ArtVandalay
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2005
- Posts
- 384
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The contracts limit charter to 5%. They could charter everything out, but we would be out of business very fast.
Whoever put the "charter limit when pilots are furloughed" clause in the NJA contract was really smart. I wonder if FLOPS got it in theirs.....
Right on OHGOON. You get it. There are too many guys at NJA with the rose colored, kool-aid drinking glasses on that think everything in the CBA is just wonderful and fine and dandy. Easy for them to say when they still have a JOB! By they way, realityman, this is my second furlough in 7 years. The first time I was unemployed for a year. This time will most likely be much much worse.
I liked the part where you talked about how NJA could just send contractors gold ties and paint the aircraft like NJA, etc. Funny you mentioned that because I saw a CE-680 a few months back operated by EJM painted just like an EJA aircraft. This may be part of the future plans so the owners won't know the difference.
We just received another company update today stating how great EJM is doing and that their business is way up. They are growing while NJA is shrinking. They are a real threat. Some guys just don't want to open their eyes or take off their rose colored glasses and admit it.
I think we all know how this will end up in the end. The will continue to get rid of aircraft at NJA while growing EJM. It's eerily similar to the Majors vs. Regionals scope issues at the airlines. And yes, I understand that NJA is not an airline!!! It's another way for management to cut operating costs and they can reduce the amount of union workers (higher pay) at the same time.
I'd be scared to death if I were a current NJA pilot in regards to the shift from fractional to charter flying within the Berkshire-Hathaway "family." Wake up guys before it's too late!
I can tell you this, if I were a CAFO, and they asked me to be captain for a day or whatever, I would tell them to F themselves.
Yeah, and if you're Flexjet and you find yourself sitting on a bunch of jets that Bombardier suddenly has no interest in absorbing into its used inventory, charter is your newest, bestest friend.
Where, exactly, do you suppose those jets go? They go to operators who can staff them with pilots who don't have benefits, don't have fixed schedules, and who are a lot more reluctant to turn their phones off. That's how you make money in charter. As more and more jets age out of the program, more and more of the flying will be shunted over to these operators.
We had a chance to create a franchise in the only thing we've got: ourselves. But instead of even trying, we let ourselves get fooled by a bunch of happy talk and a raise that really wasn't.
We're about too get exactly what we deserve.
Would ya really? Wow, you're so awesome and tough. You're my hero!
RP, while you were here, did you even bother to READ the contract (other than section 27)?
Okay, I agree with Goon that nothing is EVER completely ironclad. You'll have to show me contract where scope has zero loopholes. never heard of one. Probably never will.
But my point is, NJA can NOT simply shift our business to charter! Again, this does not apply to the other fracs. Just us. But here it is again. NJA can NOT simply shift our business to charter. If you had read the pertinent parts of the contract you'd understand that. If they try it, guess what? You'll be back to work here quickly! They can't simply charter charter charter with no repurcussions. While no contract is ironclad in this respect, ours is pretty darn good.
You can call me names, such as 'kool-aid drinker', or accuse me of wearing rose-colored glasses, but it doesn't change the any of the facts. You say it's just because I still have a job that I'm wearing rose-colored glasses.
Well, I could just as easily say that you're wearing crap-colored glasses just because you were furloughed. How about taking them off and seeing that things aren't so bad. Quit drinking the sewer water. While there has certainly been some shrinkage, things seem to be picking up. the flight schedule is slowly getting busier. Owner retention is up, and while I can't speak directly to sales, I have heard rumblings that sales of shares has improved a little. Things aren't great, but not all doom and gloom either.
As for EJM planes painted in our colors, so what? They've done this FOR YEARS. Hasn't been a threat to us before, I doubt it's much of one now. Again, that pesky contract thingy. They CAN'T shift business to EJM without bringing you guys back! Would seem like a pretty stupid way to cut costs. Shift clients to charter so they have to bring more NJA pilots back on the payroll?
Anyway, I just checked the forecast schedule on crewops. Flight demand appears to be a little bit up, but no yellow or red days. Those are the days where they are forecasting the need for charter. It doesn't appear that anything is being shifted to charter. All green.
I'm sorry you're furloughed. The previous management team overhired, combined with a huge economic crash, caused this situation. Not shifting work to charter.
