What's really up at Flexjet?

[DUATS]

Yeah, can't have all of us furloughed guys calling in to see how things are going. (Or how much they're chartering with 85 of us on the street)

They blocked our bluebelly access while some of us were still on the road, wiped our blackberries without warning a week before they were even due back, and took over a month to pay the half of the per diem that they left out of our last check.

Coming up next it'll be, "what agreement?"

I really liked it there, too.

Yeah, when they cleared out the blackberry I lost all my phone numbers since I was too stupid to put them on the sim card.

I was one of those checking up on the activity - guess I'll have to rely on flightaware. But that doesn't tell me if they are chartering.

Their actions make it appear that they don't expect the 85 to be coming back.

 

[unclepetey]

Yeah, when they cleared out the blackberry I lost all my phone numbers since I was too stupid to put them on the sim card.

I was one of those checking up on the activity - guess I'll have to rely on flightaware. But that doesn't tell me if they are chartering.

Their actions make it appear that they don't expect the 85 to be coming back.

They are still chartering. Its below forecast but barely. Nice to know they would rather charter than bring pilots back. Ops number isnt hard to get.

From what I hear they are looking at expanding to Europe, again. Talk of Globals and 2 new bases, Chicago and D.C. Don't hold your breath.

 

[EatSleepFly]

Yeah, when they cleared out the blackberry I lost all my phone numbers since I was too stupid to put them on the sim card.

Same here. That sure was nice of them.

I'm to the point where I just don't care anymore. At this point I'm hoping to go back to flying boxes for twice the work, half the pay and half the BS.

Good luck all.

 

[FastJP4]

Yeah, can't have all of us furloughed guys calling in to see how things are going. (Or how much they're chartering with 85 of us on the street)

They blocked our bluebelly access while some of us were still on the road, wiped our blackberries without warning a week before they were even due back, and took over a month to pay the half of the per diem that they left out of our last check.

Coming up next it'll be, "what agreement?"

I really liked it there, too.

Is the above what they refer to as "Best in Class". What a joke Flex has become since Greed took over.

 

[Imissmypilot]

When I got the call about my furlough I was told "bad news you're getting furloughed, good news is that we won't furlough anymore this year" What a joke.

I'm not holding my breath on any recall, especially in their two year time frame. They just don't care.

What loser had the stones to actually say that to a guy about to lose his job? Guess he wasn't too worried about paying his own bills. This isn't even close to appropriate.

Between this, the bluebelly, ops number, blackberries and perdiem it's got to make one wonder. Waterview has always been okay being second best to NJA on so many issues, I guess this wasn't too far a leap for them to go from "Best in Class" to low class. I'm just so proud of my company today, just so very very proud... (Sarcasm)

Sorry for all you guys, but I agree it looks like they aren't planning on calling anyone back and are trying to make darn sure anyone who was planning on coming back wouldn't want to. Too big of a risk to bring back people who would pro union as a result of their expereinces. That sux. Plain old sux.

 

[bunman45]

Don't count on recalls guys. I would put money on more layoffs before recalls.

 

[LAZYB]

year or two ago posted on this board (but I can't find it) there was a lot of talk about a few different 60 or 604 guys (I think) who failed their checkrides because the instructor put them in double engine failure on a takeoff from Aspen -- one of them being a former standards capt and the other a pain in the rear... Do you remember any of this? My husband doesn't remember or else I'd provide you with the exact fleet and intials. I think that's the incident a lot of fear and speculation about checkrides come from. Has Flex addressed that issue or done anything to dispel those rumors? It was one instructor and he is no longer.

He was a 45 guy. And he's no longer in the training center.

yeah it was real special :bomb:

I was paired with him, as a relative new hire in the 60, doing my first PC since initial.

Heard stories, before the sim sessions came up, and was kind of apprehensive. Didn't want to be part of any "head hunting" sim checks.

He knew all his stuff...like the font, color, and tones of the memory items ...everything verbatim

Butt my impression was that he was a whole bunch of anal :smash:

 

[flex*wife]

yeah it was real special :bomb:

I was paired with him, as a relative new hire in the 60, doing my first PC since initial.

