Flexjet Changes Crew Meal Policy????

[PilotGuy]

I just called Handschuch and he said it's BS. That if or when it will start would be long way off or not at all.

Nice try though.

 

[ghostrider64]

Crew meals at NJA are evolving. It's not over yet but there will be healthier choices soon. And yes they are bringing back the beef tips with noodles so that guys like safetytheseat can continue to enjoy the well balanced menu.

Obesity reigns at Netjets and management seems to be promoting unhealthy eating so that no one here can ever get senior and make the big bucks LOL

Back on subject it sounds as though Flex and Flops have food issues that are huge. My question is what happens if you work a 14 hour day that is the back side of the clock? No food for you because "normal" meal hours aren't worked? What if your normal hours are east coast and not the time zone (west coast) hours?

 

[Cavpilot]

I see nothing wrong with the crew meals at NetJets... The Menu is fine for me ... In fact I'm happy to see them limit the selections... They are well rounded choices based on the most requested items from the past 2 years or so...

Only the freak eaters bitch about the food.. Some guys would order the wildest stuff, it was a pain to order food for a crew member the night before sometimes... Additionally, the company has a good handle on moving food orders from one flight number to the other if -which will happen- your line changes..

It's free, it's great food, great selection, selections change every quarter, easy to order from the blackberry, and it's money well spent!

SafetyTheSeat, you are either:

1. Not an NJA line pilot.

2. The guy who thought up this ill-conceived plan.

3. Not very good at sarcasm.

4. The guy that use to order bologna sandwiches for every meal.

So which is it?

 

[guido411]

Back on subject it sounds as though Flex and Flops have food issues that are huge. My question is what happens if you work a 14 hour day that is the back side of the clock? No food for you because "normal" meal hours aren't worked? What if your normal hours are east coast and not the time zone (west coast) hours?

"What happens if you fly the back side of the clock for 14 hours?"

It would be impossible to work 14 hours and NOT be working during a meal period. The longest gap between meals would be from 6pm to 4am (10 hours) so you will be fed. This happens so rarely that it's hardly worth considering. But in my experience most check airmen will get extra meals apporved for you if it's a reasonable request. If it's not approved. . .STOP! They will change their minds.

"What if your normal hours are east coast and not the time zone (west coast) hours?"

Well, sorry Charlie, you're pretty much hosed. Times are based on the time zones that the flights actually occur. I have, however, pointed out flaws and been rewarded with a meal. For example, a 60-minute flight departing CGF at 1059 EST and arriving at MDW at 1059 CST would not qualify for a meal. I've been successful pointing out to logistics that the actual time we land is 1159 EST but we've been punished since we backed up a time zone. Most people I have dealt with have been sympathetic. If it's not approved. . .STOP!! Go get something to eat.

 

[netjetwife]

It doesn't surprise me that the company is going to try reining in costs now that they're paying decent wages to the pilots. (With the exception of the FOs--sorry for y'all) A realistic view of things should tell the NJ pilots that the company was happy to allow them the luxury of ordering whatever they wanted in the past because they saw it as a way to keep the pilots happy while they underpaid them. With that better salary comes compromises. That's to be expected. That said, I think there'd be less anger at the cost cutting if it were applied evenly in all areas of the company. Continually looking to the pilots gets old. If/when the company gets serious about cutting waste seen in other places, they will have more support from the pilot group.

You have to admit, though, that the NJ pilots have a much better, fairer meal policy than Options or Flex does. Many frac pilots do wind up considering their per diem as part of regular pay. They have no choice because the cost of living vs their paychecks demands they have that viewpoint. That alone should tell everyone how badly underpaid they are. I can't urge the Flex pilots strongly enough to send in their cards. It is your only hope of fighting back against those who are determined to squeeze every $10 worth of labor out of you that they can get while paying as little as possible.

YOUR CARD IS A TICKET TO A BETTER FUTURE--SEND IT IN TODAY

 

[Peter_Griffin]

I just called Handschuch and he said it's BS. That if or when it will start would be long way off or not at all.

Nice try though.

Nice try to you dude for being a koolaid drinker. We will soon see whether or not he lied to you -- my money is on you looking like a fool and RH looking like a liar -- that is if you really did talk to him today when you said you did as I have some other info he would not have been available at that time you said you had just called him... Truck on PilotGuy....

 

[corpflunkie]

At Avantair, if your schedule is tight and you want a crew meal, you tell scheduling what you want to eat (within reason) and what stop you want it waiting at, done. At least that has been my experience. They don't deduct it from your perdiam, all they ask is you be reasonable in your request.

 

[netjetwife]

CF, that doesn't surprise me. It reflects the NJ experience before the new CBA that brought higher wages. Now the pilots are seeing their choices limited to 7 selections. It seems obvious that some managers decide better meals cost a lot less money than better salaries. Perhaps they believe that old saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

I can appreciate that being "spoiled" on your meal selections is tough to give up, but it is worth it. Now there are many pilots and families who enjoy a greater choice in lots of different scenarios. Hang in there guys. Your palates will adjust and hopefully the problems will be worked out over time.

 

[AceCrackshot]

At least the NJA guys can get some variety. There is more variety (and often health and taste) in a case of MREs than the crew we're starting to get. Gone are the days of 3000 calorie Rudy's lunches with actual fresh fruit and vegatables.

Selection is key, and there have been some significant issues at FLOPS with regard to crew meals not addressing crew members allergy or dietary restrictions.

And it always bears repeating...if you're hungry, stop!

 

[netjetwife]

If Flex forces pilots to choose between food or funds--

What worries me about a forced policy of having to pay for your meals or do without, is that some of the pilots might be tempted to skip a meal to save the money. Please don't bother to tell me that that would never happen. You have pilots that count on per diem to supplement their wages who have probably factored that money into the monthly budget. It's outrageous. I can only imagine how the Flex families are feeling.
I don't care what policy they wrap it in, in the end it's still a pay cut! :angryfire