Netjets - The final stop?

[jtf]

NJA will hopefully be my last stop. I'm 2 years into my career here and now that I can live where I want I won't be thinking about another flying job unless something weird happens here to kill the company. Everyone has different things that are important to them and NJA certainly isn't the best place for everyone. With the 100 bases, NJA is the best place for me. It is worth it for me to live where I want and sacrifice the likely higher salaries and more time off that I would probably eventually get at a major. However, weird stuff happens in aviation all the time and companies that were great are now gone. A career is a long time and I'm planning on working another 30 or so years. I'm maxing out my 401k and saving for a rainy day just in case and I know exactly what I'll do outside of aviation in case I loose my medical or aviation jobs in general take a big dump. I believe NJA is as good a career job as there is in aviation, but it's still aviation and I'm not going to bet everything on NJA (or any other pilot job) lasting until I am ready to retire. I have no idea what aviation will be like in 30 years. All I know is that it will be very different than today, just as today is very different than 30 years ago.

 

[Seat 0A]

in case I loose my medical

Is this the opposite of a "tight" medical?

 

[Cooperd0g]

New here and a year from getting out of the military. With FedEx, UPS, and Southwest currently not hiring and possibly not hiring at all in 2008 I would have seriously considered NetJets. At least until the three others started hiring again. Then I would have had to weigh the options.

Unfortunately for me, NetJets has more rigid flight time requirements than the major airlines. I have about 100 hours of turbo-prop, 1600 hours of jet time, but only 20 piston. That makes me well below the 2500 total time requirement even though I have a fair amount of high performance jet experience. Frankly, I'm surprised at this, but oh well, that's the way it goes. My options now are to do another three years on active duty or go part time and try out for Delta or Continental or a contract adversary company.

By the time I have the flight time for NetJets, FedEx, UPS, and Southwest may be hiring. I have a few friends at each and where I live the commute is relatively easy on your own company planes at popular beginning bases. So they tell me anyway.

I think I would like the early stage quality of life better at NetJets, but with no kids right now and a wife who likes nice things (luckily she makes good money herself) I could muscle through some rough years to chase the money and quality of life that may (yes I know it is only 'may') be better at my top three choices.

In fact it is probably better for me that I can't apply to NetJets because otherwise I would. Then in a few years when FedEx, UPS and Southwest start hiring again I probably wouldn't want to leave NetJets. I like the varied flying possibilities and if my wife can handle 8 and 6 month deployments (oh, and I am away from home a bunch now anyway) she can definitely handle me being gone for two weeks a month or the 15 or 18 day flex schedules. In fact she likes having a week or two on her own every now and then. Sure, that might change when we have kids.

 

[kman]

Guys I was just running some numbers in my head, i have up 38 years to give the majors assuming I don't get laid off, I would at lets say the 20 yr point I would be working as much as 55 days a year extra at netjets, factoring in no vacation. After year 10 doesn't it get anybody. Your on duty for 26 weeks on the seven and seven, -4 weeks for vacation, still leaves 22 weeks of work( guys comp and a/c recurrent is still work) Averages out still to be about 12.83 days out on duty with vacation.

At most of the majors A senior captain or Fo 10-20 years of seniority should be able to day trips or only working 11-12 days a month not factoring in vacation. Yes i know I would have to live in base for the greatest QOL. But with commutter clauses, day trips, 4-5 days of less work a month, and the fact that I have 38 years to give, Right now is the time for me to leave.

 

[skiandsurf]

Guys I was just running some numbers in my head, i have up 38 years to give the majors assuming I don't get laid off, I would at lets say the 20 yr point I would be working as much as 55 days a year extra at netjets, factoring in no vacation. After year 10 doesn't it get anybody. Your on duty for 26 weeks on the seven and seven, -4 weeks for vacation, still leaves 22 weeks of work( guys comp and a/c recurrent is still work) Averages out still to be about 12.83 days out on duty with vacation.

At most of the majors A senior captain or Fo 10-20 years of seniority should be able to day trips or only working 11-12 days a month not factoring in vacation. Yes i know I would have to live in base for the greatest QOL. But with commutter clauses, day trips, 4-5 days of less work a month, and the fact that I have 38 years to give, Right now is the time for me to leave.

Your writing skills might keep you out of most cockpits.....oh wait, most pilots cant spell, so you should be just fine.

Something that you must think of, is seniority. At NJs, your schedules wont change too much. At the airlines, each time you change planes or upgrade, you are probably going to lose seniority, and days off.

I was just talking to an old friend, that is a senior 777 FO for CAL. He claims that he only works 9 days a month. He does not upgrade (make more money) because he doesnt want to work more. Hewas trying to convince me to apply at CAL, but I had to remind him that he has 18 yrs seniority, I would be starting off at the bottom, and have to commute to EWR. No thanks.

