Flexjet DO

[PilotGuy]

.....

 

[doh]

If we ever share a cockpit shanes123, nigy will be in full force, fair warning.

 

[chainring]

I'm typing slooooowly, what...should...we...do...? Vote...in...a...union...so...our...C...A...s...can...make...F...O...wages...like...your...C...A...s? And you won't be laughing in my face because I won't be here if they tear it down to your scumbag operator level. I have a network and I will take a different job.

And you think by keeping a Union off the property is going to protect your wages. Your a KR wet dream. Welcome to the jungle boys! And the scumbag operator you refer to is now your new fearless leader. I'm sure he will take care of us. He has to, he wrote a book about it.

 

[shanes123]

If we ever share a cockpit shanes123, nigy will be in full force, fair warning.

Would rather take a walk down the street into a side alley and see who walks back.

 

[dime line]

Would rather take a walk down the street into a side alley and see who walks back.

You an DOH are idiot's

 

[Ludicrous Speed]

-Why would KR suddenly instruct our maintenance folks to not try as hard? That doesn't make any sense.-

No, it doesn't make sense. But what lead you to believe those same mx folks would still be there in six months? Take a look at FlOps mx. I'm not talking about the out-sourced mx - which now seems to be Cleveland's preference. I'm talking about what is labeled as FlOps mx. I can not tell you what company is running or managing or contracting each of FlOps' mx bases - that's how many times they've changed hands. Honestly, the mechanics have been passed around more times than a Saturday night hooker.

You're thinking straight-line, as in "confront a problem head-on". But we're outside the cockpit and the issues we face are non-linear. Maybe the sky isn't falling. But someone is actively thinking, and planning, and working to change things to their benefit, while telling you it is to your benefit also. It's up to you to decide whether those changes actually do benefit you.

 

[GlorifiedCabbie]

Here it is for ya.

From: Christine Herchick
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013
To: All Employees
Subject: Flight Options End of Year Announcement from Kenn Ricci

Dear Flight Options Team Member,

With the acquisition of Flexjet by Directional Aviation Capital (DAC) complete, the senior leadership team and I have been in the midst of conducting a deep analysis of both organizations.

In any transition, you strive to retain what works and search for opportunities for improvement. The senior leadership team and I are focused on identifying and enhancing best practices across the company. Now, more than ever, we need to keep an open mind to new ideas and also realize that just because something is being reviewed or changed, it is not a reflection on any deficiency or shortcoming; but reflective of a change in vision and a desire for us to be the best at what we do.

Having been involved in acquiring companies before, I can tell you that we can all do two things to make it a success. First, is to stay focused on providing an excellent customer experience. Second, is to overly communicate. Don?t be afraid to ask for information or provide excess information when you are asked.

Staying with the theme of communicating, I wanted you to be aware of some of my thoughts on how I see our leadership team and their responsibilities shaping up for the future:

I have asked Mike Silvestro as CEO of Flight Options and Deanna White as CEO of Flexjet to work together to drive the revenue and operational strategies for our two closed fleet business units. In this joint effort, Deanna will assume responsibilities for the Finance and Operations teams while Mike will assume responsibilities for the revenue and owner-facing teams including Sales, Marketing, Contracts, CAM, and Strategy. Mike and Deanna will work with Kevin Vaughan, from the DAC team, to develop business plans and drive improvements across the organizations.

We have also identified key resources within our organizations to assume additional responsibilities. As a first step, Megan Wolf will assume the role of VP of Owner Experience across both organizations ? overseeing Flight Options? Owner Services group, as well as Flexjet?s Customer Account Management team. Additionally, in the coming weeks, we will establish shared services across the storefronts. In the initial phase, Flight Options and Flexjet?s Legal, Human Resources, and Information Systems departments will combine their teams to drive efficiencies while maintaining and enhancing the vital support they provide. As part of this effort, Deb Perelman will lead the Legal team. Bob Sullivan, with the support of Amy Mallouf from Flexjet, will lead the Human Resource group. Cathy Santeiu from Flexjet will assume the role of VP of Information Technology.

