Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Discussion of topics related to corporate aviation throughout the world.

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JohnnyHotRocks
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Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by JohnnyHotRocks »

Does anyone actually dream of becoming a corporate pilot, or is it something people tend to do when they dont make it into an airline?
Discuss...
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by DanWEC »

Yes to A. No idea about B.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by whistlerboy02 »

Geeze Hotrocks you have a gift with words...... yes I am a corporate pilot and no I didn't flunk out of airline school to get here.
Id say compared to my airline buddies the flying is alot more interesting, the pay is initially better (after 10 yrs they will make more) and I fly alot less per month. I work with a great bunch of guys and enjoy my time on the road.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Roar »

I fly corporate because I really enjoy it, it's a great lifestyle. The Airlines are not the end all be all of aviation.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Gilles Hudicourt »

I wanted to be any kind of pilot fate and chance would allow, and I enjoyed every flying job I ever had.
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wallypilot
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by wallypilot »

I was always aiming for corporate. The airlines were a fallback in case I never made it into a good corporate gig. airline flying was never my first choice.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by V2plus10 »

I never aspired for either, only to have a flying job that supported an enjoyable life. The decision to go corporate was made very quickly upon researching current pay scales (Fairly recently). I'm now making 15-20k more than my friends who chose Encore/Jazz and I have more days off than a few of them combined.
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Shark
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Shark »

That is a rich thread to start Johnny considering the recent accidents which have made all of us pilots look like a bunch of retards this last month.

Aside from how you have asked the question (us corporate pilots couldn't make it to the airlines) I would agree that the majority of new and aspiring pilots aim and stride for the airlines since it's something they have seen first hand. Not a lot of people fall into the one percent category and get to travel on a private jet. I'll be honest and like the majority of the pilots out there my initial goal was to become an airline pilot. But once in the industry my goal changed to what ever would provide my family with the best quality of life and future. For myself this lead me into the corporate world.

You also have to consider how the airline pilot route has changed in this country. If your young, single or not the bread winner then the airlines are a viable and eventually lucrative route to take. Since I didn't fall into those categories I have washed out into the latter group of a corporate pilot who didn't make the airlines.

I can't speak for every corporate pilot but I for one enjoy my job and look forward to going to work. It's a challenging job and I enjoy the various places I get to see from the 4000' strip Airports to the busiest airports in North America. There is many perks that I get to enjoy that an airline pilot does not as well there is perks that I don't get versus the airline route.

The main point of my response to the author of this subject is that every pilot will have their own individual needs and requirements which will lead them to their own career path.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Gilles Hudicourt »

I remember one person posting that only those that didn't make the cut for fighters became transport, helicopter or maritime pilots in the Forces. Some had protested, as some do here, that many had never aspired for the fast jets and had actually asked for whatever airraft they were on, as first choice....

But I guess there was some truth to the initial statement about the Forces because I doubt anyone who didn't make the cut for the transports and was ever relegated to the fighters. ...

As for me, I made no set choice early in my civilian carreer. I spent my life applying everywhere that employed pilots and walked into whatever door was opened to me. Sometimes I had to make a choice when two doors were opened at the same time.....

To state that I had set my sights on any particular job or aircraft when I had 250 hours would be a lie.
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Last edited by Gilles Hudicourt on Sun Apr 05, 2015 7:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
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JohnnyHotRocks
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by JohnnyHotRocks »

Come on guys...it wouldn't be a proper Avcanada thread if the question wasn't at least a little bit offensive to someone!
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Turbolag »

JohnnyHotRocks wrote:Does anyone actually dream of becoming a corporate pilot, or is it something people tend to do when they dont make it into an airline?
Discuss...

I have to admit. I'm a complete retard. I couldn't hack the airline world. Getting sh!t food served between Walmart passenger episodes was too difficult for me. Being paid 38k$ a year to start just seemed too much money so I ran away. I guess in retrospect I could have sold my family to make up the difference. Union labour rules also took too much effort for me to understand. At least in the corporate world I understand that everyone is trying to screw me. The job itself is also way harder. I now have to occasionally get involved with planning my own flight or holding full conversation with my passengers. The other issue is flying somewhere I've never been without a route check. OMG!!!

I imagine most airliners out there will have issues with my above statement. Rightly so. Therefore maybe the original poster could drop his/her superior attitude and try again. You might as well insult a fire bomber pilot for not sitting at FL(wtf) for 8 hours and do down and dirty work instead. Come on. Get some perspective. Not everyone wants to be Jewish or Christian or whatever. Thank god for some diversity and pass the atheists.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by C208 »

I turned down Cathay, AC, Jazz, and Porter to stick it out with Corporate. I just couldn't see myself leaving this company to be at the bottom rung of a long ladder. The interview process were fun and I liked the challenge but in the end I turned them down. I would have to work for 10-15 years at each company to match what my first year pay was at my Company, (And thats for the RIGHT seat) . I work with great people and I am home every night, were encouraged to take courses necessary to further our education in Aviation and outside of it as well, often at their expense.

