Avantair thriving in this economic downturn...

[BeenThereDoneIt]

I wasn't concerned as much with the lack of crew meals for the pilots as I was concerned with being asked to continue flying PAX for 3 days with engine oil pressure in the yellow arc (notice blurry cellphone picture on the left clearly showing low oil pressure on #1 engine)....or being asked to continue flying PAX after a bird strike on the engine inlet without any maintenance inspection, or being asked to continue flying PAX with an engine that starts while the condition lever is in the CUTOFF position. I'd post the pictures/video if I knew how. Heck.....maybe a savings of 50% is a good thing to some passengers......

Fly safe!

 

[wacoflyr]

BTDT, I see that you are still bitter and, frankly, still without grace. Clearly you are not at peace. Now I begin to wonder about your integrity. Good luck with all of that. By the way, isn't this the wrong forum for you? Try the C152 instructor's forum.

Wacoflyr, enjoying the safe flying life at Avantair.

 

[glasspilot]

I swear to God,

Kyle, this is so unfair of you. You didn't upgrade and now you're pissed. You leave and then do all in your power to wreck the place that you feel owed you an upgrade. The fact is that if you had upgraded you would still be here.

Nice picture of the oil guage there. Notice how it's analog? What are we to see there? It looks like it's on the boarder of yellow and green and actually looks like its more towards green. If you didn't think it was safe maybe you should have told your Captain as much. I would think a normal Captain would look at it and see it's clearly GREEN and not have a problem.

Bird strike on the engine inlet? Ummm what can I say? I have never EVER EVER been asked to go with a bird strike without Mx looking at it. You say you have so I guess it's a stalemate. However I call BS as you obviously have an axe to grind.

Engine starting in cutoff? Ya sure it wasn't in feather? I wasn't there, but again if what you spew were true then it would be a no go. No one would disagree.

You are a whiny little troll who should just be thankful you got hired here. You had ZERO experience when you interviewed and the only reason you were accepted was cause you had a flight school. Certain persons took pity on you and thought they could over turn your obvious bad attitude in the interview. That person is obviously regretfull of his decision then.

When you attack Avantair you make yourself look little. Again, you'd still be here if only you had upgraded like you think you deserve. You do not deserve to be a Captain based on your obvious lack of experience (thinking the guage in your avatar is grounding) and your pathetic attitude. Many people have asked you to move on with your life, but it's clear that you are not going to do that.

So, make a few more screen names and settle in. I guess you're a parasite we're going to have to live with. Great, Avantair has herpes. How's if feel to be the sore on my junk?

 

[johnsonrod]

Wow - talk about thread creep... What was the original topic again?

 

[Crobar]

Wow - talk about thread creep... What was the original topic again?

Avantair thriving
But looks like true colors are showing, hiring pilots with zero experience and apparently getting fired for not flying planes that need some looking at.

Glad I work for a union shop!

 

[glasspilot]

BTDI was NOT fired. That's the point. He quit because the poor guy couldn't upgrade at the year mark like he wanted. Never mind the thousands of guys on the street...he was employed and wanted Captain...and he wanted it NOW!!!! (stamping feet sound)

The reason he was hired with zero experience was because he owned a flight school and certain people on the hiring committee thought that showed an entrapeneural spirt that would overcome what the rest of the interview committee saw as a severe "attitude". If it wasn't for the flight school he never would have been hired. I've said WAY more than I wanted to but this guy seriously ticks me off. My 6 year old is selfish, but not one tenth as much as BTDI.

By the by...nice avatar.

 

[HazMat]

Just waiting for the union stuff to start here we go. Avantair is a great place to work just ask the 100 or so NetJets pilots who have sent in Resumes. This disgrutled former pilot shows up in every avantair thread despite the fact he left months ago. I feel bad for him that he hasn't gotten over it. Thanks Avantairowner I pretty much hear what you said on a daily basis from all of our new owners. New owners I guess we have cornered the market on that.

