Flyer00

both have their pros and cons as people have noted. personally, i would have to say airline flying was easier (worked at a regional) in the sense that you showed up, got your paperwork, did your preflight, they brought the people to you and you left. corporate doesn't work ANYTHING like that. If you can't handle not having a schedule, going beyond the " job description" when needed, and dealing with people...you're not going to like corporate! if you are one that can deal with having a 4" thick book tell you how you can do you job and what you can't do, then the airlines are your place! IMHO.

rmepilot

APTAP - Army Pilot to Airline Pilot

Is a good place to start, other than that google might be your best friend. If you were a RW guy, I could be more specific on where to look.

Luv2Rotate

I've been lucky enough to do both. Corporate you have to sell yourself along with having ALOT of patience. In the corporate world (depending who your flying for) you have to stock the ice, drinks, order catering, arrange hotel accomodations and load/unload bags. I flew 91 so all this was left to me. I always had to keep a bag packed just in case a trip popped up (which it did once in a while). Through all this I loved it. Different airports/routes always benefited from being put up in the same resort/hotel as the owner expenses were reimbursed. Eventually, the owner sold the aircraft and left me without a job.

Now comes the airlines with it weak payscale, QOL, delay's, 15hr days and only being paid for flight time, TSA, potential of being furloughed, nonstop from sioux city-cleveland, did I mention weak payscale? There are some positives because you know your schedule in advance, you can jumpseat and wife can travel standby, your payscale will go up with longevity, and you usually can choose between a cool leather jacket or blazer.

Both have +/-'s just gotta find the right fit... Clear as mud

exwaterski

I was bored enough that I wondered in here from the regionals forum. I started out in corporate and went airline, worked for a good outfit and briefly for a shady one. Reading this thread just reaffirms for me why I prefer the airlines. Having a hard schedule and showing up and flying my trip and going home afterwards are not negatives for me. Sure it gets a little boring after a while but I like the relative stability of the airlines. Now before you jump all over me let me say I have friends in the corporate world and they seem to change jobs every 1-3 years on average and one high time buddy with several types who hasn't had a flying job in over a year since the downturn. The grass isn't greener, it's just different. More like different flavors of ice cream, the airlines might be vanilla but some people like vanilla.

BoilerUP

A valid observation, regardless of which segment one works in!

HercDriver130

Well, I have flown both 121 ( two different companies ) and now 91/135 ......and in the distant past military aviation. Each has its own unique situations. I have liked all three for what they were. Each in their own way taught me much about flying and varied experiences. Example... in the military I had the opportunity to fly extensivly international in more than 30 countries. In part 121 I have had the opportunity to fly into the busiest airports in this country and the world. And now the corp/charter business has its own unique challenges....Destin comes to mind on a busy saturday with 6 jets in the pattern and no tower... now that gets fun.

I am a people person so I do like the direct interaction with the customer in my current gig..... but I flew with plenty of slam clickers in the airline world with no personality who would be hard pressed in this environment.

ExperimentalAB

I've found those that enjoy Airline flying the most are the ones that want to work the least...everything is done for you -- all you do is show up, stay within the rules, and you are protected; Airline Pilots don't like to be outside of that box...

Mistral

EXP..I guess your flight experience speaks for itself. How could you make such a statement that Airline guys don't think outside the box !! I fly for a major foreign outfit (Heavy) worldwide, flown every continent and I must say that in itself represent a different set of challenges versus what is your reality bouncing around in a CRJ around the continental US. Obviously no need to go into debating airlines guys versus corporate pilots , both meet an invite a different environment operating a jet.

BoilerUP

I think he was making a sweeping generalization, one that doesn't hold true for everyone...obviously.

Perspective is an important thing...

ExperimentalAB

Thanks Boiler...A sweeping generalization it certainly is...but I am sure it would fit any standard bell-curve of the Airline Pilot population.