Netjets - The final stop?

[Wankel7]

From everything that the new contract has to offer it sure seems like it is a great place to hang your hat.

I always figured I would end up at an airline and retire from there after many many years of service. But now the picture is different.

The quality of life that fractional flying can offer is outstanding. Especially, the QOL at Netjets. Great people, great flying, great compensation package, and retirement. With a strong union that delivers for the pilots and the company.

I think I would enjoy airline flying after a bunch a years afforded me the quality of life to enjoy the sacrifice. But I guess I'm greedy because Netjets can offer that to you now.

Just wondering how many others here are under 30 and thinking the same thing?

 

[bluepost]

This is a hot topic right now. I have friends trying to make the same decision. I did not get into this industry to throw bags, load catering and check up on ground transportation. I came to Execjet/Netjets to get some pic jet time to get to the majors. Then came 911.

Now I still think for young guys SWA and definitely FED EX or UPS offers a better career opportunity, outside that I think it is a toss up. I don't see any majors with a 5 yr upgrade with the new 65 rule, and there will be mergers happening. USAIR trying to buy Delta last year, it doesn't get any more screwed up then that.

Worst case you will have an awesome career at NJA. In six years you will be making 120k-150k depending on how much you want to work in todays money. Not sure where else you can do that except for FedEX or UPS.

Stability? Anything can and probably will happen, but right now NJA is as stable as FedEx or UPS and more then SWA or any of the others in my opinion. Surely that will change, but that is where the cards fall now. I believe in the product here and feel that it will continue to grow. I think we are in the same postion as FEDEX was in the 80s....the market is under tapped and is growing every year. Will NJA still be at the top in 20 years? Nobody knows.

 

[fly4funcrj]

I'm under 30, flew at the regionals for about 6 years. Never had the "good" life at a major.. After being furloughed 3 times, and seeing guys with 20+ years get furloughed at the majors, it made me rethink my path to retirement.

I came to netjets looking for job security, good benefits, a good wage, and a great QOL. Netjets offers all of that and then some.

It ain't for everyone, but tossing bags is a very very very minor inconvenience. The pro's outweigh the cons 10 fold.

 

[bluepost]

I might add that any young ones could at the very least be gaining seniority and a 30k type rating at NJA while they wait for the airline industry to shake out. I would NOT be hanging out at a regional waiting for that to happen. Worst case you stay at NJA until FedEX or UPS calls.

I don't see the regional QOL or pay going anywhere. Just as my 150k a year is not the 225k at SWA/Fedex/UPS, 100k at a regional is not 150k.

 

[av8tor4239]

I just turned 30...

I just finished initial training at Netjets....

I spent 6 years at the regionals with 1 furlough...

I have very high level contacts at FedEx...

For me... I am just starting a family and I am happy to be at a company where I CAN hang my hat...not to mention a company that pays for all my medical bills! I am lucky to NOT have to be a company where you get furloughed seasonaly (gemini, polar, atlas), contracts take 5+ years to negotiate(ASA), or in fear of a major merger (Delta, United, etc.)

FedEx pays well, but people forget they type of flying they do... Back side is not all fun and games! I know from watching my father do it for 30+ years.... when you are 50 you will look like your are 90. Remember you dont get hired as a widebody captain....

Not to mention FedEx is not hiring right now! I remember pre 9/11 FedEx was in the process of making their newhires sign training contracts because guys were leaving in the middle of training to go to DELTA UNITED, etc..... hummmm

 

[Deadalus]

We(US Airways) lost one of our head training guys to a fractional. In a brown bag lunch with the CEO he mentioned it was a sign of the times. Here we are a major airline and a fractional buys away an employee. I know I'm looking at my options. 13 days off/mo and $80K a year sitting on reserve for the next ten years is not going to keep me around this place.

 

[Willy21]

For me... I am just starting a family and I am happy to be at a company where I CAN hang my hat...

When did we gets hats at NJA?

 

[OPECJet]

I just made that decision. Got awarded the upgrade at my regional the day after I interviewed at NJA. When the offer came it was an easy choice.

I would have love to have flown a Boeing or Airbus, but I put my family ahead of that desire and pursued NJA instead. I don't see myself regretting the decision either!

 

[flywest]

I just made that decision. Got awarded the upgrade at my regional the day after I interviewed at NJA. When the offer came it was an easy choice.

I would have love to have flown a Boeing or Airbus, but I put my family ahead of that desire and pursued NJA instead. I don't see myself regretting the decision either!

Props for putting your family first and making the best decision for you and yours. Welcome aboard! Look forward to meeting you out on the line.

