FLOPS vs 121

[Jwdf3day]

Honest question, I am at a 121 carrier with long upgrades, a commute but have some ok seniority. I have been reading the responses to FLOPS questions and finding everyone saying run away from this company, don't come here, stay away...etc. If I was to persue FLOPS, as I doubt I would be competitive at NJ in the near future with the new contract, I would be based at home which is big for me, and I would be out of the airlines, which I'd rather not be at anymore. So I guess my question is this, is FLOPS really that bad compared to a 121 carrier with long upgrades and a commute? I know some will say switch to a regional (as I don't have the times for a major yet) based here (DEN). Sure, but that does not get around the desire to leave the airlines. On one hand I see the responses and my not going to FLOPS would help those there as they would not be able to hire one more body that they seem to need, in the hopes that contract talks would come quicker with better outcomes for all. On the other hand I'd like to leave the airlines, and be based at home. I'd make about what I make now, perhaps a little more without the headache of commuting. But I'm sure their would be tradeoffs at FLOPS. So I suppose my question is FLOPS bad enough that I should stay with my current 121 pain? Or trade it for a different perhaps lesser pain at FLOPS? I know it's my personal situation, and I'll make the decision, but I'm hoping to get some more information before making any decisions on how I should proceed.

Thanks for your input.

 

[PigPile]

I wouldnt give up seniority to sit on the bottom of a list unless you are REALLY sure that Options is what you want. Things are LESS than desirable for the Options pilots at this time, so I dont see the, in your words, "pain" subsiding by moving to Options.

 

[dash_trash]

Hang on to your seniority ... I wish I had instead of comming to FLOPS. Upgrades are currently running 7+ years, not to mention the ever decreasing quality of benefits, hotels, work rules, etc. Airlines out on day one are usually very early and airlines home on day eight are usually quite late, so if you have a family, you'll only be seeing them every nine days. That sucks!!!

There are much better opportunities out there right now. CS has a base in DEN, plus various corp. gigs. Plus it never hurts to throw your app in with NJ, you never know.

As many have said, run far and fast from FLOPS. It will continue to get worse until there is a contract in place or the doors close, and it could go either way.

 

[jetwash]

It would be one thing if you were out of a job and one house payment from the streets, but if you already have a job and a choice keep working and keep looking.

You could be kicking yourself in a year or two if Flight Options goes out of business and you are looking for a job at the same time as 600 other pilots from Flight Options are.

Plus don't forget just 6 months ago management was talking furloughs and you would be the first one on the street. It would really $uck if the new owners decided to do some more aircraft cutting. Plus 3 years ago we had 230 aircraft and now we have about 130.

If you want to roll the dice with your family's future with those odds you should chose LAS as a base.

 

[mrebuck]

I know how you must feel. I was in your same shoes a few years ago. I would say stay away from Options. I went there from a regional and spent the last two years at the bottom of a seniority list facing the constant threat of layoffs. Moral is very low and you probably won't enjoy going to work after the first two months of working there. I ended up going back to 121. My two cents for what it's worth. Feel free to pm me with any questions.

 

[Jwdf3day]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I already knew what the answer to the question was before I asked it, but hoped to find some counter point to it. If you hadn't figured it yet, I work for Eagle, have decent seniority, but still no real tangible hope for advancement. I like all the other pilots out there want something better, and saw FLOPS as a way to possibly get a way out. But it seems all the research I've done FLOPS is not a viable alternative. I wish it was, but thats life. I really appreciate the responses, and wish you all well in your endeavors.

 

[Frac Cap]

I know, everyone thinks the grass is greener somewhere else. Unfortunately we haven't had fertilizer in a long time. That may, or may not change in the near future, I hope it does. But I wouldn't leave a good thing for a uncertain thing. Just my 1 cent (can't afford 2).

Good luck to you.

 

[Wankel7]

Flexjet has a DEN base if that is the one you are looking for....it might just be the bump in QOL you are looking for?

 

[johnsonrod]

Don't give in to the DARK SIDE, Luke...

 

[Jwdf3day]

Thanks again for the responses, I figured going to FLOPS was a bad idea right now. I appreciate all of your input.

On another note, does anyone know what competitive times are for CS or Flexjet? I see their mins, but if anyone knows whats competitive at either place I would appreciate passing that info on.

Thanks again.