NJ Citation X vs. Excel

[larrivee]

Due to the size of these fleets I would imagine they both work very hard. Can somebody compare quality of life on the X vs. the Excel at NetJets? What is an average day like on each? Thanks!

 

[skiandsurf]

Due to the size of these fleets I would imagine they both work very hard. Can somebody compare quality of life on the X vs. the Excel at NetJets? What is an average day like on each? Thanks!

There is no average day at Netjets.

Example...today on the X. Day 1 brief was a 6am checkin at FBO. Then nothing else. I got up early, checked the updated brief. Check in from home at 6am. 2 hrs overtime (before 8am), for 11 hr duty day from home (over 9 hrs overtime ...2 hrs this morning+2 hrs this afternoon=4 hrs overtime). And today is holiday pay as well (Good Friday).

So here I am fixing my sprinklers and getting paid nicely to do so.

Again, this is not normal...but there is no average day.

 

[CALRepublic]

They are going to work you hard on either, come to the Hawker 800 bro....

 

[billybob]

its 9 to 5 like the bank on the 800. the x and xl = slaveship

 

[theskyking]

On the XL, and I am on day 1. Went on duty at home at 1230L. Came to the FBO around 1530. I'll be here till around 2100 tonight babysitting my plane. Back home to sleep with a proposed 0900 show tomorrow for 2 legs and back to here. Plan on being in my bed tomorrow night too.

That being said, I'm sure before the week is out they will get their money out of me.

 

[On Your Six]

Due to the size of these fleets I would imagine they both work very hard. Can somebody compare quality of life on the X vs. the Excel at NetJets? What is an average day like on each? Thanks!

From what I hear from my Netjets buddies, the X and XL/XLS are indeed the busiest fleets with the Sovereign fleet coming in a close third. As you would expect given its range and versatility, the X flies a lot of transcon flights. You will do a lot of TEB/HPN/IAD to VNY/SJC/Napa/Scottsdale/Jackson Hole/LAS. The X is obviously a fast bird and a lot of the celebrities in LA like to be seen on it - some people think it's a sexy airplane... You might even be able to do some Hawaii or European trips on the X as well. I know a guy who has hit Maui from the West Coast three times in the last year or so on the X.

The XL/XLS fleet is very busy but it flies mainly short to medium hops. You may do more flights during the day because the XL/XLS is not capable of transcon flights. You will see a lot of the country in the XL/XLS because the fleet is massive and you can fly pretty much anywhere in it - it is very capable in terms of performance.

So, the X does a lot of longer trips while the XL/XLS flies a lot of shorter trips per day - although both aircraft can do a mix of short and longer trips per tour. You will most likely be eligible for over time on both fleets (you can make extra cash). Some of the other fleets like the Encore/Ultra and Beechjet offer very little over time in comparison.

The flight decks are about the same size - so, if you don't like to sit for 5+ hours at a time in a tight cockpit (in the X) - you should hope for the XL/XLS. You will do a lot of long transcons in the X - probably a few every tour. Compare this (the X cockpit):

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1333305&size=L&width=1600&height=1079&sok=&photo_nr=

to this (XLS):

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6177618&nseq=0

 

[727C47]

start sim on the xl/s fleet next week, i'm a newbie, whats the longest trip,and the most exotic (caribbean?)flown by the fleet? just curious. thanks brothers and sisters !

 

[On Your Six]

start sim on the xl/s fleet next week, i'm a newbie, whats the longest trip,and the most exotic (caribbean?)flown by the fleet? just curious. thanks brothers and sisters !

Congrats on getting on with Netjets. You'll find more stability at Netjets than at Champ. Again, here's your office for the next few years:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6177618&nseq=0

A little more automated than the 727... If you want to track airborne Netjets flights to see where the separate fleets fly and layover, check out this link:

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

Obviously the XL/XLS flights are C56X flight numbers (500s and 600s) - click on a specific flight to see where it has flown and laid over during the last few days. I've counted something like 30 Netjets XLs flying at one time. Check it out and have fun in training! My buddies at Netjets love the place!

 

[av8tor4239]

on the XL I have flown a total of 80 hours since January 2008 .. a guy in my indoc class that went to the soverign has already accumulated 175 hour flight time since jan 2008.. you do the math.. as far as the 10.. you can have it and the legs over 4 hours.. you will very very rarely do anything over 4 hours in the xl... YOU WILL OWN THE HEBREW HIGHWAY ON THE XL

 

[johnsonrod]

on the XL I have flown a total of 80 hours since January 2008 .. a guy in my indoc class that went to the soverign has already accumulated 175 hour flight time since jan 2008.. you do the math.. as far as the 10.. you can have it and the legs over 4 hours.. you will very very rarely do anything over 4 hours in the xl... YOU WILL OWN THE HEBREW HIGHWAY ON THE XL

LOL!!!!!:laugh:

I have a friend on the G200 who formerly flew the XL for years and years. He loved it. You will hit all four corners of the US and a lot of the Caribbean. It has great performance for getting into short airfields (for example, my buddy flew the XL into a short strip near the Grand Canyon) and your a$$ won't deflate because the flights will generally be shorter than longer. Like OYS said, if your a$$ can't stand 5+ hours in a tight cockpit a few times per tour, perhaps the XL is a better match.

