Latest at Flexjet?

[Hung Start]

U.P., I don't doubt that they may have paid you for those days, but in my case, they did not. In all fairness, I don't think I had truly earned them. At the time of my layoff in March, I was employed for 1 year, 6 months. If I recall, I had taken 2 weeks vacation after a year. So, if memory serves me correctly, the payroll department just automatically reset the vacation dates around the first of the year, even though I had not "earned" 2 years of benefits. Weird accounting, but it is what it is. I did ask at the time if I would be payed out as what was on the payroll reciept, and was told that the two month severance was to cover all sick and vacation time.
I think Flex as a company did a very fair thing considering the whole situation.

Hung

 

[ArtVandalay]

Fracpilot

Yes I am SO glad those manuals will be in electronic form now. I've been mulling over that since I got hired. It's such a GREAT task for them to have them in electronic format, I don't know how they will ever figure out how to do it and, it will pretty much solve most of the inefficiencies at Flex.

I will be so happy when those expense reports are web based too because the survival of our company depends on it.

I really hope one day I can order grilled tilapia versus broiled too. THAT is what I'm really keeping my fingers crossed on.

The focus group couldn't have picked more easy subjects to work on that any one fool in the office could have fixed in less than a month, yet, we need an entire focus group to "study" these minute problems.

As Dooker says, the "real" problems are still lurking and will ALWAYS be lurking. Those problems are there for company benefit and it will never change so, I guess me hoping for change in those area some day are just a pipe dream.

One thing that is funny to me is why the company can't just impose a 14 hour restriction on the last day? It's there all week while we work; therefore, why not just extend it to the last day? I'll tell you why. Because they don't care about us on the last day because we are no good to them anymore beyond that point. Again, it boils down to them just not caring about our general happiness and morale. They will throw a little money at us every year and its just enough to shut everyone up for about 10 months.

 

[GSXR600]

Art, you are just one happy guy at Flex aren't you?
From all furlough guys here, I really hope that one day your voice will be heard, so things will change for the better.

 

[doh]

How often do any of us get past 14 on the last day? It has only happened to me three times in three years. The biggest complaint I've heard is that once you're ticketed, they forget about you. So if your flight or connection cancels, they don't respond very well. But most of my experience is that we forget about each other once I'm ticketed.

 

[ArtVandalay]

I swear I'm not unhappy, just frustrated. I almost just wish the carrot wasn't dangled and then my hopes wouldn't ever get so high. I really do like flexjet, just trying to make things better that's all.

 

[C604Pilot]

Art

You're just an above average FJ hypocrite. You had your chance with the CAB, so quite your whining. Besides, what are you going to "fix" as the JS CP or an 85 ACP? Send me you address and I will send you my next grilled fish and a link to an electronic FOM.

604

 

[Rouge Warrior]

You too, Rouge.

When was the last time someone shot at you while landing or you had to be worried about being kidnapped and beheaded ? ? ?

Golf
Foxtrot
Yankee

 

[Hung Start]

When was the last time someone shot at you while landing or you had to be worried about being kidnapped and beheaded ? ? ?

Golf
Foxtrot
Yankee

Ohh come on now. We've all landed in Detroit.

Hung

 

[SDCFI]

How often do any of us get past 14 on the last day? It has only happened to me three times in three years. The biggest complaint I've heard is that once you're ticketed, they forget about you. So if your flight or connection cancels, they don't respond very well. But most of my experience is that we forget about each other once I'm ticketed.

Just last rotation was "planned" for 15:45min with 3 legs followed by a 2 leg airline arriving DFW at 1115pm. Airline delay got me the OT day. Today flew 3 legs before my partner went home, again 2 leg airline getting to DFW after 10pm with around 15:30 duty. It's only gonna get worse as we get busier. I like to blame ops but they're just as short-staffed and are being forced to fit 5lbs of sand in a 1lb bag. For those on furlough limiting the last day is good for you because it will result in needing more planes/people sooner rather than later. I'm up to 4 forced OT days in the last 5 months which shatters my previous records.

 

[CL300Pilot]

That's funny Hung. Thanks for the laugh :laugh:

Ohh come on now. We've all landed in Detroit.

Hung

 

[Nolife]

That's one thing I always hated about the last day rules. First of all it should be "get you home in 14 hrs." Second, forced OT due to a long duty day and not enough flights to get you home should result in OT pay and a compensatory day off. Also if you're getting home before midnight but beyond 16 hrs you should get OT pay and still be able to continue home. It's not the pilot's fault ops planned your last day so tight.

I heard form several guys I've met on the road that forced OT on go home days are up this year.

