Netjets Folks - What do you actually LIKE about Netjets and Your Job?

[Heavy Set]

Netjets Folks - What do you actually LIKE about Netjets? Two Questions

Ok, I admit that I don't work for Netjets so I really don't know the whole story. I do, however, know a few people who fly for Netjets and really enjoy their jobs (despite the low pay). Seems like all I read about Netjets these days is very negative (probably for very good reasons).

Two questions for you:

1. What are TWO OR THREE ASPECTS of your Netjets job that you enjoy or appreciate vs. other/previous jobs out there?

2. What about your current aircraft do you like vs. previous aircraft?

Not trying to be flame bait here - serious answers would be appreciated. Clearly there are still (despite all of the negativity) some people who would like to work at an "improved" Netjets someday. It would be nice to hear about some of the positive aspects among all of the negative aspects described over the last few weeks.

Thanks (and I hope things improve at Netjets soon)

 

[x402]

I've flown with a LOT of great guys (and gals) who also good pilots.

 

[MotoX]

1. Crew meals are the best, even thou the only time to eat is during a flight. I eat better on the road then I do at home! 2. Hotels are top notch, but you hardly stay longer than 10 to 11 hours at any one place. 3. The aircraft are best money can buy.

 

[davis]

1. you wont fly passenger legs for a loooong time even after you upgrade because the sr dawg will take it and is assigned pic
( you get to fly a good share of scabs which is loads of fun...not)
2. alot of pic and pic pairings
3. you take a cab and arrange your own transport to and from your dept point
4. you chock lock cover uncover your own ac
5. you get the catering arrange it then clean it off the seats tables and carpet
6. wait for the passengers who often put you on 2 hr slides
7. dont know what time your getting home on the last day
8. you work 17 days of the month while the other half or 1/3 works 7 on 7 off
9. one week of indoc every year
10. one week of sim and systems every 6 months
11. you will load bags while the sr dawg watches you and dont come back and tell me everyone pitches in because they dont..
12. you listen to a ton of bitching about pay and how the schedulers cut deals with the A team members
13. watch uncle warren and santulli work your union like a red headed step child while your dues get you a worthless mag once a month
14. on day one you will dead head to a fbo and sit on your ass for hours with absolutely no assignment then be told to rent a car and drive somewhere without any insurance if you bif it
15 at the end of a 14 hour day and you land in bfe alabama and your passengers leave and its you and the cpt guess what there is barely any light on your ramp and its just you and the plane with a plane full of trash so you get to be the:
ac cleaner
ramper
maint tech (shut and cover the ac)
meanwhile your partner is inside calling for a cab trying to get the worthless idiots in cmh to get you a hotel ...then he is trying to get the toothless fbo boy to find you a cab so you can get to the hotel...oh and you still have to beg to get released if youre not at 14 hours.
16. on your last day expect to sit in your hotel doing nothing and then getting airlined home wasting more time away just so some jackass in cmh can prove to you that he owns you while you are gone.




sorry guys but it sucked!

 

[MotoX]

Hey,

You just described my last tour!

 

[FLYLOW22]

GOODS

1. Crew food. You order whatever you like except Sushi and depending on the caterer.... you'll get it. Good eats.
2. No waiting 40 minuted for a gate at the hub airport once you've finished a 5 hour flight.

3. I know NJA is gonna be there tomorrow... for whatever that's worth.

4. No commute to work. Just have to ride the airline.

5. 7n7 schedule. Good to have a steady schedule. Bad to be gone from family that long.

6. Walking into the FBO in BWI this last week and seeing Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon causing a scene. It was great!! Always celebs around.

7. Overnights in cool places like Nantucket or Aspen.

BADS

1. 14 hours on 10 hours off times 7 in a row.

