Bcramer11

Hey all. I’ve hit a fork in my aviation career. Just looking for some advice.
I have done both airlines and corporate flying. My current job has taken a turn and I simply cannot stay with the company for a few reasons.

So here is the question. Long term which is better a major or working my way up in the fractional world? I do love my schedule and daily interactions more in corporate. With a fractional it’d most likely be a bid similar to an airline bid type schedule.
I’m 26, 27 in June and want to pick a path that will be beneficial for me and my future family. I keep getting mixed reviews about which one is the best long term position. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

JohnBurke

Fractionals were the up and coming thing 20 years ago, with a bright future, fast movment, promise of pay, good schedule, etc. They died on the vine.

There's no comparison between any of the fractionals today and a major airline, especially in terms of earning potential, retirement, security diversity, etc. With seniority at a major airline, you'll enjoy more and more time off, and a better quality of life. You won't get that with more seniority at a fractional.

Many moons ago I thought netjets would be a place to go, and suggested it to folks. I watched it, though, and it was ugly. I couldn't go into a Signature anywhere in the country without the vitriol, and the acid. Yellow ties lounging, complaining incessantly, took over the place, looked down on everyone, and tried to drag the rest of the world into their drama. The place was toxic, and it spilled out to anyone who came in contact. After a time, if I saw netjets, I went the other way.

You'll hear plenty of whining and complaining from the airline crowd, too, but at least they're getting paid a lot more and have a future. I wish anyone in the fractionals the best of luck, but with long upgrade times stalled everything, and many of the fractional efforts having collapsed, merged, or outright failed, it's not really that enticing a scene. They do offer fairly predictable schedules so far as time on and time off, but otherwise, it wouldn't be my choice. That said ,everyone has to work somewhere, but if you're talking long-term, at your age, a major airline would be a better goal.

galaxy flyer

Don’t go fractional, if you like corporate flying, there’s much better jobs—better pay, benefits, QOL, and the things you like about corporate flying. Majors, better yet, a legacy, is always going to be a better paying career.

GF

Bcramer11

Ok so then let me ask you this, I have an opportunity to go to FlexJet or a regional. I have 1550TT with the majority of that being turbine Multi (1100 or so). No ATP at the moment but my written is complete. Delta Private is another potential option, but Im not sure thats the way I'm leaning. Is a fractional a descent way to get to a major? I know a Regional is probably faster, but I have really enjoyed the corporate lifestyle and adventure. My head is just swirled and I'm not sure I can afford the pay cut from where I am now going to a regional. It's a hard decision :/

PotatoChip

First year at Endeavor is about $70,000. I have flown with several second year FOs who will clear over $80k this year.

JohnBurke

No. Not any more.

Bcramer11

I think I’m confused. How is that possible That’d be 115 paid hours a month to get to 70k. I don’t consider perdiem or training contract bonuses base pay.

PotatoChip

Endeavor doesn’t offer bonuses.
Most FOs are getting lines within about six month, then average 15-16 days off. All pick-ups are 150%. Guys regularly credit 110 hours or so.
I’m going to do 130 this month and on reserve. That’s $11,300 on second year CA pay...

Fixnem2Flyinem

I’m currently in the interview process for a fractional. I’m a regional FO on the verge of upgrade but know that’s where the music stops if I don’t want to commute while living in my hometown. The fact that I really don’t want to leave the place where my wife has a support system while I’m gone is pushing me into this decision. I played the commuting game for a few years, almost quit flying because of it. The major airline we fly for has a base close to home, but it’s senior and the major we fly for isn’t one of the top 3. So commuting for X amount of years just isn’t worth getting in line for me. I’ll take my positive space ticket and 7/7 schedule over making “bank” flying the big boys.

Some may think I’m crazy for jumping out of 121 but that’s okay, because at the end of the day it will be my decision to live with. There is no lie in the fact that major airlines are the top tier employers as far as wages and benefits. That I’m not blind to, but as a pilot time away is a given, so days off not spent commuting is gold in my opinion.

If you’re young and single, don’t care where you live and want to make lots of cash, suck up the few years at a regional and head for the majors. Heck, the pay is double what it once was at the regionals now, so making less than 40k is hard to do as an FO. Most places you will upgrade right away, again given you don’t care where you’re based. Then maybe 2-3 years in the left seat then you’re getting your best suit ready for that major airline interview.

Best of luck to you in whatever decision you make

Bcramer11

This makes a lot of sense. While I am youngish I’m not single and can’t for the life of me figure out what is best long term. I see both having a great long term life in Corp or majors. I’m not one for commuting so that is a huge piece. I live in Denver so everything is commutable but not easily or without sacrificing the day prior or after. Positive space is huge. I worked for a small commuter and while CASS was good it wasn’t reliable