Directional Aviation Realigns Flexjet, Flight Options

[BlueNose]

Directional Aviation Realigns Flexjet, Flight Options
AINalerts - October 16, 2014
by Chad Trautvetter


October 16, 2014, 3:30 PM

Directional Aviation Capital (DAC) is 'realigning' its two fractional aircraft providers - Flight Options and Flexjet - to eliminate confusion in the marketplace since acquiring Dallas-based Flexjet from Bombardier in December. "Frankly, we were even a little confused internally about how the two brands were differentiated," DAC principal Kenn Ricci told AIN.

Under the new alignment, Flexjet will focus on newer aircraft and those with the range to carry owners to any place on earth, while Flight Options will offer fractional shares in pre-owned jets, as well as remanufactured aircraft such as the 400XTi from DAC's Nextant Aerospace. "Thus, Flight Options will go back to its roots as the 'value fractional,'" Ricci said. "Flexjet owners tend to be more corporate and want to fly on younger aircraft. Flight Options customers have a more entrepreneurial spirit and tend to go for the best deal."

This means that the new Embraer Phenom 300s in the Flight Options fleet will soon be migrating to Flexjet, Ricci noted. And to meet the global mission, Flexjet recently added four young pre-owned Bombardier Globals to its fleet; longer term, this requirement will be fulfilled by the order for 50 Gulfstreams (22 firm, 28 options) it placed on Tuesday.

 

[hammer2]

If the phenom 300s are going to Flexjet, what's going to happen to the LR45s?

 

[johnsonrod]

Or the Lear 75? Some definite questions about aircraft category overlap..

I would hope that salaries ultimately will be made the same across both companies by category like at Netjets (i.e., 400xT, Phenom and Lear 45/75 would pay the same in the light jet category while the eventual Lear 85 and older FLOPS Citation X would pay the same in the mid size category, etc.) - otherwise you would either see a mad scramble for one side vs another for better pay/equipment or extreme bitterness and animosity if one side does better than the other....

Then again I wouldn't be surprised to see some whipsaw action done by KR...

 

[hammer2]

Or the Lear 75? Some definite questions about aircraft category overlap..

I would hope that salaries ultimately will be made the same across both companies by category like at Netjets (i.e., 400xT, Phenom and Lear 45/75 would pay the same in the light jet category while the eventual Lear 85 and older FLOPS Citation X would pay the same in the mid size category, etc.) - otherwise you would either see a mad scramble for one side vs another for better pay/equipment or extreme bitterness and animosity if one side does better than the other....

Then again I wouldn't be surprised to see some whipsaw action done by KR...

Something tells me the lears are going to migrate to Options as the P 300s come to Flex. Makes sense why incoming Options pilots are going to the Lear. I'm sure some will already have a Phenom type.

I wouldn't be surprised if we have no new bombardier products in 5 years. Welcome to the world of embrear.

 

[V1 Rotate]

Since the 75's will be new aircraft and classes on it are beginning, I would say that they are still scheduled to show up.

 

[jetwash]

If the phenom 300s are going to Flexjet, what's going to happen to the LR45s?

I think Guns N' Roses sums it up nicely as what is going to happen.

http://youtu.be/o1tj2zJ2Wvg

 

[SDCFI]

Remember the CL300 was, and still may become a FO product however flown by FJ pilots. At least that was the last plan. So the Phenom could very well be flown by FO pilots as a Flexjet product. At least I'm assuming the IBT contract allows for it. So nothing really changes in terms of ops.

The 75 isn't really a direct competitor to the P300 anyway. Diff cert, more perf, and of course more $. There was talk at some point about FJ's used Lears going to FO and becoming "value" products over there. Wasn't in the plan presented Wed but who knows.

 

[japhy]

Did any of you watch the company presentation KR gave? He laid out which plane types each brand was going to have (FLOPS, Flex, and Red label Flex). We didn't elaborate which pilot groups were going to flying which planes though. I'm not sure anybody in management knows that answer right now.

 

[ghostrider64]

Flex isn't union, you can bet you are now seen as the saviors for the former NJI anti union Gulfstream lovers. My guess is Ricci's inbox is filled with resumes of those guys wanting to be the international training captains. We'll see soon if this prophesy comes to fruition.

 

[The Architect]

Just saying...

Did any of you watch the company presentation KR gave? He laid out which plane types each brand was going to have (FLOPS, Flex, and Red label Flex). We didn't elaborate which pilot groups were going to flying which planes though. I'm not sure anybody in management knows that answer right now.

