I disagree with that, I know a few people that have very good gig's flying citations.
Agree. I get paid well to fly one.
I'd say anyone that has a job flying a lear with tip tanks probably has a crappy job. .
Blasphemy. You heretic.
I disagree with that, I know a few people that have very good gig's flying citations.
I'd say anyone that has a job flying a lear with tip tanks probably has a crappy job. .
At my commuter I fly with a LOT of ex 135 and 91 pilots. As much as a beating as the commuter world takes, comparatively, it's been my 2nd hand experience (thru others) that it's a much, much better long term bet.
Yeah, it's a tough call. I'm interviewing for a pretty nice corporate (large cabin aircraft) position tomorrow. I've flown corporate before, and I've seen the good and the bad. Right now I'm at Skywest bidding 50% in a base I love (not far from where I grew up), making ok money, and have a lot of time off. More importantly, I've enjoyed more stability here than any other aviation job (there are almost 600 pilots below me now, and counting!).
This place I'm interviewing at would have been my dream job a couple of years ago, but I'm just not sure about corporate anymore. The price would certainly have to be right to justify the risk.
Congrats... I hope it goes well for you tomorrow.
I was debating if I should throw any input into this or not, since he went and did what he did to you, I'll go ahead and throw my story into the mix, and whatever the fall out is, so be it.
I'm the one that left him hanging. I hated the guy so much after three weeks I woke up one morning and just started driving 1100 miles back home. The job is great on paper, but what it comes down to is that you're there to reinforce his ego, which he couldn't fit in a 747; much less a mustang.
First, The entire time I was flying for him all he did was talk about how lucky I was, and how good of a guy he was, and at the same saying he could hire the guy TexasFlyer is talking about for cheap. In my experience, if someone is trying to tell you how great they are, or how lucky you are to work for them, its anything but. Good jobs and good people speak for themselves.
Second, Dealing with this guy isnt a matter of having "thick skin." Anyone who knows me knows I dont really get offended, and this guy never offended me, he was just an ass. I was berated about my weight more times than I can count (which I am a fat ass,) but this guy took it to the next level and really just kind of pissed me off. If you like hearing an old fart talk in intimate detail about all the things he likes about vaginas, then sign up. If you enjoy constantly reassuring someone how great they are, then sign up. You know the kind of guys that take up two spots in a full lot? This is that guy. He also enjoyed pulling around and cutting off people who were trying to make a left turn if he thought they were taking too long. Not really huge faults in the grand scheme of humanity, but when you factor that in with his general personality and the way he likes to treat people, (wont get into specifics) you have a guy that you dont want to spend any extended period of time around.
Third, All that might not be a big deal if you were able to get away from him, but you're not. When you're on the road with him, you're basically a whipping post. I was around him 24/7 putting up with his BS. Forget about staying in a hotel, basically the only place you ever go his is second house, and you stay there with him. Its not a bad place, but I really didnt even wanna be in the same zip code as the guy.
Honestly, I'm not trying to rip into the guy, if I wanted to do that I would share details, which I wont. This was just a slight overview.
To answer your questions TF:
No, not all corporate jobs are like what you experienced. He fed me all the same lines, and I was on the verge of committing to a place, but common sense got the better of me. I really think what happened to you was for the best.
Also, the guy isnt that smart. Not saying that as an insult, but just because he's rich doesn't make him a genius. The phrase more money than brains gets thrown around for a reason. Spending 3.2M on a brand new mustang doesnt mean you're smart, it means you're an egomaniac who wants to play corporate pilot in your spare time. Its a red flag when you dont mind blowing that kind of money, but then seriously bitch about burning 90gal/hr. and even renting a car and having your co pilot drive 6 hours all over the place because you dont wanna burn gas in the plane.
Theres a reason I noped the hell out of there in spectacular fashion. I'll admit to leaving the guy hanging, but if you're not willing as an employer to act professional, then dont expect the same out of your employees.
I was debating if I should throw any input into this or not, since he went and did what he did to you, I'll go ahead and throw my story into the mix, and whatever the fall out is, so be it.
I'm the one that left him hanging. I hated the guy so much after three weeks I woke up one morning and just started driving 1100 miles back home. The job is great on paper, but what it comes down to is that you're there to reinforce his ego, which he couldn't fit in a 747; much less a mustang.
First, The entire time I was flying for him all he did was talk about how lucky I was, and how good of a guy he was, and at the same saying he could hire the guy TexasFlyer is talking about for cheap. In my experience, if someone is trying to tell you how great they are, or how lucky you are to work for them, its anything but. Good jobs and good people speak for themselves.
