Business Jets or Commercial

[CL0203]

I've been offered two jobs, one on biz jets and one on the 737.

The business jets one is with a reputable comany and offer more money and type rating.

The 737 one is with a smaller and less reputable company but again offer a type rating in the future. I'm leaning towards this one more because it's in a better location and I'm under the impression that there will be more commercial work around the world in the future.

However, my recruitment agent says there is much more work and money in the business jets industry and put forward a solid case based on his experience recruiting people.

What are your opinions on this?

Thanks

[suncruiser650]

Hi,

I would say go for commercial for the following reasons:
- much more jobs available on the 737 in case of unemployment
- in general you fly more in commercial than in business
- more stable roster

Unless it is Netjets I would go for the 737. Business aviation is much more fun flyingwise but it is not stable at all. There are so many different kind of business jets and it is hard to find a job on that particular jet if you would lose your job.

Go to an airline, build some hours, maybe become a captain. If you have enough of the airline industry and enough money in case of unemployment, then I suggest to go to business aviation as a captain. Find a job with equal home/work-time and payed typerating and enjoy the diversity in flying in business aviation.

Good luck!

[magicmick]

Congratulations on getting not just one offer but two, nice to have the dilemma of having to make a choice.



Without knowing details of the two arlines are that are offering you positions along with salary, location and roster details it’s difficult to advise.


Only you know all the details and if your gut is telling you to go for the 737 job then go for it, you will be more employable in the future with 737 experience.


The recruitment agent might be getting paid more commission from the biz jet operator so might have a hidden motive for pushing you in that direction.


Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

[dan1165]

Definitely commercial . Biz market is rotten & unstable ...

[redsnail]

What business jet have you been offered a job on? Some are a lot more desirable than others. You won't build a lot of hours quickly in the bizjet world, but you'll build a lot of experience quickly. There is a difference. Are you low houred? If so, it'll take longer to get the hours required for command in the bizjet world. I am fortunate to work for one of the more reputable bizjet companies.

Good luck.

[dboy]

My advice without knowing all the details and based on my own experience: go for the commercial. I did a few years the swap from bizz jet to the airline and i never regret my choice for a split of a second. Bizz jet was for me too much of a pain. No life, always getting called on my off days, changing rosters (and thus off days) without asking etc. I dont miss those days AT ALL. Even Netjets is for me a no-go!

[DrJones]

Take the 737 job and get command.

If this is your first job , then what you want is hours and good training and this can sometimes be lacking in the biz world.

[PilotRoger]

Commercial my friend.

My guess you are looking to build hours and reach the left seat, well in biz you will be flying 300ish hours p/year, meanwhile in commercial for sure over 600hrs.

Biz roster is challenging, too long time away from home, and you are fully dependent on your passenger, there are times you are just sitting in your hotel hoping your client didn't change his mind, or decided to stay few more days there.

The only good thing from the biz is the money, and perhaps you can be commander quicker, problem is trying to switch to commercial later will be harder, because no commercial will give you a direct left seat, so you will need to start over as SFO, that will impact your income, and at this point you are kind of cornered...

Good luck mate!