 

[FLYLOW22]

We(US Airways) lost one of our head training guys to a fractional. In a brown bag lunch with the CEO he mentioned it was a sign of the times. Here we are a major airline and a fractional buys away an employee. I know I'm looking at my options. 13 days off/mo and $80K a year sitting on reserve for the next ten years is not going to keep me around this place.

JG is doing a great job at NetJets.

I, for one, am excited to have him follow me over here from US to NJ.

 

[kman]

I'm 27 and been here about 2.5 years and am not sure if this is the place to hang my hat yet.

I really wish there was a better schd for the senior guys. At age 40 I would have 13 yrs of seniority and need still be on the 7n7. Seniority of a 13 yr guy and 20 year guy is the same, besides a/c and vacation the best schd you will fly will be 7n7. And right now Im still about 1-2 years away from upgrading.

If there was a premium schd lets say 5 on 7 off for the top 5 percent I would stay in a heartbeat.
If the right major calls, I think I will leave and take my shot. The flexibility (dropping, trading, picking up), possibility of a great schd (18 to 21 days off a month), workload that is 3 to 4 times less than what I m and doing now, will convince me to leave.

Don’t take me wrong guys this is a great job, but I'm not sure it’s the place for me. I have 35 plus years to give, I want great QOL, netjets just doesn't offer enough yet for me to want to put in 20 years. If income all being the same 20 years at almost any major (assuming I don't get laid off) will provide me with ability to control my schedule with up to 6 days off more a month than nja.

It may take me 20 years to get to where I have 18 plus days off, day trips if I like, dropping my 2 of my 4 four 3 day trips so I only work 6 days the entire month, but if i plan financially , and be lucky enough not to be furloughed. after 20 years at I could reduce my schd for less income and be happy flying only a couple days a month. I know this may all be a pipe dream, but I haven't lost all my hope just yet.

Right now I rather be a 20 yr captain a the right major than a 20 year captain at nja.

 

[CA1900]

We(US Airways) lost one of our head training guys to a fractional.

A good guy, too. I finally met him in person a few weeks ago, and I'm glad we have him -- seems like he'll do good things here.

 

[cush]

At age 40 I would have 13 yrs of seniority and need still be on the 7n7.

Well that's me!! Speaking from your future(or not), life is very good. Hard to argue with 4 weeks vacation on the 7/7 schedule. (Now that being said, if they offer more, I'll be the first in line!!) What I can say is..I know I would not trade my seniority for any equal at ANY airline. Having the ability to know your schedule a year in advance is priceless! But to each his own. And FWIW, I passed on a major airline offer in 1999 and it was the best decision I've ever made! I would have spent 7 years on furlough!!

 

[JustInfo]

I know a lot of guys that have been at a major for 13 years, 8 of which were on furlough. They work a lot more days per month than I do.

7n7 with 4 wks vacation averages 13.8 days/month.

 

[CA1900]

Not to mention the ability to move wherever you want, and still not have to commute on your own time.

Right now I live in Florida. Next year, maybe I'd like to move to Oregon? Or maybe back to New England? I have lots of choices of places to work out of; much more than any airline.

Unless you live at your airline domicile, and plan to do so for the rest of your career, consider how much of your personal time your commute may consume. (I commuted for years thanks to CommutAir closing so many bases; it was a real pain in the ass.)

Not to say you might still like life better at an airline, but a 5-day airline trip with an early report, late release, and a commute on each end, really isn't much different than one of our 7/7 tours, except we're getting paid/credited for our travel days. Just food for thought.

 

[NJA bound]

After 5 yrs a 3 week vacation every 4 months

After 10 yrs a 3 week vacation every 3 months

I think we also still get 12 sick days a year, not sure if that changed with the new contract though.

 

[BengalsFan]

Hey guys... let people leave who want to... that leaves more room for those of us who plan on Netjets as our future! ;0)

 

[Willy21]

• (assuming I don't get laid off)
  [*]be lucky enough not to be furloughed.

This is the the big IF.

 

[CA1900]

I think we also still get 12 sick days a year, not sure if that changed with the new contract though.

You might want to go ahead and read that new contract you (I assume) voted on; it's kind of important.

Briefly, yes, we still accrue one day a month. Section 10 has the details.

 

[NJA bound]

You might want to go ahead and read that new contract you (I assume) voted on; it's kind of important.

Briefly, yes, we still accrue one day a month. Section 10 has the details.

All of those new acranyms PBS PBA ABC, IBB confused me, I'm going to have to wait for the cliff notes version.