Continental or stay Fractional?

[twad]

Hey Guys, Question? I have a opportunity at Continental, but what used to be a no brainer has me somewhat concerned. I have been a Captain at a fractional for about 6 years and am comfortable, however long term, I am leaning towards Continental? Any thoughts, info, would be greatly appreciated.

 

[V-STALL]

Hey Guys, Question? I have a opportunity at Continental, but what used to be a no brainer has me somewhat concerned. I have been a Captain at a fractional for about 6 years and am comfortable, however long term, I am leaning towards Continental? Any thoughts, info, would be greatly appreciated.

Move forward and don't look back. CAL will do whatever it takes to be one of the one's left standing in the long run. Don't let "comfort" stand in the way of you thinking of your long term future. Good luck on your very important decision.

 

[COpilot]

I say if your at Netjet, stay there. We may try to stay standing, but in the current enviorment, it might not happen. On our CAL board, there's "some" talk of hiring coming to an end.

 

[Whale Rider]

If you're comfortable, stay comfortable! You saw during 9-11, the fractional is a safe bet. If that happens again at the bottom of the list at CAL.......well........lets just say the next headset you wear may be the one that speaks through a clown mouth at the drive through.

 

[FCPhotography]

Have to agree. If you are at Netjets stay there.

 

[Flyforyou]

Tough call on that one... you've looked at the pay scales and know how long it will take to reach your pay level again. I know nothing about fractional flying, but for me the choice to come to CAL was an easy one and was basically made for me(I'm ex-Indy). I can tell you that if our hiring stops we will be shrinking as an airline because of the retirements and early-outs. Let's hope that's not the case! There will have to be about 25-30/mo hired just to keep up with age 60 retirements over the next two years. Good luck. You won't know wheter you made the right decision or not until you retire...

Fly

 

[a10hogplt]

cal board?

what board is this and where? i'm new to the company. thanks.

 

[ATRedneck]

what board is this and where? i'm new to the company. thanks.

www.calforums.com

$2 a month

 

[Gina]

me too

I don't know the answer to your question but I was in your shoes. I decided to stay. This means you should go, since nearly every career decision I've made has been bad. Good luck.

For me it came down to:
1. The illusion of job security at NJA.
2. The present value of money and the present value of the 401k match.
3. Not wanting to commute and share a stinky crash pad.
4. Most importantly, three 21 day vacation breaks a year is just around the corner. It's all about the home time.

I'm not chearleading for the company. I'm not a union-internet-activist either. I'm thankful to both sides of our loving corporate family for this even being a decision for me. The day before the TA, I think I'd have gone Continental. If I didn't have a family may gone to Continental. You know the drill. It's a hard, dirty job. 3x the typical daily workload of an airline crew.

My career dream of big international airline flying is officially dead but I'm sleeping like a baby at night. Will I always wonder what it would have been like if I'd gone for Continental? Yes.

Here's the thread great arguements for both jobs:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=68988

 

[Heavy Set]

If you are a FLOPS pilot - leave immediately for CO. If you are a NJA pilot, you may need to think more about it. CO is one of the stronger legacy carriers at the moment, but it may merge with another in the next few years. It's a crapshoot. But NJA is a better situation than it was previously - if you are on a good fleet (not worked too hard like the X or Excel fleets) and you have a 7/7 schedule, that's hard to beat... Let us know what you decide.

 

[COpilot]

From what I've read on the Fract. Forum, and looking at the NJ contract, thats why I would say stay there.

Of course, if you have a desire for a Big airplane, or EWR, and IAH, then come on over. Heck you might even be a CA in 6 years, or hell we all might be flying at NWA (NEWCO) "who knows".

Did I tell you guys my kids wants to be a Orthodontist...

 

[bearcat]

When I retire in 30 years, I will tell you then if my decision to go to CAL was a good one. The facts are simple. You are employed in an environment that is VERY fragile. All the advice on this board is useless. The only thing certain is that you can make decisions based on assumptions and opinions. None of which are valuable in the long run for no one knows the long run. The trend is there isn't a trend. Those who think SWA is unstoppable...could be right..could be wrong. What is to say that fractionals wont be the way of the future.....way of the future....way of the future....way of the future????

So far I am pretty impressed with CAL and don't care for fractionals....once again....opinion. Do what you think is best.

regarding CAL to stop hiring. I think IF it does happen it will be short lived and may be because training is backed up. I will find out this Tuesday. There is a new hire class and they will be told exactly what the hiring plans are for that moment in time from the horses mouth...

I know this doesn't help.....Good luck

 

[FurloughedTwice]

On our CAL board, there's "some" talk of hiring coming to an end.

That's news to me. I heard the opposite. Where did this information come from? I was just told that the January bid is going to be pretty large.

 

[Uppercrust]

Go with the Continental. You'll be a legacy airline pilot traveling the world. Upgrade to Capt should be short, 4-5 yrs (I heard), and when the domestic air market tanks (Most LCC's except SWA) due to a reccession combined with high oil prices, Continental will have a dominate international market. It's a no brainer.

 

[twad]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Thanks for all the feedback! I am not a Netjets Guy(could have been but we all make choices that at the time seemed logical?#@$). I am leaning toward Continental mainly because of the life long persuit of a major airline job, the situation at my present company and I wont have to commute if based in EWR.

Hey, keep it coming though, I can use as much info and opinion as I can get.

Thanks

 

[imisscorplife]

If your single!! Do It!!! If not, stay at NJ

 

[COpilot]

That's news to me. I heard the opposite. Where did this information come from? I was just told that the January bid is going to be pretty large.

There's some question on the ATA -300s, there is some backup down in training, there's some rumors about stock price, Larry might be the Anti-Christ, it's all on CALforums or in the crew room. Man I don't know, I'm just passing on the little rumors I read and hear about.

Heck, in a few days, weeks the bid will be out, and we'll all know the truth for that little time period.

 

[furlough-boy]

Are you really going to be happy knowing you passed up your chance to go to the majors and instead played AAA ball all your life?

Gotta do it.

 

[SWA/FO]

GO to CAL.

 

[Inspector 12]

Are you really going to be happy knowing you passed up your chance to go to the majors and instead played AAA ball all your life?

Gotta do it.

AAA ball?!?! WTF?!?!?!

If someone doesn't go to a major are they now looked upon as "Minor League"?

This industry is in the toilet. The steady swirling flush is slowing, and airlines are hiring - does that mean we should all go?

The fracs are not a bad gig right now. Stable, decent money, and a good quality of life. Look, I don't want to get into the mine is better than your b.s. that always seems to take over this website.

I just don't think that you should say anything less than a major is AAA.

To the one who started this thread - Sit down, think rationally, include your family with your decision making process and come to a decision and never look back!

Good Luck.