Flexjet Falls Short

[netjetwife]

New hires were happy to get a $500 signing bonus. One of them even posted on here telling us he was pleased. They came to NJA with their eyes open and are glad to have leaders like SU making NJ a place they can have a career--not just build time. They posted their thanks on the NJ pilots message board.

 

[CL300Pilot]

For NJAwife or anyone else in the know.........

When did the union, and not IBT 1108 start at NJA? Has NJA always had a union? If not, what was the process like for the pilots as far as what took place as the vote was beginning and so forth? When did your first contract come into effect after voting an union and what happened to pilots pay during that process. I think that some people believe that once a vote is done, there will be some great contract, and I personnally believe that they are far from correct.

NJAwife, you mention eyes wide open, and I think as passoinate as some of the Flex guys appear and Options for that matter, that they need to know what to expect.

So please, inform the uninformed, and that includes myself.

Thanks

 

[netjetwife]

I asked my husband how long the pilots had been unionized and the answer was "a long time". They started out under IBT Local 284 with just a few hundred pilots. That was years before my husband joined NJ, so we don't know what the process was like for those pilots. I will pass your question along to one of the pilots that has been with the company many more years than my husband has. My "eyes wide open" post referred to new hires and the upgrade time--not to those ready to stand up for themselves. I think you have all seen enough to know that things aren't going to change unless y'all force the issue. Those frac pilots that are still "sleeping" need to open their eyes, wide, and take a look around! (I hope that clears up my post )

CL300, I don't share your dismal thinking. The bar has been raised and a new industry standard for compensation has been set. 1108 is willing to offer plenty of free advice and encouragement. The management of other frac companies will be under greater pressure than NJA was. Therefore, a historical comparison is really not an accurate way to gage the present challenge. Denying their pilots comparable wages earned by the majority of frac pilots will be extremely hard for the hold-outs to justify. With determination, it is entirely possible for the other frac pilots to significantly improve their situation. There has never been a better time!
Respectfully.
Netjetwife

THE TIDE HAS TURNED! KEEP YOUR CHINS UP AND PADDLE HARD!

A RISING TIDE LIFTS ALL BOATS--BUT PADDLING IS REQUIRED.

 

[Hawkered]

Get those cards in-now! We can only help you if you show a willingness to help yourselves!

 

[CL300Pilot]

CL300, I don't share your dismal thinking.

Netjetwife,

I fail to see in my posting where I am displaying "dismal thinging." The fact is, there is evidentally a push here behind the scenes and I for one would like to me more "informed." If that is dismal thinking in your opinion, then so be it. I do for one feel that an uninformed decision is an ignorant decision. If a union is to come to flex, then so be it. But as people who are responsible for their livelyhood, should they not be asking questions and realise that if/when a union comes here, it is not going to change things over night? Do people not need to realise what is in front of them? Would you want your husband flying into a level 5 storm at night with no radar? I think not. You show me a source where this type of information is available, and won't post anything regarding the union process again.

CL300pilot

 

[Hawkered]

Personally, I think you guys might have crossed wires. Nobody is saying that a group of educated professionals shouldn't be doing due dilligence.

CL-300, we agree, you need to make the correct decision for you.

There is a F/A that doesn't have health insurance in the back of your aircraft because she was on vacation during open enrollment. This is just totally insane!

You guys do need to unionise, including your F/As!

 

[netjetwife]

Netjetwife,

I fail to see in my posting where I am displaying "dismal thinking." The fact is, there is evidentally a push here behind the scenes and I for one would like to me more "informed." If that is dismal thinking in your opinion, then so be it. I do for one feel that an uninformed decision is an ignorant decision. If a union is to come to flex, then so be it. But as people who are responsible for their livelyhood, should they not be asking questions and realise that if/when a union comes here, it is not going to change things over night? Do people not need to realise what is in front of them? Would you want your husband flying into a level 5 storm at night with no radar? I think not. You show me a source where this type of information is available, and won't post anything regarding the union process again.

