CS or Flex!!

[LandRoverNut]

I know, I know go to NetJets!!!
If you can't seem to get the interview with NJA then would you look at CS or Flex with thier new pay scales! All things considered. I want to know what you guys and gals think!

LRN

 

[bmxandjets]

i'd like to know too...

 

[flagshipper]

The daily rate is higher at CS. You work 182 days at CS per year versus 200 or so at Flex. Of course there are other factors but that is the biggest

 

[Nolife]

Catering at Flex just got better. Oh... and they upped the annual uniform allowance a whole $50. Things are looking good here.

 

[johnsonrod]

Both are good operators and the new wage increases really help. I don't like the fact that Flexjet only offers 4 domiciles (including no choices on the West Coast - what's up with that?). Netjets offers 100 pilot domiciles and CS offers roughly 20 or so - not too bad.

If you want to live west of Denver, go to CS. That said, I think Flexjet offers a better fleet of airplanes if that is your thing (not everyone cares). Personally, I would love to fly the Challenger 300 and newhires have a good chance of getting it right off the bat (that or the Lear 40/45). Check out the nice Challenger 300 cockpit (comfy on the longer flights):

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1062940&size=L&width=1024&height=693&sok=&photo_nr=1

and this:

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=1062938&size=L&width=1024&height=695&sok=&photo_nr=3

CS has a good fleet - all Citation as you would expect. If Flexjet would only open up its bases (maybe add 5-10 more choices including the West Coast) I would be more enthusiastic about applying. If you want to live in Denver, Dallas, Ft. Lauderdale and NYC then you should apply to Flexjet.

 

[Club ORD FO]

CS has better pay, works less, no rolling rest, and has more bases.

Flex has a nice fleet of planes to choose from, 2.5 to 3 year upgrade (not sure how that compares to CS)

I'd lean towards CS, just for the pay. But flex is by no means a bad place, but you work to get paid so....

 

[BEfly]

Neither!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DirtyBeech]

Catering at Flex just got better. Oh... and they upped the annual uniform allowance a whole $50. Things are looking good here.

When did our catering get better, and what sick bastard keeps sending me the old catering?

 

[NoPlaneNoGain]

Flex - 3 vacation periods after 3 years,
4 vacation periods after 10 years
CS - I think someone posted 3 vacations after 10
years, not sure.

Flex pay - Based on 202 days year.
CS - Based on 182 days.

Flex trips - 4,5,6,7(not very many available) days on.
CS - 7 days on.

Flex - If you live in DFW area you will probably get more nights at home than the others since DFW is mothership, i.e., training, recurrent, 2 maintenance bases, mid-trip overnights at home.
Flex is not bad, and since Netjets is leading the pack there will always be room for improvement at Flex.

Best of luck

 

[greygoose]

Is there any talk at all with Flex adding new/more bases?
Other then adding Den and dropping another.

 

[DirtyBeech]

Is there any talk at all with Flex adding new/more bases?
Other then adding Den and dropping another.

Only as we grow and the economics are viable. Now we did add 80ish crewmembers this last year which crewed 18-19 new aircraft. We're getting another 20 net aircraft this year as well. That's 40ish new aircraft on property crewed by 160ish new pilots which is an expantion of something like 50% over two years. That's apparently not an indicator that we are in a financial position to open more bases. But what would I know? I'm injecting logic into a Flexjet management position.

 

[sflax]

Just like picking a college or flight school. Go where you feel that you and your family will be happy. Thats it. Nothing else needs to be considered.

 

[Nolife]

When did our catering get better, and what sick bastard keeps sending me the old catering?

Seems to have to me. I got great steaks for dinner several times in the last two months. Prior to that it was rubbery chicken and brown leaves. Still eating turkey sandwiches for lunch though.

 

[On Your Six]

Flexjet's domicile policy makes ZERO sense. Why allow DFW or DEN and not ORD or LAX?

 

[CL300Pilot]

ORD would make perfect sense. LAX does not make sense due to lack of utilization on first and last days, mostly first. We did have ONT as a base but it was a miserable decision from a company stand point. ORD, ATL, STL and MCO in my opinion make the most sense for us.

Flexjet's domicile policy makes ZERO sense. Why allow DFW or DEN and not ORD or LAX?

 

[Club ORD FO]

CS - 7 days on.

just a correction here... i believe that CS has new schedules to choose from

and a "week" of vacation at flex is 5 paid days with 4 unpaid on either side, versus 7 paid days everywhere else.

but 3 vacation periods after 3 years is definitely pretty good, i suppose that is something we have going for us. And we will soon have the best 401k in the industry.

but you'll still make more money at CS.

