flexjet

[flexlrpilot357]

Bayou Bandit

I don't understand why you're so excited about a job that "nobody likes anyway". With that attitude, glad we didn't hire ya.

 

[gump88]

Those that are should give until the beginning of next year. I think they will be very surprised.

Why will they be very surprised? Do you really think that your company will match or exceed the new Netjets payscale and working conditions thats coming next year? Come on, get real!

gump

 

[Semore Butts]

Who's to say?

I'm sure that there will be some change coming in the next few months, and some of it will be good for some of the F.O.'s.
But for the vast majority, they are still looking at years to upgrade, and an upper management that really doesn't give a Sh^* wether they are happy or not.
You that are with Flex know that managements attitude is we can get pilots, and if you don't like it here we will write you a recommendation.
Now at face value, that may sound pretty noble, what would be noble is delivering on about half of the promises they have made.
I feel life will indeed improve alot eventually if the union comes in or when the pilot market opens up and sucks up all the excess.
But for now? Enjoy the Comfort Inn on your CLC card, and dream of that bonus you didn't get last year, and the cost of living raise you didn't get, and sleep well, for tommorrow is another 14 hour day of a 7 and maybe 4 rotation.
I could go on and on and on. What truly makes Flexjet is the geat "line dogs"s they have out there on the line. You are all great people, don't let them take that away from you.

 

[vixin]

Gump,

Yes they will match what netjets gets and beat it!! If we are union or not. Both companies have thier problems. It is just a shame that pilots like yourself are so quick to rain on others parades. Whether or not you like flexjet their are those of us that make the best of the situation we are in. But then again I am sure things are perfect at netjets, right? I run into netjets pilots everyday that are unhappy as well as options and our own flexjetters. Like I said before some people would never be happy. Before you tout me as an office puke I am not. I am an FO still waiting to upgrade, however, I have decided to look at the positve at Flex until things get better or I can move on. I figure it is the best for my well being. Have a good one!!

 

[gump88]

Gump,

It is just a shame that pilots like yourself are so quick to rain on others parades. Whether or not you like flexjet their are those of us that make the best of the situation we are in. But then again I am sure things are perfect at netjets, right? I run into netjets pilots everyday that are unhappy as well as options and our own flexjetters.

HOLD ON PARTNER!!!! I am not raining on anybody's parade. I was just simply asking a question in a slightly sarcastic kind of way. If I offended you, I apologize. Don't be so offensive my aviation compadre. We are still hiring!!!


gump

 

[FlexNoMore]

Same ole same ole Flex mis infomation. You work more days at Flex than any other FRAX, you get paid less, what so had to figure out. 18 plus days a month versus 15 days a month, duh!

Let not talk about all the other stupid BS that comes out of Princeton. Flex is kinda like a lab experiment gone real bad, they just don't know how to end it with out serious legal implications. No one will buy them out, who would want the mess.

Fleet growth, where, LR45, everything else is declining, no Globals nothing but pain and BS for the forseeable future.

I feel for all the good people working the line 7 days on and 3 days off, what a great schedule, it took 3 years and 3 million dollars for Princeton to work out the details on that little jewel for screwing the Flight Crews.

Very poor choice if you looking for employment in the Frax world, go any place but Flex and you WILL BE BETTER OFF!!!

FlexNoMore

 

[LR25]

Why doesnt flex try to change things for the better?

Whats the problem, is someones "vision" of how it should be getting in the way.

Im not sure if it was a good thing to bacically turn an interview down about 7 months ago, but I did, just because of all the bad publicity.

Oh well. And not wanting to drive to FLL evey 4 days.

 

[sweptwingz]

Punch out now!

I had a recent tour with a former Flex Lear driver as my F/O. He said
he knows of dozens of Flex drivers that have submitted packets to Netjets.
He also told me that when he was interviewed, that hiring said that we were
giving priority to former frax employees, since they were basically "turn key"
ready when hired. He was thrilled to be at Netjets and said that there was
no comparison as to the pay, quality of life, equipment, and training. Netjets
won....hands down. Those were his words, not mine.
(He will upgrade on the C-650 in less than 12 months after his hire date if he wishes to.)

By the way, to the best of my knowledge, there had NEVER been a Netjets pilot in the history of the company, that has left it to go to Flexjets.

 

[jpilot]

That goes the same for:

Travel Air/Flight Options pilots. A good 200 former Travel Air pilots also want to go to NetJets. Why? The quality of life we enjoyed with Travel Air is gone. 14 hour plus days for 8 days straight is not my idea of "safe" or fun flying. Going to a hotel, being called out 15 minutes later, so much for rest. I could go on and on.

It is great to see that NetJets have pulled us out of the stack as we love this type of flying, it just isn't fun anymore once we merged with FO. For those of us fortunate enough to get hired at NetJets, we are happy again. Life is good at NetJets. We are here to stay.

 

[Toploader]

Heard recently that for the first time in modern history NJA has hired Ultra captains right off the street. Word is that one of these folks was a FlexJet lear 60 captain.

I sure do hate that others are having a rough time, especially Flex guys.

Good news is that (if the projected 3000 pilot number is still good)there is room here at NJA for all who want to come over, it's just going to take some time!

Best of luck to all who apply.

Toploader

 

[flydog]

Hey JPilot

Let me know when the 200 RTA guys quit Flight Options. If I get on with them that means I should make Captain right out of basic indoc. I want to send them all a thank you card.

