QOL on NJA XL

[Seat 0A]

I am a PIC in the XL. Been in the fleet over 3 years. Still haven't logged more than 450 hours in a year. Was in the Ultra/Encore prior to the XL and never saw more than 480 hours in a year.

I will say this, SOME folks will do everything they can to complete the "mission". (e.g. I know of an IOE Captain flying with a discrepancy for 3 days. He wanted to "just get the pax to their destination" and get it fixed afterwards........That went on for the next 3 days). The list goes on.

I DO NOT fly a broken plane. Maybe that has something to do with the hours? Who knows. I do find that if you take your time, do what's RIGHT and SAFE, the day at NJA is not bad. Yes, you might NOT be able to make that next pax pickup on time, tough sh*t, not my problem. If you hear anyone bitching about working too hard then they are bringing it upon themselves.

Although it is fun sometimes to watch another crew do an 18 minute turn, running around like a chicken with it's head cut off.

 

[On Your Six]

So, is it true that the XL fleet is the "busiest" fleet or would you say the X fleet takes the title? Clearly the X's fly longer flights and you could argue those crews could be among the most tired...

 

[DO-82 driver]

The XL will do more legs most are shorter in duration

The XL is the perfect entry plane for newer customers and the Marquis stuff. Even though Marquis can not sell anymore XL for a while longer because we simply don't have enough of them. It will be the first 100 a/c fleet for NetJets. Its an extremely popular plane.

The X can cover everything in the fleet....The XL can't cover flights for other a/c other than the 560's and 400XP's. Even though we will do trips for the other fleets when the owner is presented with the fact that an XL is ready now to take them or they can wait several hours for something larger.

The X does longer legs and can cross more time zones in the course of a day.

The X does more out of the country stuff too.....which can be a pain in the neck from a mental point of view. More paperwork, handlers, communication with the Company. I prefer to stay within the US and maybe go to Canada....You can keep the Islands (Floating Beggars).

The X's are beautiful planes but they are getting old and are begining to show their service...

The XL/XL's are a bit newer and , though they have some issues too, are less prone to the "Age Gremlins".

Plus...I think the XL's cockpit is a bit more roomy....The X has alot of needed stuff in it...kind of cramped from what others say.

Just my thoughts

 

[hydrarkt]

Well, I flew the X at NJA for 2.5 years and am now in the XL/XLS. The X DEFINATELY flies more. You will fly as many legs in the X as the XL AND the legs will be longer. I was more tired at the end of a day when flying the X than I am in the XL.
The newer XLs and XLSs have better seats and there is a little more room in the cockpit. I also like that I don't have to babysit the airplane like I did in the X. I like just shutting the entire airplane down upon arrival...in the X we left the APU running a lot... which requires a babysitter.
Also, until year 9, you will make more money in the XL/XLS because of "difference pay" of $300/month.