Flexjet Scamagement Hits a New Low

[Honorstudent]

For those Flex Jet Pilots who visit this site and doubt what Managment would really like to do to Flexjet Pilot Pay and benefits here is a Baron's article that quotes MS. Without a Union read it and weep because this is what you will be getting.
http://www.barrons.com/articles/flexjet-takes-on-netjets-1466222365

 

[NJAowner]

How many off the 154 a/c actually fly? I know previously aircraft count included Beechcraft without fewer than 2 engines and on the ramp? Also, "customers moving from competitor's programs" do include customers moving from FO to FX. A few of my friends are long-time FX owners and they are not a happy bunch.

 

[Imissmypilot]

How many off the 154 a/c actually fly? I know previously aircraft count included Beechcraft without fewer than 2 engines and on the ramp? Also, "customers moving from competitor's programs" do include customers moving from FO to FX. A few of my friends are long-time FX owners and they are not a happy bunch.

Frankly, we have no idea because transparency is at an all time low. Because of the pissing match Ricci is continuing with the union via furloughs and a fake VSP battle the company just lost, tell your friends to get ready for a much worse situation in April when we lose 45 more pilots.

The problem is aircraft crewing levels/ratios. We do not have adequate crewing to effectively operate much of our green aircraft on any given day (this means we have available aircraft sitting empty because we do not have enough pilots to fly them) and this is resulting in a days lift being divvyed up against what crews are available. This is also resulting in jammed packed days for crews and the resulting fatigue issues and a constant ridiculous game we play with musical aircraft and captains while on tour. Unfortunately, I can just about predict an accident is on the horizon and all I can do is make sure it's not me.

There is so much an owner can do to assure better service and safety but you don't and/or you don't follow up to make sure it's being done. You assume guys like Kenn Ricci know their business and are giving you the best bang for your buck but he fact is you are being taken advantage of and scammed.

You pay a ton of money because you assume you are getting well maintained aircraft, competent, rested and happy crews, and aircraft availability that should equal expectations on non peak days. For starters, you should insist on high overall crewing ratios for your fleet being a part of your contract with a financial incentive for the company to keep it. You should insist on pilots having 10 hours work days with a financial incentive for the company to keep it. You should insist on the company taking care of your investment and not showing up in a ragged out POS with airframe hours that do not represent honest fractionalized use. You should be asking your crew for the truth about delays and not depend on owner services to tell you the truth about anything.

The old Flexjet took care of their owners from top to bottom. However right now your only ally is your crew. And while pilots are still doing everything we can to take care of you on a daily basis, the fact is this company is being managed and run in a way that ties our hands. At the heart of what is making most pilots miserable right now is that very fact: we can no longer do our jobs in a manner that affords the very best to our owners because our new management no longer runs a ship that allows it.

Management is trying to claim owners are mad the union contacted them regarding these issues but I applaud the union's efforts. The fact is I fly for you and your friends NJAOwner - you are my real boss - and it's only fitting you should be made aware of just exactly how screwed up this situation has been and how much worse it is getting.

If I were an owner, I would be paying careful attention to the upcoming contract arbitration and tell the company to quit wasting your money, resources and pilots and settle it now. Do not be okay with waiting 4 months. Demand they settle now. There is no reason in the world your friends should not be able to insist on a NJA matching contract in order to stay. A settled contract that keeps pilots (your only real ally in this fractional world) happy will be the best thing in the long run for your investment. If for whatever reason the company fails to listen to owners, then as an owner I might just look into getting your concerns addressed in front of the arbitrator. Let him know whether or not you really want your family flying with a low paid newbie hack on his 13th hour of duty. Because trust me if Kenn Ricci has his way or this arbitrator fails to deliver something decent, that's what will end up happening because every good pilot left will just be forced to go elsewhere.

 

[Imissmypilot]

For those Flex Jet Pilots who visit this site and doubt what Managment would really like to do to Flexjet Pilot Pay and benefits here is a Baron's article that quotes MS. Without a Union read it and weep because this is what you will be getting.
http://www.barrons.com/articles/flexjet-takes-on-netjets-1466222365

There it is again for the yammer crowd: Flexjet management is trying to bring Flight Options low cost labor structure to Flexjet. What do you think that means? Raises for everyone?

It is a flat out lie Red Label crews give better service.

Another halftruth is contained in this quote from the article:

"Can Directional really run Flexjet as a luxury brand? So far, so good, with 20% of Flexjet?s customers already signed up for the higher-priced Red Label program. That?s an impressive result, considering it?s not yet a year old."

What they are not saying is that Red Label is the only thing they are selling and they are essentially giving it away. I have yet to meet a "Red Label" owner who has any idea what I'm talking about much less would agree to pay more for service they were already getting. The 20% represents the same number of owners who re-signed this year. The program is not a an impressive success. The program is a marketing scam and union busting tool. Kenn loves ideas that allow him to hit a few birds with one stone.

