Hi all,
I'm new to this board and have read most of the frac posts in attempt to research Citation Shares, NetJets, and FlightOptions. Since I have no firends who fly for any of the fractionals, I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the job if any of you with frac experience would be so generous as to donate your time with a response. Also, if you have worked for an airline and one of the fractionals, I would greatly appreciate any comparisons. So here are my questions (for all of the different frac pilots):
1) Domiciles: From reading all of the company websites, I gather that pilots have many cities available as options with the exception of Flexjet? I am not trying for Flexjet for this reason, so if this is wrong, please advise. Why does Citation Shares require pilots to live 90 minutes from a getaway city--is it for reserve coverage, or just a general requirement? Can Flight Options pilots live in any city with air service? On their website it says that relocation is not required for pilots, but nothing more. With NetJets' getaways, are all domiciles available regardless of seniority?
2) Deadhead time: How much time do you all spend on airlines to and from your assignments? I know it varies, but just an example or weekly average would be nice. Is it correct to assume that pilots will be typically deadheaded to the closest assignment to their domicile? Are your airline flights booked on a carrier of your choice and do you get to upgrade to first class based on ff miles often? I hope this doesn't sound like too petty of a question, but I get really sick of commuting as is--and it would be nice to avoid long airline flights in the proverbial middle seat.
3) Time off: I hear Flight Options has an 8on/7off schedule--is this the ONLY available schedule? Does NetJets offer other than 7/7 shedules as well? How about CitationShares schedules? Do you ever get much time off on overnights to enjoy a city, or is it like regional airline schedules where 9 hours at the hotel is the norm? Are most people enjoying the schedules?
4) Upgrade time: On this board, somebody said that upgrade at CS was not based on seniority, but merit--is this true? If so, how is this determined ? How long would you guess for upgrade at NJ and FO?
5) Pay: How is Flight Options pay? That is the only one I couldn't find much info on.
6) Attitude/corporate culture: I'm sure NetJets might have a little bit of turmoil given contract negotiations, but overall how are the people you fly and the supervisors you work with?
7) What are your overall favorite and least favorite aspects of your job and company? I apologize for asking so many questions, and again, I sincerely appreciate your time in responding.
I'm new to this board and have read most of the frac posts in attempt to research Citation Shares, NetJets, and FlightOptions. Since I have no firends who fly for any of the fractionals, I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the job if any of you with frac experience would be so generous as to donate your time with a response. Also, if you have worked for an airline and one of the fractionals, I would greatly appreciate any comparisons. So here are my questions (for all of the different frac pilots):
1) Domiciles: From reading all of the company websites, I gather that pilots have many cities available as options with the exception of Flexjet? I am not trying for Flexjet for this reason, so if this is wrong, please advise. Why does Citation Shares require pilots to live 90 minutes from a getaway city--is it for reserve coverage, or just a general requirement? Can Flight Options pilots live in any city with air service? On their website it says that relocation is not required for pilots, but nothing more. With NetJets' getaways, are all domiciles available regardless of seniority?
2) Deadhead time: How much time do you all spend on airlines to and from your assignments? I know it varies, but just an example or weekly average would be nice. Is it correct to assume that pilots will be typically deadheaded to the closest assignment to their domicile? Are your airline flights booked on a carrier of your choice and do you get to upgrade to first class based on ff miles often? I hope this doesn't sound like too petty of a question, but I get really sick of commuting as is--and it would be nice to avoid long airline flights in the proverbial middle seat.
3) Time off: I hear Flight Options has an 8on/7off schedule--is this the ONLY available schedule? Does NetJets offer other than 7/7 shedules as well? How about CitationShares schedules? Do you ever get much time off on overnights to enjoy a city, or is it like regional airline schedules where 9 hours at the hotel is the norm? Are most people enjoying the schedules?
4) Upgrade time: On this board, somebody said that upgrade at CS was not based on seniority, but merit--is this true? If so, how is this determined ? How long would you guess for upgrade at NJ and FO?
5) Pay: How is Flight Options pay? That is the only one I couldn't find much info on.
6) Attitude/corporate culture: I'm sure NetJets might have a little bit of turmoil given contract negotiations, but overall how are the people you fly and the supervisors you work with?
7) What are your overall favorite and least favorite aspects of your job and company? I apologize for asking so many questions, and again, I sincerely appreciate your time in responding.