We occasionally get questions from people who wonder how we choose our pilots and why some pilots would choose to fly charter vs. airlines.  Well, I’m going to try to answer parts of those questions here.  Lets start off with the hiring process we go through when we bring a pilot on to fly for us.

When we begin the process of hiring a pilot, it starts off like most other businesses where we review resumes’ or talk to someone based on a word of mouth recommendation.  In reviewing these resumes’ we will look at their previous work history and something that really matters to me is looking at the tenure the person has at each of the businesses he has worked.  It really stands out when someone is only at each job for six months to a year and makes you ask the question, why?  Is it a matter of a personality conflict, is a safety issue or ar they just not sure they know what they want to do with their life.  Once we have settled on moving forward with the individual we will contact them and have a one on one sit down meeting.  Now this is where things get a little different for someone applying to be a pilot.  At this meeting, if we really feel the individual is someone we would like to hire, we then have to send that individual out for a “pre-employment” drug test.  This test is required  even before an offer is made to the person.  So, before sending the person out for the test, we have to go over our company’s drug and alcohol policy and have the person sign the policy understanding what they are being tested for and that if hired these tests will continue on a random basis.  At this point in the society we live, most people are pretty familiar with this process and understand it is part of what they are signing up to do.  I am fortunate enough to have never had anyone who has applied or been hired, test positive for drugs or alcohol.  Our policy on drugs and alcohol is very strict, if you test positive you are immediately fired and must still submit to mandatory counseling  if you want a chance to continue working in the aviation industry.

What is it though that makes a person choose to be a charter pilot over becoming an airline pilot?  This is really something that each pilot has to answer for themselves.  Speaking from personal experience, charter operations has always been the way to go for 0385938me.  Here are some of the advantages as I see them.  In charter, I have an opportunity to interact with the passengers on a more personal level, getting to know them and their families.  This allows us to know what they like on board the plane and being able to pamper them on each trip.  We do this by meeting our customers in the parking lot and getting their bags as well as their car keys.  While the passenger is out on their trip, their car is washed and cleaned and waiting for them at the airplane when they return.  When the trip is a few days in length, we are also able to take the car for regular service while the person is out of town and doesn’t need their car.  We can also assist in getting hotels, rental cars, or other transportation suitable to their needs.  Another advantage is being able to be home without having a set 7 days on and 7 day off schedule.  Now the schedule can also be a disadvantage as well in that we are on call 24/7 and that can really be stressful at times, especially if you have a family.  Thankfully, I have a very understanding wife, who is able to go with the flow.

There is a lot more that can be said about each of these things but the key part of our business is the safety of our passengers. That starts off during the hiring process and continues in each and every aspect of our business.  Our pilots are a key part of this process and we are blessed to have pilots who take their responsibility seriously.

Eric Groves

Chief Pilot