Flex Schedule

[Just Peachy]

days worked

Au Contraire mon ami..... For NJA there are 182 days of work available MINUS two, three, or 4 weeks of vacation. So at the minimum vacation available, you would only work 168 days. Then there is sim twice a year, two more weeks, and ground recurrent which is a week.

And all this with a pretty good salery! .... Who sez unions dont pay.

 

[DirtyBeech]

Sounds pretty good, but I think you're reaching with the recurrent stuff being considered off time. If you're away from home and getting paid for it I'd consider it work. By that standard Flex pilots also get an extra 10 or so days off a year for training (and do pass on to your p.r. people that we do indeed go in for training twice a year). And Flex pilots get 26 days off per year for starters too.

 

[gunfyter]

26 days?

 

[DirtyBeech]

26 days PTO first year. Sorry if that was confusing.

 

[Wiggums]

No, you don't.

You get 10 days of paid vacation your first year. Those extra days they tack on there are out of your regular time off.

At NetJets you would get 21 days for each week of vacation instead of 13 days.

 

[DirtyBeech]

I may be misinformed, but how is the week before and after a NJ's vacation any different than the time before and after a Flex vacation? Other than number of days I'm at a loss.

 

[Wiggums]

Flex is pretty good but...

A new FO who bids down to 14 to match NetJets 7/7 schedule would make $4300 less. On top of that you pay out more for benefits and get less match on your 401k. Looks like no raises this year even NetJets will get a COLA, but there will be a bonus. Oh, and don't forget no sick days for new hires either. Not a bad place to work but those are the facts of the matter.

 

[Wiggums]

I may be misinformed, but how is the week before and after a NJ's vacation any different than the time before and after a Flex vacation? Other than number of days I'm at a loss.

Yes, you get a string of 13 days off, but only five of those are paid. Your pay for the bid period will be the days you worked, plus five vacation days, multiplied by your daily rate.

 

[DirtyBeech]

All that is true, and has exactly what to do with the vacation time mentioned above?

 

[DirtyBeech]

Yes, you get a string of 13 days off, but only five of those are paid. Your pay for the bid period will be the days you worked, plus five vacation days, multiplied by your daily rate.

You're correct, and having a 5 day paid period surrounded by two four day off periods or the equivalent ought not make any difference in your bid period pay.

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

A new FO who bids down to 14 to match NetJets 7/7 schedule would make $4300 less. On top of that you pay out more for benefits and get less match on your 401k. Looks like no raises this year even NetJets will get a COLA, but there will be a bonus. Oh, and don't forget no sick days for new hires either. Not a bad place to work but those are the facts of the matter.

How much of that $4300 goes toward union dues?

 

[gunfyter]

None.

Union dues is about the same as medicare tax. Less than you pay for health insurance.

When ONE of 10 holidays falls on your NORMAL SCHEDULE... you receive Holiday pay ... Working 2 Holidays (that happen to fall on your normal schedule) pays more than a yr of union dues.

On average you will work 5 holidays a yr on your normal work schedule. So the union dues PAYS a 250% return just on holidays.

"What's in your Wallet?"​

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

None.

When ONE of 10 holidays falls on your NORMAL SCHEDULE... Holiday pay ... pays more than a yr of union dues.

On average you will work 5 holidays a yr on your normal work schedule. So the union dues PAYS a 500% return just on holidays.

"What's in your Wallet?"​

Just wondering how much it was since I've never worked a union job (military, self employed and 135).

 

[hammer2]

Flex guys this arguement is futile. Let's just admit that NJA has it better. I stay at Flex simply because I like it here. But I'm not going to say I have it better here than I would at nja.

 

[gunfyter]

Just wondering how much it was since I've never worked a union job (military, self employed and 135).

I made a math mistake and corrected it.

I never worked a union job before either.
Leaving the Military I was SHOCKED at how pilots are treated many places.

We (at NJ) have a good deal now. Thanks to the Union that negotiated it, and the management that runs the business side.

I think FJ is a good deal too...

I apologize for coming on like an ass... For years, We took a lot of abuse on these boards for paying union dues while also being the lowest paid... so its like a defensive reflex.

 

[Fozzy]

Just wondering how much it was since I've never worked a union job (military, self employed and 135).

