Questions about Part 91 Corporate
07-01-2010, 04:02 PM
#1
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 43
Questions about Part 91 Corporate
I have an interview coming up with a Part 91 corporate flight department, operating lears (45, 55). Was wondering about NBAA pay scales for those airplanes SIC, if anyone has that info handy.
Also, if anyone has worked both 121 and 91, I would appreciate any insight into the differences in interview process. All of my experience (other than CFI) is Part 121. There is almost no way to gouge a 91 interview unless you know someone within the department. I just don't want to get caught with a "deer in the headlights" look because of a question that a corporate flight department might ask that I wasn't expecting. I much appreciate any information that anyone has. Thanks.
Also, if anyone has worked both 121 and 91, I would appreciate any insight into the differences in interview process. All of my experience (other than CFI) is Part 121. There is almost no way to gouge a 91 interview unless you know someone within the department. I just don't want to get caught with a "deer in the headlights" look because of a question that a corporate flight department might ask that I wasn't expecting. I much appreciate any information that anyone has. Thanks.
07-01-2010, 05:11 PM
#3
Chief Jeppesen Updater
Joined APC: Oct 2005
Position: Executive Transport Driver
Posts: 3,080
90-95% of a corporate interview is personality related. Are you a good fit for the company and the operation? Can you present yourself in a professional manner in all sorts of settings? Do you have the business etiquette skills necessary for the job? Etc.
Remember to treat EVERYBODY you come across professionally. And remember that the interview begins when you get within the realm of the potential employer and ends when you are out of the area. For instance, I know of an employer that during the hiring process invited candidates to come in the evening before, stay at a hotel, then interview in the AM the next day. The process is completed several hours later with an informal afternoon tour of the hangar and dinner with all of the candidates.
Not only did the candidates get evaluated in the interview, but also during the rest of the time they were in town. The company (which was a major employer in the small town and had quite a bit of influence) even went so far as to have one of their employees hanging around the hotel lobby when they checked in to see how they interacted with the hotel staff.
A few years back, I offered to provide some guidance/assistance to a fellow that wanted to get on with a company for which I worked. I told him that I would be happy to meet him for lunch to talk about the job and the company. I even mentioned that I might be able to get another employee to come out. The day of the lunch, I was able to get the assistant chief pilot to join me for lunch, which could have been really big for the candidate... except that he showed up in athletic shorts, flip flops and a faded tee shirt.
Just be yourself and don't try to answer questions the way you think they want them answered. Most companies are looking for somebody that is professional, but also somebody that will fit well into the corporate culture as well as somebody that they can share a cockpit with for extended periods and even month after month after month.
Remember to treat EVERYBODY you come across professionally. And remember that the interview begins when you get within the realm of the potential employer and ends when you are out of the area. For instance, I know of an employer that during the hiring process invited candidates to come in the evening before, stay at a hotel, then interview in the AM the next day. The process is completed several hours later with an informal afternoon tour of the hangar and dinner with all of the candidates.
Not only did the candidates get evaluated in the interview, but also during the rest of the time they were in town. The company (which was a major employer in the small town and had quite a bit of influence) even went so far as to have one of their employees hanging around the hotel lobby when they checked in to see how they interacted with the hotel staff.
A few years back, I offered to provide some guidance/assistance to a fellow that wanted to get on with a company for which I worked. I told him that I would be happy to meet him for lunch to talk about the job and the company. I even mentioned that I might be able to get another employee to come out. The day of the lunch, I was able to get the assistant chief pilot to join me for lunch, which could have been really big for the candidate... except that he showed up in athletic shorts, flip flops and a faded tee shirt.
Just be yourself and don't try to answer questions the way you think they want them answered. Most companies are looking for somebody that is professional, but also somebody that will fit well into the corporate culture as well as somebody that they can share a cockpit with for extended periods and even month after month after month.
07-02-2010, 08:01 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 140
I dunno if I could give you much insight but ill tell you my experience. I have a 135/121 background and just started my 91 corporate gig three weeks ago. its about 90% personality your practically gonna be married to the other pilot. Everyone just wants to get along.
