What did you do to set yourself apart when building time flying part 91

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

I have a great life outside of work. I’m more bored with the fly to xyz location, sit for 5 days, go back home. I’d much rather stay busy when I’m at work.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

So you'd rather go to Netjets or FlexJet and get worked like a dog every day with min rest? lol

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

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MenRest@reddit

lol that you’re not getting worked like that. I’m averaging 14.6hr overnights.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Lol that's not the flex you think it is

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He’s not going to work like a dog every day and get min rest. I’m also on a Super-Mid at a fractional and average 9.3 hours of duty. I have had so little max duty days and min rests that I could count both on two hands in two years. This is probably the place for him

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

I would much rather fly when I’m working and be off when I’m off rather than sit in a hotel for 5 day straight. But if that’s what gets you off cool.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Yeah, you say that now.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

They’ve also made it to the final destination. I’d bet that most 26 yo don’t make a part 91 gig their final stop unless the benefits were just unreal.

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OrionX3@reddit

Idk man I'm 27, been at a part 91 job for 2 years now and I can't imagine that I'd ever leave (assuming nothing drastic happens). Get paid well, home almost every night (spend 12 days in hotels at recurrent per year, then maybe 1 night a month in a hotel on trips), fly a bunch of cool planes in our spare time.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Yeah, if it’s what you want for sure. But think you said another thing I’m thinking about. My boss is older and I think I have pretty good job security as of now but with a wife and two kids, a bigger company feels just a little bit safer.

(This comment will be flooded with people saying nothing in this industry is stable which I understand. Just would prefer something a little more stable down the road lol)

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OrionX3@reddit

Ya I get that. The owner of the company I fly for is approaching 80 and that does concern me a little. However, we’ve also been flying around his children and their children and so on; as well as the company employees. I don’t imagine our schedule will change too much when he stops wanting/being able to fly places.

I’ve always figured if it did get axed I’ll try to hop over to Net/flex or maybe go to an airline if I have to. There’s also other 91 jobs in my state where I’d be pretty happy.

To me if I love the job I’ll do it as long as I can. That’s what emergency funds are for

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Yeah I think you’re right.I’m not trying to be the richest pilot ever but I also wouldn’t want to miss out on a job that could possibly make me happy and pay more. But I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to the 91 world and take a pay cut if it meant I got to live the life I wanted.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

I guess I'm not really sure what your question is. It sounds like you don't really like your job and want to do something else.

So go apply somewhere else...?

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

For people that were in similar situations, what did you do to prepare or set yourself apart when not only trying to get hired but just becoming a better overall pilot?

Little reading will take you far

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

It seems like you're really not able to read for comprehension. You might learn more about that when you finish college.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Where did you get your degree? They must be handing them out where you went so I’ll apply next week.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Where would you be without reddit? 6 months ago you were on here asking how difficult a challenger type is. Now you're here complaining your layovers are too long.

That's why college is a good thing. It can teach you to think for yourself instead of having to crowdsource everything you do.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Pretty sure both are possible at the same time. I mean you did write a paper before and list sources at the bottom for the information you used correct?

As I said, PLEASE let me know where you went so I can take the next handout

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Georgia Tech - Aerospace Engineering. You wouldn't make it through.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

A paper with you name scribbled in crayon isn’t a degree my guy. But I’ll check them out

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Uneducated corporate time building pilot hurls "insults" after asking for advice on reddit: news at 11.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Second one edited. Bro was pondering his comments and thought he came back with something better 😂

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Where do you work? If it’s a better gig than what I have now I’ll apply tomorrow and take that free handout too. Only downside is I’d have the chance to be stuck in a cockpit with guys that refrain from reading fully and accept crayon ridden degree

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

I work at widget. If they're just handing out jobs, why don't you work here too?

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Ohhh the salty dog ridicules the younger generation for not being alive as long as he has, makes sense lol. Good look. Guess it’s true when they say every company has those bad apples that weasel their way in.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Bro has to edit comments to feel better about what he said 😂😂

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TheWurstPirate@reddit

Have you considered leaving the hotel and doing something?

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Yeah but you can only explore so long lol. Especially when your back in the same place you’ve been three times lol

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TheWurstPirate@reddit

Oh man, three times? You should have led with that!

My last chart case spent more nights in DAY and YEG than you have spent on the road in your career.

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changgerz@reddit

how much do you make a year for doing basically no work?

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

95k

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Hahahahahahaha

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Bro said he worked at delta but had to change the flair from cpl to ATP mid conversation on a burner account. Makes sense😂 you still flying your 152 bro?