Flex is still a great job but it could always be better and more equitable for pilots. We need more bases.

 

[ArtVandalay]

I won't say I'm against more bases but, it won't solve any problems; for the company that is... More bases just means someone in the office will have to think harder and actually plan something when it comes to airlining home. They can't even get us good airline now with only a handful of bases, I can't imagine what would happen if we had 25.

The bottom line is that they will ONLY open a new base if it benefits them, not us.

 

[johnsonrod]

Open up more bases after the furloughees are recalled and you will attract better pilots when growth comes down the road. There are plenty of highly-qualified pilots living on the West Coast who don't want to commute to Denver.

Do you guys have any new aircraft (or replacement aircraft) arriving this year or next?

 

[Flex-ible]

Do you guys have any new aircraft (or replacement aircraft) arriving this year or next?

Next new product is the Lear 85 in 2012 or 2013.

There are plenty of unsold shares on the planes they already have - several of which seem to be mothballed. Hopefully there will be enough business to get more of those back this year.

Bombardier just announced net biz jet sales for the last quarter: 6. Worldwide. A lousy six planes! So much for the economic recovery.

 

[DUATS]

The bottom line is that they will ONLY open a new base if it benefits them, not us.

So another hypothetical.

CAB (or whatever it's called now): We want more bases, and better first and last day rules.

MGMT: OK, you can have 5 more bases, first day start times no earlier than 0600 (instead of 0500), and last day no more than 14 hours (instead of 16) and we'll get you home by 2300 (instead of 0000).
But in exchange, no more four day rotations. 5-6-7 days only.

Whatcha think of that?

 

[DirtyBeech]

Next new product is the Lear 85 in 2012 or 2013.

There are plenty of unsold shares on the planes they already have - several of which seem to be mothballed. Hopefully there will be enough business to get more of those back this year.

Bombardier just announced net biz jet sales for the last quarter: 6. Worldwide. A lousy six planes! So much for the economic recovery.

Maybe we should get into the Census business. Lots of jobs in that I hear.

 

[ArtVandalay]

So another hypothetical.

CAB (or whatever it's called now): We want more bases, and better first and last day rules.

MGMT: OK, you can have 5 more bases, first day start times no earlier than 0600 (instead of 0500), and last day no more than 14 hours (instead of 16) and we'll get you home by 2300 (instead of 0000).
But in exchange, no more four day rotations. 5-6-7 days only.

Whatcha think of that?

Like I said, I could care less about bases so, you're dangling that in front of the wrong person. Secondly, you're asking me about things that will never happen so, why should I answer to a no one? Are you assuming I don't like 6 or 7 day rotations?? How do you know I'm not working 7 now by "choice"??? This cat isn't buying what you're not selling.

 

[DUATS]

Like I said, I could care less about bases so, you're dangling that in front of the wrong person. Secondly, you're asking me about things that will never happen so, why should I answer to a no one? Are you assuming I don't like 6 or 7 day rotations?? How do you know I'm not working 7 now by "choice"??? This cat isn't buying what you're not selling.

You are right, I'm not selling; I'm just making the point that Flex mgmt doesn't have to do anything - and won't do anything - unless they get something back. I know some guys who love the 4 day trips, and would probably not want to trade them for anything.

If Flex ever got a union (which I don't think is going to happen) the supporters would probably be surprised that they can't just walk in with a list of demands and walk out with exactly what they want.

 

[Nolife]

If Flex ever got a union (which I don't think is going to happen) the supporters would probably be surprised that they can't just walk in with a list of demands and walk out with exactly what they want.

You miss the point of unionizing. It not," I want more bases so lets form a union." The point is to have a seat at the table that management has to respect. Of course it's a give and take but right now its all take and no give with respect to a few details of the working conditions.

BTW... I talked to an options guys last week and he said since the contract was signed management/labor relations have been good.

 

[DUATS]

You miss the point of unionizing. It not," I want more bases so lets form a union." The point is to have a seat at the table that management has to respect. Of course it's a give and take but right now its all take and no give with respect to a few details of the working conditions.

BTW... I talked to an options guys last week and he said since the contract was signed management/labor relations have been good.

Nolife, I think we agree. But I am pointing out my belief that some guys think it WOULD BE all take and no give if there was a union. If mgmt and employees work together, with or without a union, the company is better off. Right now, there seems to be sentiment that Flex mgmt is not working with the employees. If that sentiment grows, perhaps a union drive will be successful in the future and the seat at the table will be forced upon management.

In my opinion, Management would be wise to give the employees a real voice at the table - to strengthen the company, expand the business, and perhaps bring back some of the 85 sooner rather than later.