NetJets and personal travel

[jahstah]

I'm sure this question has been asked but for those of you who are ex-airline (who travel a lot), how is the transition to the frax side? Do you really rack up the frequent flyer miles enough for personal travel for you and your family? Also, are there any non-rev agreements with any airlines.

 

[Gator1999]

The transition was very easy for me, others have had issues with the whole customer service thing. If you think you are above handling owner bags and cleaning the cabin, don't apply. As far as the company, they treat us well, and depending on your fleet, some work harder than others just because of the missions that they can do. All in all, its a great job and nice to be looking at the airlines from the outside.

The frequent flyer miles rack up plenty quick, I have managed to get Delta Silver this past year and along with the miles that we get thru the Hilton double dip miles.

As far as nonrev agreements, we don't have anything offical with other airlines to get us id95's or anything like that. I have heard of people trying to jumpseat on Airtran and Southwest but we don't have any offical agreements with them. As a sidenote, Even if we did, it wouldn't be any good...when I airline around for work the flights are always full. With the airlines now slashing their schedules to try and save on fuel, there are fewer flights and still plenty of people travelling. Hope it helps.

 

[theskyking]

Good luck non revving with a further reduction in capacity by the airlines. I'll take my frequent flier miles over what used to be a nice perk any day.

I am ex-airline and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[WindBraker]

Is it mainly Hilton Hotels at NJA??

 

[jtf]

I get about 6 airline tickets a year at NJA. If I didn't do the SouthWest airlines double dip with Hilton it would probably be 5 per year since that one only requires 32 nights in hotels versus 50 nights for all the other frequent flier programs. Unfortunately even though they are a positive space seat, frequent flier rewards aren't the easiest to use since they limit the amount of seats per flight so much. At least you know your vacation far enough in advance to use them then, and if you are on 7 and 7 it is also a great help in finding available seats for the times you know you'll have off. I have done around 50 percent of my nights in Hilton properties over the last couple of years. Hope this helps.

 

[fischman]

Is it mainly Hilton Hotels at NJA??

We stay at a lot of Hilton properties.

FWIW, I earn about 350,000 hhonors points in a year. NO problem maintaining diamond status.

 

[Helmsalee]

Just finished indoc. They gave us instant Diamond status right off the bat just for being NJ pilots. I work out of ATL. One of the veterans here told me I would probably make Platinum Medallion by Christmas.

 

[FL990]

Not to change the subject...but I have heard people say (I am not sure if it was NJ or another fractional) that on the live legs, only the captain flies the aircraft. Is this true? I know it is a petty question but given the experience level of many of the folks they are hiring now, this seems insulting. Can anyone clear this up?

 

[Mooneymite]

Mileage may vary....

We stay at a lot of Hilton properties.

FWIW, I earn about 350,000 hhonors points in a year. NO problem maintaining diamond status.

I've been here more than two years. I'm not sure I have 350,000 Hilton points yet and I double dip...(do not get airline miles, just Hilton points).

I do not have enough points for a free ticket on any airline yet, because the company flies me on several different airlines that do not code share so I don't collect enough on any single carrier.

Luckily, I'm retired 121 and use my airline passes to go where I want. Despite the rumors, my wife and I travel non-rev pretty much at will. From my perspective, 121 non-rev is far superior to the frequent flyer gig.

 

[CA1900]

Not to change the subject...but I have heard people say (I am not sure if it was NJ or another fractional) that on the live legs, only the captain flies the aircraft. Is this true?

Only in a sense that yes, there are some insecure captains who won't let the right-seater fly passengers, but it's not the norm, no.

During your first 50 hours here, you're prohibited by company policy from acting as the Pilot Flying on passengers legs (I guess to get the feel of the airplane on empty legs), and I have no problem with that policy. Of course, the fact that the 50-hour period is mentioned in the book should be a clue for those insecure captains that it's not the norm.

I know it is a petty question but given the experience level of many of the folks they are hiring now, this seems insulting.

I agree wholeheartedly. Ironically, my experience with the stick-hogs is that they're usually the roughest on the controls themselves.