where is njaowner?

[netjetwife]

A few questions please---

NJAowner, what is your position on tipping the pilots? Would you be embarrassed if it became public knowledge that one of your flight crew receives government assistance? Do you find it misleading to be told that there are two captains in every plane, when in reality there is one captain and one first officer that is forced to have a captain's rating but is paid much less than some of the limo drivers? I have no problem believing that you are an owner, as I truly am a wife.
Netjetwife

 

[NJAowner]

Tips

NetJetWife - I have covered the tips dicussion on the board several times in the past. But, I am flying next week and may try to get some feedback on this with a trial balloon. Please help me and I may try it.

How much do I tip the Capt and F.O.? Should I give the Capt. more? $50 each, $100 each?? 15% of the cost of my hourly fee for the flight (this I will not agree to)? 18% if I have a party of 6 or more on the flight? 15% of the onboard catering bill?

I am not being sarcastic. What do you expect your husband to receive as a tip and what would you (or he) consider insulting?

Thanks.

(Please tell him to ) Fly safe.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Hey Lady,

let it go.

How dumb are you to think the folks in back give 2 $hits about your husband. (nor should they). He pays good money to get from point A to point B - that is it. The guy pays for a SERVICE - yeah, its a little strange that he spends time on a pilot website - which as others said, makes one think he is fake...but whatever...

If hubby aint makin enough money to put steaks in the freezer tell him to get a better freakin' job or drag your annoying a$$ off the computer and go to work. Your personal finance problems are not the clients problems.

Dont worry, the gubament will put cheese in your hand, not NJAOWNER.

 

[netjetwife]

Thank you owner for asking.

NJAOwner...notice I didn't include the rest of you......I told my husband of your post and we discussed the tipping situation. He insists there is no set formula that the owners could/should follow, just some basic guidelines. The flightcrew is tipped as one, usually handed to the Captain, who splits it evenly w/the first officer. My husband has "caught the tip" a few times because he is the first one off the plane. Tips run between $50-$200, total for the flight. My husband has only received one $100 tip. There are some factors the owners can consider in setting the amount: Size of party; extra welcome/attention shown to a child; number of bags; amount of catering served; extra flights/legs by the same owner; and service above and beyond duty, such as calling ahead to arrange ground transportation. Additionally, the degree of flying difficulty should be reflected in the tip. Flying in bad weather and/or landing on challenging runways, like those seen in the mountains, would suggest a larger tip/recognition of the effort expended by the flightcrew. The only thing my husband finds insulting is watching the owner tip all of the line guys while he and the Captain are ignored, irregardless of the extra efforts they have gone to on behalf of their passengers. My husband averages one tip in two months time. As with many things in life, it's not just the money, but the appreciation and recognition that goes with tipping which makes the difference in his feelings about the job he performs. Those are the points my husband made in our discussion.

From my perspective, I'd like you to know what happens to those tips. My husband gives them to me to use as "petty cash" for running the household. The money is used for basics such as gas in my car, lunch money for our son, and small amounts of groceries---milk, bread, juice, etc.--those items you run out of frequently. Every tip is appreciated by my family. Yes my husband is a professional, and I realize that there are those that feel he shouldn't be tipped as such. However, he does perform other tasks of a personal nature outside of flying, he makes an effort to be friendly that is not required, and he IS
(embarassingly so) underpaid at $28K a year. He enjoys the job, and believes in fighting for what is right. That said, if fair wages..at least NBAA average.. are refused by the company, then he will be forced to take his talent and experience elsewhere. Many of my friends' husbands are planning to do likewise, IF ( VERY BIG IF) the TA passes. The owners SHOULD be concerned. My husband has flown through very bad weather and made some extremely difficult landings that caused him to draw upon his 20 years of experience gained in military flying. Are they willing to risk their lives and those of their families because NetJets will not pay well enough to retain experienced, high-caliber pilots?
Netjetwife/LB

 

[Sctt@NJA]

This tipping talk makes me uncomfortable. Please do not feel like you need to tip the pilots.