Heard stories, before the sim sessions came up, and was kind of apprehensive. Didn't want to be part of any "head hunting" sim checks.

He knew all his stuff...like the font, color, and tones of the memory items ...everything verbatim

Butt my impression was that he was a whole bunch of anal :smash:

So there was a 60 crew too? Plus the 45? I guess it WAS more than just one guy... Or what am I not understanding?

 

[flex*wife]

Same here. That sure was nice of them.

I'm to the point where I just don't care anymore. At this point I'm hoping to go back to flying boxes for twice the work, half the pay and half the BS.

Good luck all.

Not to get too personal and I can understand if you don't want to post it, but what was the severence package offered to you guys? Have you ever called your old ACP for an update and if so what was the response?

Good luck with the job hunt - I can only imagine how tough it is right now.

 

[LAZYB]

So there was a 60 crew too? Plus the 45? I guess it WAS more than just one guy... Or what am I not understanding?

No, he was in the 45 training slot and they told him he could go to the line on the 60 or leave...

seems he was not well liked in the 45, or so the story went.

 

[netjetwife]

What loser had the stones to actually say that to a guy about to lose his job? Guess he wasn't too worried about paying his own bills. This isn't even close to appropriate. My thoughts exactly. Tell us it wasn't another pilot, Uncle!

Between this, the bluebelly, ops number, blackberries and perdiem it's got to make one wonder. Waterview has always been okay being second best to NJA on so many issues, I guess this wasn't too far a leap for them to go from "Best in Class" to low class. I'm just so proud of my company today, just so very very proud... (Sarcasm) I think perhaps you guys hadn't put your management to the test before. Then as you started to slip farther behind some of you spoke up...and their true colors came out.

Sorry for all you guys, but I agree it looks like they aren't planning on calling anyone back and are trying to make darn sure anyone who was planning on coming back wouldn't want to. Too big of a risk to bring back people who would pro union as a result of their expereinces. That sux. Plain old sux.

If that's the case then Flex management has buried their heads in the sand. Or they're expecting the rest of your pilotgroup to wear blinders .. Too late. They're lack of respect for pilots and complete disregard for their families has now been made plain for all to see. The rest of you don't have to get furloughed to know that you need to stand together and represent your interests yourselves. Management might try to issue blinders and a gag as part of your Flex uniform, but knowing pilots, I can't see you guys wearing those. Best Wishes! NJW

 

[netjetwife]

Not to get too personal and I can understand if you don't want to post it, but what was the severence package offered to you guys? Have you ever called your old ACP for an update and if so what was the response?

Good luck with the job hunt - I can only imagine how tough it is right now.

ESF, while I echo FW's sentiments, I'm not as shy, apparently, when it comes to asking pilots to share info with the rest of us. Considering the economic situation right now, lots of frac families are nervous and I think it will help to have a candid discussion about the situation. I know that many NJ pilots/families have a tough decision coming up--do they take the offered 3 yr leave at 1k a month plus benefits or risk being furloughed and getting only the severance package. For comparison, at NJA those off probation would get 2-4 months pay, depending on yrs of service; benefits for 2-4 mos, accordingly, also. In the interest of knowing where we all stand, I think it helps to compare notes. The NJA pilots get unlimited recall rights so that makes unlimited the industry standard. The Flex 85 could mention that to management. Perhaps they would see the light and give you guys an extension. Remember, you don't get what you don't ask for... Good Luck to you and yours! NJW

 

[Ludicris]

Netjetwife, I recall a while back you said that you weren't going to post in Flexjet threads anymore. What happened with that?

 

[unclepetey]

What loser had the stones to actually say that to a guy about to lose his job? Guess he wasn't too worried about paying his own bills. This isn't even close to appropriate.

An ACP.

 

[unclepetey]

Not to get too personal and I can understand if you don't want to post it, but what was the severence package offered to you guys? Have you ever called your old ACP for an update and if so what was the response?

Good luck with the job hunt - I can only imagine how tough it is right now.

Considering the fact that they don't have to give you anything, I felt the severence package was pretty good. Couple months of pay, unused vacation, money for COBRA(which is insanely expensive) and we also got the bonus for last year.