 

[mainiac]

Boy, stupid of me to turn on my computer on day 5 of my 3 weeks off...
but

It was nice to read a thread about my job, that stayed focused, and has some interesting opinions back and forth.

I'll repeat for the record my happiness with my experiences here at Avantair, my pride that our training dept, (that I'm part of) has grown at a good pace with our company, and pride that our pilot group has a wide, diverse range of experiences. Many ex-military guys, former 121-heavy guys and corporate-135 guys have rounded out our pool. Many have contributed valuable insight into our current SOP's.

As for my QOL, I'm on my second vacation of the year, spent the last 4 days on the lake (16 to go), just paid my first tuition payment for my kid's college bill for the upcoming year (sophomore yr, paid last year off already), and all my bills are paid. I feel pretty lucky right now. I'm confident that our "Niche-market" service has become a recognized value, and will continue to shine as the economy improves.

As for Mr BTDI, Glass has it nailed. (stamping feet sound!!! again)






glass:.09

 

[fischman]

Avantairowner -- I am glad you are happy. Like I have said, I do have a need for this type of aircraft, but for me (in my opinion), the company is not where I woudl like it to be to put my family on it. We all have different risk levels. I also refuse to fly on any NJA selloffs and remain in fleet. Yes -- maybe I am too conservative on this issue. I have many friends who own their own jets and decline invitations to fly with them unless I am satisfied (in my opinion) with the safety level of their operation. I take many, any venture risks with investments (and have avery high risk tolerance) but there I am only risking $$. Also, in my opinion, flying risk has a negative outcome of a high magnitude -- i.e., the risk is not linear. If I take on a little more risk the outcome is not that I lose only a hand. It is an all or nothing proposition. That being said, at this point in time and in my opinion, I am not ready to fly Avantair. I hope someday Avantair gets to the place where I am comfortable, and I would siogn up for atleast a 75 hrs share in an hour.

That is high praise! I'm thrilled to hear our owners have that kind of opinion of us (NetJets). We work hard to earn that kind of respect! Thank you!!!

 

[wacoflyr]

Fischman, this particular thread was not actually about netjets. I know that is difficult for you to understand....

 

[brokeflyer]

Fischman, this particular thread was not actually about netjets. I know that is difficult for you to understand....

wow........

 

[netjetwife]

...Avantair is a great place to work just ask the 100 or so NetJets pilots who have sent in Resumes. ... New owners I guess we have cornered the market on that.

Would you know when the NJ pilots sent in resumes? In the interest of fairness, was it after flying slowed down? Perhaps this year when they started to worry that there might be a furlough at NJ? If so, that is a reflection of the economy, not their satisfaction with NJ. I'd say the same about you guys if things were reversed.

Congrats on the new business. It does appear that Avantair is the only frac currently hiring. In this cloudy economy that's a silver lining. NJW

 

[NJAowner]

The strange part about this thread is that both BTDT and Glasspilot agree that Avantair hired a pilot with zero (or minimal) experience because he owned aflight school. As someone who has hired many, many employees, I understand the "spirit" and many many other reasons one may be hired -- but in a managerial or supervisory position. As an owner, and flier, I do not want these traits (which may be great for the future or other positions), to be a reason or excuse to lower my hiring standards for PILOTS. Do I hire a brain surgeon based upon his business acumen or traits or do I just wan the best guy with the most experience operating on brains? If it happened once, that line may have been crossed other times for other reasons. Sorry -- that is not how I (and this is just my personal opinion) want safety handled on my behalf. Similarly, a few years ago, I had a flight planned that the software came up 10 lbs short on fuel -- yes 10 lbs - and NJ forced a fuel stop. It did not matter whether it was 1 lb. or 500 lbs., short was short when it came to fuel reserves. A little irritating at first, but 2 minutes later the level and concern for safety, and the unwillingness to cave it, was greatly appreciated.