I dont mind flying 14 hr days especially when its only 16 days a month. How long do you think your duty days would be at an airline? What sort of day are you looking for? Maybe a 5 hr leg to Hawaii and a 3 day layover and back home for 7 days off? Do you want a chauffered limo to take you to an from the hotel sir?

Why dont you give 135 a try where most are lucky to get a few days off a month and are on call 24/7

 

[jpilot]

Well...

I knew my post would start the defense of Flight Options. For those that weren't former Travel Air, you have no idea what we "were" faced with. I did my share of charter flying (135). But, do you know the difference? There are rules to follow for duty times and rest with 135. No so at Flight Options. Maybe the Options pilots didn't do the flying we were doing, from what I understand, Travel Air airplanes are doing 70% of the flying there.

And, we won't even get into the lack of respect issue. I caused no problems whatsoever for the company, but the lack of respect was everywhere.

If this is your first jet job, good luck. But, I have flown both 135 and corporate, so this wasn't my first jet job. I know the difference and I'm not here to build time but to have a career.

NetJets is a first class operation that I am truly happy to be a part of. I haven't been happier since the days of Travel Air.

Good luck to you. If you haven't been at Travel Air, you wouldn't know the differences.

 

[Semore Butts]

What a great conversation!!!!

Vixin,

How long have you been an FO at Flex???? Keep the faith!

I have for far to long. I have had the "it's just a business move" jammed in my "tookas" so many times I have lost my faith.

You are right about organizing. I had a buddy that used to say, "just wait til this company gets organized", " then you'll see"!
He was there 8 years before they went out of business!

Don't worry if you have a change of heart and try for EJ! They will respect that, I'm sure.

Good luck brother FO.


Flexnomore is right about the lab experiment. If the union fails there will be worse experiments then there have ever been.

Flexnomore: Great to see your post! I have a class date! I was wondering how all the exflexers like it over there?
Lab experiment is about it, who knows what the F^$&^$ is gonna go on next?

Sometimes you have to bet on the fact you may not hit the Lotto, or you may not get run over by a car next week, and may have to plan for a long time career. I am all but backing "your horse". I am about to make my final decision.


Jpilot, When we gonna have another "hops and BArley product"? Soon I hope.


Sweptwingz,

Thanks for that bit of info about the former Flex guy. I have heard that as well. A couple of my Cpt friends are telling me I should stay, because the money will be so much better when I upgrade.

Money will come at EJ. I would rather have a very secure future as a new guy at SWA, then a high paid one at United that may get furloughed...... OOPS they are furloughed, bad example.

I'd rather be making OK bucks at EJA and have representation, then to be making OK bucks at Flex and wonder I someone will get mad and fire me out of seniority.
Oh hey I have to go, they are splitting up the sugar cookie here in the lobby of the comfort inn........


Take care all!!!!!!

 

[flexlrpilot357]

Gosh, ya'all are right. Flexjet should be designing its whole business model around pilot satisfaction, not profitability.
They should upgrade everybody after 1 year, whether or not we've sold the airplanes, pay everyone Challenger pay, and let everyone work 1 week per month. We should go to a Hilton-only hotel plan, and hire enough office staff to make sure every crewmember gets whatever meal they want every day.

That would be great for the month or two it lasts.

I'm sorry kids, this is business, this is not girl scout camp. If you feel like you're unloved or under appreciated, maybe that's something you should try to get from your girlfriend/boyfriend/mommy. You should be glad that Flexjet cares to send the very best: long term employment. You get that one way: responsible management.

Sometimes responsible management means you make tough decisions. You lay people off when you realize you're a little bloated instead of cook the books to show a profit, like Enron.
You find places to cut costs and gain efficiency. Most pilots can sleep just as well at the Country Inn & Suites as they can at the Hilton. I know I can.

Funny, the ones who complain about morale the most are the ones who make morale the worst. Anyone with the fortitude to stick it out at Flexjet will be glad they did. Anyone who doesn't want to, well, there's the door. Quit ruining it for the rest of us.

This is not a lab experiment gone awry. This is a company that's slowed down, taken a breather, and taken off again smarter and stronger. We're about to post our second profitable quarter in a row, We're the official fractional of the PGA, and it was announced today that there will be several upgrades this fall. If you want the real story at Flex, see my previous post in this thread.

 

[LR45JI]

flexlrpilot,

Your funny!!!

You should be glad that Flexjet cares to send the very best: long term employment.

What planet are you from? Why don't you tell that to the guys who were fired back in October!! I know what your rebuttal will be: They were bad apples!!! Who makes that determination? You? Dave? Tim? Bob? etc..... It's a joke!!!!

Do I think we [the pilots] should be in a Hilton and the likes when were on the road? Your dam n right I do!!! If I'm going out on the road, away from my family, my bed, etc... the very least the company can do it put me in a nice hotel so I can get some rest on a half-ass descent mattress. A room that doesn't have urine stains on the lav. and pubic hair in the bed!!!

If I’m expected to do 30-minute turns all day then I should have a meal when, where and what I desire, within reason!!! We don’t have the luxury of taking a 1 ½ lunch break to go play grab-ass. It's obvious that you work in the office and haven't been on the road much (at least no lately).

Your blatant ignorance is mind-numbing.