I heard FR say that he hopes business will improve so that they can hire again. He didn't say anything about recalling. I'm sure he knows the difference as this isn't his first furlough.

All the BS about the company clearing blackberries and all the other stuff is really unfortunate. Taking bluebelly access away while you are still employed is a low blow. They trust you to fly their airplane but access to the website is a no-no.

Flex has always been very secretive in almost everything they do(maybe from all the times they have been sued and lost). Especially now, nobody knows who's getting canned next.

It would be easy to forget all this BS if there were other jobs available, but there is nothing out there. I knew my job search was getting desperate when I applied to Chuck E Cheese, no joke.

 

[DUATS]

money for COBRA(which is insanely expensive) .

You do know that the Economic Stimulus package included a provision that pays 65% of your COBRA cost for 9 months?

Big savings courtesy Uncle Obama.

 

[flex*wife]

Netjetwife, I recall a while back you said that you weren't going to post in Flexjet threads anymore. What happened with that?

I for one am happy to have her here. I started this thread because families are being affected and are trying to sort this mess out and plan their futures. The voice of reason and experience from someone who's been there, done that is invaluable to those of us looking for ways to overcome the hardships and move all flex families into an atomsphere where pilots have a fighting chance against a system that obviously undervalues them. That includes furloughed families as well and the big fractional picture superceeds this as an issue of her being in a flex thread.

If I didn't know better I'd say it seems ya'll big boys are a liitle threatened by sharing the playground with the honey bunnies for fear we might just turn out to prove ourselves invaluable to the process, but I've heard from some very bright and thoughtful joes, married and otherwise who seem to get it. Thanks for that guys!

 

[flex*wife]

You do know that the Economic Stimulus package included a provision that pays 65% of your COBRA cost for 9 months?

Big savings courtesy Uncle Obama.

That's awesome news for some of us for whom the insurance is a top priority. This is perhaps the only good thing frac pilots might get out ofthis administration. Question though. If Flex provides the $$ with the intent of it being used for Cobra do you still qualify or do you have to prove it was a truly out of pocket expense?

Is there a thread on FI that provides little tidbits of help like this to furloughed pilots/fas or other workers? There should be...

 

[Ludicris]

Flexwife, this forum is for PILOTS. Go find someone else's business to poke your nose in.

 

[bunman45]

Flexwife, this forum is for PILOTS. Go find someone else's business to poke your nose in.

Another empty kitchen.

 

[dbman]

Flexwife, this forum is for PILOTS. Go find someone else's business to poke your nose in.

Another empty kitchen.

With all due respect to both of you considering I also had a little fun poking my stick at her in this thread, FI is not a fourum for pilots only and wives sometimes get to have their say too. As she sais its her thread so just don't read it if you dont want her opinion. It at least make it enttertaining and taking anything on here too seriously is crazy. There is a pilots only site if your that concerned, but I like the diversity. How do we even know ur a pilot? Cuz you paid your 10 bucks?

She's right. Flex does suck right now and she's held her own against a pretty tough crowd. Or are we not allowed to to admit that here on belly#2?

 

[unclepetey]

That's awesome news for some of us for whom the insurance is a top priority. This is perhaps the only good thing frac pilots might get out ofthis administration. Question though. If Flex provides the $$ with the intent of it being used for Cobra do you still qualify or do you have to prove it was a truly out of pocket expense?

Is there a thread on FI that provides little tidbits of help like this to furloughed pilots/fas or other workers? There should be...

I'm not sure what you're asking but you can do whatever you want with the Cobra money. We pocketed it since the wife has insurance from work.

 

[netjetwife]

Netjetwife, I recall a while back you said that you weren't going to post in Flexjet threads anymore. What happened with that?

Correction: I agreed to stay out of one particular thread. It's easy to see how sayings get started; I gave an inch and you're trying to take a mile...

I feel very strongly that the family perspective needs to be represented in frac discussions. Naturally, I am pleased to have a counterpart in Flexwife and want to discuss the issues affecting our families. As she is the one who started this thread (hint,hint), I felt confident that another wife would welcome me to her table. Based on her welcoming post (thanks FW!) my instincts were right.

