Hanging with the Pax

[blueridge71]

We had a former NJ owner the other day and he mentioned that when he was with NJ, one of the pilots would often come into the back, sit in a passenger seat, and converse with him for 15-20 minutes before returning to work.

I couldn't help but wonder if this is typical behavior at NJ or if his experience was abnormal. I don't know if he was with NJA or NJI or what aircraft type.

 

[CA1900]

We had a former NJ owner the other day and he mentioned that when he was with NJ, one of the pilots would often come into the back, sit in a passenger seat, and converse with him for 15-20 minutes before returning to work.

I couldn't help but wonder if this is typical behavior at NJ or if his experience was abnormal.

It's never happened to me, and I certainly wouldn't sit in a passenger's seat unless an owner invited me to sit down and chat. If he did while I was back doing something, I'd certainly oblige, but it's never happened to me. Sounds like something particular to this owner.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

While I have never sat down in the back I have been tied up back there for sometime talking with the owners. Some want to know where you're from, how you got into flying, about your family, where you're going next, etc. Some just want you to leave them alone.

 

[gutshotdraw]

99 times out of a 100, once the door closes and the briefing is complete, I don't see the pax again until the door opens unless they come to the cockpit or we have a "situation" (we have a forward lav and a door between the vestibule and the cabin). I did have a nice 5 minute conversation with a Hollywood legend (now sadly passed) during a flight and a 10 minute conversation with my former boss (now an owner) to catch up. Otherwise, I prefer the front seat to schmoozing with the folks.

 

[Voice Of Reason]

Otherwise, I prefer the front seat to schmoozing with the folks.

You guys all sure change your tune, depending on what is asked and the facade you all try to keep up... 2 days ago you guys are slamming the airline guys for "turn left close door," and now when asked this way, you all prefer that?.... funny. This is why anyone thinking about going to NJA (or ANY frac) needs to take everything here with a grain of salt. It's all about creating a facade....

 

[Voice Of Reason]

PS--- I happen to know a LOT of blabbermouth pilots in the our part of aviation that seem to think the owners want nothing more than to listen to them pontificate about their favorite subject (themselves). While some pax like to chat once and a while, for the most part the conversation is initiated much the same way as anyone who asks "How are you doing," and doesn't really expect the life story. some just can't tell the difference...
But yes, LOTS of frac guys go back during flight and blab to their heart's content....and yes pax talk on their cell phone at any point they can get a signal...There are a lot of major differences in this area of aviation (don't even get me started on the smoking cigarettes and cigars thing again....)

 

[learflyer]

Yawn. At Flight Options, the guy that says "bam" and cooks alot (sorry, Disclosure rules) invited two of our pilots to the tonight show and recognized them as "my pilots" while the camera turned to them for a few seconds. Then, he gave them passes to his restaraunt in New Orleans the next day.....Cool dude.

 

[gutshotdraw]

You guys all sure change your tune, depending on what is asked and the facade you all try to keep up... 2 days ago you guys are slamming the airline guys for "turn left close door," and now when asked this way, you all prefer that?.... funny. This is why anyone thinking about going to NJA (or ANY frac) needs to take everything here with a grain of salt. It's all about creating a facade....

I just prefer to give the folks their space; it's what many of them pay for. It can be tough for some celebrities to be "on" all the time. But a few actually come to the cockpit during the flight and some like to sit on the jump seat. When they do, we schmooze away. Like the A-list starlet that sat on my jumpseat for almost an hour and then gave me a hug after they finished clearing Customs.

It's an awesome job VOR, even if you won't admit it. Any NJ pilot that would even THINK of leaving for a major right now should be sent for an immediate drug test.

 

[siucavflight]

It's an awesome job VOR, even if you won't admit it. Any NJ pilot that would even THINK of leaving for a major right now should be sent for an immediate drug test.

So you are saying that anyone that sees things differently then you is crazy? A little while ago I was chastised by many of the NJ guys for turning down the job, and so far I have to say that I am personally very happy I did, many see things different ways, just because they may have a different view or goals then you does not make them crazy, or as you put it on drugs.