After the holiday season, I invite you to join me on January 29 in the Flight Options ramp and right side training rooms for an employee meeting. At this meeting, I will discuss the future vision for Flight Options. The invites for this meeting will be sent to you shortly.

As we begin this new chapter in our organization, we remain committed to our Three Fundamental Principles, as well as to providing a premium private jet travel experience. Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. I look forward to the New Year and the tremendous opportunities that lie ahead for all of us. Have a safe holiday season with your families.

Best,

Kenn Ricci
Principal, Directional Aviation Capital

 

[GlorifiedCabbie]

Looks like we should try to work together instead of against each other. Infighting is just what management wants. It divides the pilot group.

 

[doh]

And you think by keeping a Union off the property is going to protect your wages. Your a KR wet dream. Welcome to the jungle boys! And the scumbag operator you refer to is now your new fearless leader. I'm sure he will take care of us. He has to, he wrote a book about it.

Reread my post. I said nothing of the sort.

 

[doh]

Looks like we should try to work together instead of against each other. Infighting is just what management wants. It divides the pilot group.

I'd go for this.

 

[doh]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ludicrous Speed
What to do, what to do.

Well, you're doing something now - reading the boards, keeping your ear to the ground. And you're asking questions and posting comments and calling bs when you think you hear it - as you should.

What helped me was keeping a journal - not a Dear Diary journal - actually just a list of the changes made to the company and our work rules and operating parameters. Individually, these changes may not amount to much. But collectively, well, it's another matter.

Here's a given: you'll be told that every change that's made is for the company's benefit and so, by extension is to your benefit as well. Maybe. But not necessarily. Make a list on your iPhone or your laptop. Keep it short and simple. Changes, comments from mgmt, assurances, forecasts, promises. Here's three for your list:

9/5/13 DAC to buy portion of FJ for 185million, FJ to be separate
from FO
12/5/13 DAC finalizes purchase for 195million
12/19/13 KR's end of year announcement:
Deanna now finance and operations
Mike Silv now revenue, sales, marketing, contract, cam, strategy


This is an excellent idea from the other thread. I started doing this when they announced the purchase. My list includes the differences in benefit packages as well.

 

[jetwash]

A good idea, I agree.

But, just remember some of the Flex managers may be out of the loop on what is going to happen and are just being used to put out "feel good" info.

 

[Propilot77]

A good idea, I agree.

But, just remember some of the Flex managers may be out of the loop on what is going to happen and are just being used to put out "feel good" info.

I think that's exactly right!

 

[GlorifiedCabbie]

Now that the deal between DAC and Flex is complete, what improvements have you seen?

 

[exagony]

Now that the deal between DAC and Flex is complete, what improvements have you seen?

On the Flex side - nothing - health benefits are worse than before along with loss of company share purchase - strapping in tight for the next few months

 

[johnnyride24]

On the Flex side - nothing - health benefits are worse than before along with loss of company share purchase - strapping in tight for the next few months

Painting the planes in Options Livery with a differnet colored pin stripe.

Word is 6 Globals, 16Day rotation. You will have to interview for the position.

Furloughed Options pilots will be coming to FJ after 1/28 with DOH.

Get ready for the 28th.... We are going to be screwed....

 

[doh]

If you have to "interview" for the job you already have, that is a really bad sign. If you aren't competent, they should fire you. If you are competent, normal progression.

 

[Club ORD FO]

I dunno none of that sounds legit. We've already hired some and it wasn't DOH. 16 day rotation is ridiculous and I don't see why we'd have to interview in order to get a lousy schedule.

 

[Praetorian]

I dunno none of that sounds legit. We've already hired some and it wasn't DOH. 16 day rotation is ridiculous and I don't see why we'd have to interview in order to get a lousy schedule.

Maybe he means 16 days per month like we have at FO?

 

[luckydog]

Being a separate company was great while it lasted. For the record, that was only about a week before they began to blur the lines.

The IBT will promise D-o-H integration, no fences and anything else to keep from getting the boot. What really happens remains to be seen.

