QOL at NJA

[matthewjohn]

All of you that work there, How would you/ your family rate your QOL? Is it better than being home most every night but living on a pager? How do your kids do with you being gone 1/2 of the year and holidays? Im looking at NJA from a 91 perspective and wondering if I (my family) could do it. Thanks in advance for any input.

Please give me the negative as well as the positive.

 

[wolfpackpilot]

How do your kids do with you being gone 1/2 of the year and holidays? Im looking at NJA from a 91 perspective and wondering if I (my family) could do it. Thanks in advance for any input.

Every job has its pro's and con's. My kids miss me terribly bad, but we make do with I-Chat (Mac Book) and phone calls and a ton of post cards. And when we are on the lake for 4 days straight tubing, swimming and camping... It makes up for all those nights away. You do what you have to do, and pray things work themselves out.

Your mental health and career satisfaction has as much to do with your family's well being than you think. When I flew 121, I hated it but didn't know any better. It had a lasting effect on my marriage (which crashed and burned), and my kids. Now that I'm happy, their happy (except the ex who will never be happy).

As for holidays, an A side guy will have to answer that one.

 

[gmccrj7]

here's my perspective..... these days is very hard to find a job where qol and salary goes hand in hand. Some airlines, you could have a better schedule(off 15-16 days) but your financial situation is doubtful. At least at netjets, you will probably (never say never-learned that from previous employment) not worry about your paycheck and benefits. financial security tips the balance with quality of life.
P.s. 14 days off a month is not a bad deal....but it could be better....

 

[glasspilot]

QOL at NetJets as a Thread Title?!?!?!


YGTBSM!!!

I got an idea for a thread. eccentric millionaire...is it cool?

or, A List Movie Star...are the perks worth it?

or, NASA Astronaut...is space neat?

or, septic tank emptier...does the job stink?

It doesn't take much effort to figure out what the fractional life is like. 7 on and 7 off. Nice hotels. Pretty good benefits. NetJets is the King of all Kings right now. They are the gold standard. Why would you ask if the gold is good?!? Of course GOLD IS GOOD!!!!! Why not as the King if he likes to rule? For the love of God these post are starting to wear me out!

Gonna go lay down now.

I wonder if Tiger Woods likes golf? ahh well...

g'nite.

 

[FLYLOW22]

If you have to work... you can do worse than NetJets.

 

[RCA]

With the 7/7 schedule you are able to plan events months, even years, in advance.
For instance, in January you could plan a week long get-a-way in October, you have week 1 and 3 off, pick your desired week, use your points and miles for an all expense paid vacay.
The only issue this brings is what will you do with your other two three week vacations periods.

 

[Willy21]

All of you that work there, How would you/ your family rate your QOL? Very good QOL. Much better than my old airline and part 91 jobs. No commute, thanks pre-2005 guys, and knowing when you work a year in advance makes it the ideal job for my family and me. Is it better than being home most every night but living on a pager? I would rather tell my wife and kids that I won't make the baseball game or we need to plan the party for another weekend than not be able to make it to the event at the last minute. How do your kids do with you being gone 1/2 of the year and holidays? The kids miss me but they know when daddy is home he is there 24/7. We make the most of the seven day stretches and really enjoy the first day "on duty at residence" when they happen. (5 this year already) This year I have both Christmas and Thanksgiving off and I am very jr in my fleet. Im looking at NJA from a 91 perspective and wondering if I (my family) could do it. You are right in asking this question. If you are going to do a 7 day tour your family needs to be on board with it. It is what you make it. Either the glass is half full or half empty. I am a glass half full guy and looking down the road a few years it only gets better. At the 10 year point you get your 4th week of vacation. If you are on the 7/7 that equals 21 days off every 3 months. Not a bad way to make a solid 6 figures and only work 22 weeks a year. Thanks in advance for any input.

Please give me the negative as well as the positive.

If you have even the smallest thought of working here, fill out the app and send it in. You can always say no thank you later. Best of luck.

 

[steelersrule74]

i don't know your age but a couple of things to consider.

7 days on can be tough if the kids are young and your spouse (if you're married) isn't terribly self-sufficient. if however they can handle you being gone for 7 days, 7 days straight at home is TREMENDOUS. this isn't like having the weekend. think of what you can do with 7 days. I personally think my QOL is far better than just about anyone else. those 7 days I'm home with my kids, we do stuff. non-stop. I'm not grabbing 2 hours in the evening and a weekend filled with yardwork - i get excellent quality time with the fam on my week off.

the predictability is terrific. Of course, if one of your kids has a b-day on a work week - there's a good chance you'll miss it. but hey, at least you know early on that it's coming.

