What's really up at Flexjet?

[QOL_is_great:)]

I think the mistakes you have made are subtle.... You slip by using pilot "lingo" here and there in your posts. For example using TEB instead of Teterboro. Its sort of like someone from NYC trying to hide that fact by faking a Mississippi accent. My wife was an Air Force flight nurse on C-130s and C-141 ... she wouldn't use TEB in a post.

Of course, if you happen to be a private pilot or have some other aviation background ... that would explain why you could sound like a pilot trying to cover up that fact.

On the other hand ... you write and spell too well to actually be a pilot. :laugh:

Come on Gunfyter, if you were a Cobra driver at one time (Corp or Army) and married while serving then you know that Household Six (Army reference) picks up on things. Hell, when I text my wife and tell her where I am I don't use complete spelling. I use three letter IDs like TEB or OWB or DAL. She knows to much military and aviation slang by now and makes life easy when writing.

Even if it isn't a woman, I believe it is, then who cares!! Let's find out what is really going on within Flex. If I say 'HEY' to one on the road then I'd like to know why I don't receive a friendly 'how's it going' back. These brothers need to find a hope during their day.

 

[Club ORD FO]

I'm not so sure about recalls in the fall. They said that if we get busy again, they are going to increase the number of days we work before they recall. So I guess that will be the first sign of things improving.

 

[unclepetey]

I'm not so sure about recalls in the fall. They said that if we get busy again, they are going to increase the number of days we work before they recall. So I guess that will be the first sign of things improving.

I agree, they said right after the furloughs that they might increase the days back to 16 in the fall for the busy season.

I say leave it at 14 and bring some people back, but that won't happen. At some point there has to be some attrition I hope. Even in bad times there are people moving on to something else.

 

[FastJP4]

I'm not so sure about recalls in the fall. They said that if we get busy again, they are going to increase the number of days we work before they recall. So I guess that will be the first sign of things improving.

As bad as things are, the furloughed Flex guys have a better chance getting a job "out there" vs. getting back with Flex. Current live numbers are dismal to put it mildly. If/when they start to pick up - they will increase back to 16 per period. After that, they will pay OT in addition to the 16 if flying increases further - and rest assured those picking up OT could care less about those on the street.

Nope, if your one of the Flex 85 - best be looking elsewhere. The two year recall (can you say lame) will come and go before call backs. You guys should look at FG's history - it's there for the reading.

The once decent Flex job will continue to spiral down the $hitter as long as FG is there and the upper 1/2 of the list stays intact.

 

[netjetwife]

Only a 2 yr recall?! Yes, I can say lame. For comparison, when my husband was furloughed from AA (brief stint ended by 9-11) the pilots got a 7 yr recall. Closer to home, NJA pilots have unlimited recall rights. 2 yrs isn't just lame, it's downright lousy!

I'm afraid that Fast is right. 2 yrs probably isn't enough time for the recovery. The long term leave of absence (LTLOA) being offered at NJA is 3 yrs. It was designed with an eye toward the junior pilots most at risk of being furloughed. Considering that the LTLOA will pay 1K a month plus benefits, I don't think NJA would have agreed to 3 yrs if it was possible to recover in 2. I can never understand why some managers won't do the right thing (long recall) even when there's little or no cost...

My sympathy to the Flex 85 and their families.
Netjetwife

 

[GSXR600]

Rumor has it that the training department is tightening standards pretty hard too, which led to let go a couple guys as well that couldn't pass pc's. Is this true?
or is this just a rumor resulting from a lot of standby?

 

[FalconPilot69]

How can the training center be "tightening" standards? Yes, there were some failed rides that resulted in TRB's. But ask yourself this question, do you want piss poor pilots gone that have possibly had multiple problems or do you want a Colgan accident? (RIP) Every time I go through for my ride, I am held to the same standards that I was held to when I was hired. Those guys have some of the hardest jobs in the company. They have to train and do checkrides on guys who are not only fellow pilots, but in a lot of cases good friends. I don't know about you, but I would not want to have to bust a friend and cost them their job. Also, if you look at your requirements for an ATP ride or even break open the regs and read the 135.293 and 297 requirements, you will know exactly what they can and cannot do to you.

As far as Flexwife, welcome aboard. Yes, standby for some has been heavy and for some insignficant. I check the ops report daily and the only time I have heard of charter is when we had 8 to 10 aircraft downed within a couple of hours of each other. People here are being very quiet waiting for the next shoe to drop. As far as the CAB goes, next question. With the exception of one person on the CAB, who by the way is not AH or BB, it is a joke. Those guys are in search of nothing but power and hopefully, they will never gain any. Thankfully I think we have some good ACP's and the CP wants to make things better, but his hands may be tied. I have not heard of any OT, but if there is any, it is most likely on the 300. I too hope to see our 85 back soon. Business will have to pick up dramatically for that to happen though. As one said earlier it will most likely not happen until later 2010.

I don't know if this helps answer your questions and maybe other flex guys/gals will not worry about your sexual orientation but answer the questions.

Rumor has it that the training department is tightening standards pretty hard too, which led to let go a couple guys as well that couldn't pass pc's. Is this true?
or is this just a rumor resulting from a lot of standby?

 

[GSXR600]

Dude relax!!! No need to get upset, that’s why I was asking, this is after all FI, but I guess I hurt your feelings.
I totally agreed with you about the instructor’s job and I wouldn’t want to be on their shoes when a friend goes thru training and they have to make hard decisions. By NO means was I trying to criticize our brothers for having trouble with a training event. Hell I’d had issues before. No need to flame!!

 

[netjetwife]

flex*wife, if it matters, i hope i one day have a wife who gives 10% the sh!t you do.. good on ya.. kudos to you too NJW.

Bmxandjets, thanks for the compliment... Your positive, inclusive attitude bodes well for your future marriage. Like any good partnership, support for one another is critical so that means paying attention to the issues. You've already got that figured out so your future bride will be a lucky lady.
Best Wishes!
NJW

 

[Propilot77]

Only a 2 yr recall?! Yes, I can say lame. For comparison, when my husband was furloughed from AA (brief stint ended by 9-11) the pilots got a 7 yr recall. Closer to home, NJA pilots have unlimited recall rights. 2 yrs isn't just lame, it's downright lousy!

I'm afraid that Fast is right. 2 yrs probably isn't enough time for the recovery. The long term leave of absence (LTLOA) being offered at NJA is 3 yrs. It was designed with an eye toward the junior pilots most at risk of being furloughed. Considering that the LTLOA will pay 1K a month plus benefits, I don't think NJA would have agreed to 3 yrs if it was possible to recover in 2. I can never understand why some managers won't do the right thing (long recall) even when there's little or no cost...

My sympathy to the Flex 85 and their families.
Netjetwife

Thats because it isn't and they do not have any plans on calling them back because they don't care! Even Citation shares didn't put a time limit on recalls.