I do look at the 777s taxi by and wonder if that could be me one day!
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Jasper »

JohnnyHotRocks wrote:Does anyone actually dream of becoming a corporate pilot, or is it something people tend to do when they dont make it into an airline?
Discuss...
Corporate pilots say yes, airline pilots say no. It's the age old I am better than you argument people have been playing since childhood. There is more to life than providing input to an AFCS, like birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and while most pilots can find to a way to attend some, no pilots can attend all.

I liked the control of my schedule and being part of a corporate team and enjoying variety rather than sitting in a cockpit for a scheduled 75 hours per month flying the same old routes day in, day out. What I want in life has no affect on what you want out of life, other than I chose to free up an airline seat for you. You are welcome!
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by cdnpilot77 »

Jasper wrote:
JohnnyHotRocks wrote:Does anyone actually dream of becoming a corporate pilot, or is it something people tend to do when they dont make it into an airline?
Discuss...
Corporate pilots say yes, airline pilots say no. It's the age old I am better than you argument people have been playing since childhood. There is more to life than providing input to an AFCS, like birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and while most pilots can find to a way to attend some, no pilots can attend all.

I liked the control of my schedule and being part of a corporate team and enjoying variety rather than sitting in a cockpit for a scheduled 75 hours per month flying the same old routes day in, day out. What I want in life has no affect on what you want out of life, other than I chose to free up an airline seat for you. You are welcome!

I agree with this 100%...yes I did dream of it since about 4yrs old.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Old fella »

Seems to me to be an ego thing "airline vs corporate" comparison, you are where you are because that is your 'lot in life". Might have been/could have been is abstract as it didn't happen....

Chill down with a glass of white fer Christ sake.
:wink:
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by SuperchargedRS »

I never wanted to go the airline route.

Currently as a ATP down south with the rule changes I could very easily get on with a airline, but that's just not me.

I'm flying on demand single pilot IFR in a pilatus, great pay, only work half the year, home every night 99% of the time and I'm left alone to do my thing! If I did need support or have a question I know the company has my back, our equipment is in great shape and we have 24hr access to mechanics if needed. Also knowing that the work I do makes a difference, cheesy as it sounds, it makes me feel good.

Frankly if I could have the same job, same pay, same schedule and same working condition but fly a DHC2 VFR I'd jump at it, no such animal though.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Sulako »

Corporate sucks. It's awful and I'd encourage OP to never apply.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by JohnnyHotRocks »

Edited.
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Last edited by JohnnyHotRocks on Thu Apr 09, 2015 4:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by bcflyer »

C208 wrote:I turned down Cathay, AC, Jazz, and Porter to stick it out with Corporate. I just couldn't see myself leaving this company to be at the bottom rung of a long ladder. The interview process were fun and I liked the challenge but in the end I turned them down. I would have to work for 10-15 years at each company to match what my first year pay was at my Company, (And thats for the RIGHT seat) . I work with great people and I am home every night, were encouraged to take courses necessary to further our education in Aviation and outside of it as well, often at their expense.

I do look at the 777s taxi by and wonder if that could be me one day!

I very curious as to what company pays $150,000+ to start in the right seat....
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Turbolag »

bcflyer wrote:
C208 wrote:I turned down Cathay, AC, Jazz, and Porter to stick it out with Corporate. I just couldn't see myself leaving this company to be at the bottom rung of a long ladder. The interview process were fun and I liked the challenge but in the end I turned them down. I would have to work for 10-15 years at each company to match what my first year pay was at my Company, (And thats for the RIGHT seat) . I work with great people and I am home every night, were encouraged to take courses necessary to further our education in Aviation and outside of it as well, often at their expense.

I do look at the 777s taxi by and wonder if that could be me one day!

I very curious as to what company pays $150,000+ to start in the right seat....

That's qhat airline pilots don't understand. The world doesn't always start in the right seat!!!!!!
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by watermeth »

interesting question and answers.
I always thought airlines would be boring compared to corporate, and I'm sure it is. I applied and got interviewed by the majors in Canada but was never convinced enough to give my best in what looked like a scripted interview game.
the level of professionalism in the corporate world, the extreme quality of ground staff at various FBO worldwide, flying to unknown countries and airport each time make it truly unique and extremely demanding and requires a level of implication that most airline pilot couldn't cope with. you have to rely on yourself and very rarely did I hear a corporate pilot answer "I don't know", which was not the case with several airline pilots I discussed with...
as for money, there's as much pay scales as there are private jets out there. in the end it's up to you to determine what you're worth...
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by andy_mtl »

Personally , I started school thinking : AIRLINE!
Then I worked 6 years as a flight attendant, and that quickly made me re think it big time.

Now enjoying some of NW ontario in the 703 world, my next move will ideally be for a corporate job.

I'm sure both worlds have their pros and cons , to each its own.