lastly, (and this is where your age is a player) if you can make it past 10 years at netjets you'll have the ability to make full salary while only being on the road around 18 weeks a year. 18 out of 52 sounds skippy to me..........:laugh:

 

[Bronco Buster]

Having done both the 121 and the netjets gig, I can say that there are positives and negatives to both. At the airline I never missed a birthday or anniversary after my second year (I made a point of staying senior and waiting for upgrades.) Also I was never gone away from home more than 5 days at a time and normally 4 and sometimes 3. On the negative side of the 121 experience you often had to sweat the commutes when weather was bad or loads were extremely heavy. 7 days away from home is a long time, but then 7days straight at home is nice. Also if your family is flexible you can celebrate those special events when you are home instead of when they fall on the calendar. At netjets you never have to sweat the commute. Once you're at your base, of which there are 100, it is the company's problem to get you to your plane. Netjets also gives you 21 days off when you take 7 days vacation, which is better than my former airline. Netjets pays you holiday pay and overtime pay which is also a nice perk. At netjets you don't have to pay a monthly premium for your medical and dental. At this point in time and for the foreseeable future the the job security at Netjets is better than at any part 121 passenger carrier or part 91 operation. Finally, netjets will spare no expense to get you home immediately if you have any sort of family emergency.

 

[captain dad]

I was in the same position, wondering if we (my family and I) could live with the 7 and 7 schedule. To tell you the truth I love it and I bid a schedule that right now gives me Holloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas off. I have show at home days that average at least once a month so that equals 12 extra off days. I have the option to work more if I want and I get paid well for it, if I do. The holidays I do work, I get extra for. The time I do have at home is longer and quality family time. Add the two weeks of vacation and there are two months out of the year that I get 21 days off in a row.

I don't need to buy food on the road because we have crew meals. I don't pay one dime for incredible health, vision and dental insurance. I elect to pay a small amount for legal, and extra life insurance. While on the road I routinely stay in four star hotels with crew lounges, workout facilities, and with more rest time than I ever had at the airlines. I collect points which more than compensates for the loss of the flippin' jump seat. I have real job security with a huge variety of flying and equipment options. Not to mention a bright future.

I am a lucky man and don't think I will be seeking a new career anytime soon, if ever. I really don't miss part 121 at all.

It is not for everyone and the grass always seems greener somewhere. For me the grass is pretty frickin' green here. Those that feel the need to fly a "big" airplane, need not apply. Those that take pride in their profession and truly desire to provide a one of a kind customer experience; you will love every minute of it and be very welcome. Also the 100 bases are nice.

Good Luck
imp:

 

[kman]

Hey Capt D, which fleet u in? 12 days a year, huh? I gotten one in 3 years.uke:

 

[Wankel7]

With the 7/7 schedule you are able to plan events months, even years, in advance.
For instance, in January you could plan a week long get-a-way in October, you have week 1 and 3 off, pick your desired week, use your points and miles for an all expense paid vacay.
The only issue this brings is what will you do with your other two three week vacations periods.

Remember they can shift your tour up to four days to accomedate training...

 

[Dr Pepper]

But you also have a good idea of where training will fall. Don't plan a trip to Rome then.

I personally do not like 7 day tours. Which is why I bid the 15 day schedule. 5 days work great for me. If the time comes where I can't hold that, I'll get on the 18 day and bid short tours. On the home front, I could be gone longer than 7 days and my wife can survive. I was in the military when we met, so she is used to managed chaos.

One of the big reasons I took this job was the chance to not have to commute. IBB made that a reality and I can live where I want to live. At times I get annoyed with day to day ops here, then I think about our bennies and it calms me - sometimes.

 

[captain dad]

Hey Capt D, which fleet u in? 12 days a year, huh? I gotten one in 3 years.uke:

I guess I shouldn't expect it, but I have had three show at home days in the last two tours. I mean summer is the slow season...I guess I am just lucky lately. It did help to be mismatched with captains that start the day before or after me. That's what happened the last two weeks.

Now I'm jinxed for sure.

 

[litlbrnman]

Try this on for size. Two jobs ago I was on call 24/7. My day off was the day I didn't get called. I was flying equipment that had war records (WWII) and to this day I am amazed I survived. Last job was better cause I got 12 days off. I was, however, pretty much gone the remaining 18 or 19 days. Sometimes I got lucky and got an extra day off every once in a while. Out of the 9 years I worked there, I got 3 Christmas holidays off. I was also half way around the world for my daughter's birth. Now that I am once again unemployed, I am looking at getting a job that only gets 10 days off per month plus a 2 leg commute to get to work. All that for poverty wages. Get the picture yet? If you have to ask about QOL at NJA then you haven't really paid your dues.