Here is how my interview went. A buddy called me told me he had a job offer back in his hometown and if i were interested in taking his place. Next day the CP, my buddy, and I meet for lunch. (companies treat of course) out of the hour in a half we were there we spent a total of 5 minutes maybe talking about airplanes.
A few days later the CP gives me 3 bounces in the airplane so i can be SIC legal. do 3 or 4 contract trips over the next two months. (at $550 a day I might add) CP tells me everything is looking good and if i would be able to start on such and such date. Thats it, I was never asked for a resume, never asked for a logbook, never asked any FARs, systems questions, or scenarios. We did briefly discuss my flying background for maybe 2 minutes one time. His only comment was, "well you've been doing on demand freight for a while now and your still alive so thats all i need to hear."
My whole career ive been told corporate is all about who you know, and it really is. They never considered anyone else for the position, and I was pretty much hired several weeks before anyone even knew there would be a vacancy. As ive gotten to know some more corporate pilots, ive met a few who have gotten all of their jobs just by networking. It seems like its a tough little club to break into but once your in, your really in.
Maybe my results arent typical, Im not at a huge multi aircraft flight department, just myself and the CP with one light/small mid size jet.
We fly about 380-400 hours a year. Just enough to keep from getting bored but not getting worked to death. The pay is great actually about $5k better than NBAA avg, and so far very good QOL both on and off the road.
This has been my experience with the corporate world so far and I love it, I do realize ive been very blessed and I dont forget that. I wish you the best of luck with your interview man, Im sure you wont ever wanna go back 121 after this.
Here is how my interview went. A buddy called me told me he had a job offer back in his hometown and if i were interested in taking his place. Next day the CP, my buddy, and I meet for lunch. (companies treat of course) out of the hour in a half we were there we spent a total of 5 minutes maybe talking about airplanes.
A few days later the CP gives me 3 bounces in the airplane so i can be SIC legal. do 3 or 4 contract trips over the next two months. (at $550 a day I might add) CP tells me everything is looking good and if i would be able to start on such and such date. Thats it, I was never asked for a resume, never asked for a logbook, never asked any FARs, systems questions, or scenarios. We did briefly discuss my flying background for maybe 2 minutes one time. His only comment was, "well you've been doing on demand freight for a while now and your still alive so thats all i need to hear."
My whole career ive been told corporate is all about who you know, and it really is. They never considered anyone else for the position, and I was pretty much hired several weeks before anyone even knew there would be a vacancy. As ive gotten to know some more corporate pilots, ive met a few who have gotten all of their jobs just by networking. It seems like its a tough little club to break into but once your in, your really in.
Maybe my results arent typical, Im not at a huge multi aircraft flight department, just myself and the CP with one light/small mid size jet.
We fly about 380-400 hours a year. Just enough to keep from getting bored but not getting worked to death. The pay is great actually about $5k better than NBAA avg, and so far very good QOL both on and off the road.
This has been my experience with the corporate world so far and I love it, I do realize ive been very blessed and I dont forget that. I wish you the best of luck with your interview man, Im sure you wont ever wanna go back 121 after this.
07-02-2010, 11:08 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 423
Not only did the candidates get evaluated in the interview, but also during the rest of the time they were in town. The company (which was a major employer in the small town and had quite a bit of influence) even went so far as to have one of their employees hanging around the hotel lobby when they checked in to see how they interacted with the hotel staff.
07-02-2010, 12:04 PM
#7
The NeverEnding Story
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,618
2010 NBAA Jet III (20-45k lb)
Co-Pilot Base Salary
Average: $63,806
25%: $50,000
75%: $76,509
During the interview for my current job in 2007 (I was a CRJ FO @ Air Wisconsin at the time) the aircraft owner/company president asked me basic "Get to know you" type questions - why do you want to work here, how did you find out about us, what are your interests outside of aviation, etc.
The then-CP glanced through my logbook while the boss & I talked, then had me brief a rather straightforward ILS approach, and was *really* interested (not in a good way) about being an ALPA committee chairman. Guess he thought I was going to try and organize our two-man flight department or something
When that CP left and I was promoted, we interviewed two people for the vacancy. In those interviews, both pilots held ATPs and a couple type ratings, so we assumed they knew how to fly - as such the boss and I were principally concerned about a personality that fit with our operation.
