Airline to Fractional...

[imacdog]

That's an obvious fake - a real Mesa pilot would have those sunglasses on, indoors or not.

 

[Willy21]

Why is he wearing a hat? It might mess up his hair.

 

[cush]

You and I need to sit and have a beer one afternoon.

We certainly can do that. But believe me, I've had many a beer with many a retired Delta guy (such as yourself) and heard all the stories of the glory days. My point is, those days are over. Just be grateful that you were able to experience them. As I am grateful for my job. Which I feel very fortunate to have. One which I would not trade, in todays world, for any out there. But then again, to each their own. Cheers!

 

[AftCG182]

Made the switch. Wish I could have done it sooner. Two things to keep in mind... 7-on/7-off schedules are common and you'll need to enjoy the face-to-face time with your pax. Oh yeah, you get treated like a human over here, too...

 

[SELFloadingCRGO]

Thank you all for your replies, I certainly do appreciate it!

 

[popgoesbubble]

Left the Regionals after 6 years never going back only thing I hate is to see Old retired Airline captains bitch about the Job and then try and tell you that they don't need the money but yet plan on staying here until there in there Seventies or can't hold a medical!

Plus if your in the 680 we have a very Ambiguously IOE guy that will put his arm behind your seat and make you feel all comfortable during the Dead head legs Not that there's anything wrong with that!

 

[SafeSix]

I was in the FBO at KCLL yesterday and asked the girl if a particular aircraft on the ramp belonged to NetJets (I have no idea what y'alls paintjob even looks like...)

Anyway, she said no, because the "pilots weren't "A-holes"!!

I'm thinking, "Hmmm... this is interesting."

"Are you saying all NetJets crews are A-holes?" I ask.

"Yep", she says. "Always in a big hurry and need stuff now, now, now!"

I replied that I'd heard the hours are long and the schedules are tight-- could be enough to stress dudes out. Didn't seem to change her opinion though.

Your thoughts?

(Now y'all please don't go chewin on her next time you're there. She seemed young and of questionable overall intelligence. Would probably cry easily!)

 

[captain dad]

9 years of part 121 and you can't pay me enough to go back to the airlines. Seriously! NJA is the brass ring for me. Especially after the IBB passing. Good money, fun flying, great people, great company, great benefits, etc... I can keep going...

Yes you have to deal with the folks and load maybe ten or twenty bags a day.

I won't ever leave.

 

[CA1900]

"Are you saying all NetJets crews are A-holes?" I ask.

"Yep", she says. "Always in a big hurry and need stuff now, now, now!"
...
Your thoughts?

Our needs really aren't that outrageous. In general, our planes need gas, a bag of ice, a change of the coffee pot contents, and some newspapers. If there's catering, we'll need it out of the fridge. Some of our planes need GPUs. And we'll probably need "all that" in about half an hour if it's a short turn. If it's a ferry leg, we won't need the coffee, ice, papers, or probably catering unless it's crew food.

That's it. It's not a lot.

Most FBOs understand this, because there's nothing much we need that every other passenger airplane doesn't need, too. Many times, a good line guy can take care of all our needs except the gas in a matter of just a few minutes.

Here's a hint for FBOs, too: If you put the coffee pot and the ice machine out where I can get it, I'll usually grab that stuff myself if I have time. It's when everything hidden in the line office, and I can't so much as breathe without asking the CSR, that's part of the problem!

Yeah, we have a-holes; every company does. But really, my experience has been that they're pretty rare here. Generally, if we're up at the desk nagging, it's because the whole airport is moving in sloooooow mooooottttiioooooon.... Our min turn is normally an hour. We're expected to be ready to go 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure. So if it's been 20 minutes since I asked the FBO for the coffee, ice, papers, and catering, then you bet we're going to be in there nagging. Because I now have less than 10 minutes to get it all together.

(Y'all please don't go chewin on her next time you're there. She seemed young and of questionable overall intelligence. Would probably cry easily!)