I had the opportunity to fly with one of Flexjet's senior Kool-Aid drinkers a couple of rotations ago. Anyway, we got on the subject of charter, and I told him what I'd heard about the apparent hiring boom at some of the charter outfits 'Flex uses.
Me: "You know, there's not a thing that stops them from farming everything out to charter if they want."
Him: "I'm sure they'd never do that."
Me: "Yeah, you're right. I'm sure they have our best interests at heart."
It got pretty quiet after that.
.... So I will just spell my facts & suspicions out for you. That does seem to be the best approach to use.
y'all should really take your wives to the little hangar/Christmas parties. Get a little wine in those office peeps and you'd be surprised of the beans they are too willing to spill to the dumb blonde they assume can't read between the lines or care enough to ponder... Good work FW!
I could go on for days....
I could go on for days. Y'all really need to step up your game protecting your scope. You are at will and can be switched out for a cheaper version any time. If the situation regarding CAFOs isn't enough to show y'all that nothing will.
RP170,
The way I understand it is you don't have to pay for meals over 2. It means that your per diem will become taxible. Correct me if my interpretation is wrong.
Lew
RP170,
The way I understand it is you don't have to pay for meals over 2. It means that your per diem will become taxible. Correct me if my interpretation is wrong.
Lew
I don't know the specifics since the union has kicked us out of the union message board. Either way, it's a lot less money in the pilots' pockets at the end of the year and a change in the way things are interpreted in the CBA. It sets a precedent that's not good.
I don't know the specifics since the union has kicked us out of the union message board. Either way, it's a lot less money in the pilots' pockets at the end of the year and a change in the way things are interpreted in the CBA. It sets a precedent that's not good.
We lack the intestinal fortitude to step and and protect ourselves! When you have soooooo many 300 and 604 captains and f/o's begging for overtime, why do we need anything else. This group cares only about themselves and that is all they will ever care about. Anything the 300 group wants they get for 2 reasons. First, they are the biggest. Second, it is the chief pilots fleet there fore he does what they ask for.
So I will just spell my facts & suspicions out for you. Fact: there are dozens upon dozens of bombardier aircraft w/o lxj tags registered to the waterview address. Fact: the marriage between flex and BJS barely skirts the law it was intended to fulfill but both companies have successfully used it's legal neccessity to further muddy the waters in some very unscrupulous ways Suspicion: either flex or bjs is using it's resources to manage, staff, dispatch etc these planes under the radar Fact: there are 85 flex guys on the street on part because of these games
Please provide more information about your accusations. What postion are you in that you know how much OT is being asked for from 2 different fleets and seats? I don't dispute people are asking for OT. I am sick of our own group attacking each other. We are all on the same team and I guarantee you that an equal number of people are asking for OT from every fleet and seat. I have seen FOs on the bottom of the seniority list ask for OT. This unfortunately will and does happen at every company. Some one else on here just posted a message that it is OK for Lear CAFOs but not Challenger CAFOs. Personally I would like to see everyone turn down OT and CAFO assignments. The reality is that will not happen.
What special things are the 300 pilots asking for and getting? Please share because I will join you in that fight.
It appears that FW is posting on a need to know basis. Her target audience knows enough about the situation to understand the gist of her post and can always pm her for additional info. The rest of us don't need to know the details.
I just note that she is reaching out to others in her group in an attempt to share/gather information and I support her efforts. I would think that any who value camaraderie and unity in their group would as well. From my understanding of their situation, the Flex pilotgroup doesn't have their own message board or active liaisons that keep them fully informed on company matters. (Flex folks please correct this if I'm wrong). So if their posts sometimes sound as though they're talking in code ... well that makes perfect sense even if others don't know what the heck they're saying....![]()
All I know is that half a dozen or so captains have recently unemployed themselves.
First of all you have no idea what she is talking about either so don't speak for her. I wasn't. I was just commenting on her posting style and my "code" remark was suggesting that those of us outside her circle don't need the details. Believe me when I say that I am in "the know" more than she is and what she appears to say is not true. I don't know the situation so I'm not in a position to judge credibility on the subject. That's for the Flex pilots to decide as they're the ones she addressed. Your belief is that since we do not have a private crew only website we should accept coded vague language from a non employee about our company. FW has the right to post here and was discussing, with others, a topic that interests them/her. They were following the rules and doing just fine understanding each other. Sounds about right from you. Yes I do support the right of members of a community to hold online conversations and build camaraderie. By the way, how's it going with your union fellows who have been locked out of their message board? PDA.