 

[SKYLAWYER]

And we will soon have the best 401k in the industry

Please elaborate. What exactly are the terms that will make this the best 401K in the industry.

 

[GSXR600]

I know, I know go to NetJets!!!
If you can't seem to get the interview with NJA then would you look at CS or Flex with thier new pay scales! All things considered. I want to know what you guys and gals think!

LRN

Flex new pay assuming you upgrade in 2.5 to 3 years
FO:
Year Scale 202days Hourly OT Rate
1 278 56,132 34.74
2 288 58,097 35.95
3 307 62,000 38.37
CA goes back to second year CA pay (equipment Lear 40/45/60) six years to get the CL300/605
2 418 84,433 52.25
3 467 94,300 58.35
4 491 99,235 61.41
Six years with the company…..transition to CL300 or 605
5 548 110,595 68.44
6 560 113,143 70.01
10 629 126,987 78.58
Daily OT FO
Yr 1-3 375
Yr 4+ 400
Lear CA CL300/605
Yr 1-6 600 Yr 1-6 700
Yr 7+ 700 Yr 7+ 800

CS pay is a higher because they work less days (pay scale 182 days)
CA
1 - 83270
5- 101762
10- 120,261
15- 142,122

FO
1 - 55,510
2 - 58,286
3 - 61,200
4 - 64,260
10- 79738

Don’t know what their daily overtime rate is but………
IMPO I don’t like the 7/7 because, 7 days off are nice but WORKING for 7 days straight is not my thing. That is why I like Flex schedule! I do 5 on 4 off or 4 on 4 off + I think (correct me if I am wrong) to work overtime with the 7/7 will put you to work more than 7 days and I just don’t like that.

Overall they are both great companies to work for with a great pilot group!

Good luck on your decision

 

[GSXR600]

Sorry about the spacing I clicked but didnt work

 

[XTW]

just a correction here... i believe that CS has new schedules to choose from

and a "week" of vacation at flex is 5 paid days with 4 unpaid on either side, versus 7 paid days everywhere else.

but 3 vacation periods after 3 years is definitely pretty good, i suppose that is something we have going for us. And we will soon have the best 401k in the industry.

CS Clarification:

Schedules: 7-on/7-off, possible variations offered in the future, nothing yet published

Vacations: years 1-5, 1 week vacation(7 days)
years 6+, 2 weeks vacation(2-7days)

401K: 100% match on the first 6% contributed(includes base pay, overides, and overtime)

XTW

 

[7777]

XTW,

You always have informative, professional posts. Thanks.

How long have you worked for CS? What do you like and what don't you like about CS? I am military and getting ready for retirement and would like to get a better idea on CS. I like what I have heard about it so far and would like to gather up as much information as possible. Thanks.

 

[XTW]

7777,

Check PMs

XTW

 

[7777]

Thanks XTW

 

[RCA]

A consideration of the CS 7/7, your schedule is set for one full year. Then as you move into the new year there is a week swap. Someone good at explaining this complictated process can chime in. This prevents you from missing every holiday/birthday.
The jury is out on how the senioriorty system will effect us. As of now the junior person will have the same schedule as the #1. This eleminates the need to wait on a captain upgrade for QOL reasons.

 

[7777]

It seems like they are doing things smart. I never thought about that schedule option of switching them after a year but it makes allot of sense when I look at it the way you explained it. If they didn't, you are stuck on a schedule that could have you missing Christmas every year. Not that I haven't done that enough in my military career.

 

[FCNelson]

Pretty interesting thread, comparing Flex and CS.

From my outsider perspective, I just don't get why Flex doesn't open up more base cities. Their equipment is top notch, but they work a lot harder for their money (an extra 20 days/year), which is hard to justify.

To me, its all about the quality-of-life and paycheck.
After CS's recently announced new pay rates, I put in my application. I live about 10 minutes from one of their bases, so it would work perfect for me. I've heard some good things from various folks....now just got to keep my fingers crossed for a phone call.

Good luck to all,

FCN

 

[LandRoverNut]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I have interviews with both coming up. Good things to think about and ask questions!!!

 

[CFIIer]

what's the approx. wait time from when you submit your application to getting a call, to getting a class date?

 

[flyzimex]

Thanks for all the replys guys. I have interviews with both coming up. Good things to think about and ask questions!!!

Rover, when did you submit your application to Flex and when is your interview? Did you have someone walk it in?

Thanks,
FZ

 

[LandRoverNut]

Personally walked in by some personal friends, a few months! Thanks guys keep the info coming!!!