Silver (Gulfstream) or non-flying aviation job?

USN88

USN88

Well-Known Member
Hey all, I'm seeking some advice.

I'm 24, have about 400tt and 110 multi. I'm about 6 classes shy of finishing my degree from Embry-Riddle with the veteran's GI Bill. I interviewed with Silver Airways (Gulfstream) last month and haven't heard a peep from them since. I've talked to the Chief Pilot, and HR and they've told us that they are short captains and that the next couple of classes may be entirely captain new-hires. If I took the job, I'd be commuting from SoCal to Billings (more than likely, and at 2-legger at that), for 19/hr. But it is flight time, and 121 turbine at that. In order for me to get the 1500 hr/ATP by next August I'd need to be in a class by May at the very latest. They also have a 24 month training contract.

I also interviewed at a new fractional/pt. 135 charter company that flies the new Embraer Phenom based right down the street from me in SNA. The job pays more than double what I would make at Silver. The catch is, I'm not flying. It would be as a crew scheduler more or less. It sounds exciting and the possibilities are there for growth and upward movement. With the additional income I could work on my CFI and build time on the side and eventually do that full time. The pay is about 45k plus benefits.

I'm having a pretty hard time deciding which would be the best route to take. I'd love to jump into an airline cockpit now, but on the other maybe the fractional/pt. 135 job would could open more doors, not to mention the additional income helping get a CFI, pay down minimal debts, etc. My degree is almost complete and I'm 24 so I'm really in no rush.

My goal (for a regional at least) is Skywest and I told myself I wanted to be there in 2 years. I have the multi time already which seems to be the hardest part when time building, so I'd only need to instruct private-comm students if I were to go that route. That would definitely alleviate the "I need more multi" stresses.

What would you do if you were in my shoes? Thanks for any advice!
 
If I were you, I'd do the 135 job. Take the additional money, work on your student loans and get your CFI and instruct to get your times up to SkyWest/ATP minimums. Save any little bit that you can, those savings will come in handy when you start on year 1 pay at any regional. Commuting to Billings for $19/hr? No spank you.
 
One of the users on here worked there and may have some advice on that. I'll let them message you and give you the scoop. From what they've told me, it can be an ummm, "interesting" job....
 
Yea, they are a fairly new company and I'm sure they have their share of kinks. But I've been waiting for Silver to call for over a month and I need to do something.
 
I was gonna say go to Silver and finish your degree at ERAU Worldwide (online) until I read you were gonna commute, I wish that upon nobody.
 
^^ That's the plan. I was at the Daytona Beach campus and after I finished all my ratings (as much as the GI Bill would cover... no CFI), I moved back home and planned on finding a job and finish that last bit of the degree online.

I commute doesn't seem bad, but I think it would get old really fast. 2 legs to work and back, every trip. Oh man.
 
USN88 said:
^^ That's the plan. I was at the Daytona Beach campus and after I finished all my ratings (as much as the GI Bill would cover... no CFI), I moved back home and planned on finding a job and finish that last bit of the degree online.

I commute doesn't seem bad, but I think it would get old really fast. 2 legs to work and back, every trip. Oh man.
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You're commuting to fly a 1900 at $19/hour.

Whereas, if you work for JetSuite, you can drive PCH everyday to and from work and make those who live in wintery climates insanely jealous by posting beach pictures on Facebook. And you'll be making a comparatively large paycheck.

(you can guess as to what I would do...)

Edit: For me, I really cannot stay away from airplanes. While I prefer to fly them over just about every other gig, I wouldn't mind taking my turn flying a desk if the situation and culture was right and the opportunity to (still occasionally) fly came up.
 
One leg to work and back got old really fast. I don't think I could EVER consistently do a 2 leg commute.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
You're commuting to fly a 1900 at $19/hour.

Whereas, if you work for JetSuite, you can drive PCH everyday to and from work and make those who live in wintery climates insanely jealous by posting beach pictures on Facebook. And you'll be making a comparatively large paycheck.

(you can guess as to what I would do...)

Edit: For me, I really cannot stay away from airplanes. While I prefer to fly them over just about every other gig, I wouldn't mind taking my turn flying a desk if the situation and culture was right and the opportunity to (still occasionally) fly came up.
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Haha, true story. I grew up here and left when I joined the military. It was then when I realized I never want to leave SoCal again.