 

[rumrnr78]

What 91 gig do you have now? I know a fortune 10 flight department that was cut in half last Friday. One guy celebrated his 10 years with this company a couple of weeks ago. The company had a celebration in the hanger with cake and gave him a new TravelPro! Guess he got a new bag to pack his ********************e! Some left fractional companies for the "gold" ring.
I can't address your situation, but I would think that NJA is the SWA of the fractional world.

But, seriously, in this industry, who knows? All the best in your decision process!

Cheers- Rum

 

[CA1900]

... I would think that NJA is the SWA of the fractional world.

I hope you're referring to smart management and not passenger amenities...

 

[glasspilot]

I wonder how the CFI mills are talking people into throwing down that 87K to get into this business?

Look at this site! Ads everywhere promising you a wonderful career....

good luck

 

[rumrnr78]

I hope you're referring to smart management and not passenger amenities...

I am sorry, I guess it reads that way! I meant to say NJA is smartly run and is an innovator in a niche market!

Cheers- Rum

 

[av8tor4239]

" YOU CAN BE AN AIRLINE PILOT!
15 DAYS OFF PER MONTH
FREE TRAVEL
FLY A $25 MILLINON DOLLAR JET AT MACH .76
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT!
LEARN HOW
ATP"

Ad from the left side of this page... You know they are deprate with ads like this

 

[BeeFCaKe]

" YOU CAN BE AN AIRLINE PILOT!
15 DAYS OFF PER MONTH
FREE TRAVEL
FLY A $25 MILLINON DOLLAR JET AT MACH .76
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT!
LEARN HOW
ATP"

Ad from the left side of this page... You know they are deprate with ads like this

The firefox add-on called adblock works miracles. I click them once and then it takes care of them.

 

[fischman]

" YOU CAN BE AN AIRLINE PILOT!
15 DAYS OFF PER MONTH
FREE TRAVEL
FLY A $25 MILLINON DOLLAR JET AT MACH .76
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT!
LEARN HOW
ATP"

Ad from the left side of this page... You know they are deprate with ads like this

Aren't most regional jet .85 aircraft?

 

[ERfly]

Aren't most regional jet .85 aircraft?

Not the ERJ. .78 in the ER/LR and .80 in the XR. Otherwise, it gets very annoying with the "DING DING DING...HI STEVE"

 

[ozpilot]

lastly, (and this is where your age is a player) if you can make it past 10 years at netjets you'll have the ability to make full salary while only being on the road around 18 weeks a year. 18 out of 52 sounds skippy to me..........:laugh:

Hmmm ... on the 7&7 there are approx 26 weeks of work available. After 10 years you have 4 weeks of vacation plus another week of PTO. That leaves 21...

If your including the 3 weeks of training, thats still time away from home. Am I missing something?

 

[ozpilot]

With the 7/7 schedule you are able to plan events months, even years, in advance.

Not years in advance ... Since IBB we now have an open bid period once a year where you can get bumped off your 7 & 7 line.

 

[FLYLOW22]

This from the ATPs site. No shortage it seems.

So how many are getting furloughed now?


July 2008
Hired
Matthew Higdon
375 TT & 127 ME
Matthew began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on November 26, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Pinnacle Airlines hired Matthew 7 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $52,495.

Christopher (Privacy Requested)
Christopher began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on September 10, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Christopher instructed at the ATP DWH Training Center. Mesa Airlines hired Christopher 9 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $52,495.

June 2008
Leon Gray
650 TT & 420 ME
Leon began ATP’s Private Pilot & Airline Career Pilot Programs on June 4, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Leon instructed at the ATP DAB Training Center. Comair hired Leon 12 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $53,000.

Joseph Tate
250 TT & 135 ME
Joseph began ATP’s Private Pilot & Airline Career Pilot Programs on August 6, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Pinnacle Airlines hired Joseph 10 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $62,000.

Beau Linn
250 TT & 135 ME
Beau began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on November 12, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Pinnacle Airlines hired Beau 7 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $52,000.

Brandon Hayes
Brandon began ATP’s CFI Program on January 3, 2008. Brandon instructed at the ATP PHX Training Center. Comair hired Brandon 5 months after starting training with ATP.

John Nisbet
420 TT & 330 ME
John began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on September 10, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. John instructed at the ATP PFN Training Center. Colgan Air hired John 9 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $51,995.

Michael (Privacy Requested)
Michael began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on July 23, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Michael instructed at the ATP DFW Training Center. Comair hired Michael 10 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $49,995.

Jacob (Privacy Requested)
715 TT & 380 ME
Jacob began ATP’s Private Pilot & Airline Career Pilot Programs on December 4, 2006. Jacob instructed at the ATP LGB Training Center. Comair hired Jacob 18 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $53,990.

Anthony Jones
Anthony began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on May 28, 2007. Anthony instructed at the ATP Training Center. Airnet Express hired Anthony 12 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $44,995.