I think it is like 1.6%, can't look right now. I am sure someone will correct me.

 

[vixin]

Dirtybeach,

Compare apples to apples. Your 26 days for vac. NJA pilots then get 42 days for vac first year. Flexs three weeks vac with you number equals 39 days NJA 3 weeks equals 63 days vac. Plus they make more money doing it with better benefits. Now total paid vac days for the first year Flex 10 NJA 14. Once you get three weeks Flex 15 NJA 21. Is it easier to understand?

Like hammer said if your happy stay, but NJA without a doubt has it much better. The union has more then paid for itself. You must be getting zapped with Rick H brain wash through the BlackBerry.

 

[DirtyBeech]

At no point did I argue that Flex was the better deal for pilots than NJ's. As much as that gets hammered on around here you'd think there was some sort of inferiority complex going on. Good grief.

 

[Fozzy]

Don't drive angry.

Dirty,
No complex. Just getting the facts out. Do us a favor, organize and get a contract that puts ours to shame! Seriously, I will buy all night long if you can get a contract that kicks our CBA's ass.
We set the bar, no someone come along and beat it! Please.

 

[walshsfly]

How and why did a thread about Flex Schedule turn into a pissing contest about unions? If you like unions fine keep it to yourself, if you don't like unions keep it to yourself. Its a waste of energy to argue about it.

The schedule at Flex is good 14 to 18 days and anything in between, no 7 on crap, and 2 weeks vac. first year. Live in any of the 4 gateways you want, and fly some very new aircraft. Plus some of the guys are great to work with.

 

[doh]

Here's what I tell my friends who are considering the frac side 'o life. Netjets and Citation Shares pay the most. Flex is third. I like it here and plan to stay. If you want to frac, check out all the bases and benefits and decide where you want to be. Go after it! I think that about sums it up. Oh, except to say, I hope I never, never, ever have to go back to the other side of the airport!!!imp:

 

[psysicx]

I talk to a lot of Flex pilots and the one thing they don't like about NJA is the 7/7. Would rather do 4/3.

 

[hammer2]

I talk to a lot of Flex pilots and the one thing they don't like about NJA is the 7/7. Would rather do 4/3.

I also talk to a lot of Flex pilots and they would love to have a 7/7 schedule.

 

[Ultra Grump]

" This message is hidden because psysicx is on your ignore list."

I learned to put psysicx on my ignore list long ago. For years, he/she/it has been in every forum asking stupid questions and making stupid statements as though he/she/it were working in every aspect of aviation.

 

[doh]

I think it is about evenly split between the 7/7 crowd (me ) and the shorter trip crowd. The reason we don't have it is because the last time they asked, the vast majority did not want it.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

What is the time between resume submission and a reply from Karen? Is there an application to fill out like NJA? Any general time frame from resume to hire?

How are the benefits at Flex?

If you work a 4/3 are you home (gateway) by midnight the fourth day or do you have an extra travel day at the end?

 

[DirtyBeech]

If a Flex employee walks your resume in you could get called for a phone interview in as little as three hours (happened to me). For an ex-freight dog who was getting pretty decent bennies to start with I think Flex's are excellent. There's some room for improvement, but I have been pleasantly surprised. On any given rotation you will be home by midnight on your last day or they pay you a day of overtime. I typically get home between 5-8pm on the last day of my rotation. Hope that helps some.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

If a Flex employee walks your resume in you could get called for a phone interview in as little as three hours (happened to me). For an ex-freight dog who was getting pretty decent bennies to start with I think Flex's are excellent. There's some room for improvement, but I have been pleasantly surprised. On any given rotation you will be home by midnight on your last day or they pay you a day of overtime. I typically get home between 5-8pm on the last day of my rotation. Hope that helps some.

Thanks. That does help. I mailed the NJA application last week and just sent my cover letter and resume to Karen. I'm going to take the first one that will take me. My preference is FlexJet due to the schedule and the frequency of getting home. I currently work two weeks on and two weeks off and I'm about to lose my mind.

Is anyone willing to share first year Flex gross pay numbers? I've seen APC.com but I'd like to know real numbers with overtime, holiday, and extended days.

Thanks.