2. ASAP at 3am. It done work. I operate in 2 modes... on and off.

3. Pay.

4. Pay.

5. Pay.

6. Did I mention pay??

7. Waiting 3 weeks to get a check reimbursing me for my expenses while on tour.

 

[Lord Wakefield]

Being denied OT pay by some nitwit in payroll because "it's not in the computer" and then wasting hours of your off time trying in vain to track him down. Win a gievance for the pay and still not get paid.

Other than that, we've got a lot of competant crews who save the day every day.

 

[climbhappy]

quotes: cool overnights in places like nantucket and aspen

crew meals


response: why not get a better paying job so you can actually enjoy and travel to these places and eat at good restaurants.

i think the keys to turning it around is an agressive MEC that will organize you and plan to strike. the problem is the all of the non 121 scheduled folks you have working there that might not buy into it. also, buffet and company know this, know you're divided and and are sitting back waitin. you might just suprise them. they don't plan on you walking out. the share owners would kick their arse, stop making payments and you'll have 2000 rich guys suing the crap out of netjets. they have to settle with you boys!! Go for it!!!

 

[Publishers]

corporate and fractional

What you describe is the nature of the business. I had a Hawker driver here the other day wanting to go fractional for a fixed schedule even at less money.

Other than airlines where this stuff is done for you, this is what the job is about.

Every job has its good and bad points. The things we like to do, the things we do not. Where is it written that you are entitiled to a particular job at a given pay.

The great thing about this country is you can succeed, but also it is the ability to fail that are all part of the deal. Like the joke goes, the difference between a plane and a pilot is one stops whinning at the gate.

 

[FatesPawn]

1. What are TWO OR THREE ASPECTS of your Netjets job that you enjoy or appreciate vs. other/previous jobs out there?

2. What about your current aircraft do you like vs. previous aircraft?

My background is Regional/Major/furlough/on-demand charter/Netjets.

I came here for a few simple reasons.

1. Stability - of the "industry" players, Netjets seemed to be the best poised for the long term.

2. Schedule - coming from airlines, I was used to DAYS OFF. That's something you can't get flying charter. The pay was better but there was neither stability or schedule.

From a day to day perspective on what I like about my job....? We DO stay in nice accommodations - nicer than any other company I've worked for. The pilots are generally a great bunch of guys so that makes it pleasurable. I do enjoy the occasional challenging flying.

The 7n7 schedule has a lot of benefits. Consider that you will work 26 weeks. Now subtract 2 weeks of vacation, the occasional "bullpen" (time on call, but still sitting at home), and perhaps a sick call or 2 to care for an ailing child etc.. and now, you're only gone 20 weeks out of 52. That isn't so bad.

Many guys will say "it's great because the company gets you to and from work." That's a bunch of balony. While true, if you live in your gateway is isn't a factor and when the contract is done you will have to move to an RCA anyway (newhires).

Other's will say, "I like flying new/nice equipment." The nicest plane I ever flew was a 727. Groundspeed was read on your Timex and radio frequencies had to be written down because the radios didn't have a standby position. I mean, if you're the type of guy that has to buy new cars every 3 years, you might get off on flying new airplanes. From that aspect - to me - it's just another cylindrical aluminum transportation vessel.

The longterm problem I see with Netjets is the fact that they are the "industry leader" yet play the game like they're still running an FBO in Columbus. The industry will never get out of its infancy unless there's more STRONGER competition.

So, I hope that answers your questions about what I enjoy about Nutjets.

That said:

STAY AWAY.

Wait until things settle down with our contract and labor problems before you make a quick decision to come here. It isn't like the airlines from a seniority standpoint. The only thing seniority is really good for here is picking your vacation. Everyone is going to be on the 7n7 schedule. Pay will probably be the same across the board. So, if you sacrifice a couple of months seniority, it won't be the end of the world like it can be at the airlines.

Fate

 

[FLYLOW22]

quotes: cool overnights in places like nantucket and aspen

crew meals

response: why not get a better paying job so you can actually enjoy and travel
to these places and eat at good restaurants.

You asked us what we like. Not what we want.

Pay AND layover time would be required to enjoy the overnight.