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

I'd be upset if I were you too

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

It’s okay man, call it quits while you can. I’ve now realized you been trying to work yourself up and you’re still working on ppl. I’ve probably got more experience in my left nut. Hit me up if you need some help in the career buddy.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

My man is flying a jet for 5 figures and talking about career help. 🤣

Keep the entertainment coming!

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Sounds good buddy. It’s good to have dreams. Pm me if you need some advice

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Everybody dreams of being underpaid and complaining about their job on reddit! 🫢

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Or are you still in the deferral process. Get those carts finished up buddy. Loans not gonna pay itself

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

How’s your loan payments going? 12% must suck right?

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x4457@reddit

Brother you are getting fucked.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

I am aware but 95k was way better than my 35k instructing job lol

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x4457@reddit

And that’s great at 1500 hours. You’re not at 1500 hours anymore.

Finish that degree and get out.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

For sure, Preciate the advice!

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changgerz@reddit

left seat upgrade opportunity?

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Not really. Two man flight department and the guy has been there for years.

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changgerz@reddit

might have to finish that degree then

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Gonna have to get on it then for sure. Thanks!

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Ill-Animator-469@reddit

Come on man

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

What’s wrong with that?

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Oregon-Pilot@reddit

It just feels like I’m twiddling my thumbs more than flying.

Been there. Its a weird one though because that can definitely be a perk of the job. I found sitting around in hotels for days on end, even somewhere cool, was just not how I wanted to live my life.

I'd imagine you'd meet minimums at NJ/Flexjet (though I personally would not recommend Flexjet). Why not just apply and see what happens? Maybe you don't really need to stand out?

As for what I did: I enjoy creating/writing aviation books and courses, so I was able to bring the books with me to the interview and that seemed to, if not impress them, make myself stand out because most other people didn't have that.

Speaking of, you could get into hobbies that you could take with you or do while on the road. I spent a lot of my layover time working on these courses and books. I also was going to a certain destination with enough regularity and enough frequency that I was thiiiiis close to beginning to instruct at the airport out there, but it never quite worked out. I had gone in and "interviewed" and they were getting things together, but in the end, they realized they didn't have quite the demand to take on another instructor.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Great advice! I appreciate it

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Kemerd@reddit

Buy a good Laptop, and get into something on that! Gaming, coding, something !

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SavingsPirate4495@reddit

Others have said it...do something outside of aviation that's non-aviation.

I have a buddy, he's 20 years younger, who is waaaaaay smarter than me when it comes to aviation. Can probably talk about the Lift Vector Coefficient for 6 hours straight...boring as sh*t!! But he's amazing at landscaping and does interesting work in his yard. I don't have that talent, so it's somewhat interesting when he shows me what he's doing.

When I interviewed for Southwest (from whom I did not retire), my first room was the 7-minute scenario. The facilitators in the room haven't looked at your resume, so they don't know anything about you or for whom you're flying...I was at my Regional at the time. When the scenario finished, they left the room to let me write down notes to debrief myself.

When they came back in, they started the questions....what went well, what could have gone better, tell us about yourself, how did you get into flying, what do you do for fun. I had refereed ice hockey for 13 seasons at the high school and collegiate level. That's all they wanted to talk about for the rest of the interview.

You are very wisely prepping with Emerald Coast for a WN interview...kudos. That's who I prepped with, because I got an interview with WN before I had my United interview. If you can afford it and want to target United, Cage Marshal is United's prep "partner". I felt my prep with Emerald Coast, however, was good enough to carry me through the United interview, from whom I eventually retired.

Good luck and just keep at it!!

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Awesome advice. Thanks man!

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Raine007678@reddit

reading this as a student pilot is both inspiring and terrifying. finish the degree though, that seems like the obvious move

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Just trying to figure out some out of the box things for career progression. Still best decision I’ve ever made was getting into aviation

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Pilot0160@reddit

You’re not crazy at all. Hitting the brakes that hard can be tough but it sounds like you’ve got a great gig.

