[dschoetmer]

Anyone out there know of a corporate pilot position that is open in the Southeastern, Indiana / Southwest Ohio area. I am looking to get out of the airline industry. Thanx

[emeraldpilot]

Corporate is lot tougher than most airline guys think. Nothing is done for you. You have to worry about rental cars for crew and pax, limos, catering, hotel accomodations for the pax. Also don't forget to check that the rental car does not smell like smoke or you will get yelled at. Make sure the catering is right, I have known people to get fired for that one. Don't set the pax luggage on an oil spot either, almost got fired for that one. Don't forget to get coffee for the airplane. Did you remember to get the right newspaper? Make sure the fueling goes properly. Don't forget to pay the bill at the FBO while you are quickturning in 20 minutes.

Sometimes you get an EDT and pax don't call for 3-4 hours and suddenly show up and yell at you for not being ready to leave right then. Or they may not show up at all and leave you hanging for 6 hours without a call.

In corporate you will fly less days but usually work the same amount of days. EX: Not only do you have to sit in Springfield, MO (not a fun place) for four days on a trip but you usually need to go into the office a couple of days per week to do some office work. On your days off you can't just leave town. you have to be within 1-2 hours in case a pop-up trip occurs. Don't tell your friends or family that you can make an event or gathering either because you won't have a set schedule and a lot of trips pop up within 3 days of departure.

In regards to being a captain, whole different ball game. There is usually no seniority system. If you are young and/or have less than 5,000-8,000 hours experience you don't know jack; Regardless of how well you perform or how many years you are there. Also if you work for a company and are an FO you usually wear that brand unless you go to a different company.

All this is worst case scenario and there are a few good corporate jobs out there and some people have had great careers in corporate but its tougher than flying 121. Flying 135 corporate is the worst as you deal with more stuff than this and get paid less (usually). I have flown both and I am going back to 121. My father flew for Continental for years and loved it. He never complained about the company. I am just recommending that pilots really need to think about what a corporate job entails before they jump the 121 ship. Best of luck to all!

[Leewenhooke]

I'll second all that. I've been at it for about 6 months and you wouldn't believe all the "non-flying" stuff I get roped into doing.

We get treated well on the road and are friends with the owners as opposed to flying a bunch of ungrateful strangers. If a month goes by and no one needs to go anywhere, you just don't have to go to work for a month. On the other hand, if we have to fly every day for 30 days in a row, there's no duty day restrictions to protect you.

The thing I hear often from flight department heads is that they are reluctant to hire 121 guys due to their unwillingness to do all the side work. EVERYTHING is on you. Flight planning, maintenance coordination, cars, catering, cleaning the hanger/plane/lav, the owner's wife's yappy dog, etc. If you want to make a good impression on a potential employer, you need to stress your willingness to do humiliating crap in order to work there.

Good luck!