Flexjet Pilot Authorization Card

[hammer2]

Except for XOJet. I realize that they will be getting the 300's at the end of 2008, but the future is certainly cloudy for Flex now.

The only thing that's cloudy is what's going to happen to our pay and quality of life. Flex will keep on ticking in todays market.
Gunfyter made a good point, we are a huge market for the sales of Bombardier aircraft,(not to mention what they make in maintenance off of us, and the resale of our used aircraft.).
Now for the pilot it may be cloudy. Unfortunately the top 120 of the seniority list will chicken out on the union, and we will accept a substandard pay raise, no more bases, and just a reduction to average 15 days. We still will get continuous emails telling us how important we are to the success of Flexjet!

 

[dime line]

We still will get continuous emails telling us how important we are to the success of Flexjet!

FLOPS sends the same e-mails to us tooo. Maybe both companys contract out the same "e-mail man"

 

[RubberDuck]

Why wait till may, its going to be the same crap as last time, don't stick your head in the sand!! Send in the damn Card....

 

[skyismyoffice]

If you do get enough cards and a vote is called, be prepared for the company to say "now we can't give you the raise we had planned." It will be the first in a long line of lies from management designed to divide the pilot group.

 

[Club ORD FO]

actually, I dont think they can legally do that. any raises agreed upon or promised have to be honored. There is some law about that in regards to union organization and the Railway Labor Act.

sorry for the lame answer, I'm sure somebody else can be more specific

 

[NETFLIER]

you can always goto www.ibt1108.org

there is a spot for flexjet pilots there...

 

[hammer2]

Our heads are not in the sand. To move right now would mean a freeze on our pay. If we wait until our little pay raise, we would at least get something to get us by until a contract is agreed on.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it would take a couple of years to hammer all this out. Waiting until we get a small raise makes sense-more people may buy into a union by then anyway. However, with just 400+ pilots it may not take that long to get an agreement.

 

[RubberDuck]

Thats what everyone said last time and then that was it, no more push for union just a lot of sniveling and whining about having to still work 15.5 days and no rest block etc... Please save it for May 1st, quit posting about what your gonna do and stick your head back in the sand, and wait, oh and wait and wait. I really don't care either way it goes, but at least make a decision and get the F**k off the fence its really boring to watch.

 

[dime line]

Our heads are not in the sand. To move right now would mean a freeze on our pay. If we wait until our little pay raise, we would at least get something to get us by until a contract is agreed on.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think it would take a couple of years to hammer all this out. Waiting until we get a small raise makes sense-more people may buy into a union by then anyway. However, with just 400+ pilots it may not take that long to get an agreement.

Look what happened at FLOPS, management knew we had enough cards in and then decided to pulll the plug on our pay raise. The raise that some koolaid drinkers swore they had seen on tylers desk. If you management remotely thinks the union has a chance, you will not see any raise. We at FLOPS have seen this "play card"

 

[dime line]

actually, I dont think they can legally do that. any raises agreed upon or promised have to be honored. There is some law about that in regards to union organization and the Railway Labor Act.

sorry for the lame answer, I'm sure somebody else can be more specific

Wrong, happened to us. We were told "unoffically" that a 30% raise was in the works..

 

[doylehargraves]

the top 120 doesn't matter anymore since we have almost 500 pilots now. They are in a minority now, as before they were a majority. And, trust me, the peeps after the top 150 or so are not happy and WILL vote this union in. We don't need the top 120 to pass this anymore. They might as well climb aboard.

 

[CL300Pilot]

Doyle,

I don't think that the top 150 are as happy as what you think. Most are, but I have ran into others that don't think the way you think they do. Be careful not to bunch everyone in the same pool.

Just a thought.

CL300Pilot

the top 120 doesn't matter anymore since we have almost 500 pilots now. They are in a minority now, as before they were a majority. And, trust me, the peeps after the top 150 or so are not happy and WILL vote this union in. We don't need the top 120 to pass this anymore. They might as well climb aboard.

 

[hammer2]

I guess Gross should pay attention. I still believe it's going to take at least half of the top 120 to be successful,which could happen since they fired Rick.
It does seem that Bombardier management may have stepped on some Flex jet toes, and changed some feelings toward the company since that beloved day.
There is so many that still love to drink from the kool-aid fountain that it's going to be an up hill climb. Before some of you jump on my case I've already done my little part! I'm just stating a fact that has been part of Flexjet since 2000.

 

[japhy]

the top 120 doesn't matter anymore since we have almost 500 pilots now. They are in a minority now, as before they were a majority. And, trust me, the peeps after the top 150 or so are not happy and WILL vote this union in. We don't need the top 120 to pass this anymore. They might as well climb aboard.

I'm not in the top 120 at Flex and I DON'T want a union. Flex being non-union is one reason I wanted to come here. Is it a perfect place to work?? No, but no place is (even the almighty NetJets). The pay, schedule, work rules, and rest rules make this the best aviation job I've ever had. I came from one of the better regionals before, and I don't need to elaborate on how bad it is working for them and they have a union, that according to many on this forum, is suppose to make it a great place to work. All I ever got for my 2% was fouloughed, my based closed, jets for jobs for mainline pilots, scoped out of flying 70 seat planes by the mainline union, and 5 years of contract negotiations. I don't feel that we need a union, and I don't want a union!

Dime Line: You don't even work at FlexJet. So why don't you worry about your drive over at FLOPS and let us worry about our company.

 

[notapilot]

Oh boy. We are better than your last regional. We must be the best company to work for.

The comparison should be like companies. Amongst fractionals we are towards the bottom in terms of your highly regarded pay, work and rest rules . Heck, this job is better than my ol' CFI and freight jobs, but that doesn't mean squat! I don't mean to bring you down, but just because a different company you worked for sucked doesn't mean you should accept less than standard at this job.

 

[JokerFuel]

Notapilot hit the nail on the head. Blivit!!

 

[doylehargraves]

Well, I just got the call for a NJ interview. Debating on whether to go or not. It's been well over a year since I applied and just now heard something. I hate the thought of being at the bottom again but, it's hard to not consider more money and more time off and better benefits. Will Flexjet step up? Who knows.

 

[vixin]

Go to the interview then decide after the offer. What harm is there in interviewing? The only thing DG and management stools will step up to is the comfort station to lay pipe over you guys.

 

[Club ORD FO]

well, my advice depends on one thing. are you senior to me? I thought a lot about making the switch too, but the big thing for me was the upgrade. I have next to no PIC time, so I really think I should get some of that while I have the chance.

tough call for sure. I wish DG would hurry up and announce what they have in mind for changes to our comp plan. That would certainly help my decision.

So unless you need the PIC like me, I'd say go. Even being junior over there is still better than our work rules right?

 

[doylehargraves]

I've been here just over 3 years. I mean, a first year F/O will make what I make now, AS A CAPTAIN. I would hope that Mr Gross has seen the significant difference in pay now, and will step up this time. I hate to leave over greed but, it's not all about money. Alot of it IS about money however, lets not kid ourselves. Being at the bottom sucks and being an F/O for 5 years would suck in my opinion. I'm not sure what is best. I guess it boils down to do I have faith in Mr Gross to take care of us this time.