 

[climbhappy]

flylow22:

i guess you were being sincere. i was flying in and out of nantucket last summer in a 1900. nice place. the problem is you got to drop some cash just to have fun. i love to eat, so i love crew meals. and all you can eat buffets.

i ran into a netjets guy in CLT three weeks ago whom i hadn't seen in ten years. we were both flying piston twins. he had been at Midway. he spoke of the plight facing all of you.

i think you guys were sold a bad set of goods, notwithstanding the recession. i do understand going somewhere to stay current.

i hope you guys get an MEC that will change the dynamic at the table with MGt. and illustrate for them the cost of inconveniencing the millionaires and heiresses.

 

[BrnJetFuel]

GOODS

3. I know NJA is gonna be there tomorrow... for whatever that's worth.

4. No commute to work. Just have to ride the airline.

5. 7n7 schedule. Good to have a steady schedule. Bad to be gone from family that long.

6. Walking into the FBO in BWI this last week and seeing Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon causing a scene. It was great!! Always celebs around.

7. Overnights in cool places like Nantucket or Aspen.

Okay lets look at these.

3. Be here? We all used to think that too. Lately though it looks like the majority of the pilots are ready to beat this place into the ground and let our competition rule the skies. If Netjets continues in it's determination to make us the lowest paid pilots you can bet they won't be here next year. Hey owners, are you listening?

4. Airlining is the absolute most miserable part (besides compensation) of this job. We spend more time on crammed and packed airlines than we do in our own crammed and packed planes.

5. 7 and 7 is great if you are one of the 40 somthing % pilots that can hold it.

6. Celebs! What! Are you 14 or somthing. Who cares about the worthless liberal spewers anyway. Your mouth gaping - jaw dropping infactuation with these dopes doesn't put food on the family table. Get real!

7. Oh Yeah! That's just still a real blast after the first two times. You quickly discover that your perdiem is gone before you make it out of the hotel lobby and your reminded that your poor ass doesn't belong any where near those places. Your wallet is longing to get back to the double wide nieghborhood and be filled with food stamps.

Trust me, none of this crap is worth anything after years of hard service of building NetJets into a leader only to continue being slapped in the face by the founder. This place needs to get real or I suspect it won't last a year!

 

[NJAowner]

Strike??

BrnJetFuel and I have had many "discussions" about this in private.

But, think real hard whether the NJA owners (many of who are large corps. with unions of their own or executives in their personal capacities who deal with unions in the business setting), will side with NJA or the pilots if it comes to a strike. Regardless of inconvenience (see alternatives listed below) which the onwers will not actually feel, they will side with management becuase of principle. Regardless of "inconveniece" (many owners will find other ways to avoid commercial airlines , i.e. corp. owned planes, friend's planes, charters -- all which were used before fractional was invented) while NJA will probably suspend bills if service is unavailable.

This is not flame bait -- but just think that there are other alternatives and while owners may be sym[athetic to pilots if they knew you rplight (see many prior posts), it will boomerang faster than ever believed if there is a job action.

Good luck, fly safe.

 

[FatesPawn]

But, think real hard whether the NJA owners will side with NJA or the pilots if it comes to a strike.

I'm quite certain that the owners will side with the company in the long run. No doubt they want the best for their pilots, but even more certainly, they will balk at increased fees. The REAL problem at Netjets is waste. Uncontrolled spending and unaccountability have run rampant in Columbus for some time. While the "new guard" may be turning the tide internally at Bridgeway, the pilots have NOT seen its result on the road.

The threat of a strike is the only tool that unions have to pressure management in negotiations. Without it, they will simply negotiate in perpetuity without facing repercussions.

The attitude of the pilot group is getting more sour every day that passes now. We are so close to the end of this that anger and frustration are growing exponentially.

For our owners sake, this contract needs to get done ASAP before they are the LEAST bit inconvenienced. We ALL know what level of service we provide and it doesn't take much to really INFLAME someone who demands the best of the best.

