121 or go to FLEXJET

[wings of america]

I'm working in a regional 121, with the opportunity to go to FLEXJET CL300 (fractional)

making more money in fractional that the regional

what is you opinion????

help!!!!!!!!!

 

[FrontierFan]

Flex. Get a turbojet type. Were you already hired into the 300? If so than that is great. I have only heard great things about the plane. I have a good friend at Flex. He and I both used to work at different regionals and neither one of us are looking back. Remember the regionals are like mini-van racing.....even if you win you still loose. Never forget that A "great regional" is like comparing sh1t to diarrhea.

 

[flagshipper]

QOL at a fractional cannot be compared to a regional. It is like sleeping with an 8 or 9 versus sleeping with your step sister.

 

[johnsonrod]

I'm working in a regional 121, with the opportunity to go to FLEXJET CL300 (fractional)

making more money in fractional that the regional

what is you opinion????

help!!!!!!!!!

Why would you want to stay in the regionals when the majors are considering consolidation, further cost cutting due to oil costs, etc.? The regionals could easily take the biggest hits - you never know...

Personally, I'd take the Flexjet job and run. Have you actually looked at a Challenger 300? As a new FO, you get to fly this awesome machine around:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1313709&size=L&width=1040&height=756&sok=&photo_nr=33

and this is your office:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1062940&size=L&width=1024&height=693&sok=&photo_nr=1

The Challenger 300s fly all around the US (including Hawaii), Canada, Latin America and even to Europe. You'll see a lot more in the CL300 than you would in the Dash 8...

Now it's true that you will likely fly the Lear 40/45 when you upgrade to PIC in a few years, but your time in the CL300 should be enjoyable and interesting. The CL300 is super popular with Flexjet's customers - I've heard it is sold out for a few years. It's a no-brainer - go to Flexjet and enjoy the new pay scale.

Sure, I hear Flexjet ain't perfect by any stretch (you can always improve aspects of the operation), but it probably beats any regional job given the industry's current realities...

 

[CX880]

Flexjet, with their new pay starting in May I believe they'll be equal to or better than most majors and close to NJ if not the same depending on schedule. Fractionals also offer better job security and flying. I miss flying pt91.

 

[On Your Six]

I'd go to Flexjet. The airline industry is a mess and it might get a lot worse. If you want to see where Flexjet aircraft fly (view airborne aircraft at any time), click on the following link:

http://flightaware.com/live/fleet/LXJ

Click on CL30 if you want to view airborne Flexjet CL300 aircraft. You can see where they fly and where they have been laying over (the previous few days). I counted 10 Flexjet CL300s flying simultaneously on Sunday.

 

[Pacific]

Flexjet! Did the regional thing for close to 5 yrs., and there is no comparrison. Hopefully things will continue to improve here at Flex making it a great place to be.

 

[jtf]

Once you go to the fractionals you will realize how crummy the regionals really are. Most of the fractionals have stepped up to the plate and made serious improvements recently to keep their pilots happy and be able to continue recruiting good pilots. Take the first class you can get.

 

[fischman]

Take Flex.

I am curious if you posted this in the regional section as well? We are a little biased towards the Fractional world here.

I'll tell you that I have worked for a regional in the past, and love it at my current employer and would NEVER go back to the 121 lifestyle.

 

[Flex-ible]

Flex. on my last 6 day rotation, I spent 2 nights at home in south Florida, and did nothing on Day 6. Great company, pay improving, other things tolerable or better. My resume will get dusty.......

 

[On Your Six]

Flex. on my last 6 day rotation, I spent 2 nights at home in south Florida, and did nothing on Day 6. Great company, pay improving, other things tolerable or better. My resume will get dusty.......

Looks like you made the transition from a turboprop to the CL300 like he would make. Perhaps you could talk about that transition - easy/difficult?

How do you like flying the CL300? He might be interested in that too.

 

[johnsonrod]

I haven't heard many negatives about the Challenger 300. I suppose the fact that those pilots work very hard (because the airplane is so versatile - long haul and short haul) could be one potential downer.

 

[Flex-ible]

Looks like you made the transition from a turboprop to the CL300 like he would make. Perhaps you could talk about that transition - easy/difficult?

How do you like flying the CL300? He might be interested in that too.

I took one extra hour in the sim for training before my checkride. Everything went well. I had downloaded most of the flight manual from www.smartcockpit.com before I got to training and had the limitations memorized. Using an FMS for the first time was the biggest challenge. I insisted on spending as much time as possible using the box during system integration.

What I found first and foremost was the people at Flexjet wanted me to be successful. They gave me the resources to make it, I put in a little effort (and had agreat sim partner!), and it worked. They didn't give away the type rating - everything on the checkride had to be within tolerances - but they did remind me that you don't have to be perfect.

Flying the 300 is a lot of fun. The captains and passengers have all been good to work with, and I don't feel that dispatch is pushing too hard either. Great place to be - I plan on retiring from here!

 

[NoPlaneNoGain]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Photoflight]

Been at flex for about 7 months now and I'm usually one that starts looking for the next job after a few months at the new one. Not so here.

Money, schedule, people, airplanes are all great
.

The challenger is a sweet lookin plane. Finally got a chance to look in one today and the cockpit looks like they forgot all the stuff but other than that I ehar awesome things about it.

The biggest downfall at flex is our base system. We only have 4 and no jumpseat agreements.

If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

 

[rumrnr78]

Hands down go to Flex! But don't hang up your resume. You will make a lot of contacts. Have fun, you will love the 300!!

Rum

 

[Nolife]

Looks like you made the transition from a turboprop to the CL300 like he would make. Perhaps you could talk about that transition - easy/difficult? How do you like flying the CL300? He might be interested in that too.

CL300 is my first jet as well. The plane couldn't be easier. It's literally a Jet For Dummies. The plane tells you, via CAS, all you need to know then look in the QRH for the solution. Electrical took 30 minutes in ground school and I slept through it.

Just don't try to flare like a T-prop for if you do it'll float for another 3000 ft. The CL300 makes going to work fun and I feel bad for all the guys bouncing around in the 30's working for a living.
:beer:

 

[HiSpeedFlyer]

Flex....the grass is truly greener on the other side....

Take it from a brother who left the stressful empty pocket living as a regional pilot. Never looking back, and my blood pressure dropped 20 points.

 

[netjetwife]

HSF, their loss was our gain! You and your family (hugs to the kids) are a welcome addition to the NJ pilotgroup/extended Union family.... NJW

 

[Ludicris]

Go for it.