Career flying Cirrus charter?

GulfstreamG4

GulfstreamG4

Well-Known Member
hey guys, I am in the middle of my training, currently ifr working towards my CFI. That being said, I have absolutely NO interest on going to the regionals or majors for various reasons that i'm sure most of the people here can figure out. I really don't care about flying jets or all the things that most pilots base they're entire life around, I would be completely content flying a cirrus, pilatus or a twin for a career. I was wondering if anyone on here is making a career out of flying cirrus charters? I understand this is far from the conventional path for one to take and most would use a 135 charter in a cirrus as a stepping point for something with a major, but whatever. Thanks in advance, looking forward to hearing some replies.
 
Any reason you feel you have to commit to a career decision already? Try any job you might like. If you like it, stay. If not, quit. But I'll bet you a beer you end up at the regionals in a few years.
 
cstewart6 said:
Any reason you feel you have to commit to a career decision already? Try any job you might like. If you like it, stay. If not, quit. But I'll bet you a beer you end up at the regionals in a few years.
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I guess the whole lifestyle of the regionals never really appealed to me at all. Reading all the horror stories of people on here and all over the internet don't really help my view on it either. Granted, I know most people are entitled and don't want to work for anything. Don't get me wrong, if the right regional job came around one day I would obviously take it but I feel like I would be much happier flying little hops every day and being home every night. I know most people would say this is the wrong career if you want to be home. I guess i'm just kind of the opposite of everyone in the field. I sold my landscaping biz to pay for all my training so I will not have the huge debt burden most who bee line for the regionals will have. Hanging around my airport and talking to people, I've noticed everyone wants to fly jets and only cares about multi/turbine time but I feel like, at this junction in my life, I would much happier flying what I mentioned. As for what Jimmy Norton said, starting at 35k is better then most all regionals, and I would have to assume after a few years with the company they would give you a raise, no?
 
Nope. No raise. Pay cuts at my old 135 company. Followed by less days off and then even more pay cuts. I thought regionals sounded boring and went 135 because I wanted to have an 'adventure' lol. Well it was just ok and im glad its over. Absolutely try whatever job you want. But I expect you to buy me that beer when you've had enough bs.
 
Yeah, you'll get a raise to $36k. The bigger the airplane, the bigger the paycheck, at least in the 91/135 world. And there are plenty of other ways to move up in the world, I've never flown an RJ, and hopefully I never will.
 
As a young and inexperienced pilot, I'd hope you strive for continual improvement. Flying any piston single or twin, you'll peak pretty quickly and that improvement will stagnate. Lets face it; they're simple airplanes. You SHOULD desire to move on to bigger and better things, to challenge yourself, and to move out of your comfort zone. The only way to do that is to get out of piston singles and twins.

I'm not recommending that you jump at the first opportunity to fly something bigger, faster and more complex. That could lead to a drastic reduction in Quality of Life. Instead, go with the flow, and evaluate any opportunity that comes your way. If it isn't your thing, you can respectfully decline. If it's something you think you'll enjoy, go for it.
 
I've flown jets, then turboprops, now jets again. I can honestly say I miss flying turboprops and want to get back into them. It all depends on pay and lifestyle, but I had a better life when I was flying turboprops Part 135.
 
It's a great job for awihle, and I really love what I do, but I wouldn't want to make a career out of Cirrus charter. Plus, several thousand hours of piston single PIC time only has so much marketability....
 
Cape Air has quite a few lifers. They fly light twins and are home every night. I've heard of people getting six figures after 10 years or so.
 
I used to be like you. I didn't want to go to the regionals, because like you, I had read tons of horror stories on the internet.

Think about it though. Pilots are natural complainers and natural one uppers. If you get a group of pilots together, they will complain. Guaranteed. The will try to do everyone better with a "but listen to this..." Story. No one is going to come on here and say how great their job is or how they just flew a great trip with a great crew. The negative stories almost always out weigh the positive ones.

I've been at my regional coming up on 2.5 years now, and I can say that it was one of the best career decisions I've ever made. Granted, I'm not at eagle, RAH or XJT where they are battling with the company over contracts, however. I drove to work, sat 3 days of reserve total as an FO (paying for it now that I've upgraded), worked with some really awesome people and have had a lot of fun overnights.

It is the easiest job that I've ever had. By far the laziest. From about 4 months in to my regional career, I was getting 14+ days off a month and the best part is that when you shut the plane down after the last leg of a trip, you go home and are not bothered with anything work related until you come back. That is huge for me.

YMMV, but don't let the internet shape your opinion of a job you haven't worked yet. Try it, go in with eyes wide open and decide for yourself.
 
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GulfstreamG4 said:
As for what Jimmy Norton said, starting at 35k is better then most all regionals, and I would have to assume after a few years with the company they would give you a raise, no?
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Yea so you'll make more than a regional for exactly 1 year.
Evaluate the corporate/charter market where you live. If there is a flight department you have your eye on, start networking now. Also realize that you need to legally be at home very LITTLE in charter and not at all in corporate. There are some home every night gigs but that doesn't mean it's where you want to live and if the gig is so great don't assume it'll be easy to get.
Pull up a chair, I can complain about 91/135 for awhile too.
 
If your young, the picture, more than likely, will change. You'll see the light, have an opportunity, change priorities, etc.
 
Fly a cirrus charter if you like turbulence, flying heavy, questionable weather, low pay and no real schedule.

Go find a freight route if you want predictability. You fly every day.
 
Whatever your plans are as a new pilot, they WILL change. I never had any intention of working for the airlines. I mean absolutely zero. After instructing, I flew charter, and then got on with a corporate gig flying a jet for almost 3 years.

I've now been flying for a regional for over three years, and I really want to continue my career with the airlines. For me, it has just evolved to be a better match with my goals in life. I think that happens to a lot of us, and I think in a couple of years you'll see that.
 
Apophis said:
You clearly have no idea what you're talking about.
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I operated my own Part 135 operation. Flying in singles is flying low, hence turbulence, can't fly IFR in a single with pax, small airplane, typically a small paycheck. And unscheduled charter is unscheduled. When I flew freight it was for UPS 6 days a week. Not great pay but I knew what I was doing 6 days a week.
 
homerwalter1 said:
I operated my own Part 135 operation. Flying in singles is flying low, hence turbulence, can't fly IFR in a single with pax, small airplane, typically a small paycheck. And unscheduled charter is unscheduled. When I flew freight it was for UPS 6 days a week. Not great pay but I knew what I was doing 6 days a week.
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Didn't have the ops spec for auto pilot in lieu of SIC?
 
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