Nja News

[MILPILOT]

Dear Flight Gods...please let me get that interview and job offer. I promise not to go to any more strip clubs or drink too much or look at FBO girls.

Okay, about the promises, can we forego those and just get me the job?

Your faithful servant, Amen.

This is the best post I've seen in a long time!!...I know your pain.

 

[theskyking]

I think an owner would be a little upset, if minutes before departure you grounded (or delayed) the plane for a burned out reading light for a day time flight. Obviously, if it is a "safety of flight" issue, by all means write it up. But I really think the owners dont care about "non airworthiness items" cancelling or delaying flights. This is why there is the "go-to guys". These guys understand the need of the owners.

If it's MELable, then write it up, MEL it, and be on your way a few minutes late. IF it's not MELable, then there is a reason for that. Write it up, cx the flight, and let owner services deal with the owner. I'm not paid to fly broken airplanes. My certificate is worth more than an owner's inconvenience. And truth be told, the owner's generally appreciate this attention to detail and the safety that comes with it.

 

[RNObased]

This is why there is the "go-to guys". These guys understand the need of the owners.

I noticed you ignored my defination of a go to guy and continue to write this dripple. Too funny, paint it anyway you want. There are guys who do the job day in day out, while YOUR GO TO GUYS are CHERRY PICKING the good trips. Has nothing to do with who writes what up. It has to do with back rooms deals, a wink, a nod and a secret handshake. Not who "understands the need of the owners" what crap.

 

[fischman]

I think an owner would be a little upset, if minutes before departure you grounded (or delayed) the plane for a burned out reading light for a day time flight. Obviously, if it is a "safety of flight" issue, by all means write it up. But I really think the owners don't care about "non airworthiness items" canceling or delaying flights. This is why there is the "go-to guys". These guys understand the need of the owners.

How long does an MEL take? Will the owner support me and my family if I lost my ticket because I didn't write up a light bulb and a fed caught wind of it? If it is broken write it up. That is what NJA (or whatever company you work for) wants you to do. That is what the feds require you to do.

If it is a grounding item, then you shouldn't fly it anyway. That is why scheduling has crews on hot spare. The owners might be annoyed in the short term, but they bought into a program for convenience, SAFETY, and prestige. Overall, that is what we provide. (Not just NetJets, but the fractional industry overall. But mostly NetJets ).

 

[Fozzy]

Are you a pilot? I am very confused by your posts.

 

[fischman]

Are you a pilot? I am very confused by your posts.

Naw. I'm not divorced yet.

Been furloughed though. Does that count?

 

[dudemize]

Great job! I hear the Excel is a good but busy fleet. I have heard great things about flying the XLS specifically.

Good luck with your decision (personally, I'd take Netjets with the 7/7 and the great pay/benefits - I've heard JetBlue's schedules are brutal on the Bus.)

Man is this NJA/JetBlue thing is a tough choice. My wife broke down last night at just the thought of me being gone every other week. That has me rethinking things a little bit. I think the 7 days gone might be a little too much for the wife and little one. The flexibility of an airline schedule is nice too.

I think JetBlue is definitely higher risk than NJA however. NetJets has so many nice benefits too. Ok now I really wish I had only gotten one offer so I don't have to make this choice. Maybe I should just take the earliest training date which would be JetBlue. sigh

 

[imacdog]

Keep in mind with NetJets that if you stay on the reserve schedule, you will have the opportunity to bid for specific days off each month, and have the possibility for shorter than seven-day trips. Bids come out once a quarter for the different schedules, so on the 7/7 schedule (depending on fleet type), you can change your start days to accomodate different holidays or events. With either job, you will be away from home a fair amount. Neither is going to be your typical 9-5.

 

[dudemize]

Is it typical to get trips shorter than 7 days?

 

[fischman]

Is it typical to get trips shorter than 7 days?

It can be. Remember to pack for 7 unless you have hard days.

I'm on the 7&7 schedule and have 2 young kids at home. I'm not going to lie to you. It took a little to get used to (about a month), but being home for 7 days is awesome.

Of course, if you don't live in a domicile you are going to have to spend some of your off days commuting. sux.

 

[RNObased]

Is it typical to get trips shorter than 7 days?

On the reserve yes it is. Keep in mind if they work you 7 in a row they have to give you 4 off and they hate that. You will be gone more in a month then a 7/7 guy, but you get paided more. I'm on the reserve and haven't worked a 7 day tour in three months. Lots of short tours which is good and bad.

 

[pilotpat]

This is the best post I've seen in a long time!!...I know your pain.

I'm glad someone else understands...:beer:

 

[johnsonrod]

Man is this NJA/JetBlue thing is a tough choice. My wife broke down last night at just the thought of me being gone every other week. That has me rethinking things a little bit. I think the 7 days gone might be a little too much for the wife and little one. The flexibility of an airline schedule is nice too.

I think JetBlue is definitely higher risk than NJA however. NetJets has so many nice benefits too. Ok now I really wish I had only gotten one offer so I don't have to make this choice. Maybe I should just take the earliest training date which would be JetBlue. sigh

Tough choice (both options are good) but I personally would take Netjets if given both options. When you think about it, with 7/7 if you take a week off during a month you would get three weeks off in a row. I too have heard that the Jetblue schedules on the Airbus can be brutal (transcons with day-rests and then another transcon the following night are very common - and the LGB base is even worse if you want the West Coast base). Being home 7 days in a row is long enough so that your wife won't want to see you for another week... Also, do you want variety of flying or the same routes over and over again? Let us know which path you choose - good luck!

 

[BeechScrub]

Also keep in mind the benefits package at each carrier. From talking to my buds at JetBlue, their insurance really sux and their 401K leaves a lot to be desired as well. Obviously, JetBlue is still a new carrier and a lot can change over time, but from what I've seen, NetJets' benefits can meet or beat any other company I've seen. At JetBlue, you'll obviously have the flight bennies, so maybe that evens it out. For me, going to NJA will be a $300/month raise just cuz I don't pay for my insurance. The 7/7 sched is exactly what I want as well.

A good friend of mine has been at JetBlue since August and is very happy flying the Bus. He just got a hard line in JFK which had less days off than he was getting on reserve. He bids for overnights in the city he lives, so he averages another 2-3 nights at home doing that. From what he's told me, if you're on reserve, they let you choose a 6/4, 5/3, or 4/2 schedule with all late starts/early finishes on the first/last day.

 

[pilotpat]

Agreed BeechScrub, my bud is also at JB and he says family cost is like 300 bills. NJ is 100% paid by the company. Also, your wife might be upset at the 7 days away, but when you figure you're probably gonna sit reserve in JFK for a couple months, well, I'm liking the NJ idea. My bud got off reserve in like 3 months two years ago, so I don't know what its like now, but he drove to JFK to sit at his crash pad, and figured he'd been away for 5-6 days anyway. Then he'd get 3 or 4 days off. 7 off sounds pretty good after your 7 on.

Though, my wife just wants me to get away from the, oh, you're working for the next 2 weeks and then we'll see what happens, schedule.