Help! I don't know what to do

[moxiepilot]

Without actively looking for a new job, another offer has been made to me; this time by Wiggins Air, a cargo company flying mostly Caravans.

The position they offered was a floater Captain, basically traveling to bases filling in for the sick for a week at a time. Schedule is typical freight doggy, 9 pm to 5 am Monday to Friday, home on the weekends, 4 weeks on 1 week off. I don't mind the schedule or only flying about 2 hours a day.

For an internal applicant to move up to flying their multi engine, they're looking for 250 multi (external applicants 500). I have 105 multi.

They are willing to give me a rental car to travel to the bases so that I do not have to relocate (bonus!). Pay is about $35k + per diem.

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Currently I am an instructor/flight school manager. The managerial role came into play within the past few months, where for an increase in pay and benefits I would have additional responsibilities. With that I verbally committed to my boss for about 9 months.

I do not have my MEI, but the instructor will be leaving soon, so if I spend a bit of money, I'd end up picking up about 10-15 hours of multi a month.

Summer time is slamming at the FBO, billing between 10-15 hours a day in flight and ground.

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Here's my question

Will this cargo op help me advance my career in the desire to maybe fly corporate in the future?

Do I take the cargo job and spend a few thousand every year to build up my multi time on my own? or do I get my MEI and continue to instruct for another year to build the time to about 250?

Do I burn the bridge at this FBO?

WWYD?

[Ian J]

Look at Airnet as a basis of comparison:

A floater at Airnet works 8 on, 6 off.

An airnet applicant with 105 ME is awesome. No worries there. No need for 250 or 500.
Base pay is $28k plus per diem, expenses, and overtime. $35k is probably about average.

You will start in Barons, Chieftains, and Caravans as a floater. No need to work into the multis, you're in them from day one.

Obviously I can't answer your advancement to corporate question, but if I were going to pick a freight company I'd take a hard look at the other ones out there and see how they stack up.

[kfour]

I had a chance to talk to a Wiggins Caravan guy who did the PLB-EWR run for them. He loved working there, enjoyed his schedule/run and was home a lot.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

Currently I am an instructor/flight school manager. The managerial role came into play within the past few months, where for an increase in pay and benefits I would have additional responsibilities. With that I verbally committed to my boss for about 9 months.

It appears to me that you already made a decision. Reversing that decision involves more than just "burning a bridge" in my opinion. I recently turned down an offer to interview at a company that offered better money and more time off, at least in part because I had made a similar verbal commitment to my present company. I think that a sense of personal integrity increases one's quality of life. In other words, I like myself better when I do what is "right".

[Texasspilot]

Havent posted in a while but I'll give you my two cents...for what its worth.

If they offered you a PIC job on a ''van then you obviously meet the 135 req's.

Many...MANY companies out there are hiring for regular scheduled runs at way better pay than what wiggins is offering.

I know my former company flys only multis 310's and 402's. Is all mon-fri. And the starting pay is in the mid to upper 40's now. Unless the perdiem doubles the salary at wiggins I'd probably look elsewhere. The van's a fun airplane but doesn't lead to too many places down the road. And at your stage with only 100 multi then thats what you need. Airnets a good choice because not only do you log multi time right away there is a good chance to get some turbine if you decide to stay with the company.

Remember most companies like to see turbine PIC but all of them REQUIRE multi time.

[Kevin.Held]

Paul

It does sount like a great opportunity but if it were me, I'd be tempted to stick with the FBO as long as you're happy there. Sounds like your boss is a decent guy and he obviously wants you to stay if he's given you this promotion. Maybe he wants you bad enough that he's willing to pay for your MEI... just a thought.

While the sky is falling with the RJ jobs, I suspect there will still be freight jobs out there for a bit, especially with someone who has the hours. Of course its complete speculation, but in 9 months I bet you will still be able to find something (you may actually have to apply though instead of getting unsolicited offers).

If your goal is corporate I think some management experience, or at least increased responsibility, may set you apart from other applicants.

I say wait a bit

.02

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by SteveC

It appears to me that you already made a decision. Reversing that decision involves more than just "burning a bridge" in my opinion. I recently turned down an offer to interview at a company that offered better money and more time off, at least in part because I had made a similar verbal commitment to my present company. I think that a sense of personal integrity increases one's quality of life. In other words, I like myself better when I do what is "right".

I think that is why this is so incredibly hard. Integrity and honesty are paramount to me. Predicting the future is tough in not seeing what's coming - I guess it just gets really hard turning down job offer after job offer. (I think this is the 5th unsolicited offer)

Thanks to all, Kevin, Steve, Ian, etc....

[SpiraMirabilis]

See if your boss will let you out of your agreement if you can find your own replacement.

[ljg]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

Integrity and honesty are paramount to me.

(I think this is the 5th unsolicited offer)

[Kevin.Held]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

I guess it just gets really hard turning down job offer after job offer. (I think this is the 5th unsolicited offer)

You sound like that kid everyone hated in college "ugh.... I only got an 93 on that orgo final"

[Itchy]

Based where you live?
Can you pick up weekend multi students? You would have to clear it with the boss of course, (and need to respect the 24/off duty time etc) but maybe you could have the best of both worlds?