CL300pilot

Dismal thinking = "I think that some people believe that once a vote is done, there will be some great contract, and I personnally believe that they are far from correct".

As to making an informed decision, I wholeheartedly agree that is a smart thing to do. That said, I'd have thought the pilots had seen enough to know that things won't improve--and could worsen at any time--unless they stand together and demand changes be made. In the interest of gathering information, I suggest the other frac pilots stop those with the gold ties and ask how 1108 has made a difference in their life. As for my family, I can tell you that my husband would have left the industry had StrongUnion not stepped forward to lead the NJ pilots. Strength comes from within.

You are correct in thinking that just voting in a union won't solve all of your problems. What is does give you is a framework to organize your efforts collectively--a bullhorn, if you will, to amplify your voices--in a manner guaranteed to get the company's attention. Effective leaders must still be chosen and good communication with the pilot group is a must. Those are areas that 1108 can advise y'all on. The key to success is determination. If the frac pilots have that, and are willing to follow, 1108 can show them the way.


HOW MANY TRIPS AROUND THE FLAG POLE DOES IT TAKE TO SEE WHICH WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING?

FRACTIONAL PILOTS HAVE BEEN IN THE HOLDING PATTERN LONG ENOUGH AND IT'S YOUR TURN NOW!

 

[Hawkered]

If you don't have a card yet call the offices of www.ibt1108.org

We'll get you on the road to job security, a good wage, legal protections and a work place environment with cohesive unified goals!

 

[mr brightside]

To the Flexjet pilots on this board. Some of you seem to think that bad mouthing the company on a public forum is a good idea. All of the foul language and bad attitude only bring the image and morale of this company down. We have a very professional group of people here and you guys are in the minority. If you have an issue, call the office or the CAB and they will be more than happy to talk it over with you. If paying union dues and flying Cessna products is your idea of fun, please due yourself and the company a favor and leave. Given the new payscale at Netjets, they can afford to find quality professional people. That makes you very lucky to have slipped through the cracks here. Enjoy your 20% raise, your pension plan, and please try to act professionally.

 

[Hawkered]

Mr Brightside,

It's morale..not moral. We have a 401k..not a pension plan. We are not bound by the policies of the OEMS..we fly aircraft other than Cessna products, and I think the Citation X still lays claim to the fastest civilian jet on earth. The raise for Flexjet pilots may have been a meager 20%, for some of us at Netjets it equated to nearly 57%...enjoy your raise!

You wouldn't have got it without Netjets being unionised in the first place!

 

[Hawkered]

Mr Brightside,

It's morale..not moral. We have a 401k..not a pension plan. We are not bound by the policies of the OEMS..we fly aircraft other than Cessna products, and I think the Citation X still lays claim to the fastest civilian jet on earth. The raise for Flexjet pilots may have been a meager 20%, for some of us at Netjets it equated to nearly 57%...enjoy your raise!

You wouldn't have got it without Netjets being unionised in the first place!

Finally Sir, "act profesionally", not just profesional..didn't you go to school ol' chap!

 

[mr brightside]

Hawkered,

The post was directed at certain Flexjet pilots, not you. I commend you guys on your contract at Netjets. I was referring to our pension plan here at Flexjet. We have both pension and 401k here. Pension = (# of years worked) X 1% X average last 5yr salary. No contribution required.

 

[XPGuy]

Which is a great start... wish we had one of those at Options. Oh wait. We did have something like that - a "senior flight officer program" which was the ultimate kool-aid klub. It gave you $100,000 when you retire after age 65.

But, like most of any of our perks that were worth anything, it is now gone. It was only handed out to a handful of people anyway.

 

[Hawkered]

Don't you wish you had a union contract to protect that? It probably went to line some ex-CEO's golden parachute!

 

[Safetycheck]

Oh gahd

Don't you wish you had a union contract to protect that? It probably went to line some ex-CEO's golden parachute!

Why are you so ANTI COMPANY? After all, the company is the reason you get a paycheck!