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NJ Citation X vs. Excel

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larrivee

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Posts
16
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!
 
larrivee said:
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!
Click to expand...

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.
 
They are going to work you hard on either, come to the Hawker 800 bro....
 
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.
 
larrivee said:
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!
Click to expand...

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
 
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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 !
 
727C47 said:
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 !
Click to expand...

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!
 
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
 
av8tor4239 said:
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
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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.
 
Thanks for all the quick responses!!!
 
On Your Six said:
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!
Click to expand...

thanks amigo !
 
larrivee said:
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!
Click to expand...
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:
 
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
 
hydrarkt said:
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
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
Helmsalee said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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).
 
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.
 
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.
 
av8trinabarrel said:
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.
Click to expand...


you mean you didn't look forward to overnighting in kabul? I heard they have great Amenities at the tent hilton kabul. I still would have took my chances overnighting in the 747 that that crap you delt with..
 
It sounds good to me. The thought of saying "yes sir, we can do that" instead of constantly saying "sorry" is going to be a nice difference from my last job. Yes, I know, load bags, clean cabin, yes sir no sir 3 bags full. I've been FO and Capt, I can do either. Lots of new airports to see and these planes look like Indy racers compared to the 18wheelers I've been flying. Throw me in that briar patch.
 
captain007 said:
you mean you didn't look forward to overnighting in kabul? I heard they have great Amenities at the tent hilton kabul. I still would have took my chances overnighting in the 747 that that crap you delt with..
Click to expand...
Ahh yes.. the old hotel bagram. Those were the days. One day your dodging missiles from the taliban and the next your sitting poolside at the boca raton hilton. I think i made the right choice! Looks like that scumbag ornstain is gonna run aloha out of business in 10 days. You better hope you get the call next week or your gonna be junior assigned to the islands with the rest of the 900 fleet..ouch!:uzi:
 
av8trinabarrel said:
Ahh yes.. the old hotel bagram. Those were the days. One day your dodging missiles from the taliban and the next your sitting poolside at the boca raton hilton. I think i made the right choice! Looks like that scumbag ornstain is gonna run aloha out of business in 10 days. You better hope you get the call next week or your gonna be junior assigned to the islands with the rest of the 900 fleet..ouch!:uzi:
Click to expand...


If netjets doesn't call next week, Im getting out... Might go into the fast food industry. Can you write me another lor? I need out. I am so done with this place! Enjoy the time off and the waves you sob.
 
Helmsalee said:
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.
Click to expand...
Hey man.. i Live in atl too.... you get the job?
 
I start X training on May 4th. I'm 29 and feel like I'm going to be up to the longer legs at least for a little while. I also have not done much west coast flying at all or Intl. and I am really looking forward to broadening those horizons. Also, my 23 year old little sis just moved to LA in Jan. to pursue an acting career and I think I will have more of a chance to see her with all of the TEB-VNY trips. My question for you X drivers, do you do many overnights in LA?

I'm sure I'll get tired of the X by the end of the 36 months, but the type rating is a great one to have and I am looking forward to the challenge.

I can see why some of you older fogeys are looking to get into the EP or XLS. It makes sense. I'll probably be right there with you as I get older.

For now, I feel the need for speed!!
 
-FlyAuburn- said:
I start X training on May 4th. I'm 29 and feel like I'm going to be up to the longer legs at least for a little while. I also have not done much west coast flying at all or Intl. and I am really looking forward to broadening those horizons. Also, my 23 year old little sis just moved to LA in Jan. to pursue an acting career and I think I will have more of a chance to see her with all of the TEB-VNY trips. My question for you X drivers, do you do many overnights in LA?

I'm sure I'll get tired of the X by the end of the 36 months, but the type rating is a great one to have and I am looking forward to the challenge.

I can see why some of you older fogeys are looking to get into the EP or XLS. It makes sense. I'll probably be right there with you as I get older.

For now, I feel the need for speed!!
Click to expand...

Good for you. I would want to start in the X as well -you might as well get the X out of the way while you are young and able to fit in the tight cockpit. :laugh: With 4 meals provided every day you might not be able to fit after a few years...

I am sure you will get many LA-area overnights (VNY, SMO, SNA, LAX, ONT, etc.). Given that Netjets has 100 domiciles, you could even live out in LA for 6 months and the transfer back to where you are now if you want. I think all you need is 30 days notice on a move to another domicile - you can skip around and check out as many as you like. You could winter in LA or Florida and then summer in Cape Cod (BOS domicile) every year. 100 domiciles provides some great flexibility...
 
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