 

[Frac Cap]

I agree with you whole heartedly. I am hearing a lot of our 18/19 year guys with this company are getting fed up with the low pay and moral due to an extremely hostile management team that makes working here very stressful. They are now planning on moving on to the airlines where they will make more in their second year then they make now after being here 18/19 years. I am very concerned of the kind of quality of pilot we will be getting to fill their places if all the majors are hiring and the commuters are offering 33K signing bonuses and a quick path to the majors.

 

[Imissmypilot]

I agree with you whole heartedly. I am hearing a lot of our 18/19 year guys with this company are getting fed up with the low pay and moral due to an extremely hostile management team that makes working here very stressful. They are now planning on moving on to the airlines where they will make more in their second year then they make now after being here 18/19 years. I am very concerned of the kind of quality of pilot we will be getting to fill their places if all the majors are hiring and the commuters are offering 33K signing bonuses and a quick path to the majors.

Frac Cap, Kenn Ricci is on record at some of these fancy speaking events he seems to always be jetting off to stating he does not really believe in a pilot shortage despite all evidence to the contrary.

He believes years of unionization in the aviation sector has led to pilots being underutilized. He believes if the industry adopted long work weeks (8/7), mandatory 12 hour days, dedicated crew pairs and some of his other crazy ideas, there would be no pilot shortage.

I disagree. On the contrary it would make the pilot shortage a lot worse because there'd be a whole lot of dead pilots out there if those were the new industry standards. Even the FARs are outdated and don't address the current environment adequately. The FARs are not meant to be an FOM.

 

[NJAowner]

Most existing owners have no idea what "Red Label" is. It seem appealing to new owners. You are correct -- old Flex was a great operation. I only had a few cards with them for supplemental lift -- but my friends with them were happy.

Those of you who have seen me on the board for years know that for a few years I took most of my hours from NJA to FO. FO started well. And then every single peak day I was moved 3 hours in the the least preferred direction for me. Once I was moved 18 hours (obviously they did not want to charter -- and I am not a big fan of sell-off charter) and once 12 hours (it was a new excuse every 3 hours) -- and no compensation, credit, upgrade or anything which made it a little easier to swallow. My old-time Flex friends say this is still continuing - one of the reasons to have a share is to travel peak days when you want. And in well close to 20 years with NJA I think I was moved once on a Peak Day -- and not a full three hours. Flex has 3 real advantages --- (1) some people don't like or had an issue with NJA so they want to be elsewhere, (2) Flex does not (or at least as of year ago) charge a premium for a 50 hours share - so if all you had was 50 hours it is a good bit less expensive than NJA, and (3) Because of repeated labor issues for all quite a few owners of many, many hours no longer have 100% of their hours with NJA; they do 200 hours with NJA and 50 with Flex for diversification (I do not know of any the other way around).

 

[Imissmypilot]

NJAOwner thanks for the info and response.

Full disclaimer, there's probrably a reason your in the bsck and I'm up front but still for the life of me I can't figure out why owners don't realize the bargaining power you have by simply demanding contract revisions that address your issues. They need your business. You have many options and they can't afford the hit if you choose to exvercise those options.

Labor issues are here to stay no matter what company you go with. However, as an owner you are the one in control of how much those labor issues effect the company you are with by encouraging your friends to be vocal in settling these contract negotiations and insisting on a common sense approach to labor demands.

Labor wants what you should want: high crew ratios, smart not brutal schedules, freedom from retaliation regarding decisions on rest /maintanence and a wage that is commensurate with the skill level/responsibility considering the clientele we are ferrying. You want these company's to be career destinations and competative. i guarantee you in the end that is what will provide you with the solutIons to the issues you expressed.

And do not believe they need to charge you more for it. If this red label farce has taught this sector of the industry anything it's that management can pay their pilots double and still make a profit. Don't forget that!

 

[NJAowner]

Most owners have no idea of these operational details nor do they really want to get involved. They want ease and convenience. Also, what you raise are not issues which can be dealt with by a contract by contract basis. So unless all owners "band together" it won't happen.

 

[Imissmypilot]

Most owners have no idea of these operational details nor do they really want to get involved. They want ease and convenience. Also, what you raise are not issues which can be dealt with by a contract by contract basis. So unless all owners "band together" it won't happen.

I think you undervalue the effect owners have on the industry. What makes you think owners aren't already getting individual ammendments to their contracts? Sales will tell you it's not possible until you are willing to walk. I can tell you right now we have owners labeled "high risk" for walking and the company bends over backwards to accommodate these issues.

I get owners don't understand (and don't want to understand) the operational details but I assure you every single complaint I hear from owners could be quickly solved by becoming a little less naive. The easiest way to do that is throw your support behind the same group of people who want what you want, your pilots. This is what you should tell your friends.

It's your money. Why don't you and your friends start demanding to actually get what you paid to get? Trust me NJAOwner, the only people in this industry who really care about how you're treated are your crew; they have to face you everyday and I can't begin to tell you the mountain of crap they wade through everyday to have your back. Everyone else, including management, gets to hide for at least a little while.

