Originally Posted by
EatMyShorts!
....and also vacation days can only be taken on OFF days. Pretty messed up!
The Biz Jets, Ag Flying, GA, etc. section really does span the full range: from the purely private end (single-owner aircraft, family offices) through to highly commercial setups operating under EASA AOCs or equivalent. Every one of those operating models comes with different pressures and compromises: lifestyle, pay, roster control, job security, command opportunities, etc.
It’s easy to single out one policy, like the restriction of vacation days to OFF days, and call it ‘messed up’ (and fair enough, it probably is if you’re looking for long-term lifestyle balance). But in reality, private aviation always involves a trade-off between certainty and freedom.
On the purely private side, there’s often more money, more last-minute changes, and far less formal HR protection. In the more commercial setups, you might get structured leave and proper rostering, but it’s often at the cost of salary, flexibility, or the feeling that you’re just another cog in a machine.
Each of us is ultimately balancing:
- Short-term sacrifices vs long-term goals
- Lifestyle needs vs financial needs
- Building PIC time vs flying newer, more high-profile aircraft
- Freedom vs security
There’s no perfect setup. Only the one that fits where you are now; and where you want to get to.
Worth remembering, especially when we read these operator reviews: they’re a snapshot, and they reflect what matters most to the poster at that particular point in their career.