 

[brokeflyer]

You guys all sure change your tune, depending on what is asked and the facade you all try to keep up... 2 days ago you guys are slamming the airline guys for "turn left close door," and now when asked this way, you all prefer that?.... funny. This is why anyone thinking about going to NJA (or ANY frac) needs to take everything here with a grain of salt. It's all about creating a facade....

no....we're just saying that to piss you off.

 

[gunfyter]

So you are saying that anyone that sees things differently then you is crazy? .

I don't think he is saying that. Leaving NJ, once already here ... to go to a Major.... Just does not look like a good call.

I think you made a good call. I spent some time in the 90's flying out of Dahran and kuwait City myself.

 

[fischman]

So you are saying that anyone that sees things differently then you is crazy? A little while ago I was chastised by many of the NJ guys for turning down the job, and so far I have to say that I am personally very happy I did, many see things different ways, just because they may have a different view or goals then you does not make them crazy, or as you put it on drugs.

That's not what he said. Calm down and have fun man.

 

[fischman]

We had a former NJ owner the other day and he mentioned that when he was with NJ, one of the pilots would often come into the back, sit in a passenger seat, and converse with him for 15-20 minutes before returning to work.

I couldn't help but wonder if this is typical behavior at NJ or if his experience was abnormal. I don't know if he was with NJA or NJI or what aircraft type.

For my experience, it depends on the owner. You have to be able to read them and anticipate what they want.

If they feel like talking, I'll talk. If they want to be left alone, I'll make sure they are comfortable and go back to the cockpit.

 

[dc9]

I don't think he is saying that. Leaving NJ, once already here ... to go to a Major.... Just does not look like a good call.

Not that that is even much of an option right now anyway. The only major that's hiring is SW and most of the others are either furloughing or getting ready to.

 

[gutshotdraw]

I don't think he is saying that. Leaving NJ, once already here ... to go to a Major.... Just does not look like a good call.

I think you made a good call. I spent some time in the 90's flying out of Dahran and kuwait City myself.

Exactamundo. If you're out there looking for a gig, you go with what you think best. If you're already at NJ now and you think a U.S. major carrier is a better option, yes you're crazy. There is a serious crisis in the Legacy, National, Regional airline world in the U.S. right now and I would have to seriously question the judgment of someone leaving NJ for that environment.

For some reason, VOR thinks 121 is a the epitome of the piloting profession and that somehow all frac pilots have big iron envy. It just ain't so.

 

[brokeflyer]

If you're already at NJ now and you think a U.S. major carrier is a better option, yes you're crazy.

if your senior to around 300....then by all means the majors are for you.

 

[Slow to .90 Mac]

Any NJ pilot that would even THINK of leaving for a major right now should be sent for an immediate drug test.

So that's why Rita got me in TEB a few weeks ago!

 

[Voice Of Reason]

For some reason, VOR thinks 121 is a the epitome of the piloting profession and that somehow all frac pilots have big iron envy. It just ain't so.

Umm....didn't say that....projecting much?
Just pointing out that neither is NJA, despite the FACADE you guys love to project on here....
There are positives and negtives to both...you guys just like to downplay the negatives or PRETEND they don't exist...
THAT's the point.

 

[gunfyter]

Voice,

When you work for a company that treats you like this:

View The NetJets Pilot Careers Video

Its hard to be Humble .


We are all pulling for the FLOPS pilot group... we know what you are going through.

 

[gutshotdraw]

There are positives and negtives to both...you guys just like to downplay the negatives or PRETEND they don't exist...
THAT's the point.

Are you kidding? We LOVE to whine about crew food, airlining, sitting hot standby, the occasional shabby hotel. I don't see people downplaying the negatives. It's just that nearly every NJ pilot I know of would probably never leave, especially right now. And many of the major and national airline pilots I know would rather be here than where they are currently employed. THAT'S the point.