 

[TurboJetCpt]

Prior to 91k and our 2005 contract, the fractionals were the worst-of-the-worst. My, how times have changed...

From Worst to First :beer:

 

[kman]

Hey spelling nazi, happy new year. I bez gooing bac 2 skool, soooos libe me alhone.
Anyways like I said b4, I'm young enough to take the risk, right now the qol and money outways the negatives.

 

[VVJM265]

Right now is the time for me to leave.

If you are talking about leaving NJA, best of luck. It will move me up another spot; I love it here.

 

[gunfyter]

New here and a year from getting out of the military. With FedEx, UPS, and Southwest currently not hiring and possibly not hiring at all in 2008 I would have seriously considered NetJets. At least until the three others started hiring again. Then I would have had to weigh the options.

Unfortunately for me, NetJets has more rigid flight time requirements than the major airlines. I have about 100 hours of turbo-prop, 1600 hours of jet time, but only 20 piston. That makes me well below the 2500 total time requirement even though I have a fair amount of high performance jet experience. Frankly, I'm surprised at this, but oh well, that's the way it goes. My options now are to do another three years on active duty or go part time and try out for Delta or Continental or a contract adversary company.

By the time I have the flight time for NetJets, FedEx, UPS, and Southwest may be hiring. I have a few friends at each and where I live the commute is relatively easy on your own company planes at popular beginning bases. So they tell me anyway.

I think I would like the early stage quality of life better at NetJets, but with no kids right now and a wife who likes nice things (luckily she makes good money herself) I could muscle through some rough years to chase the money and quality of life that may (yes I know it is only 'may') be better at my top three choices.

In fact it is probably better for me that I can't apply to NetJets because otherwise I would. Then in a few years when FedEx, UPS and Southwest start hiring again I probably wouldn't want to leave NetJets. I like the varied flying possibilities and if my wife can handle 8 and 6 month deployments (oh, and I am away from home a bunch now anyway) she can definitely handle me being gone for two weeks a month or the 15 or 18 day flex schedules. In fact she likes having a week or two on her own every now and then. Sure, that might change when we have kids.

Go to the training Command... you will get your hours...

Or one year at a regional.

 

[lookin4better]

it will absolutely be my LAST stop if I get hired! No question!

 

[RJ Bum]

If you are talking about leaving NJA, best of luck. It will move me up another spot; I love it here.

+1, Hell I'll write a recommendation letter for you.

 

[kman]

thanks guys for the support =)

 

[RadioClash]

I am a 121 guy that is eyeballing NetJets. NetJets has a base where I live. I am currently commuting offline to work which is a real pain in the rear.

Can someone try and explain the benefits of a 7 on 7 off sched vs. a typical 121 sched with 15 days off? I understand that I would only be going to work twice a month vs the typical 4 times I have to try and beg for a ride to work now and then beg for ride home and occastionally check three different cities to fly into and rent a car if I can't go direct to my home.

Does it seem like you spend your 7 days off catching up on the stuff you couldn't do on your 7 on, ie, mowing the lawn, car repairs etc. Most importanly spending time with the wife and kids?

Also on day one when does it typically start? Do you have to go in the night before to be in position for day one, meaning an early show so you have to commute in the night before therefore commuting on an off day?

One last question on your layovers do you typically have time to workout, go for a run, grab a beer (not at the same time)?

Thanks for any answers

 

[skiandsurf]

Does it seem like you spend your 7 days off catching up on the stuff you couldn't do on your 7 on, ie, mowing the lawn, car repairs etc. Most importanly spending time with the wife and kids?

****The 7 days off should be plenty of time to do whats needed. I have had a few trips that I get home by noon on day 7. This is when I try to cut the grass and wash the cars....its like getting paid to do house work. Doesnt happen enough though.

Also on day one when does it typically start? Do you have to go in the night before to be in position for day one, meaning an early show so you have to commute in the night before therefore commuting on an off day?
**** Its called Day 1 for a reason. Its the first day of work. If you live near a base, stay at home until day 1. On day 1, you will either airline, taxi, limo, rental car, or stay home.

One last question on your layovers do you typically have time to workout, go for a run, grab a beer (not at the same time)?
****This is the hardest one to predict. Some trips are easy with lots of down time, and other trips are nonstop ball busters. You can always call in fatigued if you need time to "rest".

Thanks for any answers

.......

 

[CRJ200pilot]

Im 121 Captain at "no name" airline. I have 3500 total time, and My Dad and My Brother are at Continental....The recuiter says Im on the short list at CAL, But times have changed and I have 40 years to give to a Company. I would live in Houston and be based at home if I went to CAL.

My question is......since I have an "in" at CAL, should I try my luck and go to the Major, or go to NETJETS, because all I hear are great things about that place. Im 24 and have a long career, and I never want to commute ever again. thanks