Citation Shares pay raise?

[SKYLAWYER]

I am waiting patiently also to see what happens here at shares. I have to go on record here and say that I don't think we can keep up with the jones' on this one. I very much enjoy working at shares, but I dont drink the kool aid and I call a spade a spade. We will probably get a pay raise that will just be diluted later with an increase benefits costs or a reduction of available overtime. We have a good deal here without a union, but we dont have the best deal in the industry. And our good deals are a result of the indusry changes that the guys in columbus push for. Giving Fo's a 1000 dollars a year over NJ fo's at the last TA and then calling us the highest paid pilots in the industry when we average 2200 dollars a year in benefits reduction. Ok let me stop because this is going down the wrong road. I am a CS pilot, but I am a pilot first and have gone down the same road as many in this industry. When the uniforms come off at the bar it amazing how great most of us get along. I'll go on the record here and say what I feel is the truth, if some dont like it then tough. I pray for NJ guys to get the best deals possible for themselves, while continuing to allow the company itself to prosper. Thats the only way things will improve for the rest of us. Good luck on your TA, and my family and children thank you in advance for my next pay raise.

 

[Ultra Grump]

Skylawyer, good post.

Thats the only way things will improve for the rest of us.

That's true, as long as you keep approaching your company as individuals.

 

[sflax]

The other side of the coin is this. Can any company ie, regional, frac,major turn into a training site for the industry. My last job was one, FO's get the training and then 6 months later move on. At 20k a pop, can the rest of the indusrty have an attrition rate in the 20%, so that netjets can hire guys with experience and a type rating. Can CS and flex stay in business. Give me half of 20k and I will be happier for a while.

 

[IronManNDFW]

OMG!!!

This is FLOPS ver 2.0.

If you can't see it maybe it is time to turn in you're medical...

 

[netjetwife]

Skylawyer, good post.

That's true, as long as you keep approaching your company as individuals.

I'm jumping in here next to UG to shake your hand, Skylawyer. Great post! I like how you mentioned your family; please give them my best regards. I didn't know about the benefits reduction following the pay raise....that's awful... Comes under the tactic of robbing Peter to pay Paul, huh?

I agree with you that frac pilots share a lot of common ground and it has long been my hope that raising the bar at NJA will have a positive impact on the rest of the industry. Let the muttering begin at Shares! The closer we get to Vote Day, the louder CS pilots should become...

A RISING TIDE SHOULD LIFT ALL BOATS, SOME PADDLING REQUIRED

 

[SpaceBall 1]

To clear the mud......there have been NO benefit reductions at CS. The cost have gone up slightly for 2008 as they escalate every year. Mine are increasing around $50/month for wife and 2 kids on the HMO plan. It is great that NJ pays the benefits for the pilots and maybe we will be there one day as well. Most of the working world pays something out of paycheck for thier benefits. I'm curious, and not to flame, but does NJ pay the benefits for all employees or do others have to pay some out of pocket??

 

[NETFLIER]

They pay for all.

My wife and 2 kids story as well. However, our deductables for medicines and co-op payments for emergency room visits have gone up slightly to help offset the rising cost. But no monthly out of pocket.

The avg cost per month for a family of four full heath is 917.00 per month. With 7000 people at netjets its costing them about 6.5 million a year for this benefit. Not chump change, but just a fraction of the 250 million we are going to make this year.

 

[robbo]

Spaceball, or any other CS people

I have an interview in a couple of weeks and would love to get an idea of what to expect for insurance premiums, copays etc. It would be for me, the Boss and two Gremlins.

Thanks

 

[SKYLAWYER]

To clear the mud......there have been NO benefit reductions at CS. The cost have gone up slightly for 2008 as they escalate every year. Mine are increasing around $50/month for wife and 2 kids on the HMO plan. It is great that NJ pays the benefits for the pilots and maybe we will be there one day as well. Most of the working world pays something out of paycheck for thier benefits. I'm curious, and not to flame, but does NJ pay the benefits for all employees or do others have to pay some out of pocket??

You are right, benefits reduction was not the right choice of words. There was an increase in costs to the employees at that time, and there is another increase this year. More out of pocket exspenses with no raise equals less take home pay. Pay guys a little more and cover less of the medical costs equals no change of exspense to the company.

 

[netjetwife]

...More out of pocket expenses with no raise equals less take home pay. Pay guys a little more and cover less of the medical costs equals no change of exspense to the company.

Regardless of the term used, I understood the situation clearly. Management is giving with one hand and taking with another. To my disappointment, the CS pilots saw no real progress, when the NJ pilots definitely did. My sympathy remains for the CS pilots, who I mistakenly believed were also seeing more money in their paychecks. I'm sorry for them that is actually not the case. It does bolster the NJ pilots' claim that a union is required to get the fair deal the pilots deserve.

 

[Stinkbug]

Regardless of the term used, I understood the situation clearly. Management is giving with one hand and taking with another. To my disappointment, the CS pilots saw no real progress, when the NJ pilots definitely did. My sympathy remains for the CS pilots, who I mistakenly believed were also seeing more money in their paychecks. I'm sorry for them that is actually not the case. It does bolster the NJ pilots' claim that a union is required to get the fair deal the pilots deserve.

You weren't mistaken, we have a lot more money in our paychecks since the raise we got when Netjets got theirs. I think Spaceball was just making the point that our insurance costs will increase a little next year. My income will increase as well, per the longevity pay scale, but not as much as it would if I were at Netjets and not having to pay for healthcare insurance. That's a very nice benefit.

 

[NJApilot]

When the uniforms come off at the bar it amazing how great most of us get along.

Nice post, Skylawyer...well said. Should we ever happen to meet at the aforementioned hotel bar, beverages for you and your partner are on me.

PS - The same offer is extended, of course, to my fellow dues-paying FLOPS Brothers.

 

[netjetwife]

SB, yes the health insurance benefit is great. I'm glad to give credit where it's due. NJA has voluntarily done an excellent job in that area over the years.

NJApilot, that's downright neighborly of you...

 

[woog315]

They pay for all.

My wife and 2 kids story as well. However, our deductables for medicines and co-op payments for emergency room visits have gone up slightly to help offset the rising cost. But no monthly out of pocket.

The avg cost per month for a family of four full heath is 917.00 per month. With 7000 people at netjets its costing them about 6.5 million a year for this benefit. Not chump change, but just a fraction of the 250 million we are going to make this year.

If all your numbers are right and you didn't mean to say $917/yr (which would be waaaay low, but 917 a month is high for a group plan, so I'm not sure what you're shooting for) then you need to multiply 6.5 by 12 for the annual cost. 6.5mil would be monthly. But, like I said, $917 isn't a good number for yearly *or* monthly, so...

 

[Wacopilot]

Hopefully, it will be without a 39 month seat lock and 8 day tours. But I will give credit where credit is due, it and when everything comes together.

8 Day tours.... Whaaa? No such thing.