Flops

[MCOE175]

Seems as though things are slowly getting better at flight options.
Are your guys still jumping ship or is their now some feeling of stability?
I am getting out of the airlines soon, and I want to head the fractional route. I was offered a job with avantair. never heard from CS or NJ.
Is FLOPS going to be hiring again?
Any comments welcomed.
Thanks

 

[CALRepublic]

Avantair could be a good place to hang out until Netjets, Citation Shares or Flexjet call. XOJET also looks very promising.

I wouldn't mess with FLOPS, even if "things are slowly getting better".....only time will tell how FLOPS makes out.

 

[brokeflyer]

Seems as though things are slowly getting better at flight options.
Are your guys still jumping ship or is their now some feeling of stability?
I am getting out of the airlines soon, and I want to head the fractional route. I was offered a job with avantair. never heard from CS or NJ.
Is FLOPS going to be hiring again?
Any comments welcomed.
Thanks

NJ is EXTREMLY competetive right now, with the best pay, best benny's best schedule things are gettin tight. Maybe go somewhere else until you can get into NJ would be a smart move.

 

[MCOE175]

I know avantair is not a bad gig... they are home basing me which seem really nice. But does it look bad when you go from a jet back to a turboprop without a type?
I am just looking for the best career move.

 

[brokeflyer]

types dont mean $hit st NJ.....ive flown with superman captain america's that i would'nt trust on a desktop simulator.

its how you present yourself on the app and the interview.

 

[lookin4better]

Yup totally agree!

Most pilots have been completly fooled about " I cant move jobs" .......it is TOTALLY how you explain it and present yourself! Long as you have good reason for what you do....do it, and explain why....and you're good to go.

Say you are going there for some customer service / and buisness aviation experience......if you upgrade quick and want to go back to airlines someday....change that reason to something that fits your needs.....its not lying, selling/ presenting yourself is 90% of getting any job.

 

[993_Pilot]

If I was looking to get in to the fractional industry right now, I would put NetJets at the top of my list... and this is coming from a FLOPs pilot. Things are looking up for us, but only time will tell how they work out, whereas NetJets has already set the bar for others to measure up to.

 

[AftCG182]

Seems as though things are slowly getting better at flight options.
Are your guys still jumping ship or is their now some feeling of stability?
I am getting out of the airlines soon, and I want to head the fractional route. I was offered a job with avantair. never heard from CS or NJ.
Is FLOPS going to be hiring again?
Any comments welcomed.
Thanks

Did you accept the offer?

 

[greygoose]

Avantair could be a good place to hang out until Netjets, Citation Shares or Flexjet call. XOJET also looks very promising.

I wouldn't mess with FLOPS, even if "things are slowly getting better".....only time will tell how FLOPS makes out.

Coming from a guy whos been in the fractional industry a year. Thats my kind of expert.

 

[glasspilot]

Avantair is not a place to "hang out" till NetJets calls.

I'm sure there are pilots here that have resumes out but they are the minority. I have zero resumes out and don't plan on ever interviewing again.

NetJets is a great outfit with all the pay and benefits but they are yesterdays story. Anyone hired today will make a career of the right seat. Plus, like many legacy carriers have proven, great pay and benefits only last so long. My bet is I'm in the better place and I've put my money where my mouth is.

With all that said, a bet is a bet and aviation is a tough gamble in the best of times. Good luck to all.

 

[GooseHZ]

???

"I have zero resumes out and don't plan on ever interviewing again."


Ahhhhh Glass........You should know never to say things like that....you WILL/MOST LIKELY/99.9% have another flying job.

 

[MCOE175]

I understand that Avantair is not a bad company but what does scare me is they are never out of the red. The liabilities far out weigh any of the assests.
They do have a good concept but who knows.
And FLOPS might not be a bad thing. Remember NJ had to work for the contract they have... maybe FLOPS could end up with a descent contract... who knows.
What kind of things are the FLOPS guys looking for in a contract?

 

[On Your Six]

I understand that Avantair is not a bad company but what does scare me is they are never out of the red. The liabilities far out weigh any of the assests.
They do have a good concept but who knows.
And FLOPS might not be a bad thing. Remember NJ had to work for the contract they have... maybe FLOPS could end up with a descent contract... who knows.
What kind of things are the FLOPS guys looking for in a contract?

If you go to FLOPS don't expect to upgrade for a very long time. You will start on an old Beechjet and likely sit there. It's true that Phenom 300 replacements have been ordered but you never know what will happen. Personally I think Avantair would be a good choice. You will upgrade faster and have fun flying that thing.

You already have E175 time so don't worry about any jet requirement elsewhere - you have been there and done that. You can explain why you made the switch.

I believe Aftcg182 has a similar background on the E170 so he can tell you what to expect in terms of a transition from jet to prop... It may be a prop but it certainly flies like a jet from what I hear.

 

[MCOE175]

OK what you are saying is all fine... but what about the constant losses? In this economy, would it be a safe move? I love working with the airlines but I feel a better qaulity of life can be achieved at a fractional.

 

[lookin4better]

well any move and any time is a risk.....but i see your point.

 

[993_Pilot]

... What kind of things are the FLOPS guys looking for in a contract?

We are looking for basically the same things that Netjets has. I don't know if we'll get them all in a first contract, but I can promise you one thing, and that is that we will no longer be the red-headed step child of the fractional industry! Personally, I expect a CBA with a NJ-like benefits & QoL package, and Pay somewhere within 5-10% of NJ.

 

[skyismyoffice]

I don't think FLOPs is hiring right now - still looking to get the 70 terminated pilots back online. FLOPs will be a better place to work but we have a way to go. If you are offered a job, take it. You can always move to FLOPs if things get much better.

 

[Publishers]

Even granting the success that Netjets has finally had, it was a grind to get there. If you look at the model for fractionals, it is really tough for any of them to make serious money. The most serious problem is once you take the low hanging fruit, the customer out in Bozman Montana or somewhere remote is a killer as none of the plans really distinguish the geographically undesireable client and charge them more for all the dead heading to get to them. One thing acutally helping Netjets is things have slowed down and they can put more energy into Europe which is strong against the dollar.

 

[lowspeed]

the thing about flops versus avantair is there future sales and growth possibilty. With gas going up avantair will only look better. Where a beech jet and hawker even a phenom 300 will look worse. There is a reason netjets is bailing out of the beechjet market. So things will only get better if your sales keep up without that a fraction dies. Avantair had a 10% increase in sales last qaurter over last year.

 

[imacdog]

There is a reason netjets is bailing out of the beechjet market.

We are?