My favorite sedan driver in my area doesn't always use his turn signal on every turn (but neither does any other sedan driver out there), but he is by FAR the safest sedan driver I ride with anywhere in the country. He is well rested, his car is well maintained, he drives the speed limit, and is aware of his surroundings at all times. I know, that without any other cars around, a turn signal doesn't make a damn bit of difference, but is still required by law.
I had a 30 min conversation with a manager at a certain FSI center where he disclosed how XO Jet wouldn't train with them because FSI would not "just check without training". XOJET wanted their guys to come in and take the ride in one session and be on their way, FSI refused. This was about 2 years ago so maybe things have changed.
I have flown for over a half dozen corporate operators, a couple very large, and very recognized names, and hands down, NJA is the safest operation I have worked at. Those other high end operators were safe, but NJA is still safer in my experience. I'm sure XOJET and Flex etc have very safe operations too, I can only speak from my own experience however. That being said, I would not trust my family on ANY charter operation, and I have flown for Jet Aviation and TAG. An airplane with a charter certificate represents an owner concerned about cost, a full time pilot for that owner is also concerned about cost. I'll choose the pilot not concerned about cost or his job any day.
I may be off base, but in my mind things like not wearing a seat belt, carrying oil or Prist in the nose compartment, and yes, even the O2 mask (all things I saw at the large charter/corporate operators) are things that are only a factor AFTER something goes terribly wrong (even then is 2 quarts of extra oil in the nose REALLY going to make a difference in an airplane that holds 2000 gallons of fuel?). But flying tired, or hungry, or with a warning message dimmed down, putting one more leg on that cut tire, by then something already has eaten severely into some of those links in the safety chain.
I had a 30 min conversation with a manager at a certain FSI center where he disclosed how XO Jet wouldn't train with them because FSI would not "just check without training". XOJET wanted their guys to come in and take the ride in one session and be on their way, FSI refused. This was about 2 years ago so maybe things have changed.
I have flown for over a half dozen corporate operators, a couple very large, and very recognized names, and hands down, NJA is the safest operation I have worked at. Those other high end operators were safe, but NJA is still safer in my experience. I'm sure XOJET and Flex etc have very safe operations too, I can only speak from my own experience however. That being said, I would not trust my family on ANY charter operation, and I have flown for Jet Aviation and TAG. An airplane with a charter certificate represents an owner concerned about cost, a full time pilot for that owner is also concerned about cost. I'll choose the pilot not concerned about cost or his job any day.
I may be off base, but in my mind things like not wearing a seat belt, carrying oil or Prist in the nose compartment, and yes, even the O2 mask (all things I saw at the large charter/corporate operators) are things that are only a factor AFTER something goes terribly wrong (even then is 2 quarts of extra oil in the nose REALLY going to make a difference in an airplane that holds 2000 gallons of fuel?). But flying tired, or hungry, or with a warning message dimmed down, putting one more leg on that cut tire, by then something already has eaten severely into some of those links in the safety chain.
Last edited:
