NJA's Newest FO Bid and Which Domicile

[imacdog]

Looking at the contract, it looks like a two-year lock in the equipment initially assigned from the company, starting on your hire date.

 

[On Your Six]

Looking at the contract, it looks like a two-year lock in the equipment initially assigned from the company, starting on your hire date.

Were you assigned a type yet? I am surprised that no Excels were offered on that list given that the Excel fleet is among the busiest...

 

[imacdog]

Yes, I was given an aircraft type (XL) and domicile with the job offer. I imagine that by accepting the offer I would be considered to be assigned to that aircraft and not able to bid off it before my training begins on it (not that I'm thinking about it, just sayin').

 

[NJA bound]

with the two year seat lock for FOs transferring airplanes, do you see much in the way of FOs bidding on these vacancy bids?

Upgrades have been consistant at 24 months with the company for the past year, so it wouldn't make sense for an FO to bid FO on another type after his initial 2 year seatlock is up, and be seatlocked for two more years and not be able to upgrade.

 

[B +]

Have you asked if you could wait for a later class at the same domicile? If you really want to avoid the Beechjet that might be the way to do it - it doesn't hurt to ask - right? That being said, seniority is everything from what I have heard. If you compare the Beechjet to the X in terms of schedule, it is like comparing night and day - the X crews are evidently worked like slaves... Multiple transcon flights per tour - that would be exhausting in that tight cockpit.

I'd say enjoy your "rest" on the Beechjet before you get a busier fleet down the line... Let us know how it pans out for you.

Yes the X deserves the "slave ship" moniker. I just got off a tour with 5 overtime days. One day was LAS-TEB-CRQ. Last tour I had a SUS-SMO-PHL-HPN day. That was nine hours block in a twelve hour duty day.

Of course the extra bucks from overtime plus plenty of AV trip points and Atlantic bucks from all the fuel is nice. I think that sitting around the FBO on hot spare makes the time go slow and the week seems longer.

 

[be-400xpdriver]

When can FOs start bidding these? When does the equipment lock begin- on day one of company training or on day one of aircraft training? Would it be possible to start company training and then bid to another aircraft before beginning aircraft training- which in my case will be exactly 1 month from the day that I start company training. I'm slated for the BE400 right now and would like to switch to a busier fleet if possible.

These slot are only offered to current pilots at netjets. When you get hired you get what they offer you. You can not bid into another fleet as an fo until you two year seat lock is up, unless a class 4 or 5 aircraft. Your original seat lock begins on your first day of work at netjets, regardless if thats company indoc or if you go to the sim first.

 

[fischman]

Yes the X deserves the "slave ship" moniker. I just got off a tour with 5 overtime days. One day was LAS-TEB-CRQ. Last tour I had a SUS-SMO-PHL-HPN day. That was nine hours block in a twelve hour duty day.

Of course the extra bucks from overtime plus plenty of AV trip points and Atlantic bucks from all the fuel is nice. I think that sitting around the FBO on hot spare makes the time go slow and the week seems longer.

I hear guys say this all the time and I got to tell you, I don't get it. I have no problem sitting around watching TV and getting paid. I'll sit hot spare all week. Personal choice I guess.

 

[Buddro]

Hope it stays that way...

Upgrades have been consistant at 24 months with the company for the past year, so it wouldn't make sense for an FO to bid FO on another type after his initial 2 year seatlock is up, and be seatlocked for two more years and not be able to upgrade.

For the past 12 - 18 months....yes the upgrades have gone at 24 months. Will they continue at the current pace, that is the million dollar question? I certainly hope so (I have a year until upgrade). When will the "music stop" at Netjets? That is what I am most concerned about. I honestly think that pilots hired within 6 - 12 months from now will be the long term FO's. The folks in recruiting need to stop lying to get people here....otherwise attrition will continue at the current rate (which is unacceptable).

 

[On Your Six]

XLS vs XL

Someone asked this question earlier but I thought I'd ask it again. How many XLS does Netjets currently operate vs the regular XL? Will the XLS replace all existing XLs - and by when?

 

[johnsonrod]

I personally wouldn't mind the Beechjet. After years of regional flying, I could use some FBO downtime.

I hear the Sovereign fleet is getting a lot busier. It looks like a great aircraft to fly, but with its long legs, that cockpit can get real tight real fast - just like the X. I am surprised the list didn't have any Hawker positions either.