Corporate Pilots who have made the switch

[+VE R8]

Looking for some input from those who have made the transition from the corp side of aviation. Starting to reconsider the options as life is changing. Trying to figure out if I would fit in, as I have no airline experience and have been flying corp for the majority of my career. Wouldn't want to initiate the job process and waste anyone's time unless I'm 100% educated. I have quite a few friends who currently work at WJ (sounds great), but none who share in my experience. I often hear of guys who have left for the airline who aren't happy once they get there, and I'm starting to wonder if there is any truth to this, or is this a rumour that we corp pilots start just to validate and justify our own jobs. I love my job, but the life style has its moments and is starting to wear thin on the family.

Thanks

[NovaBoy]

I went in the opposite direction as yourself. I was airline for 15 years, Air Labrador, Air Nova/Jazz, then Westjet, and then made the switch to corporate 5 years ago. They both have their good and bad points. Sked time off at the airlines is probably the best benefit. However there is a lot of other BS to deal with. I grew tired of dealing with security, airport terminals, deadheading, etc. I also wasn't keen on going to work with a different crew all the time, some crews were great, some not so much. I didn't like all the HR courses they make you do either, Air Nova and Jazz had the same crap, "how to be nice to your internal and external customers" blah blah blah. Being from Newfoundland I was used to being nice to everyone anyway. LOL. The pay sucked, I was doing pretty good in the left seat at JAZZ, right seat at Westjet was terrible, but I knew that before I went there and made due. My pay tripled when I jumped over to corporate. The right seaters are doing better on the pay front since I was there.

The good things are, you'll know when you're off, you'll never have to file your own flt plan again, or do an eApis or set up Canpass. You will still have to help clean the cabin, cross seatbelts, etc, not that I minded doing that. You will have to get used to operating in a very strict SOP environment, some corporate guys have trouble with that initially. My sim partner at Westjet struggled with that. The training is top notch and guys know their stuff, it's not like FlightSafety. I consider all the training I had at JAZZ, and Westjet to be far superior than the FlightSafety stuff I get now, especially when it comes to automation and use of FMS. It's not tailored to the lowest common denominator.

Start some weight training, so you can get used to lugging around a fully loaded flightbag, all the manuals and charts can get a little heavy when you have to walk a mile or two from the gate to Canada customs. LOL. Our aircraft have all our approach charts available on the MFD, and we have EFB's as backup with WSI.

I had 3 corporate guys on my Westjet class and they made out just fine. Two of them are still there, the other went back to corporate after a year. The "upgrade to the left seat in a year", turned into 5 years shortly after we got there, and he bailed.

My wife complains about my schedule at times, and so do I, but only when we are really busy and I'm away a lot. I had a few crappy schedules at Westjet too, and my wife was bitching because I was never home also. For the most part we haven't regretted the move away from the airlines. I have excellent job security, great aircraft to fly, with a great bunch of guys to work with and we are living in an awesome part of the country. But no two corporate jobs are alike.

Stay away from the FA's. They are nothing but trouble, I married one.

[Legacy]

Stay away from the FA's. They are nothing but trouble, I married one.

LOL too funny. Although I haven't any real corporate experience I have flown corporate charters. Like Novaboy says though No two corporate jobs are alike and it sounds like he is happy where he is which is great. I have been with WJ for a few years now and find it is a fantastic job. I now work with everyone I used to work with in my earlier days although I don't see them much anymore. The schedule is great and the pay has improved the last few years. The ESP plan is great and is probably twice as good as any other company out there including major banks, Imperial Oil, etc. I currently have 3 weeks (15 days to be technically correct) holidays and 10 days in lieu for the stat holidays. I forget when I get the 4 weeks holidays but in the next couple years I believe. So when you do what you can do is every SECOND month bid a block (5 days plus 2 GDO) of holidays and next to it bid for a further 7 days of which is very easy to do. So in essence you can easily have 2 weeks of straight every 2 months. Thats awesome. As for lugging all those manuals around like Novaboy said we don't carry our charts anymore. Each aircraft has their own but I am sure he was just kidding. Dave P would just want you to make sure coming to the airlines, or WJ, is what you really want so go ahead and ask questions till your heart is content. There are lots of us on here and would be happy to answer your questions.

[stickontheice]

I flew Corporate most of my career. It was a good life but I prefer the airline lifestyle much more. At least at WJ I have more time off, a say in my schedule, Flica (our online scheduling program for adding, dropping or trading shifts), and better pay.

Probably the most importantly though are the travel benefits. I found the Corporate world a little lonely sometimes. I'd be staying somewhere amazing with a FO or another captain. Don't get me wrong in that they were great people but they weren't family. Now I can take the family with me or go on great vacations. A lot more "Remember when Dad"s.

I had a great time and met some great people in the Corporate world but I am so thankful for coming to WJ. I would give it a try and I think you'll really be happy you did. If you don't then you can always go back. I doubt you will though.

[Liftdump]

Good answers from all.

[+VE R8]

Thanks all for taking the time, it really does help provide some perspective.
Cheers,
+VeR8

[KAG]

If your looking for a stable, no nonsense career flying job that doesn't revolve around a pager, welcome.

[Liftdump]

Not all corporate jobs revolve around a pager. The stability part I can buy.
With the change of a CEO things and your life can change in a heartbeat.

[NovaBoy]

Not all corporate jobs revolve around a pager. The stability part I can buy.
With the change of a CEO things and your life can change in a heartbeat.

No, now it's a Blackberry instead. LOL

Westjet's a great company, a real big reason for my move out of there to the corporate side was to get out of Cowtown and head back east to the Maritimes. If you do decide to make the jump, I'm sure you'll like it, the 737NG's are really nice. I spent my whole career in the airlines and needed a change, much like yourself. I don't regret leaving, because the gig I have now is a real good one, no CEO's, no board of directors, and a boss/s that love airplanes and can't live without one.

[cpta2020]

I'm a corporate flyer now, and have WJ as my final career choice.. I'm still racking up the hours as we don't fly much.. I hope I get to join WJ soon. Nice thread.

[Thirteentennorth]

...I have excellent job security...

In corporate aviation? Now there's an oxymoron if ever I've heard one!

Enjoy it while it lasts Novaboy. You're one corporate board-room decision away from aviation oblivion, as are all professional pilots. But for your sake, I hope that your obviously-enjoyable ride continues until you decide to fold 'em.

All the Best.

[Rotten Apple #1]

If NovaBoy's corporate flight department shuts down, then it probably means the province of New Brunswick will already have shut down a few minutes before. That job ain't going nowhere.

[NovaBoy]

Hey Jonny,

How ya been? I'm not gonna worry too much about my job security just yet, not until they at least stop taking the 2000EX to Augusta, ME instead of the King Air. LOL