Best Operator

[Adam]

What makes a company good to work for? In corporate aviation, what are the things that keep crew loyal and allow them to live a balanced work/ life?

[Alexander]

If I were in your position, then it would be communication. Let's be honest you spend regular or even spontaneous periods away from home and need to be kept up to speed with not just the job you are currently undertaking, but future plans and developments elsewhere in the company. How does the company deliver the kind of information to its crews and how often do individual crews' paths cross ? Interesting to hear some varied experiences on this.

Alex

[Shagmeister]

I find that I prefer companies who are able to maintain the personal touch, I don't work well as just a number. My current employer fell into the former camp for a while but we're now heading the other way due, in part, to new management who came from my last company!!

If it continues I'll be off. Maybe a single owner aircraft would suit me better.

[tornado]

When you say single owner, does this mean that you, as a pilot, are otherwise trying to serve several masters ? Are you not isolated from the these kind of complications on a day to day basis ?

I can see that growth in fractional ownership means the crew sometimes suffer for the shortfalls of the operator...

tornado

[Shagmeister]

What I mean is I prefer the intimacy of a small team and working for a single owner would be the ultimate version of that I suppose. What I would not do would work for someone who expected me to be on permanent standby. Thanks but no thanks.

Actually my situation changed yesterday. Until then we had a single owner but also flew charters. Under the brand new owner we'll fly only for them while being subject to JAA FTL's. First trip is a week in the Seychelles :cool:

[Adam]

Fantastic. But do you not fear that if the owner has a bad time economically or even worse, has severe health problems, he/ she would then end your position as the aircraft would most likely go?
I feel that working for a corporation rather than an individual gives the operation more structure and usually has more secure prospects.....


What I mean is I prefer the intimacy of a small team and working for a single owner would be the ultimate version of that I suppose. What I would not do would work for someone who expected me to be on permanent standby. Thanks but no thanks.

Actually my situation changed yesterday. Until then we had a single owner but also flew charters. Under the brand new owner we'll fly only for them while being subject to JAA FTL's. First trip is a week in the Seychelles :cool:

[Alexander]

Presumably the corporate employer will provide a more consistent approach to your treatment, but without the spontaniety? I can see the attractions of building a personal relationship with the owner...

Alex

Fantastic. But do you not fear that if the owner has a bad time economically or even worse, has severe health problems, he/ she would then end your position as the aircraft would most likely go?
I feel that working for a corporation rather than an individual gives the operation more structure and usually has more secure prospects.....

[Shagmeister]

Two ways of looking at it I suppose. One is that in times of strife 'luxuries' are the first to go. That was always the way things were but I think bizjets are more acceptable as tools these days, more justifiable. Especially wih the hassle of flying commercially.

The other is that the truly wealthy weather the ups and downs of the economy and so are unaffected.

That said I suppose I have the best of both worlds. I'm employed by a company who manage a privately owned aircraft. If the aircraft leaves the company continue to pay me. For now.............. :D

[Adam]

Can anyone nominate a company that they feel was the best corporate operator along with a few reasons why?

If people contribute, we could define "the perfect" organisation and collectively apply pressure throughout the industry to make positive change.

[UPUPandAWAY]

What do you as a crew member use to resolve conflict and how does the company mangement get involved, if at all?

Have you seen any techniques that are highly effective and is CRM evolving to encompass larger elements of psychology?