 

[FR8DOG777]

Whatever, staple to the bottom of the list. I see you guys tearing down the last nine years of our efforts all the while calling us dirtbag bottom feeders. Welcome to the jungle boys, ibt seniority integration policy is DOH with fences, but oh wait thats right you guys are anti union. Where's John Mclain? Did he drown in a rainstorm yet with his snot nose held too high? You need to come back John, I need you to run this gear switch thingy!

 

[Fresh Air]

There's an awful lot of speculation going on here, creating stress and hard feelings without any actual hard intel. Why don't we all just take a deep breath, relax a little, and wait for the announcement. It's out of our hands anyway.

 

[GlorifiedCabbie]

No word on the "B" scale yet?

 

[Propilot77]

calling us dirtbag bottom feeders!

No you have done that yourself...Never heard that from anyone out there! Your right Most pilots at Flex are anti-union the problem is they have a larger pilot group than you so if and when a vote happens don't count on support hasn't happened now 3 straight pushes. Most of the guys are anti-union because either A. They have never been in one and don't understand how they work nor do they care, as long as their "current" PAYCHECK keeps rolling in. B.They hate the Teamsters.
Most of the pilots at Flex run by their own Motto of "I got mine, pull up the ladder boys,"

 

[CL300Pilot]

Whatever, staple to the bottom of the list. I see you guys tearing down the last nine years of our efforts all the while calling us dirtbag bottom feeders. Welcome to the jungle boys, ibt seniority integration policy is DOH with fences, but oh wait thats right you guys are anti union. Where's John Mclain? Did he drown in a rainstorm yet with his snot nose held too high? You need to come back John, I need you to run this gear switch thingy!

FR8, several things.

First, I don't know of a single Flexjet guy/gal who ever called FLOPS pilots "dirtbag bottom feeders."

Second, and this one is important for those who have some unbelieveable resentment towards Flex pilots for the acquisition, not one single Flex pilot asked for this. So why all the hatred?

Third, in regards to the union. The reason why we have voted it down three times now is that when you weigh all of the pro/cons, we at Flex felt that our relationship with management was better than having a third party mediator in the middle. Whether you like it or not, that is just a fact of life. While our management is not perfect, they have always tended to treat us right.

What I personally find interesting is that I have spoke with several pilots from FLOPS, union and non-union. By and large, and I don't really understand why, the union guys are bitter and the non-union guys are happy. I see the same bitterness and resentment out of NJA guys as well. So, with that being said, if being a part of a union is so great, why are you guys so angry?

 

[GlorifiedCabbie]

Problem for the Flex pilots now is that your content world is about to change. The changes will start slowly so that no single event will wake you up. Then one day you do wake up and ask yourself how did I get here?

 

[GlorifiedCabbie]

BTW, CL I am a happy union supporter.

 

[DirtyBeech]

There is no specific policy for seniority integration with the IBT. I'm sure DOH will be their goal, but don't just accept that as a certainty. And I'm sure two year fences will be put in place to keep training costs down. Just look at it from a practical perspective.

As for calling Flops guys dirtbags.....weak sauce. At least try to make the BS believable.

 

[shanes123]

CL your relationship with management was undoubtably good. Problem is that is no longer your management Ricci is steering and he's heading you straight for a level 5

 

[ProFracPilot]

There is no specific policy for seniority integration with the IBT. I'm sure DOH will be their goal, but don't just accept that as a certainty. And I'm sure two year fences will be put in place to keep training costs down. Just look at it from a practical perspective.

I thought the 1108 was on record as saying they would follow McCaskill/Bond regarding seniority integration? Isn't the reason they gave for refusing to sign the CitationAir LOA was that M/B prevented them from doing so?

As for calling Flops guys dirtbags.....weak sauce. At least try to make the BS believable.

I agree, FR8DOGGY is just trying to stir the pot. I've met several Flex crews on the road, and even had a couple of "world view" discussions with some of their more senior pilots over breakfast. While we see things from a different perspective, they were very respectful of my views and I of theirs. There's nothing to be gained by name calling and creating dissension between the pilot groups. And unless your goal to assure a "no" vote should it get to that, the name calling and accusations will only encourage it. Act like the professional pilot you claim to be, FR8.