If you care about getting served well, it's really as simple as supporting the group who wants to serve you and wants what you want. Tell your friends it's as simple as that.

 

[NJAowner]

Many of us have side letters. yes they are easily gotten from sales but they do not usually cover things like # of crew per aircraft across the fleet and operational matters. They usually cover aircraft per day, upgrades, downgrades, guaranteed back ups and delays, etc.

 

[Imissmypilot]

It occurred to me at some point recently: I hope we realize no matter how badly Kenn loses he will never stop. We will end up in a constant state of turmoil with him at the helm. He is petulant and petty.

Maybe one day investors will see that too and his sphere of influence in this industry will diminish but until then he has pretty much ruined fractional/corporate work as a career choice. I hope the union can help the Arbitrator see that letting Kenn get away with anything here - anything at all - only serves to embolden an employer base that does not respect the one entity they can't do without, their pilots.

NJAOwner, let's not mince words. Apparently you and your friends are okay with it. Unfortunately, I believe you all will look back and regret that choice. I truly hope that regret stems just from diminished quality, service and/or investment and not from the tragedy I see on the horizon.

Like I said, the only thing I can do is make sure it's not me. But right now Kenn Ricci has made that an inevitable outcome. You might be NJA but don't be foolish enough to deny what corners he gets away with here, what labor costs he is able to shrink away here won't end up everywhere else. Eventually, what is happening here will be felt at NJA too. Good luck with that.

 

[shanes123]

IMISS you hit it on the head. The piss poor and lack of maint on these planes coupled with fatigue crews is already a miracle that a tragedy hasn't taken place. It will literally happen any minute now. You can't roll the dice in this game over and over and get away with out something happening sooner or later and Onesky has rolled their dice way to many times already. its a mathematical certainty and I didn't even add in the RL pilots that will push the limit over and over, the snowball effect will happen.

 

[NJAowner]

Hey IMissMyPilot. I am not ok with it. I am not with FO/FLEX -- I was there for a very short tine a number of years ago, saw some of this myself, and left.

 

[Imissmypilot]

Hey IMissMyPilot. I am not ok with it. I am not with FO/FLEX -- I was there for a very short tine a number of years ago, saw some of this myself, and left.

I know but don't underestimate the effect what Kenn is able to get away with will effect the industry as a whole.

NJA just pulled in record profits despite the fact they have a union that secured them an industry leading contract and a lower than projected revenue stream. That said, businesses are about making money. If NJA sees a market tolerance for what the #2 frac gets away with, don't kid yourself they won't try it. They won't turn away money on the table just to deliver a better product the marketplace is not demanding.

Your friends who remain uninterested in the welfare of the only industry group (their pilots) that has a vested interest in your experience, safety and reliability is shortsighted. But what do I know, I'm not the one smart enough to be in the back.

 

[NJAowner]

I agree with your last paragraph 100%. I cannot believe those who bargain shop or those who go for JetSmarter. I think there are only 2 ways to have a much less expensive private jet experience (1) cut $ for pilots (including salaries, benefits, road hotels, training, etc.) or (2) cut maintenance. Is there anyplace else to save mega $$ to fly for 50% less than others?

 

[Imissmypilot]

I agree with your last paragraph 100%. I cannot believe those who bargain shop or those who go for JetSmarter. I think there are only 2 ways to have a much less expensive private jet experience (1) cut $ for pilots (including salaries, benefits, road hotels, training, etc.) or (2) cut maintenance. Is there anyplace else to save mega $$ to fly for 50% less than others?

Well if Kenn Ricci has his way, he will still charge you the money and underdeliver on everything else. Talk about crazy.

IMHO, especially in the case of a shell artist like Ricci, a union helps to protect the owner's investment and provide assurance because those minimum safety expectations surrounding pilots and maintenance are spelled out and stable. I feel badly for my longtime Flexjet owners. I see them getting cheated and there's nothing I can do. I hope this contract gets settled soon so that stops. Your friends would do well to try to understand the benefits a unionized pilot force can get them, especially if they are hands off, uninterested in the details.

Owners should be demanding the contract settlement every bit as much as pilots. I've been pleased to see several owners vocalize their support, especially in front of some anti-union crew.

 

[cougar12]

I heard last week that there where two days in a row charter was in excess of a million dollars!

 

[doh]

They make money on charter. There is no incentive other than customer service, which they don't care about, to keep cheater down.

 

[993_Pilot]

They make money on charter. There is no incentive other than customer service, which they don't care about, to keep cheater down.

Directional Capital may make money on charter, depending on who does it, but for Onesky the cost is higher than the incremental cost of flying the trip in-house, with their own aircraft. In fact, it would be easy for Onesky to increase costs for charter, maintenance, fuel etc. and shuffle the money to another pocket, especially since Directional Capital is privately held, and not a public company. It's called "creative accounting", and just another way the company can cry poor when it comes time to discuss compensation for the pilots.