Second, Dealing with this guy isnt a matter of having "thick skin." Anyone who knows me knows I dont really get offended, and this guy never offended me, he was just an ass. I was berated about my weight more times than I can count (which I am a fat ass,) but this guy took it to the next level and really just kind of pissed me off. If you like hearing an old fart talk in intimate detail about all the things he likes about vaginas, then sign up. If you enjoy constantly reassuring someone how great they are, then sign up. You know the kind of guys that take up two spots in a full lot? This is that guy. He also enjoyed pulling around and cutting off people who were trying to make a left turn if he thought they were taking too long. Not really huge faults in the grand scheme of humanity, but when you factor that in with his general personality and the way he likes to treat people, (wont get into specifics) you have a guy that you dont want to spend any extended period of time around.
Third, All that might not be a big deal if you were able to get away from him, but you're not. When you're on the road with him, you're basically a whipping post. I was around him 24/7 putting up with his BS. Forget about staying in a hotel, basically the only place you ever go his is second house, and you stay there with him. Its not a bad place, but I really didnt even wanna be in the same zip code as the guy.
Honestly, I'm not trying to rip into the guy, if I wanted to do that I would share details, which I wont. This was just a slight overview.
To answer your questions TF:
No, not all corporate jobs are like what you experienced. He fed me all the same lines, and I was on the verge of committing to a place, but common sense got the better of me. I really think what happened to you was for the best.
Also, the guy isnt that smart. Not saying that as an insult, but just because he's rich doesn't make him a genius. The phrase more money than brains gets thrown around for a reason. Spending 3.2M on a brand new mustang doesnt mean you're smart, it means you're an egomaniac who wants to play corporate pilot in your spare time. Its a red flag when you dont mind blowing that kind of money, but then seriously bitch about burning 90gal/hr. and even renting a car and having your co pilot drive 6 hours all over the place because you dont wanna burn gas in the plane.
Theres a reason I noped the hell out of there in spectacular fashion. I'll admit to leaving the guy hanging, but if you're not willing as an employer to act professional, then dont expect the same out of your employees.
Thanks man! I hope everything's been going well for you! Holding a line in LGB now?
NONE of the tasks you listed belong in ANY respectable pt. 91 job. NOTHING. If you see even one of those in the future, from a fellow crew member or boss, RUN. But hey, at least you know what to look for now. Think of your first crappy corp job like a marriage. You got your first one out of the way, the next should be better.So here is advice to the new guy:
1) Do not order the fried chicken at Federalsburg Diner. It takes too long and you need to be quick when eating with him. So go at his pace. Try the chicken well done at Dustin's BBQ the way he gets it as it is surprisingly good.
2) Run the numbers on the plane and always do a thorough preflight action as he will do none. And integrate his way into the plan and he'll be happy (i.e., there is a better route to file but just file it his way since he's probably going that way anyway!). Also prep him on the numbers and weather since he won't know either.
3) Verify all checklists for him or something may get missed (yaw dampener is missed on every flight).
4) Don't worry, the plane can easily handle 3000 foot runways and he will be proud to show you how the plane will stop in 1500 feet if you get up on the ABS. But still run the numbers in the heat of the day. He is a darn good stick and rudder but remember, you are there to keep him safe and don't let him get overconfident in what the little jet can do.
5) Be quick on the radios. If not, plan to be in the clouds when you may not want to be in them.
6) Know when to keep your mouth shut based on who is surrounding you (this will make sense after a couple weeks).
7) Don't undercut anyone in the future as what comes around goes around. So I look forward to the day when you make decent money finally and the same thing happens to you. And see how you feel when the little punk undercuts you. Then I will remind you of this post and how you thrashed my job (and yeah, you are damn right I just said that).
7) Good luck. Read number seven again. And please keep him safe.
One need not detail why, correct? It's a matter of time before these careless decisions begin to play out in the cockpit, with someone else's life at stake. He is free to gamble with his life, but start playing with someone else's and there's a problem.
"I have the controls"
"No. I got this. I'll fix...."
Does that mean if you miss something on an off day you're both dead?
Flying for owner operators is the worst. I've known way to many people burned in this industry flying that way.
Flying for owner operators is the worst. I've known way to many people burned in this industry flying that way.
Definitely seems to be low on the totem pole for satisfying and non-scary pilot positions.
I had a gig where I was flying a O/O before I went to the regionals... it was a good experience, while it lasted. It had some ups and downs - and one other O/O that I flew for, well... he tried to kill me a couple of times and then not want to pay me for my services. Which ended up affecting my relationship with the flight school I freelanced at. (They were 'buddies' - the O/O and the flight school owner.) In the end, I had very mixed results and would not go back except on the side or as a 'day rate' guy.
How was the interview... good feeling or no? PM me if you don't feel like broadcasting it.
Agree. I get paid well to fly one.
Blasphemy. You heretic.