I think this thread should probably be allowed to die a semi-peaceful death, while it still can.
Here's the long and short of it: What we're doing at Netjets has never been done before. Can anyone remember or name a time when a group of pilots, flying private jets, considered or actually went on strike? This is virgin territory. And it's outcome could set precedent for the entire industry (well, for fractionals, and possibly charters. Probably doesn't mean much to pure corporate operators).
Whether you like NJA or hate it, or are somewhere in between, wouldn't it be nice to see a section of the industry set the bar HIGHER, rather than the direction it's been going for most of the rest of flying? It seems like most of you are routing for the pilots at NJA, and I for one am grateful for the support from folks outside the fractionals.
As for the scab thing, which is what this thread started about, please don't let the attitudes of a few overly emotional pilots make you think that's how ALL NJA pilots feel. As I mentioned before, this is brand new territory we're exploring here. Our union leadership has in no way shape or form, told us who or what would constitute a scab or scabbing. I think I can say, with at least some confidence, that charter operators who fly our clients in the event of a strike would NOT be labeled as scabs. It just doesn't fit the definition. Unless you actually came in and flew our planes. Also, I flew for a charter operator for many years. And I can tell you beyond a doubt that I can't remember a single flight where I, as the pilot, had any idea who had chartered our plane (the passenger, a selloff from another company, a business, etc....), therefore I can't imagine how our pilots or union would be able to determine if NJA had called the charter in or if the client had chartered directly. To label the pilots of those planes as scabs would be ridiculous. And most of our pilots are level-headed enough to realize this. Personally, I'm not too worried about it because there simply isn't enough uplift capacity out there to handle all our flights on any given day, unless the charter companies are willing to ignore their own regular clients entirely.
The only thing I would ask of everyone on this board, although it may seem like they don't deserve it, is to cut the emotional guys a little slack. Please keep in mind that we've been trying for a contract for almost 4 years now. Frustration levels are extremely high. Dumped on by management, practically sold out by our last MEC, co-pilots on food stamps, we are now FINALLY at a point where we're DOING something about it. Tempers are running high,and these types of message boards seem to be the place where folks come to vent. Please don't judge our pilots based on the harsh remarks of a few who seem to be more frustrated than most. I think most of our pilots aren't ready to generalize like that, and appreciate the support.
Finally, I feel the need to comment on one person who has posted recently. Rusty, I gotta tell you, I have only the utmost respect for NJI pilots. You guys have bailed me out of a tough situation on several occasions. I have friends who fly there. I've had one of your pilots ask me to join him and his crew for dinner, and he paid. And as for the single carrier thing, well, I could care less. I flew Gulfstreams for my last company, and truly, they aren't any big deal. A big, stable, easy-to-fly plane. I'm currently on the Citation X, and it's much more challenging to fly than the G-plane. I do a lot of overseas flying on the X. It's more work than domestic flying, but still, big deal. Does that make me an aviation god? Hardly (unless I'm talking to the ladies, then I'm most definitely Sky King!). So when you refer to someone as "little man", I gotta wonder who died and made you the Sky God? What arrogance! I've read a lot of heated arguing on this board, but almost never seen anyone "talk down" to someone else, as if they're a subspecies, like you did. Reality check buddy, you're just another spoke in the Netjets wheel, same as me, same as all the rest of us. Differences of opinion on these message boards are natural, but should still be treated with respect.
Okay, that's my post for the month. Girlfriend is on her way over!
When all this is finished and over with, I hope everyone out there who's struggling in this industry wins!