The best thing I can say is be polite, be professional, but DO NOT be so sterile that you lose your personality & sense of humor like so many do in airline interviews.
Co-Pilot Base Salary
Average: $63,806
25%: $50,000
75%: $76,509
During the interview for my current job in 2007 (I was a CRJ FO @ Air Wisconsin at the time) the aircraft owner/company president asked me basic "Get to know you" type questions - why do you want to work here, how did you find out about us, what are your interests outside of aviation, etc.
The then-CP glanced through my logbook while the boss & I talked, then had me brief a rather straightforward ILS approach, and was *really* interested (not in a good way) about being an ALPA committee chairman. Guess he thought I was going to try and organize our two-man flight department or something
When that CP left and I was promoted, we interviewed two people for the vacancy. In those interviews, both pilots held ATPs and a couple type ratings, so we assumed they knew how to fly - as such the boss and I were principally concerned about a personality that fit with our operation.
The best thing I can say is be polite, be professional, but DO NOT be so sterile that you lose your personality & sense of humor like so many do in airline interviews.
07-02-2010, 01:34 PM
#8
On Reserve
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 23
Very good responses so far and they mirror my experience. I had what was to be a three part interview.
The first part was a sit down with the CP to get to know each other, very few airplane questions asked. The next day I received a call from the dispatch department to schedule a lunch with two of the line pilots. This lasted about 2 hours and helped get a better feel for the company. The third part was to be a sim evaluation of basic instrument skills and never happened. I was in school about one week after the lunch (two weeks after initial interview).
Only advice is to be yourself. If you don't act yourself during the interview and don't get the job, you'll kick yourself later. If you do get the job, your real self will come out at some point and they may not like it then!
Been at the company 4 years now we have hired around 10 pilots during that time period. None of those positions were ever advertised, all word of mouth. It's definitely who you know!
The first part was a sit down with the CP to get to know each other, very few airplane questions asked. The next day I received a call from the dispatch department to schedule a lunch with two of the line pilots. This lasted about 2 hours and helped get a better feel for the company. The third part was to be a sim evaluation of basic instrument skills and never happened. I was in school about one week after the lunch (two weeks after initial interview).
Only advice is to be yourself. If you don't act yourself during the interview and don't get the job, you'll kick yourself later. If you do get the job, your real self will come out at some point and they may not like it then!
Been at the company 4 years now we have hired around 10 pilots during that time period. None of those positions were ever advertised, all word of mouth. It's definitely who you know!
07-02-2010, 03:23 PM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 89
Wow, 10 pilots in 4 years? Is the turnover rate that bad or have you had that kind of growth? I'd be careful working at a joint with high turnover.
Anyway, I worked for a regional part 121 for 6 years before I jumped to pt91. The major difference is it's more of a hands on job. For example, I'm buying stock for the airplane(with company credit card), responsible for getting ice coffee and papers, and catering before every trip. Light cleaning of the interior of the airplane. Filing your own flight plans, dealing with passengers, some of which can be really good people. (this could be considered one of the advantages). Serving passengers during flight, or passing out catering drinks etc. ...If you don't have a flight attendant. I was told in my job interview that "We don't serve passengers" and then the first trip I did once we passed 18k, I was told to go back and "check on the passengers" So be careful. And lavs? Don't worry about the rumors, we don't clean them, line service does..
The advantages? I work week days almost 99% of the time, have multiple days off around holidays because no one is conduting business around that time of year. I sleep in my bed almost everynight, I spend more time with my kid than my neighbors. Make more money than I probably would at a 121 job and haven't flown more than 200hrs a year since I started. If you can put up with the previously mentioned BS, life can be good.
07-02-2010, 03:41 PM
#10
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 89
I was involved with a few interviews in a previous job. We would go to lunch and make some excuse so we could ride in the candidates car. If it had trash up to the windowsills we reasoned thats how the plane would look after a while. Was the person a danger to himself and others on the road from their driving habits, probably going to rub off to the cockpit. Finally could they be decisive about ordering in a reasonable period of time, ie, can you make a decision.
All sounds petty, however it did weed them out fairly well.
Dave
All sounds petty, however it did weed them out fairly well.
Dave
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