I'm the same way, I've only ever want to fly and be around airplanes. If you would have asked me 5 years ago if I would have taken a non-flying job over a flying job I would have laughed in your face. But now, I'm thinking this non-flying gig might open up more doors. Yea, I won't be flying for a living. But it is a means to get me where I really want to be, which is in the cockpit of an airliner. Not to mention, it might be a good experience too. I'd definitely be in the cockpit quicker if I took the Silver job, but given the circumstances of it (commuting, the pay, etc) I may become just another disgruntle guy stuck with a 2-yr training contract. Or I could enjoy being home in SoCal, make a decent living, get my CFI and learn a little more, then go to the regional I really want to be at.

Maybe I'm crazy? Ugh. I need a crystal ball.
 
Id build up another 100 hours and just apply at any regional hiring. I hear Mesaba is taking people at 500/50.
 
I say take the desk job. Right out of college I was working on my CFI and managed to get a job at a 135 outfit in northern cali, I worked dispatch (10pm-7am) for a year, while i flight instructed during the day, made connections, they liked the hard work I put in, and typed me on the Citation II, a year later a lear 45. Worked for them for 6 years. You will learn more than you think scheduling/dispatching at a 135 company that will help you once you start flying. Although I have never commuted per say, my hour drive to and from the airport got pretty old, tolerable, but old.

Best of luck to ya
 
SeanD said:
Id build up another 100 hours and just apply at any regional hiring. I hear Mesaba is taking people at 500/50.
Click to expand...

For a while now, all new hires under the Pinnacle Corp. umbrella are going to the Colgan certificate, which requires 1000/100.


USN88 said:
Haha, true story. I grew up here and left when I joined the military. It was then when I realized I never want to leave SoCal again.

I'm the same way, I've only ever want to fly and be around airplanes. If you would have asked me 5 years ago if I would have taken a non-flying job over a flying job I would have laughed in your face. But now, I'm thinking this non-flying gig might open up more doors. Yea, I won't be flying for a living. But it is a means to get me where I really want to be, which is in the cockpit of an airliner. Not to mention, it might be a good experience too. I'd definitely be in the cockpit quicker if I took the Silver job, but given the circumstances of it (commuting, the pay, etc) I may become just another disgruntle guy stuck with a 2-yr training contract. Or I could enjoy being home in SoCal, make a decent living, get my CFI and learn a little more, then go to the regional I really want to be at.

Maybe I'm crazy? Ugh. I need a crystal ball.
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As tempting as the flying job is, there are going to be flying jobs at the airlines for you in another year or two. Wait and put yourself somewhere that won't completely destroy your QOL.
 
JetSuite by leaps and bounds. Right seat in a Phenom isn't exactly rocket science...the primary qualifier is going to be "will I want to strangle this guy after a week on the road", and in your case they're going to KNOW the answer ("no", one hopes). I'd rather wash dishes than fly for Scumstream, but you have a real, viable aviation alternative. No-brainer.
 
Boris Badenov said:
JetSuite by leaps and bounds. Right seat in a Phenom isn't exactly rocket science...the primary qualifier is going to be "will I want to strangle this guy after a week on the road", and in your case they're going to KNOW the answer ("no", one hopes). I'd rather wash dishes than fly for Scumstream, but you have a real, viable aviation alternative. No-brainer.
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Ha, I wish it was for the right seat. It's actually for what they call a flight coordinator, or just another way of saying crew scheduler/dispatcher. Although they pay is 45k which would give me more than enough income to get my CFI on the side and start instructing. Versus 19/hr and a 2-leg commute to Silver. I'm wondering how I'd get all my bills paid, which incidentally, makes me less excited to be flying their airplanes.
 
Yeah, I wasn't very clear, there. I meant that when you're already in the organization, they'll know you, which means that when you meet their minimums for the right seat, one would imagine that you'd be at the top of the list (unless you're a huge jerk ;) ). IMHO, you'd be totally nuts to pick ScumStream over that opportunity.
 
Pm me for more info on js if you need, but it sounds like you have your decision figured out.
 
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