Heh.... I've never been to that airport, but it looks like an FBO associated with a college. The last time I got terrible service, it was at another college FBO: Columbus's own Ohio State U. airport. (Our showtime was the FBO's opening time, and our departure was an hour later. It didn't start off well when the CSR was 20 minutes late for work!)

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

That reminds me of a trip I had:

I'm in the Falcon, at about 0230, with a load of parts for Toyota (Georgetown, KY) that they needed ASAP, and paid a crapload of money for us to fly it there from Mexico.

I'm looking over the security fence at the driver of the Toyota delivery truck, waiting for these parts. He's looking at me and wondering why we're both sitting there at the airport, in the dark.

After about an hour, the FBO guy strolls up, opens the FBO, turns on the lights, and opens the gate for the Toyota truck. NICE!

I think that's why Toyota built their own airport on their property at the new pickup truck plant in SAT.

cliff
YIP

 

[Gator1999]

I was in the FBO at KCLL yesterday and asked the girl if a particular aircraft on the ramp belonged to NetJets (I have no idea what y'alls paintjob even looks like...)

Anyway, she said no, because the "pilots weren't "A-holes"!!

I'm thinking, "Hmmm... this is interesting."

"Are you saying all NetJets crews are A-holes?" I ask.

"Yep", she says. "Always in a big hurry and need stuff now, now, now!"

I replied that I'd heard the hours are long and the schedules are tight-- could be enough to stress dudes out. Didn't seem to change her opinion though.

Your thoughts?

(Now y'all please don't go chewin on her next time you're there. She seemed young and of questionable overall intelligence. Would probably cry easily!)

Yeah, there are a--holes in every company. I know we probably have our fair share here but if we are in a hurry and asking for a lot of things quickly, it is their job to provide us that service. Most of the people I know take their time and don't rush. I wouldn't give what some FBO chick has to say about an entire pilot group much credibility. All in all, I work with a great bunch of people, and am glad that I can be a part of this team. Good luck!

 

[learflyer]

I hate when you taxi up to the ramp and open the door and have the line guy ask do you need fuel? And that is all he asks! Then, he disappears!Meanwhile, I need a vacuum, lav service, and take these three bags of trash in! Or, what about the guys that only like to marshall, and nothing else.

 

[fischman]

I was in the FBO at KCLL yesterday and asked the girl if a particular aircraft on the ramp belonged to NetJets (I have no idea what y'alls paintjob even looks like...)

Anyway, she said no, because the "pilots weren't "A-holes"!!

I'm thinking, "Hmmm... this is interesting."

"Are you saying all NetJets crews are A-holes?" I ask.

"Yep", she says. "Always in a big hurry and need stuff now, now, now!"

I replied that I'd heard the hours are long and the schedules are tight-- could be enough to stress dudes out. Didn't seem to change her opinion though.

Your thoughts?

(Now y'all please don't go chewin on her next time you're there. She seemed young and of questionable overall intelligence. Would probably cry easily!)

Hey!!! I was in KCLL the other day!?!?!?!:nuts:

 

[popgoesbubble]

I was in the FBO at KCLL yesterday and asked the girl if a particular aircraft on the ramp belonged to NetJets (I have no idea what y'alls paintjob even looks like...)

Anyway, she said no, because the "pilots weren't "A-holes"!!

I'm thinking, "Hmmm... this is interesting."

"Are you saying all NetJets crews are A-holes?" I ask.

"Yep", she says. "Always in a big hurry and need stuff now, now, now!"

I replied that I'd heard the hours are long and the schedules are tight-- could be enough to stress dudes out. Didn't seem to change her opinion though.

Your thoughts?

(Now y'all please don't go chewin on her next time you're there. She seemed young and of questionable overall intelligence. Would probably cry easily!)

SafeDick

I noticed in Your 3 other post since you joined FI 10 days ago you don't have a Ya"all "I'm a Red Neck Tone" in any of these post?

