have to take into account that there aren't large numbers of great corporate jobs. There are a number of good jobs and quite a few lousy ones.

What I'm seeing at my current department(which pays at the lower end of the spectrum for the equipment) is that the guys that have been here 20+ years have just as much disposable income as most major airline pilots I've known(certainly more than the TWA people after a decade of pay cuts). They are as whiney and spoiled as airline pilots(although about different things--just try getting them to eat at Fridays! ).

I miss being part of the airline crowd. I'm sure that will fade with time, it's only been a couple of months that I've been gone from it. I just think it's personal preference and you have to realize there's no perfect job. You just have to figure out which negatives you are willing to put up with.

Either way, I've been very lucky to have been at TWA AND to be where I am now. Good luck.TC

 

[350DRIVER]

AA-

Are you going to take the recall when the call comes from AA or are you content on staying put? The GV is a nice bird, sure you are enjoying it. Simon (KIND) has a few that are amazing..... Are you doing a lot of Intl.?


curious,

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[Gulfstream 200]

good post AA

It certainly seems that corp guys biggest complaints are restaurants and hotels!!

"I dont eat and Fridays and I prefer Ritz Carltons"....imagine... the Marriott or the Hilton just wont do....

primma-donnas...

"Hows the weather at XXX"....--"I dont care, where we staying?"...

 

[Bandit60]

AA717

What you said is great. I have alot of friends that are in the airlines but the ones the ex-TWA pilots are by far the best pilots and persons in the industry.

Good luck to you in the future. I have alot of respect for TWA employees

 

[banned username 2]

"Hows the weather at XXX"....--"I dont care, where we staying?"...

So you are saying that I am wrong in that my first items in trip planning are a thorough BBQ search and a Hotel check? Then I get around to the minor details like flight planning and weather check...

BTW Gulfstream200... I am still laughing at the "Ternaders" comment!

"Ternaders!"... ROFLMAO!!!
(I am easily amused!)

 

[Gulfstream 200]

TERNADERS!!

Just cant get over how the wx channel shows tornado alley all summer and its ALWAYS ALWAYS some torn up "Mobile Home Estates" (like that PC?)...those places are simply tornado food!!

c'mon folks, hitch up the farkin trailer and move!!

Year after Year...Oh the Stupidity...


PS - Now I too must admit, my first move in the "flight planning" is my hotel request to the Flight Attendant. Then I ask around as to where the best place to eat is. Then look at the airport,approaches, and weather to be sure I can get to my nice hotel and my nice meal...

...prioritizing (sp?) is the sign of a good leader..or so they say..