Unfortunately, unless we SERIOUSLY threaten a work action and risk angering our owners, we will NEVER get the most out of negotiations.

 

[Lord Wakefield]

I'm quite certain that the owners will side with the company in the long run. No doubt they want the best for their pilots, but even more certainly, they will balk at increased fees.
For our owners sake, this contract needs to get done ASAP before they are the LEAST bit inconvenienced.

Among those that care, I think you'll find that most think the contract was finished a few years ago.
Yes, I think they'd be naturally predisposed to side with the company. But what would they think about this taking 3 years? Don't think foot dragging is how they became successful.

I don't discuss this matter with owners unless cornered and then I only give what I can since we haven't been told what's actually going on. To wit, 1. No, we don't have a new contract yet; 2. almost 3 years; 3. I don't know; 4. I don't know; 5. I don't know. 6. No, not getting married till after the contract; 7. I'm really good at fixing up old cars and keeping mine running; 8. In an apartment near the airport with a few other pilots; 9. Oh yes, both sides are still talking-they're meeting two more times this month; 10. Oh no! I haven't heard any serious talk about that.

 

[j41driver]

I thought the original poster was looking for something good about the job....

1. you wont fly passenger legs for a loooong time even after you upgrade because the sr dawg will take it and is assigned pic
( you get to fly a good share of scabs which is loads of fun...not)
2. alot of pic and pic pairings
3. you take a cab and arrange your own transport to and from your dept point
4. you chock lock cover uncover your own ac
5. you get the catering arrange it then clean it off the seats tables and carpet
6. wait for the passengers who often put you on 2 hr slides
7. dont know what time your getting home on the last day
8. you work 17 days of the month while the other half or 1/3 works 7 on 7 off
9. one week of indoc every year
10. one week of sim and systems every 6 months
11. you will load bags while the sr dawg watches you and dont come back and tell me everyone pitches in because they dont..
12. you listen to a ton of bitching about pay and how the schedulers cut deals with the A team members
13. watch uncle warren and santulli work your union like a red headed step child while your dues get you a worthless mag once a month
14. on day one you will dead head to a fbo and sit on your ass for hours with absolutely no assignment then be told to rent a car and drive somewhere without any insurance if you bif it
15 at the end of a 14 hour day and you land in bfe alabama and your passengers leave and its you and the cpt guess what there is barely any light on your ramp and its just you and the plane with a plane full of trash so you get to be the:
ac cleaner
ramper
maint tech (shut and cover the ac)
meanwhile your partner is inside calling for a cab trying to get the worthless idiots in cmh to get you a hotel ...then he is trying to get the toothless fbo boy to find you a cab so you can get to the hotel...oh and you still have to beg to get released if youre not at 14 hours.
16. on your last day expect to sit in your hotel doing nothing and then getting airlined home wasting more time away just so some jackass in cmh can prove to you that he owns you while you are gone.




sorry guys but it sucked!

 

[hawkerpilot]

Nothing Good Here

There is nothing good about NutJets right now. Until we get a new contract, I wouldnt recommend this place to anyone.

1. Aspen and Nantucket? Who cares, you wont be able to afford to do anything there and with the number of 14 on and 10 off lately, you wont want to do anything but sleep and get ready for "fun" day.

2. Celebrities? Grow up!! They look at you like their gardner or butler and while you load their bags they give the tip to the line guy because they have been told you are a highly paid professional.

3. Pay sucks more than many commuters these days and upgrades for new hires are "at least" two or more years. How do I know? I am just short of two years and STILL on FO pay with no end in sight. Company is not negotiating in good faith and economic offers so far are nothing short of insulting. Shamtulli does not want career people here because they are more expensive in the long run than attrition.

Bright Side?

Hopefully we will have a new MEC in October that will possess some testicles. We will see......

 

[x402]

Regardless of "inconveniece" (many owners will find other ways to avoid commercial airlines , i.e. corp. owned planes, friend's planes, charters -- all which were used before fractional was invented) while NJA will probably suspend bills if service is unavailable.


