Company Questions (Pick the Jet, or Pick the King Air?)

luma8767

luma8767

Newbie
I might, heavy emphasis on might, be in the running for a FO position with a company that is based in 2 major cities (One in North Carolina, the other in Vegas). One position, is in a Lear as an FO, the second is in a King Air as an FO. Currently, I live in Dallas, and they might position and base a King Air here (which would ubber sweet, if I didn't have a jet desire).

My dilemma; I've got shinny jet syndrome. I've been a supporting crew-member at CAE Simuflite and Bombardier training center, working in the Learjet department. I believe that the career move to make is to go for the jet, and move to the other side of the country for it. My life is in Dallas, and I would prefer to stay here. Besides shinny jet syndrome, I just want to fly, and pay my bills.

In a perfect world, I fly the King Air here in Dallas, with the ability to easily upgrade to the Lear and move whenever I wish. My fear, this is my chance to get behind some fast moving metal, and finally get my resume some real strength. Being close to Dallas means a continued relationship with CAE Simuflite, and training on more aircraft. Leaving Dallas, leaves a lot.

Should the flying schedule be approximately the same, which way would you lean and why? Anything I'm not considering?
 
I would spend the rest of my career flying a Cessna 150 if the job paid good and provided a good quality of life. SJS should not even be a factor when considering a job. After a while it's just a job and another airplane. So do which one provides the best QOL and pay.
 
I'm relatively new to the jet world (a little over 4 1/2 years), and I'm already in the mindset that "the slower the airplane, the better...as long as the pay is sufficient." Slow airplanes mean you don't get far from home. Not being far from home means you're probably sleeping in your own bed that night.

Nothing wrong with making a living flying a King Air. You'll find your way into a jet eventually. Don't rush it if the deal isn't right.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
I'm relatively new to the jet world (a little over 4 1/2 years), and I'm already in the mindset that "the slower the airplane, the better...as long as the pay is sufficient." Slow airplanes mean you don't get far from home. Not being far from home means you're probably sleeping in your own bed that night.

Nothing wrong with making a living flying a King Air. You'll find your way into a jet eventually. Don't rush it if the deal isn't right.
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my dude, I am with you and I've only been doing the jet thing for 6 months.
 
poser765 said:
my dude, I am with you and I've only been doing the jet thing for 6 months.
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I'm not even in the jet game yet and I honestly would rather fly something slow like this caravan here. I don't really see the appeal to jets, except the (usually anyway) pay bump.

If I could get paid to fly a caravan with cargo in the PNW all year and live a decent life, I'd do it in a heartbeat
 
elmetal said:
I'm not even in the jet game yet and I honestly would rather fly something slow like this caravan here. I don't really see the appeal to jets, except the (usually anyway) pay bump.

If I could get paid to fly a caravan with cargo in the PNW all year and live a decent life, I'd do it in a heartbeat
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Well you're in luck. There's a company that does that.
 
Do you plan on sticking with this company if you can or building some time and maybe moving on?

The Lear would be SIC time. The King Air would get you 0 flight time unless you become to sole manipulator on some legs. In that case you get PIC turbine. Obviously the sole manipulator regs will not work if the King Air is a 300 or 350 and you don't have the type rating. Lear time and King Air time are pretty golden in the Corporate world. The Lear should pay more so that could be a factor in your decision.
 
TFaudree_ERAU said:
I'm relatively new to the jet world (a little over 4 1/2 years), and I'm already in the mindset that "the slower the airplane, the better...as long as the pay is sufficient." Slow airplanes mean you don't get far from home. Not being far from home means you're probably sleeping in your own bed that night.

Nothing wrong with making a living flying a King Air. You'll find your way into a jet eventually. Don't rush it if the deal isn't right.
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This.

To me being home every night to tuck in my little boy is much better than flying the Shinny Jet. The King Air 350 will most likely be the biggest thing that I ever fly and I'm perfectly ok with that. My pay is good my benefits are excellent along with my QOL. Pick what ever gives you the best QOL it is worth it.


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Depends on your goals. I will say that several thousand hours of turboprop PIC have done considerably less for my career than the high triple digits of jet PIC and a type rating. Do I think that's sort of absurd? Yeah. But it's been my experience.
 
I agree with Boris but it depends on what you want out of a career. Do you want the short out & backs with a lot of home time with the fam or to see the world flying a BBJ? I think ultimately the Lear SIC(eventually upgrading to captain) time would make you more marketable for the next job, I say if you have to relocate might as well get the most bang for your buck and go for the Lear.
 
Seems fate played its role. Got word today that "position went away. Long story. Your name is still in the hat for the Lear position."

Thanks for the input everyone, I couldn't agree more with the QOL statements and being home every night instead of away. However, I'm young and I'm single, NOW is the time to be jet setting across the world, and then later, settle down and find that great stable, and fun/safe job close to home. Position went away, whatever that means. Got my hopes up, won't be the last time, and isn't the first. Given the choice, I would have chosen the King Air. Stay close to home, family and friends, and keep my relationship with Simi going. I appreciate the insight. TL
 
I would have chosen the King Air simply because I just love the way a KA looks and sounds.

But hell I love any damn plane.
 
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