 

[netjetwife]

Db, you beat me to it. This is a fractional information forum and FW and I are both definitely affected by current events in the frac industry. Thanks for standing up for diversity. I agree (obviously..) that it's good to hear different perspectives, not just from various roles, but also from among the different frac companies. I think a lot can be learned from comparing notes. BTW, what is a "belly#2"? I'm not familiar with that term. Since I'm going to pay neighborly visits to FW's threads, I need to pick up some Flex lingo...

 

[Ludicris]

Netjetwife, you are a housewife that sits around all day posting on a pilot forum. 2334 posts? Sheesh - your life must be really boring.

 

[glasspilot]

Question though. If Flex provides the $$ with the intent of it being used for Cobra do you still qualify or do you have to prove it was a truly out of pocket expense?

Is there a thread on FI that provides little tidbits of help like this to furloughed pilots/fas or other workers? There should be...

If the government is going to pay why would you want the company money too?

 

[netjetwife]

Ludicris, far too many of those posts (add one more...) were made countering the discrimination displayed on this thread. Frac wives are a fundamental part of the support structure and their voices deserve to be heard. Most of the pilots here do recognize that fact and I have helped to answer questions many times when prospective frac pilots asked about the lifestyle and it's affect on wives and children.

The NJA pilots have been through contract negotiations twice since I joined FI. I had a vested interest in the outcome so it is perfectly logical that I wanted to participate in the many discussions that directly related to my family. I gave them moral support every step of the way. In the course of those discussions I encouraged pilots from the other fracs to support the NJA pilots in their endeavor to raise the bar; likewise, I also encouraged them to stand up for themselves. Consequently, when the Flt Ops pilotgroup started their card drive, I made a point of showing support for their cause, too, particularly when some of them asked me to. It would have been hypocritical not to, and I was glad to do it as their cause is justified and their efforts will make the industry better for all of our families.

Many posts were also made countering the smear campaigns run by the anti-union faction that constantly takes pot shots at Union volunteers. Considering that my husband is a leader of NJASAP, I have a good understanding of how Unions work and my sense of fairness compels me to set the record straight. Last year my family was one of those from NJA that led the movement to leave the IBT and set up an in-house Union. That process, naturally, involved a lot of discussions, weighing the pros and cons. NJ families again have a big decision to make, this time regarding the furlough mitigation package jointly designed by NJASAP and the Company. There's a lot to talk over and the outcome will have a profound impact on wives and children. Thus, it is only right for wives to participate in the process.

I see FI as an online community for frac pilots and their families and I enjoy the friendships I have made here. None of my actual neighbors understand the lifestyle and the issues facing frac families like my (virtual neighbors) fellow FI board members do. The lifestyle is often demanding and it helps to support one another, especially these days when many frac families are being negatively affected by the economic recession. My thanks to those of you who share my vision of FlightInfo as a diverse, friendly place to share and gather information on the fractional issues which affect all of us associated with the industry. Have a good weekend everybody...
Respectfully,
NJW/LB

 

[Ludicris]

Yawn :laugh:

 

[GSXR600]

Seriously NJWIFE, I hate to agree with ludicris, but your whole 2336 post are all about NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NJ NJASP NJASA NJASAP Come on now! Throw some spice at the conversation with all due respect and change the subject now. You sound like a broken record already. I think you are a very intelligent woman and must like to talk about other things besides NJASAP….

You can flame on now!

 

[DUATS]

That's awesome news for some of us for whom the insurance is a top priority. This is perhaps the only good thing frac pilots might get out ofthis administration. Question though. If Flex provides the $$ with the intent of it being used for Cobra do you still qualify or do you have to prove it was a truly out of pocket expense?

Is there a thread on FI that provides little tidbits of help like this to furloughed pilots/fas or other workers? There should be...

Flex provided an amount of cash that you could use for COBRA or anything else that you want. So to claim the benefit, you just need to complete a one page form and sent it to the company collecting the COBRA money.

Same with the severence; it was the equivelent of pay for a specified period - not pay. This meant that the Flex 85 were eligible for unemployment from Day 1 despite the severence (at least in my state).