Andy
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by JeppsOnFire »

Like most I'm sure, I started out as a kid watching the airliners come and go and wanted to do that, all day everyday. And, like most, I wasn't aware of what 'corporate' or 'general aviation' really meant outside of the single engine pistons buzzing around. As I gained experience, in the airplane and in the business I started to consider going the little jet route, even though I little bit felt like I wasn't a pilot unless I was driving a Boeing around. I ended up staying corporate and never ended up even applying at the airlines. Not for fear I wouldn't be hired, but after a guy is in it for a number of successful years, living in my hometown with a great schedule and pay (and a family now) you can see how it would be difficult to make such a big step backwards for potentially years. There simply was never a good time to switch.
On the other hand, I have many friends at Westjet and AC and that fits their goals, lifestyle and stage in life. Single or married, not many seem to be quitting to go corporate, although I do know of 3 who have. They will be later in life buying houses and saving for retirement but they will indeed catch up quickly after their captain upgrades.
Airlines are great for young people and older people. The young folks can party on the road and see the world and maybe hookup with their favorite flighty. The old folks command a great schedule and make serious money while not working too much. During the long middle years, the airline lifestyle can put incredible pressure on a young family and for financial planning.
Corporate can suck when you're young (flying with older captains who don't usually get crazy on the road and the pay often isn't great as an FO). As a person reaches the empty-nest arena, the job security, schedule and overall pay won't nearly match what a senior pilot at the airlines would get. However, the middle years are fantastic. With plenty of time at home with a young family, buying a home much younger and making very good money to save for the future is why many people stay.
Which is better? Like all other opinions, that is completely subjective.
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Jet Jockey »

Did both jobs and both have their pros and cons.

Started in the charter corporate business then went to City Express on the Dash 7 (bad pay and conditions but it was fun). Got hired at Air Alliance (became part of Jazz) on the Dash 8 when they started their operation. I was on their third course.

Then I got the chance to fly for Inter-Canadien (the Quebecair jet division) on the FK28 and was based out of France for 3 years (that was a great job!) but then the owner decided to separate from Canadian Airlines and go on his own... BIG mistake and we pilots knew the writing was on the wall. Also at this time (early 90s) the airline world in the USA and Canada was going to change big time because of deregulation. It did and the airline pilot job changed for ever (for the worse IMHO). Layoffs, big pay cuts even for the pilots at AC and so on. Then 9/11 happened making airline flying even more boring (closed cockpit policy).

Anyway I decided then (while in Paris) to go back to the corporate world and I have never looked back. Been with this company for 24 years now and I'm very happy. Work conditions are excellent so is the pay. I fly top notch equipment that is always extremely well maintained (better than the airlines). Flights can be small hops of 25 minutes to long range flights of 12 hours. Destinations are worldwide from the USA to Europe to the Middle-East to Asia. Per diems are generous, we stay at top notch hotels and when on extended lay overs we can rent cars and travel. We fly on average 250 hours a year (3 to 4 times less than some airlines) and our pay is better than 90% of the airline pilots (except for the most senior pilots on the biggest aircraft at AC).

In the end it all depends what you want and expect from your flying job. The airline world is not as secure as it used to be, doesn’t pay as well (compared to the 60s, 70s and 80s) but still as some upsides to it like a more stable monthly schedule (important to some for their life style). Some prefer the regular/set destinations and the fact that they just go in and fly the aircraft (no passenger interaction).

On the other hand usually the corporate world is the opposite, lots of passenger interaction, a monthly schedule that must remain flexible (although we have our “days off”) and destinations that can be different to all sorts of places in the world depending on your equipment.

On the subject of “days off”… for my company we usually get 10 days off a month but if a trip overlaps your requested “days off” we will get paid overtime or if we wish, we can arrange to switch them to different dates. But really the aircrafts never fly 30 days in a month so basically you are “OFF” for 10 days and on standby (2 hour call out) for the remaining 20 days unless the trips are already scheduled.

Finally it comes down to saying… To each his own!
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Re: Do people aspire to be corporate pilots?

Post by Scuba_Steve »

Perhaps I'm an oddity here but I'll weigh in... I'm a former corporate pilot who is now flying for an airline.. I love my job and after making the jump to the big(er) jets the mystique is gone and Tbh I had more fun flying smaller stuff and when I taxi by a citation X or a Challenger 300 I get more pangs of jealousy than when I drive by a guy headed out on a 16 hr flight to Japan in a 777.

Do I want to go back to the corporate world? No... I enjoy the flying, the crews and the passengers and I am lucky to have a variety of flying, decent seniority an opportunity to progress to other positions / air craft if I like however... If the music stops here will I go to the bottom of the list elsewhere, or head overseas? No I'll be here asking about good corporate gigs...

Also if I happen to receive a job offer to fly one of the above mentioned corporate birds for a decent company I'd have some serious thinking to do :-)

If you find a great corporate job but have a desire to fly the big stuff in the end an airplane is an airplane... But everyone is different I've never really been a metal chaser..

Cheers
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