Changing Domiciles at NetJets

[BengalsFan]

Anybody know how successful people have been? I'm seriously considering putting LAX down (as a second choice to Dallas), with the hopes of changing to Dallas in 2 years...

I won't have to make this choice for about 3 or 4 more months, while I build towards NetJets minimums. I figure that they really need people in LA, so it will increase my chances of getting an interview (with just the minimums), but I can't afford to live in LA, so I would be commuting.

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[fly4funcrj]

i know of one person who has done it. Was lax based and switched to pbi. As soon as he did it he found out we would be unable to move to pbi (personal reasons I won't mention on here).. He called the company immediately and they said NO.. You are now pbi based...I think the actual process went smooth, but don't expect any help if you get awarded and can't move/make it to the new domicile when the time comes..

 

[tk855]

There are two methods you may use to transfer domiciles. The first method, you need to find another pilot in the same seat and aircraft as yourself who is willing to swap with you. I am thinking that might be quite difficult to find someone wanting to leave DAL for LAX. The second method, the company has to issue a vacancy bid for your seat on your aircraft type in your desired domicile. This method will be the most likely way of you transferring domiciles. Approximately 3 months ago we saw a large sic bid with all domiciles on most aircraft being offered, but we haven't seen anything since. There have been some sic's successful at transferring domiciles, but they went from CMH to DAL. It is your choice, but it may take a long time until a bid comes out with a chance to transfer. The other factor, you will also have to hope you are senior enough to be awarded the transfer, nobody knows how many other LAX guys ahead of you want to transfer to DAL.

I believe you said that you don't meet the mins yet. I would wait until I meet the mins and then see what is going on. Hiring at NJA is a very dynamic process and you never know what will be available. Best of luck to you.

 

[BengalsFan]

Say worst case scenario, I get stuck in LAX for 3-5 years... when I can bid captain, or FO into a different airframe, can I use that to change domiciles?
Also, I know people say it will hurt salary wise, but I could also bid FO into NJI and become home based... correct?

 

[BengalsFan]

sorry... one more thing... according to the contract, they are required to allow someone in the company to change domiciles, before they hire a new hire into that domicile... correct?

ie they would need to let Joe switch from LAX to Dallas, before they hired Suzzie into Dallas (nice example huh?)?

 

[tk855]

Say worst case scenario, I get stuck in LAX for 3-5 years... when I can bid captain, or FO into a different airframe, can I use that to change domiciles?
Also, I know people say it will hurt salary wise, but I could also bid FO into NJI and become home based... correct?

Yes, the LOA we have in effect will allow you to transfer domiciles and upgrade. After your initial two year seatlock is up you may also transfer by bidding sic in another aircraft that has a vacancy in your desired domicile. If you do that you will incurr another two-year seatlock. Again, the company has to offer a vacancy in your desired domicile in order for you to transfer. NJI isn't really an option for you immediately, in order to bid over you need to have two years with NJA or 5000 hours total time. So far, all the sic's who have went to NJI have been right at the two year mark with NJA.

 

[Twotter76]

I think its highly unlikely that you would be stuck for that period of time unless you wanted to be. You could change both your domicle and position at the same time if you wanted to but you are certainly under no obligation to do so. This is not the airlines the vacancies are not necessarily domcile specific - it just kinda looks that way from how the company chooses to post the vacancies. As to NJI I dont see any reason that you wouldnt be able to bid over there and get homebasing but be aware that you have to spend several years here first before you are eligible to bid to NJI. By the time your seatlock expired at NJA hopefully the single carrier issues will have been resolved so you might not even be the ability to bid over there any more (who knows how that will work out).

 

[tk855]

sorry... one more thing... according to the contract, they are required to allow someone in the company to change domiciles, before they hire a new hire into that domicile... correct?

ie they would need to let Joe switch from LAX to Dallas, before they hired Suzzie into Dallas (nice example huh?)?

You are correct, that is why they offer the sic bids to the current pilot group before they fill them with newhires. Almost all sic bids offered internally go unfilled unless someone uses them as a domicile transfer.

 

[BengalsFan]

Thanks all

I have a buddy in LA, who will let me crash there the night before my first day of the 7... so I figure getting in earlier is well worth the commute and transfer later (even if I can't until I bid captain 4-5 years down the road)... who knows, maybe the new contract will reflect changes then.

Now if I could only magically acquire 250hours today!

 

[notaNJApilot]

i know of one person who has done it. Was lax based and switched to pbi. As soon as he did it he found out we would be unable to move to pbi (personal reasons I won't mention on here).. He called the company immediately and they said NO.. You are now pbi based...I think the actual process went smooth, but don't expect any help if you get awarded and can't move/make it to the new domicile when the time comes..

The LOA states the process where you bid for a domicile change, you get awarded, you move. It's not you bid, you get awarded, you decide if you want to move; so the company couldn't do anything for him since they must follow the rules. The LOA provides a "domicile lock wavier" so if he wants to move back he can probably play that card.