 

[skyaddict]

Just wait until the current airline downturn writes itself down, and there is a temporary surge of hiring on the backside amidst all the attrition (from early retirements, ship jumping to corporate/frac/overseas jobs, and career changes)... You'll see another wave of SJS-to-heavy-jet-syndrome newbies wailing on fractional and corporate as beneath them and working too hard, with stars in their eyes and dreams of 20 days off a month for hefty six figure paychecks. Then within a year or two the airlines will go from full hiring to massive furloughing in the space of a few weeks, and the cycle will repeat. 121: thanks for the memories, but no thanks.

91, I can't speak of. While I can't imagine living on a pager on days off, packing up to some widget maker's HDQ in Podunk, or worrying about a flight department being closed at some accountant's whim, I know that fantastic, 2 nights a month away from home corporate jobs exist. I also know that those guys love to make fun of us golden tie guys doing the FBO rot thing while they go straight to the hotel or golf course for a 36 hour overnight, so it's all relative. I am happy as a clam versus the airline life, though, even in my APU-less U-boot.

 

[gutshotdraw]

So how many are getting furloughed now?


July 2008
Hired
Matthew Higdon
375 TT & 127 ME
Matthew began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on November 26, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Pinnacle Airlines hired Matthew 7 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $52,495.

Christopher (Privacy Requested)
Christopher began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on September 10, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Christopher instructed at the ATP DWH Training Center. Mesa Airlines hired Christopher 9 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $52,495.

June 2008
Leon Gray
650 TT & 420 ME
Leon began ATP’s Private Pilot & Airline Career Pilot Programs on June 4, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Leon instructed at the ATP DAB Training Center. Comair hired Leon 12 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $53,000.

Joseph Tate
250 TT & 135 ME
Joseph began ATP’s Private Pilot & Airline Career Pilot Programs on August 6, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Pinnacle Airlines hired Joseph 10 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $62,000.

Beau Linn
250 TT & 135 ME
Beau began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on November 12, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Pinnacle Airlines hired Beau 7 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $52,000.

Brandon Hayes
Brandon began ATP’s CFI Program on January 3, 2008. Brandon instructed at the ATP PHX Training Center. Comair hired Brandon 5 months after starting training with ATP.

John Nisbet
420 TT & 330 ME
John began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on September 10, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. John instructed at the ATP PFN Training Center. Colgan Air hired John 9 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $51,995.

Michael (Privacy Requested)
Michael began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on July 23, 2007, and then completed ATP’s Regional Jet Standards Certification. Michael instructed at the ATP DFW Training Center. Comair hired Michael 10 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $49,995.

Jacob (Privacy Requested)
715 TT & 380 ME
Jacob began ATP’s Private Pilot & Airline Career Pilot Programs on December 4, 2006. Jacob instructed at the ATP LGB Training Center. Comair hired Jacob 18 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $53,990.

Anthony Jones
Anthony began ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program on May 28, 2007. Anthony instructed at the ATP Training Center. Airnet Express hired Anthony 12 months after starting training with ATP. Total fixed cost for airline training program: $44,995.

Remind me not to fly on Pinnacle, Mesa, or Comair any time soon if I can POSSIBLY avoid it.

 

[bluepost]

I am on the last day of my 3 day tour after being home for 5 weeks and 6 days using 2 weeks vacation, 3 pto days and FMLA on the 18 day schedule. It has been a hell of a summer. I came home June 8th.

I have vacation again next month and I will work 10 days total. My w2 will be over 155k this year with zero extended days.

I flew 2 legs this tour....overnight in Sun Valley and Jackson Hole and I airline home today. I look like a heroin addict from all the bruises on my arms from pinching myself. This is a great job.

 

[acaTerry]

Let me see if I can spell it out to sound the way I am trying to say it: pret-ty darn goooood.
At the airlines, even with 18 days off, commuting to IAD from PHX was bad. I actually got to spend about 5 or 6 real days home. The worst commute home took nearly 3 days: IAD-CMH-IND-DEN-SFO-PHX.
I work the 15 day schedule, which for me and mine is good. Most guys don't like the unpredictability, but I like the fact that there are 15 real days HOME and another 6 or so days "half home". Never gone more than 3 entire days, and if scheiss hits the fan at the homefront while I am away, the wife can get through it for 2 or 3 days when I get home to stomp out whatever the fire was.
The pay is good too, who ever heard of an FO of a 16,000 lb airplane making more than a 50 seat jet CA with 4 yrs? Medical, I can go on and on. QOL is good from where I stand, and the family is happy too.
Now for a legacy guy who is used to the major airline CA seat over many yrs, NJA may not be his cup of tea, but unless you are already there, widebody CA with the $350,000 is never going to happen again.