Which would you choose? (Stay CFI vs 135 Charter)

Is this by chance the CJ that is based in YIP for a charter company up in TC? If so, PM me and I can give you some insight.
 
mojo6911 said:
Take the jet type. Trust me.
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I agree with this! If anything, it'll help you down the road when you leave the airlines and try to get into the corporate market. It's hard to get a job without a type right now...well for me anyway.
 
fly02 said:
I would not take the CJ job if you are dead set on going to the airlines. I know some people start out with the airlines as their goal, but as they learn more about aviation as a career they decide the other options might provide a better QOL. Now, if you are open to a career outside the airlines, I would take the job in a heartbeat and try to keep the CFI gig part time.
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I hear this a lot, and frankly is bad advice. First, having experience in business jets gives you something to fall back on if you get furloughed or laid off, which if you look back at the past 20 years is almost a certainty.

Second, while 121 time is relevant to employment at other 121 carriers (and some may even find it preferable), I am not aware of any airline that requires 121 time. Jumpseat on any airline and you will find pilots of all backgrounds. In fact, many airlines prefer a diverse pilot corps. My employer loses almost all of its pilots to the airlines, including Southwest, Spirit, Atlas, etc. Few have any 121 time.

Third, having part 135 or business jet experience will not bar you from employment at a regional if you decide 135 is not for you. To the contrary, it will put you far ahead of the CFIs with 50 hrs of multi time. However, many part 135 carriers are hesitant to hire 121 guys out of fear that they will jump ship they get called by a major. The exception is if they have prior 135 or type specific experience, particularly as PIC (it's always hard to find experienced captains).

Fourth, part 135 and biz jet flying is invaluable experience that you will not get at an airline. Equipment is older, you don't have someone planning your flights, and the flying is more challenging and demanding as a result of varied destinations, difficult airports and terrain, etc.
 
JetDrvr said:
I hear this a lot, and frankly is bad advice. First, having experience in business jets gives you something to fall back on if you get furloughed or laid off, which if you look back at the past 20 years is almost a certainty.

Second, while 121 time is relevant to employment at other 121 carriers (and some may even find it preferable), I am not aware of any airline that requires 121 time. Jumpseat on any airline and you will find pilots of all backgrounds. In fact, many airlines prefer a diverse pilot corps. My employer loses almost all of its pilots to the airlines, including Southwest, Spirit, Atlas, etc. Few have any 121 time.

Third, having part 135 or business jet experience will not bar you from employment at a regional if you decide 135 is not for you. To the contrary, it will put you far ahead of the CFIs with 50 hrs of multi time. However, many part 135 carriers are hesitant to hire 121 guys out of fear that they will jump ship they get called by a major. The exception is if they have prior 135 or type specific experience, particularly as PIC (it's always hard to find experienced captains).

Fourth, part 135 and biz jet flying is invaluable experience that you will not get at an airline. Equipment is older, you don't have someone planning your flights, and the flying is more challenging and demanding as a result of varied destinations, difficult airports and terrain, etc.
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I think the worry is that the offer has a 2 year contract and he would be locked in and may not even meet minimums after 2 years to go to a regional or beyond if he doesn't like the corporate life. Otherwise I agree with what you're saying, diversity is a good thing.

To the OP, do as much research as you can, you most likely have a gut feeling on what you want but in the end there's always a risk. A calculated risk but still a risk.
 
Thank you all so much for the advice! I heard back from this today and it ended up not working out, which is probably for the better.

I learned a bunch of lessons through this experience and can hopefully put them to use when the door of opportunity opens again.

Heres to hoping that when one closes, another opens.

Thanks again!! I really appreciate it.
 
rd757 said:
Thank you all so much for the advice! I heard back from this today and it ended up not working out, which is probably for the better.

I learned a bunch of lessons through this experience and can hopefully put them to use when the door of opportunity opens again.

Heres to hoping that when one closes, another opens.

Thanks again!! I really appreciate it.
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Awesome attitude man!
 
The 135 ops will give you better "quality" time versus instructing, which could help down the road But that's an awfully low rate for the equipment, borderline offensive. Corporate 91 flying(or charter 135) flying isn't a time-building job unless you're on with a fractional, which with low time is nearly impossible. The flying with 91/135 is more varied than the regionals, but as you've mentioned, you're not getting the time.

I'm in an SIC position with a 135 operator who treats us all like we're the airplanes( like machines in other words). I have some 121 experience and I'd go back to 121 if I could, but I work for a terrible operator too. If I worked for a decent 135, I might stay. It's at the airport I've always flown out of , 15 minutes from home and I enjoy the varied flying. Big airports, little airports, towered and non-towered in a jet, it's more exciting then beginning every trip at the hub and going from there.

But as much as I don't want to commute, I'm looking to return to 121 or at least a better 135 that allows home basing. It sounds like you might have a good opportunity to try out corporate, which is worth the shot and loss of time (relatively). I learned a lot from instructing and I think everyone needs to instruct( words I never thought I'd say) but if you want some better quality time, I'd go with the CJ1 position.
 
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