You just have to find ways to fill the down time on the road and off. Finish the degree, find a new hobby (disk golf is surprisingly easy on the road), or try to find ways to learn more about the flight department. Talk to your ACP or CP and tell them you want to learn more about the admin side if they can take you under their wing. Down the road you can take the CAM certification test and that definitely sets you apart from other pilots in the bizav space. You can do the same thing if you have in house maintenance, go talk to and shadow the mechanics and learn a thing or two about your airplane.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

I’m gonna have to look into that for sure! Thanks for the advice

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Pilot0160@reddit

No problem! And if you’re “sitting in the hotel for days on end” at what you consider great destinations you’re definitely doing it wrong. I assume you have a rental car so go explore. We went up to the Grand Canyon for the day from Scottsdale the other week

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Yeah for sure. I’ve got to do a bunch of exploring and seeing some cool places but one of the problems for me with doing it is a little bit of wishing the wife and kids were with and a little bit of guilt for doing fun stuff without them. (I know what a loser this guy actually likes his family)

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Pilot0160@reddit

Have you tried thinking about it as reconnaissance for a later vacation? “Oh the wife and kids would love this” pin it on your Google Maps for your next vacation. It can be shitty when you’re in Turks and Caicos and she’s at home shoveling snow but reframing the way you look at the other times may help

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Never thought of it that way but better than what I’ve been doing for sure lol thanks!

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Kein-Deutsc@reddit

I’ve heard from some people that 3k hours is close to the upper end of their consideration range. If you are going to be applying to airlines pay attention to that. It might sound ridiculous but I’d consider cutting down your hours at some point. At least be aware that it’s an option. I know some people who are seriously considering doing that to get through some of the early screenings. I’m no expert, and I don’t work in the industry fyi. Just what I have heard from friends and family.

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

Not even remotely true. The minimum to get hired at Flexjet is 3000 hours.

Cutting down on your hours? lol come on man. We get it, you're not in the industry.

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Kein-Deutsc@reddit

Yeah that’s what I said I’m not in the industry and I don’t want to be. 3000 was something I’ve heard as a good spot. If you get up to 5000 or higher it can seem strange. I’m not saying this as my opinion I’m more or less quoting people I know who do work in this industry

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

You can stop talking anytime. You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

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Kein-Deutsc@reddit

Just be aware it’s an option. I heard exactly this discussion from a friend who has 10k hours and has had the worst time trying to find a job despite a clean record and multiple type ratings. I don’t expect anyone but the guy reviewing the resumes to know what it actually takes to get a job in this chaotic industry

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YugeWaterBottle@reddit

lol bro is still talking

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Bro was hurt from earlier and had to take some pent up aggression out on other by-standards lol. Delete the burner bro, it’s for the best

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Kein-Deutsc@reddit

Just be aware it’s an option. I heard exactly this discussion from a friend who has 10k hours and has had the worst time trying to find a job despite a clean record and multiple type ratings. I don’t expect anyone but the guy reviewing the resumes to know what it actually takes to get a job in this chaotic industry

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wildwestgirly@reddit

nah not crazy at all, going from 1210hrs/year instructing to 350ish felt like hitting the brakes for me too. finish the degree, grab every training event, sim, type, safety course you can and network like mad with crews at fbo’s. and yeah, trying to move anywhere right now sucks, hiring is weird everywhere

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

Yeah that’s what I’ve heard. Feels like everytime I get to a hiring minimum for flex or net jets, the preferred minimums increase lol

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LRJetCowboy@reddit

Why the woody for NJ or FJ? You’re going to still do RON’s, likely a lot more. Sure you’ll fly about twice as much, listen to strangers bitch about the size of the shrimp on their seafood trays (too big too small) and, do long duty days, not to mention having to airline every rotation to catch the plane. You need to slow down, take a deep breath and be thankful you are where you are.

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jack_the_pilot5436@reddit (OP)

No for sure. I’m super grateful for the opportunity but was just looking at taking the next step and getting perspectives. But your right I’m trying to avoid letting my attitude get in the way of what I already have

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Swimming_Way_7372@reddit

Just keep logging TPIC. Thats what sets people apart. Once you get the interview you can check airlineinterviews for the latest and greatest interview question prep.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

So I’ve been flying part 91 in a challenger for the last 2 years and have hit a point where I’m looking for more. It’s a great job, with great people, and great destinations but I want to push for a job with a netjet like company or an airline.

For people that were in similar situations, what did you do to prepare or set yourself apart when not only trying to get hired but just becoming a better overall pilot?

I have around 3k hours, fly 300-400 hours a year, ATP, and no degree. Thinking about starting school back up and finishing my degree (1 year left). I have also been going over emerald coast as well just to be prepared ahead of time when an interview opportunity does come up.

Side note: am I crazy for feeling like I don’t fly enough or have enough responsibility? I’m by no means the best pilot known to man but I’ve always had a “go getter” attitude. But sometimes it feels like that attitude makes me take for granted the great opportunity I was given when I started this job. I went from flying 1000+ hours instructing to this and sitting in the hotel for days on end waiting for the boss to get done with his trip. It just feels like I’m twiddling my thumbs more than flying.

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