Strike/Netjets

[AirBear8]

We had 15 pilots quit in January and so far in February we're up to 10 that have bailed. That's with an expectation of a fairly large retro check / signing bonus and they're still quitting. That should tell you something right there.

The company was able to get 20 pilots to stay in training in January. I haven't seen the February numbers yet. One of the applicants posted on this board that at the most recent job fair he attended, the NetJets table looked like a ghost town while all others had lines. Knowing that we're at least 400 pilots short right now, How long will it take them to get there with a net gain of 5 pilots a month?

The company has to get this contract done for more reasons than just worrying about a strike. They can't recruit enough qualified applicants right now - what makes you think things will be easier if we go out on strike?

I hope you're right about the number of pilots leaving. But NJA is still being a bit picky in the interview process. They sure make you jump through a lot of hoops. (online test, 1.5 day interview process, etc.) I've talked to some who have interviewed in the past few weeks. One guy's sim partner was turned down because of his sim ride but told he could reapply in 6 months and only have to take the sim over again and not the rest of the process. So they can't be that desperate for warm bodies. Hell, I've got 10,000+ hours and I haven't done a NDB hold without a glass cockpit and FMS to figure it for me in over a decade. Even on our checkrides we use the FMS and autopilot for holding and the initial part of the approach. So despite all my experience I could easily bust the sim.

NJA's problem at the job fair was that there were 2 groups of pilots; ex-major airline types and youngsters looking for a $16K/yr RJ right seat. There were even outfits like Cape Air with a booth at the fair. The ex-majors were wanting to talk to SWA, AWA, and Cathay Pacific. The youngsters aren't qualified enough for NJA and most the older pilots are holding out for a major. The NJA reps weren't by themselves that much of the time because the job fair wasn't that crowded so once you talked to the airlines I mentioned above some would go around to the booths just to learn about the companies. But I never saw more than 2 or 3 people in line for NJA.

 

[G4dude]

Grim Reaper, I agree. By the way, what do you think of dumping the union, negotiating with Santulli, and see what happens? Works for us at NJI!

 

[NJAFracPilot]

Grim Reaper, I agree. By the way, what do you think of dumping the union, negotiating with Santulli, and see what happens? Works for us at NJI!

I'd give it a try - couldn't do any worse than we're doing now.

 

[bluepost]

I agree that if I was at NJI I would be pretty happy. This is not an attack, BUT any rational person has to realize that some of the benefits NJI realizes are there for the very reason to keep you happy and non-union (7and7 comes to mind). How do you know how BB would treat you if there wasn't a union on this side?

I have seen zero indication that BB or RTS are a Steve Wynn or Herb K...and for the job you guys do at NJI you are underpaid and overworked as well when compared to to top 50% of Gulfstream jobs. IMO RTS isin't doing you any favors except for pissing on us to show you how much worse it could be.

 

[Grizz]

I hope you're right about the number of pilots leaving.

Seeing as I have the attrition list right in front of me, I'm pretty sure my numbers are correct. In the next day or so, I'll have the new seniority list and see how many they added in February. That will give a clear indication of how well their efforts are going.

 

[Grizz]

G4,

Since Grim Reaper doesn't work for NJA - why are you asking him questions about our representation?

 

[Grizz]

I know we at NJI would enthusiastically help keep things going

Spoken like a true scab.

 

[G4dude]

I agree that if I was at NJI I would be pretty happy. This is not an attack, BUT any rational person has to realize that some of the benefits NJI realizes are there for the very reason to keep you happy and non-union (7and7 comes to mind). How do you know how BB would treat you if there wasn't a union on this side?

I have seen zero indication that BB or RTS are a Steve Wynn or Herb K...and for the job you guys do at NJI you are underpaid and overworked as well when compared to to top 50% of Gulfstream jobs. IMO RTS isin't doing you any favors except for pissing on us to show you how much worse it could be.

I am generally in agreement, but here is a thought: Dump the union, see what Santulli does, and you are not happy, get a union back in again. You are in no worse shape than you are now. Those of us at NJI feel the union is the wrong answer to the right question. In other words, the union is the problem, not the solution. The leverage you have against Santulli is the threat to go union if he doesn't make you happy, which is precisely one of the reasons why we are treated rather well in Hilton Head.

 

[G4dude]

G4,

Since Grim Reaper doesn't work for NJA - why are you asking him questions about our representation?

My questions are general, more philosophical than specific about representation. I see so many unhappy NJA pilots, I wish it all would work out well for everyone.

 

[Diesel]

Hey G4dude next time your in the ES at TEB and find yourself in NJA's crewroom you will want to thank the union.

So let's see. Give up the union. No contract. Let the company do to us what they feel like. Change our schedule. Change our work rules. No thanks. I'll pass on that.

You might want to ask the FLOPS guys about some of the changes that managment are imposing on the pilots.

Don't be fooled. You don't have it so good because your non union. You have it so good because santulli likes to pit the two companies against each other.