 

[727C47]

Thanks for all the quick responses!!!

 

[727C47]

Congrats on getting on with Netjets. You'll find more stability at Netjets than at Champ. Again, here's your office for the next few years:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6177618&nseq=0

A little more automated than the 727... If you want to track airborne Netjets flights to see where the separate fleets fly and layover, check out this link:

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

Obviously the XL/XLS flights are C56X flight numbers (500s and 600s) - click on a specific flight to see where it has flown and laid over during the last few days. I've counted something like 30 Netjets XLs flying at one time. Check it out and have fun in training! My buddies at Netjets love the place!

thanks amigo !

 

[av8trinabarrel]

Due to the size of these fleets I would imagine they both work very hard. Can somebody compare quality of life on the X vs. the Excel at NetJets? What is an average day like on each? Thanks!

Come on u old sailor..I gave you all the info you were gonna need. I hope you made your list this afternoon for when linda calls:beer:

 

[hydrarkt]

I have flown both the X and the XL/S at NJA (and U boat). I actually left the X for the XL and have no regrets. Two of my friends here did the exact same thing and both are happy that they left the X and are now in the XL.

The Soveriegn is absolutely the most busy fleet here. Stay away from that. The X is second and XL 3rd.

The problem I had with the X was the number of long trips. Most of your trips are over 3 hours with many coast to coast. I did a 6+ hour flight at long range cruise from Miami to Vancouver once. That's a loooooong time in that cockpit.

I feel much better physically and mentally at the end of the day and the end of the week in the XL than I did in the X.

Also, the opportunity to get out, walk around and stretch your legs more often is better for you

To me it's a no brainer... the XL wins hand down. And if you come to the XL, you might get me for IOE

 

[av8trinabarrel]

I have flown both the X and the XL/S at NJA (and U boat). I actually left the X for the XL and have no regrets. Two of my friends here did the exact same thing and both are happy that they left the X and are now in the XL.

The Soveriegn is absolutely the most busy fleet here. Stay away from that. The X is second and XL 3rd.

The problem I had with the X was the number of long trips. Most of your trips are over 3 hours with many coast to coast. I did a 6+ hour flight at long range cruise from Miami to Vancouver once. That's a loooooong time in that cockpit.

I feel much better physically and mentally at the end of the day and the end of the week in the XL than I did in the X.

Also, the opportunity to get out, walk around and stretch your legs more often is better for you

To me it's a no brainer... the XL wins hand down. And if you come to the XL, you might get me for IOE

I just finished my first week of ioe on the XL and had a blast. I flew the XLS all week and went coast to coast with a bunch in between. Nothing longer than a 3.5 hr flight and a good mixture of 1-2 hr range. I have 6 days off and i look forward to going back out on the next tour. You wont find many gigs out there where you actually look forward to going to work.

 

[Helmsalee]

Waiting for Linda's call next week. Don't know what will be available, but I think H800/900 is first choice. After that, don't know. Friends have suggested G200, then Sov, XL/S and X in that order. Of course the Falcon but not likely for new hires. They advised avoiding the non-APU birds if possible. Anyone have any further thoughts beyond the above. Thanks in advance. BTW, I'm 60 years young.

 

[skiandsurf]

Waiting for Linda's call next week. Don't know what will be available, but I think H800/900 is first choice. After that, don't know. Friends have suggested G200, then Sov, XL/S and X in that order. Of course the Falcon but not likely for new hires. They advised avoiding the non-APU birds if possible. Anyone have any further thoughts beyond the above. Thanks in advance. BTW, I'm 60 years young.

It all depends on what you like. Most people talk highly of the plane that they fly, and I am no different. The X does a pretty good mix of everything. I like the variety, but last weeks captain is going to bid out of the X and into the new small bird (Encore Plus?). He doesnt like the long legs of the X.

But I would encourage a plane with an APU. With your background, I think youll be lost without it.

 

[wanttofly]

Evertything at NJA goes in cycles, I happen to be in a cycle of real late shows and then 1 or 2 legs. I am on day 5 right now and I have done 2 pax legs in the XL and it has been like this for a few tours. I will tell you with the xl being a shorter leg airplane, if you are West Coast, take the xl. What I mean is that you will usually have the first 3 or 4 days on the West Coast and then start working your way East. By the time you make it out East you have one or two days before all you do is airline home on your last day. I haven't seen TEB for months (only seen the new first once, and it wasn't done). If you fly the X, it doesn't matter what coast you live on, you will see both several times per tour. I love the APU, almost everyone has been fun to fly with, and the mission is great(especially for West Coast guys).

 

[Helmsalee]

To clarify, I live just south of Atlanta and, with one in college and one in high school, not likely to move. I've done lots of different types of flying over the years, but never in bizjets. Talking to friends, I think it will be an interesting way to finish my career. Looking forward to it.

 

[Guitar Guy]

The frax style of flying isn't for everyone. I came to NJA from a regional and much prefer this type of flying to regimented A-to-B-to-A flying that I did in the 121 realm. Some people, though, crave the set schedules and the limited number of airports they'll see in the 121 world.

The good news is that if you get to NJA and fractional isn't for you, there is no training contract. But that said, I do hope you get to NetJets and really enjoy it.

Best of luck to you.