To give them some credit for honesty, in due diligence, Avantair did admit that in some cases they deviate from their experince requirements in in the hiring process. That honesty is one of a few reasons which has kept me from being a current client, but still has them in the running for me to be a future client. (Which in the long run I think is in their best business interests).

Fly safe.

PS -- Avantairowner -- pilots are like surgeons. The ones with the best bedside manner, personality and communications skills are not always the best ones in the operating room. I know many docs whose personalities and patient relations are awful --- but I go to them because they are great in surgery, not because they give me a "warm and fuzzy feeling".

 

[avantairowner]

Netjetowner I am surprised you got sucked into this. Having run many companies I would think you would know better. I can only speak from my experience the level of competence I see is equal if not better than I experienced before. The pilots appear to really love what they do at Avantair and not just go through the motions. I am not the only one who feels that way it is the first thing every other owner I bump into says. Yesterday, I burned about 300 less gallons of fuel on my flight this is a great product operated by a terrific company. Further, in my diligence I discovered the flying experience of pilots in both companies to be similar.The airplanes themselves are newer and in better condition at least this is what I have seen in 33 hours of flying so far.

10lbs? I don't even know what to say. Isn't it possible that the winds could have been slightly different and you would have made it with reserves? This would have required an explanation with me.

Yes Netjets does a great job of branding and some buy into that and that helps them sleep at night.

Funny you mention healthcare since it is a sector I am active in. The truly great surgeons are great because of their skill level not the number of years they have been practicing.

 

[brokeflyer]

this thread isnt about netjets vs avantair. It wouldnt be wise to have that discussion. Im sure avantair has a lotta good selling points. If you fly between bos and hpn or something, economicly that is your plane. that range a jet may get you there 3 minutes faster...big deal.

If they hired low timers? well then you get what you pay for. There is a reason Netjets is the most expensive. There are lotta people who cant afford to move 25 million for a share, that is where avantair fills that gap. The service im sure is good at avantair.

The only diffrence is Netjets IS Netjets. Other than that, im sure its a good company. I dont know much about their management team but being aviation it's probly just that....aviation management...

so back to the point, it's great that avantair is holding steady. Did they recall all the furloughed pilots yet?

 

[HazMat]

Avantair has not Furloughed. You would be surprised at the speed of the plane not much difference on a three hour flight either.

 

[BoilerUP]

There are lotta people who cant afford to move 25 million for a share, that is where avantair fills that gap.

$25M for a share? That's hyperbole, right?

 

[brokeflyer]

$25M for a share? That's hyperbole, right?

you know what i mean....there's a reason netjets is the most expensive. I dont have the exact figures but a half share in the GV is probly close to that.

 

[mainiac]

this thread isnt about netjets vs avantair. It wouldnt be wise to have that discussion. Im sure avantair has a lotta good selling points. If you fly between bos and hpn or something, economicly that is your plane. that range a jet may get you there 3 minutes faster...big deal.

If they hired low timers? well then you get what you pay for. There is a reason Netjets is the most expensive. There are lotta people who cant afford to move 25 million for a share, that is where avantair fills that gap. The service im sure is good at avantair.

The only diffrence is Netjets IS Netjets. Other than that, im sure its a good company. I dont know much about their management team but being aviation it's probly just that....aviation management...

so back to the point, it's great that avantair is holding steady. Did they recall all the furloughed pilots yet?

I agree with you here, this thread shouldn't become a NJ vs Avantair post.
Suffice it to say that Avantair is continuing to grow, and has taken zero steps to reduce pilot numbers, in any way, voluntary or otherwise.

That has set us apart from everyone else in the Fractional world...

 

[Trash8Mofo]

Is it just me alone thinking that Avantairowner is a fake? If you are truly an Avantair owner, then...Congrats. Despite your constant run-on sentences, grammatical errors, and generally 8th grade writing, you have made something for yourself.

Whatever business you might be running, I sure hope that you'd have more creativity than your posts indicate on this board. The name alone: Avantairowner vs NJAowner, come-on! And you are defensive on every post, can't run a business with that mentality now!

