yacko

yes, where did you find this info.? what else can you tell us? jg- you are in the 182nd, do you know any of the cat pilots? do i need to start hanging out at byerly to find out this stuff?

FlyerJosh

They have 3 late model CL-604's. (Including the last one off of the assembly line before it was shut down).

MR, is no longer with them- last I heard he might be flying for Harrah's, but I can't confirm that as I haven't spoken with him since before he left the company.

They have their own hangar, several cabin safety folks, about 10 pilots + the CP (all captain qualified to my knowledge and I can't recall the exact number right now), and their own mx department (including inspection authority and avionics).

Overall, it's a good operation and pays well, however like any other large operation, there can be some of the associated headaches and hassles, although by and large everybody seems mostly content and they don't have a lot of turnover like some other operations.

If you have any specific questions, I can try to answer them.

QOL is marginal, but well compensated for pay wise. They are guaranteed 2 or 3 hard days off a month, IIRC, but obviously spend more time than that at home. On "soft days" off, they are expected to be ready to fly and I believe have a 1 hr call out time.

Everybody that I've met in the department are good people, and very friendly. Overall, I would put job satisfaction at very good or higher, with only minor gripes about various issues.

With regards to hiring, they aren't... and I wouldn't expect them to be any time soon, unless somebody unexpectedly leaves.

Hanging out at Byerly probably won't do you much good other than finding acquaintances of the people at CAS- those guys don't ever come through there and really don't ever work with Byerly except when they need to charter supplemental lift.

yacko

Thanks flyerjosh for the information. I appreciate it. Do you fly out of PIA? Do you mind if I pm you. I am searching for job options that are available in the Peoria area, though I know there is not much. Thanks again.

FlyerJosh

I don't fly out of PIA, but I get up there a lot. Feel free to PM me, but unfortunately I don't know that I can help with any job leads at the airport since I know very few people there, with the exception of the folks at CAT.

Crash

Caterpillar's Chief Pilot called me earlier this week in reply to my resume which a friend of mine walked in to them. He was very nice, and I was not surprised to hear that the economy has caused them to scale back their operations, and they are not hiring at this time.

He said they have 3 Challenger 604s and 9 pilots.

mmaviator

Job Detail (EXPIRED): Corporate Co-Pilot (Peoria, IL)

More AVIATION AND PILOT JOBS (last updated Sat, Dec 04, 2010 at 22:50 EST) JOB INFORMATION
COMPANY: Caterpillar DATE: Jul 06, 2010 POSITION: Corporate Co-Pilot (Peoria, IL) DESCRIPTION: Job ID: 77332
Location: US-IL-Peoria
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

Qualifications
Applicant must have an Airline Transport Pilot license, current 1st
class FAA flight physical,Minimum 2000 hours total time, at least
100 hours instrument flight experience with a minimum of 50 hours
under actual instrument conditions. They must have a minimum of
two years experience in FAR Part 121, FAR Part 135, corporate
operations or comparable military experience.

Desirable Qualifications
Four year degree, internationally qualified, Challenger 604 type
rating.

Responsibilities
The co-pilot shall assist the captain in management of the flight
and fly the aircraft in accordance with the directions of the captain.
The co-pilot may carry out take-offs and landings under the
authority of the captain and shall take over control in the event of
the captains incapacitation. This position is a member of the flight
section reporting to the chief pilot. This position is also responsible
for completing all training requirements and other job related
duties as assigned by the chief pilot.

Job Posting Close Date
This job posting will be removed at 12:01 am on 7/12/2010

I know old thread but useful information for when someone is looking at CAT. Not sure how long this link will work.
Pilot Job :: Corporate Co-Pilot (Peoria, IL)

UCLAbruins

Not to open the whole type-rating issue again, but I'm surprised the CL604 type is under "desirable qualifications" and not required. Still how do you compete with a CL604 typed guy?? you'd better have your duckies in a row

Caterpillar's flight dept. would be a great job, lots of international experience, pretty good type rating, good money + stability.

good luck

BoilerUP

CAT recently hired a 500-series Citation guy with no CL604 experience...

UCLAbruins

well yes, there are exceptions. NJI hired guys from Flight options, Citation Shares, and the commuter airlines (one had no jet time at all)... Most of those guys had very little (if any) int'l experience and no gulfstream type.... it happens.

congrats to that fellow, going from a 500 series to a CL604. nice jump