.... but isn’t this enough yet? ... Pushing for a union is the only way I see of forcing the company to uphold certain implied contractual obligations that are worthless right now as you are all at will employees. I actually think for the most part most of the higher ups are decent guys but make no mistake they will protect themselves long before they will protect you. You need to fix that.
Fact is plain and simple that as a group, Flex pilots need to protect scope, lock in work rules and provide the group with a fair and equitable resolution system for dealing with disciplinary and other matters. In my mind the past year with furloughs, CAFOs.
I agree with you on these points.
Up until a little while ago your paychecks even came from BJS for jake’s sake.
I have never received a check from BJS.
And if I’m not mistaken I’ve been told some of the language that’s been added to the manuals over the past year give the implication that BJS has more and more control over “in flight” issues because they have more flexibility in the way things get handled from a regulation perspective. But that’s way out of my league as I barely understand V1 rotate.
I guess that's way out of my league as well because I have no idea what you are referring to.
Dirty Beech speaks of a few captains who have helped themselves out of a job recently. Rumor has it at least half of them were 135 issues that these guys were told plain and simple would have been a different story if they were 91 trips. And what about that guy who is now out a license let alone a job because he misunderstood the ability for ASAP to protect him on a 135 trip.
As an agent if a pilot breaks a part 135 regualtion on a part 135 trip they will be held accountable according to the part they are operating under. Same as at Netjets or anywhere else for that matter. As for the pilot that lost his license I have no idea what you are talking about and what does his lack of understanding ASAP have to do with any of this?
And why does no one want to investigate the dozens upon dozens of bombardier aircraft registered to Waterview, including a sweet fair share of globals. Now I’m not sure if that’s BJS or LXJ but no one finds that curious? Unless I am mistaken I thought the business scope of both parties limited them to operations and fractional sales not “brokership” or management so what gives? We all know there are a few planes (Houston, STL and TN might be some) that are being quietly managed on the side using LXJ resources but not LXJ pilots. And yet we have 85 on the street. That’s the connection my friend. My suspicion is that LXJ, Bombardier or BJS (let’s face it you are really an employee of all three) resources are used to generate business income but not protect pilot jobs. Might be legal, might be good business etc… but if true it’s kinda slimy.
This conspiracy theory is a little crazy. No one finds it curious because it only exists in your mind. If I understand this correctly you believe that there are 20+ LXJ planes being operated outside of Flexjet. They must be controlling all of this from the secret bunker under the Waterview. Also no one is keeping our whole owned aircraft operations quiet. In fact, we advertise it. LXJ pilots are operating those planes. I will explain who your husband works for, he is an employee of Flexjet which is a subsidiary of Bombardier. He acts as an agent for Jet Solutions, LLC.
Also why does the list of available typed pilots both bombardier and the training center give out to private whole owners in need of temporary services not include the 85 at the top of it’s lists? A good friend of my husband’s (not one of the 85) is on the list and makes a decent living doing only Bombardier and CAE Simuflite referrals and my understanding he’s one of many.
I do know a few of the 85 that do do these trips. How they crew those trips I do not know. It would be great if it would work as you describe.
This get long winded and I’d be happy to expound on more if you need me to, but isn’t this enough yet? I am only looking out for my family. If you can prove to me I have no reason to worry I will be grateful to you believe me. I WANT to be wrong.
I think you might have said enough and I would suggest you probably not say more for your sake. Your allegations are false, both companys meet the requirements of the law and have been closely scrutinized by independent auditors and the FAA. I wouldn't be as concerned about the relationship, but more concerned about the libel claims you make. If I was a lawyer for Jet Solutions or Bombardier I would pursue this libelous matter directly with you as you make some very serious accusations.
FW, I thought there were enough reasons for your group to organize even before I realized how convoluted/confusing things are at Flex...now...You're absolutely right.
Maybe I am just a genius, but it really isn't confusing. What am I missing here?
The reality is no one will consider the needs and interests of the pilot-group more than the pilots themselves.
Finally you said something that makes sense. Congratulations!