You are quite observant, which must be one of your many qualities that propel you to success. I have yet to encounter a single owner notice what my actual fuel burn vs. planned fuel burn/ and or fuel saving, for that matter. Yet you notice a 300 gallons saving on your flight! Only a PILOT notice that sort of thing.

 

[NJA bound]

Its been entertaining

 

[brokeflyer]

I agree with you here, this thread shouldn't become a NJ vs Avantair post.
Suffice it to say that Avantair is continuing to grow, and has taken zero steps to reduce pilot numbers, in any way, voluntary or otherwise.

That has set us apart from everyone else in the Fractional world...

You are making it a NJ vs avantair thread by that remark.....our 2 companies dont compete despite what others say....you have you thing and we have ours....

 

[HazMat]

He is not a fake. He talked to the crew that flew him yesterday. He has run companies you would know. It's is not an uncommon situation we are getting a lot of people from the other fracs. He is probably laughing his a$$ off at your post.

 

[NJAowner]

I am glad Avantairowner is happy. I think the more people who fly fractional (or private in general the better). Even though I pay attention to many things, I have never paid attention to fuel burn. Whether one flight is handled more efficiently than another similar flight is not something that shows up in my bill. I get a fuel surcharge based upon the hour, not a bill showing me how much fuel I burned for a flight. Yes -- the P-180 is a more efficient aircraft.

Avantiar owner -- yes I agree that age alone does not make up for experience. But a surgeon just out of meidcla school or with 5 operations under his belt, does not have the practical experience to make certain judgment calls. A five year surgeon may be better than someone with 2o yeasr of experience, but own with practically no experience just ins't there yet.

Again, glad you are happy.

Fly safe.

 

[HazMat]

At AvantAir the fuel surcharge is based on the actual gallons burned for the flight. Owners are told the fuel burn will be between 90 and 100 gallons an hour so it is something that is generally understood. Many of our owners like the fact that they are using less fuel per hour than the other aircraft thay had flown on.

 

[Mvich]

Amazing

This place is amazing!!!

If I started a thread called Babies, Bubbles & Boobies; some lightning rod would find a way to turn it into an argument here on F.I.!

 

[dbrault17]

Is it just me alone thinking that Avantairowner is a fake? If you are truly an Avantair owner, then...Congrats. Despite your constant run-on sentences, grammatical errors, and generally 8th grade writing, you have made something for yourself.

It has always amazed me how dumb some of the richest people seem. I've met plenty of very successful people and from my observation grammatical intelligence is not pre-requisite.

 

[AftCG182]

You are making it a NJ vs avantair thread by that remark.....our 2 companies dont compete despite what others say....you have you thing and we have ours....

I'm not at all trying to dispute my man mainiac, but brokeflyer, I've been saying exactly what you're saying almost since I started at Avantair. There's really no need for friction between our companies. Your Beechjet and (smaller)Citation guys might not agree, but NJ and Avantair serve two different markets and essentially compliment each other. But it IS more fun to argue, and what would FI be without a good debate

 

[brokeflyer]

I'm not at all trying to dispute my man mainiac, but brokeflyer, I've been saying exactly what you're saying almost since I started at Avantair. There's really no need for friction between our companies. Your Beechjet and (smaller)Citation guys might not agree, but NJ and Avantair serve two different markets and essentially compliment each other. But it IS more fun to argue, and what would FI be without a good debate

very well said.

My first airline was mohawk flying the 404....it was the same BS back then, minus the internet. And no matter what was said you knew that it was people taking pride in their work and the airline they worked for. It's kinda nice to see that back at the fracs.

Pride is nothing that needs to be debated over. I think we're the best and you think your the best. What do you think that kinda attitude will give your customers? A very good product.

 

[mainiac]

aft,

You're the best

Bringing out the best in all of us, reminding us that we like our jobs!

kudos