I don't believe the capacity to cover our normal day to day flights is out there. Not to mention if the strike were to occur during a peak period, let's say Thanksgiving.
The fact that "owners" deal with unions in their own business doesn't mean they will jump lock step with management when the stoppage comes. I think they will ask," Who the hell has been watching out for my multi million dollar investment?" I would, I'd want to know why Netjet pilots are the lowest paid pilots in the industry, while my costs are among the highest? I'd want to know where my MMF increases have gone? And where's my interest on that money?
Suspend bills????? Not likely, I'd guess they'll offer some compensation down the road, but the life line of this operation is CASH FLOW, and they will not turn that off. They will try to provide, vendors and SCABS, to fill the flights. But don't hold your breath thinking those monthly bills will just stop until this all gets sorted out.
When it finally gets to a work stoppage, soon I hope, it will last no more than 48 hrs. RTS's phone will melt, he might have to attend a negotiation session himself to get this done. His team has done the dirty work, dragged this out for three years, he'll ride in and finally make a deal only when the owners scream. That day is very near.

Just my opinion, I might be wrong. (but I doubt it)

 

[Heavy Set]

C'mon Griz, give me one or two positives about Netjets...

A lot of interesting replies. Although most had nothing to do with the original 2 questions. I suppose venting is good for people.

Anyone have anything positive to say about their Netjets experience? C'mon Griz, there's gotta be something you like (seriously) about Netjets and flying the X?

LAST QUESTION: if Virgin America opened up its doors right now at rates lower than Jet Blue for the A320 (offered you an FO position and bases in either SFO or JFK), would you take it right now OR would you prefer to sweat it out at Netjets? Serious responses please.

 

[climbhappy]

roll the dice sir!

let's see:

senority

more money

more money

more money

handlers cleaning the planes

three FAs serving me coke and chips!

___________________

bottom line: i'll take the airline gig

 

[FrontierFan]

Now I have been reading the fractional threads for months while I was sending my stuff in. I finally got called for an interview and tried to procrastinate it as far off into the future to give the MEC more time to possibly get a TA so I can make a more informed decision about leaving where I am know for NetJets.

However..... from what I understand the word on the taxiway is that new-hires will only have those five cities to live in. So for me I would like to get in after a TA is published but before it gets voted in. My biggest worry is getting in, going on strike and being put between walking and getting fired, for being on probation, or staying and being called a scab the rest of my life.

I would really appreciate all the NetJets regulars on this board to give me their opinion on what I should do. And yes I am going to interview, no I am not interested in breaking up your deserved unity and yes I do believe that a "better" NetJets can be good long term career. "Better" meaning not having to live in 5 cities and 5th year pay being at least 85.

I welcome your comments and PMs

F9Fan

 

[FrontierFan]

I forgot to add that I went through a contract negotiation where I am now and we couldn't get a TA until after we passed a strike vote of 96%. That is why I respect everyones opions while taking them with a grain of salt. I understand that in the eleventh hour a good portion of the pilot group will be disgruntled enough to comment about how their xyz company is the worst every and no one should come work there.

If however I could understand if everyone is trying to get new hires to shy away so your MEC will have more leverage for a TA. That makes sense. Again I have wanted to come on board for a long time. But I don't want to disturb your unity in these criticle times. But if given an offer I can't accept the proposed five city issue.

Thanks Again,
F9Fan

 

[Snakeplt]

Anyone who HELPS another pilot get hired here, is NOT doing this pilot group OR that individual ANY GOOD !!! For those of you who INTERVIEWED and turned this SH*T outfit down...I applaud you. Oh, and as for NJAOwner...we REALLY and TRULY don't give a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** what you think because we already know how the Shamtulli's and your kind think of the "help." You enjoy spewing your input on this board for deeply personal reasons...but will never admit it. You should go play with your own kind as we really could care less about what you say or think....go use up someone elses bandwidth.