...We?

 

[japhy]

...We?

Typo. He. I wish I got to make those decisions.

 

[The Architect]

Is it Time to get Organized

Flex isn't union, you can bet you are now seen as the saviors for the former NJI anti union Gulfstream lovers. My guess is Ricci's inbox is filled with resumes of those guys wanting to be the international training captains. We'll see soon if this prophesy comes to fruition.

So, will this, and many other factors, cause the Flexjet pilot group to reconsider unionizing?

It's going to get very tricky. There is a longer list of reasons to organize then ever before.

 

[Praetorian]

From the Flight Options Pilots Scope:

Section 1.5

Until the fences are removed, all aircraft (including orders and options to purchase aircraft) and the operations of each pre-transaction carrier shall remain separated.

 

[ghostrider64]

So, will this, and many other factors, cause the Flexjet pilot group to reconsider unionizing?

It's going to get very tricky. There is a longer list of reasons to organize then ever before.

The playbook says, no. It says they'll see twinkles in their eyes of big shiny jets, and will not organize. Then slowly they'll realize their hopes of being in those G momsters will be tempered as they fill the right seats.

And now FLEX has purchased new shiny planes that options pilots will never see.

Just like NJI, they'll be scrambling to find experienced g boys and girls.

So, will this, and many other factors, cause the Flexjet pilot group to reconsider unionizing?

It's going to get very tricky. There is a longer list of reasons to organize then ever before.

The playbook says, no. It says they'll see twinkles in their eyes of big shiny jets, and will not organize. Then slowly they'll realize their hopes of being in those G momsters will be tempered as they fill the right seats.

So the options boys will be locked out, and the flex boys will see hiring of experienced international G capts.

Fun and games, history repeating itself.

 

[shanes123]

Exactly what KR wants. You guys are acting like we are a bunch of time builders. Who cares what we are flying??? Show me the money

 

[exagony]

Flex isn't union, you can bet you are now seen as the saviors for the former NJI anti union Gulfstream lovers. My guess is Ricci's inbox is filled with resumes of those guys wanting to be the international training captains. We'll see soon if this prophesy comes to fruition.

Ummmm unless I'm reading your message wrong, I'm pretty sure there are lots of pilots at Flexjet with extensive intl flight experience... pretty sure the 604s and 300's do lots of intl training.. so why would they need NJI people to come in and be intl training capts? Maybe I'm missing something...

 

[gutshotdraw]

Ummmm unless I'm reading your message wrong, I'm pretty sure there are lots of pilots at Flexjet with extensive intl flight experience... pretty sure the 604s and 300's do lots of intl training.. so why would they need NJI people to come in and be intl training capts? Maybe I'm missing something...

No, you're not. He is.

There won't be any former NJI guys running over to Flex. Partly because Flex won't come looking and partly because nobody is going to trade one fractional for another. A decent corporate gig maybe. Another fractional? Not a chance.

 

[luckydog]

It think he's unfamiliar with the reality of: different circus, same clowns.

 

[ThePilotsFriend]

Flexjet pilots under your few page work agreement, still believe that they can't / haven't / will not change anything?

1) Confirmed, Deanna White is gone replaced with Mike Silvestro as the CEO.
a. All of the management that you have known and trusted are out. Did they not try to sale the fact that your management would remain intact to make you feel safe? Sorry for the inconvenience but we changed our mind about that.

2) Already junior Flight Options pilots are operating your biggest aircraft ahead of you with seniority protected above and beyond yours.

3) Your do not disturb or call agreement GONE.

4) Junior Flight Options pilots headed your way with the promise of Ken Ricci that they will be in the Lear for just six months and will be transitioned into the G as PIC ahead of all FlexPilots. Dedicated Flight Option crews with seniority protected above and beyond yours.

5) EMB-300 now to be marketed with the Flex store front painted in the new OneSky colors operated solely with Flight Options crews and aircraft will remain on Options certificate.

6) The entire company headquarters will be located in the Flight Options facility in Cleveland this is a fact just you wait and see. The only facility that will remain in TX will be possibly a MX base. Im sorry didn't they also lead you to believe that things would remain in TX? Sorry about your luck.

I can keep going but this is plenty for now and for all you non believers please don't take my word for it call Mike Silvestro and ask him, after all he is your new CEO.

Wake Up Flexjet Pilots.

You wander why I left? it was a question of ethics

 

[ThePilotsFriend]

http://youtu.be/jop2I5u2F3U