ctab5060X
Well-Known Member
Decisions, decisions... what to do?
The total agony of a single phone call. Was on an overnight earlier this week when a good friend (and former employer) called. He asked me if I still had any of my old contacts in the agricultural/mosquito control industry and if I did, could I do him a favor. I told him yes I did and yes I would. Seems he wants me to find him a pilot. Job is flying for an aerial application service out in the Western US. And that is where the headache starts...
Currently, I am a FO for a regional airline, one year's seniority in. Don't get me wrong, I love the flying. Then again, as of late, all you hear is how the industry is taking a nose dive, how so and so is undercutting us all by flying for low wages, the old my regional is better than your regional, get ready for a career here, etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on.
Anyway, back to my friends phone call. While he wasn't targeting me per se for the job, I would consider myself a fool for at least not raising an eyebrow with the information that is on my desk. The job boils down to this... lead pilot in a 3 airplane ag operation. Aircraft include an Air Tractor 301, Air Tractor 502, and Cessna 188. Currently, the 502 and 301 do most of the work, and my seat would be in the 502. Huge potential for rapid growth and expansion, and the operation is extremely stable. Pay is decent... can expect to make more than most regional FOs in my first season alone, with the potential to make as much or more than senior regional Captains with in 2-3 seasons.
I do have prior ag experience, but the move is going to take me and my wife far away from our families. Kind of torn as to what to do, leaning toward taking the job, but just not sure.
So, members of the JC community...
Should I STAY?
Or should I GO?
The total agony of a single phone call. Was on an overnight earlier this week when a good friend (and former employer) called. He asked me if I still had any of my old contacts in the agricultural/mosquito control industry and if I did, could I do him a favor. I told him yes I did and yes I would. Seems he wants me to find him a pilot. Job is flying for an aerial application service out in the Western US. And that is where the headache starts...
Currently, I am a FO for a regional airline, one year's seniority in. Don't get me wrong, I love the flying. Then again, as of late, all you hear is how the industry is taking a nose dive, how so and so is undercutting us all by flying for low wages, the old my regional is better than your regional, get ready for a career here, etc. etc. etc. The list goes on and on.
Anyway, back to my friends phone call. While he wasn't targeting me per se for the job, I would consider myself a fool for at least not raising an eyebrow with the information that is on my desk. The job boils down to this... lead pilot in a 3 airplane ag operation. Aircraft include an Air Tractor 301, Air Tractor 502, and Cessna 188. Currently, the 502 and 301 do most of the work, and my seat would be in the 502. Huge potential for rapid growth and expansion, and the operation is extremely stable. Pay is decent... can expect to make more than most regional FOs in my first season alone, with the potential to make as much or more than senior regional Captains with in 2-3 seasons.
I do have prior ag experience, but the move is going to take me and my wife far away from our families. Kind of torn as to what to do, leaning toward taking the job, but just not sure.
So, members of the JC community...
Should I STAY?
Or should I GO?