 

[FatesPawn]

So for me I would like to get in after a TA is published but before it gets voted in. My biggest worry is getting in, going on strike and being put between walking and getting fired, for being on probation, or staying and being called a scab the rest of my life.

I HIGHLY doubt you could time things that well to get hired post-TA pre-ratification. Don't try. If you don't like the way Netjets looks today under our current agreement, don't take the job. It may not change. Who knows.

Your comments about your "biggest concern" make me uneasy. You seem to alude that crossing a picket line might be one of your "choices." Before I lambaste you, please correct me if I'm wrong.

I would personally never hesitate to walk the line on probation. Probation isn't even a consideration. Sure, the company may try to strongarm you and fire you, but "back to work agreements" between the union and management usually iron these things out before the strike even ends.

My last comment on probation: Don't ever let PROBATION stand in the way of doing what is right. That's VERBATIM what I said to my interviewer when she was playing the role of "bad pilot" and trying to egg me into doing something we shouldn't.

 

[hawkerpilot]

Answer to Question

NOTHING!!

And the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** seats in the X are like Coca-Cola crates so if you enjoy sitting on one of those for five+ hours, have at it!!!
Oh, and because we go so fast, all the owners love the plane so when one breaks, guess what the company sends in....lots of 14 and 10's!!

Living the dream for 28k/year.....NOT!!!!

 

[On Your Six]

Living the dream at mach .92!

Someday when you guys are flying the trunk lines for Virgin America between SFO and JFK or BOS day in and day out you will hopefully remember some of the positive aspects of your previous life at Netjets. Sure, the pain of poverty (such a god-awful low salary) will never go away, but I hope flying a great airplane and flying to some interesting destinations will be a source of good memories.... After corporate flying, airline flying would seem just too boring and routine for me (but that may change if I get a call from SWA)...

 

[SenorSpielbergo]

Living the dream at mach .92!

Someday when you guys are flying the trunk lines for Virgin America between SFO and JFK or BOS day in and day out you will hopefully remember some of the positive aspects of your previous life at Netjets. Sure, the pain of poverty (such a god-awful low salary) will never go away, but I hope flying a great airplane and flying to some interesting destinations will be a source of good memories.... After corporate flying, airline flying would seem just too boring and routine for me (but that may change if I get a call from SWA)...

A former NetJets pilot (now with an airline) wistfully remembering the glory days: "Oh, how I long for the days when I could barely pay my mortgage and could only afford to eat pan-seared garlic Cheerios. But, at least I got to fly around at .92 for 10 hrs. a day!"

 

[Nightmare67]

A lot of interesting replies. Although most had nothing to do with the original 2 questions. I suppose venting is good for people.

Anyone have anything positive to say about their Netjets experience? C'mon Griz, there's gotta be something you like (seriously) about Netjets and flying the X?

LAST QUESTION: if Virgin America opened up its doors right now at rates lower than Jet Blue for the A320 (offered you an FO position and bases in either SFO or JFK), would you take it right now OR would you prefer to sweat it out at Netjets? Serious responses please.

Let me put it this way...If Virgin called me while I was at work, I'd put my NJA ID card on my seat, leave it running and walk, no, run to the terminal, pay my own way to SFO or where ever.

Does that answer your question?

 

[hawkerpilot]

Not IF but When

Let me put it this way...If Virgin called me while I was at work, I'd put my NJA ID card on my seat, leave it running and walk, no, run to the terminal, pay my own way to SFO or where ever.

Does that answer your question?

Its no longer a matter of IF I am out of here, but WHEN. And that day cannot come any to soon. This place is a train wreck looking for the end of the line. Unfortunately Bill Boisture and his clowns have their golden parachutes ready and will never skip a beat. The rest of us will be SOL!!

They are now crying that they are so broke but I find it hard to understand how the most expensive and largest of the fractional options pays their pilots the worst and cries that they are losing money.....Give me a break!!!