It Funny for someone that says they fly AC-130 Gunships a very Hi tech Airplane let alone being a Air force pilot. You talk about living in the stone age when it comes to having electronic devices? Black Berries, T.V's not quite what I think the Air Force looks for when flying in the SOF Wing out of Hurlbert Field.

I smell Troll

 

[jj21211]

I went airline to management/charter. Flying a GIV. Ten minutes from my house. Last weekend I was assigned an LAS charter, which I didnt fail to bitch about. Turned out, the pax comped us front row seats at a show and tipped us almost a grand apiece. That would have never happened at USAi...er, my last airline. I did get a tiny pang watching planes from my old airline taking off at LAS. But I guess Marcellus Wallace woud say "that's just pride fu@kin witcha..." Can't look back.

 

[SafeSix]

Don't start.

SafeDick

I noticed in Your 3 other post since you joined FI 10 days ago you don't have a Ya"all "I'm a Red Neck Tone" in any of these post?

It Funny for someone that says they fly AC-130 Gunships a very Hi tech Airplane let alone being a Air force pilot. You talk about living in the stone age when it comes to having electronic devices? Black Berries, T.V's not quite what I think the Air Force looks for when flying in the SOF Wing out of Hurlbert Field.

I smell Troll

First of all, I "flew" AC-130s. Past tense. And secondly, you've seen too many movies. The H-model gunship is anything but hi-tech. Its lethality and accuracy are based on two basic principles: good ol' fashioned TNT and simple trigonometry! Its instruments are steam and its "FMS" is run by a 286 processor. A few new gadgets have been added in recent years, but all bolted on as suddenly needed.

I was merely relating a funny story from a laid-back Texas FBO in the perspective of a middle-America young gal. No judgements made on my part.

Anyway, other than yourself, a lot of guys have provided some good day-in-the-life perspectives based on my little tale. Thanks to all of y'all. Those of us lookin for an interview are much appreciative of your stories.

Now back to the original topic! SafeSIX

 

[reepicheep]

Best thing about a fractional?

No chance of a merger with USAir!

 

[Voice Of Reason]

I spent 27 years at a major. I'm working at a frac two years now and can tell you, I think the 121 major world is better. Much better.

The big problem with the fractional world is that there really are very minor rewards for longevity, or seniority. Were I to stay at this fractional for another 27 years, I could never, ever look forward to the QOL that I experienced at the majors. I just rode on a Falcon piloted by guys who were super senior. Their life style was good, but nothing compared to what senior pilots at the majors have. They were real proud of their lifestyle, but I pitied them because, if that's the "top", it aint so good.

Who at the fractionals works a 2-on-5-off schedule? When I worked the 2 on 5 off, my 2 on comprised two turn-arounds to SJU that departed at 8 in the morning and got back at 7 the same evening. I never had to spend a night away from home if I didn't want to. I knew where I was going to be a month in advance and if I didn't like it I could swap it away for something I did like. I didn't have to start my trip parking at some FBO and airlining to some other FBO. I didn't have to wonder where I was going to be that night or if I was going to be in a nice hotel, or in the only hotel room the company could find at 7 o'clock that night.

There was no worrying about catering, passenger issues, cabin cleaning, etc. The dispatchers were exceptional. I didn't have to worry about customs, or a million other details. The equipment I flew was head and shoulders above what I'm flying at the fractional (but, I'm flying a Cessna product :0 ).

My wfe and kids flew non-rev anytime they wanted. Never got stranded and went to Europe on a lark. I would have to have a zillion airline points to provide the leisure travel that we all took for granted for their entire lives until they left home. Even now, they have non-dependant passes until I die.

Yes, the commuters are the pits, and even being junior with the majors isn't that much fun, but there's a future at the majors that's brighter than a career with the fracs. A bankruptcy with the majors is also the pits, but there are no guarantees that the fractionals won't go through the same thing 27 years from now.

Do I hate working for a fractional? No. It's a very good job. Is it as good as a career at a 121 major? In my opinion, no.

Very true!