I have accepted tips and been glad for the money. But it also makes me feel a bit dirty. However I would NEVER EVER ask for or hint about getting a tip. Thats way low and dirty.

So I just wanted to add my 2 cents and say please do not feel obligated to tip!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

My husband has flown through very bad weather and made some extremely difficult landings that caused him to draw upon his 20 years of experience gained in military flying.



Oh my...

 

[G100driver]

NJAowner:

Have recieved tips while flying 135 I offer this. Do not seperate the captain from the FO. Hand them both equal amounts as well is the FA if there is one. I recieved as little a 20 buck before, and as much as $400.00. If you are feeling generous, go ahead.

 

[G100driver]

I have accepted tips and been glad for the money. But it also makes me feel a bit dirty.

I guess that depends on what you did with the money

 

[xrated]

I got a $5 tip from an Options owner once. I didn't even have to load his bags. Man, what a good day that was.

 

[Majik]

OK, I'll bite. What have you, a member of THE ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE POWER TO EFFECT CHANGE done to EFFECT CHANGE?

I'm still waiting for NJA Owner answer my question.

 

[NJAowner]

Good one Gunfyter

Good one Gunfyter.

Majik -- I do not know all of them but here are some for starters (of course you will laugh at some as being too minor but they did come from the owners): (1) minimum flight segment waivers, (2) waivers of ferry charges to/from Hawaii in certain circumstances, (3) adding parts of the Caribbean and Mexico to the destinations with out incurring ferry charges, (4) fixed ferry charge to/from Bermuda, (5) new cabin snacks (which benefit the crew more than the owners -- I know many of you like those new nuts and thin cookies), (6) upgraded beverage selection, (7) new seating configuration and luggage space (finally) in the Hawker 800.

NetJetWife -- I will try it on the next flight even though I am reluctant to do so. A $100 tip for the crew and I will let you know their reaction. As far as flyiong through difficult situations, there are probably thousands of posts on the board to the effect that the "good" pilots keep us out of trouble and avoid situations we are not even aware of so that we have an enjoyable flight. So to base a tip on that fact would result in the better pilots getting less tips.

G200 -- it is not strange that I am on the pilots website. I have 2 computers on my desk, a piece of an airplane and a NetJets bills every month. It is not like I am on dial-up from a hotel. I like to keep track of what is happening at the organization at which I have $$ tied up. Plus, sometimes you guys can be entertaining. That Beach Boy's "Camel-toe" song on one of the other boards has kept several in my office laughing for weeks.

Fly safe.

 

[Snakeplt]

Once again you have MISSED the point completely. What have you done to affect change for the PILOTS ? That was the ORIGINAL intent of the question posed WAY BACK in this thread. I don't care if you eat OREOs or WAFERS. And no, YOUR SNACK CHOICES do NOT make this a better job...sorry. KEEEEEP TRYING ! (Let me say again, you have NO responsibility to make ANY changes on our behalf...your answer just doesn't jive)

As for tipping. Just sit back and think for a moment how PITIFUL it is that a thread like this even needs to be discussed. THE PILOTS (and families) ACTIVELY ENGAGING AN OWNER REGARDING HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD TIP US....UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE !!! And how embarrassing ! Again, it doesn't matter to ANY OWNER at Nutjets how much we are paid...AND IT SHOULDN'T ! MANAGEMENT is who we have a HUGE $$$ PROBLEM WITH !!! We, the pilot group, need to vote this TA down and, if need be, shut this whorehouse down and provide more customers to FLOPS and CS ! That's the free economy bayyybeeeee !

As for those actually still thinking about coming here....PLEASE RE-READ this thread and ask yourself why Nutjet pilots are begging for tips. JUST SAY NO !

 

[NJAowner]

Am I actually agreeing with Snake?

As strange as it may seem, I agree with Snake's 2nd paragraph:

"As for tipping. Just sit back and think for a moment how PITIFUL it is that a thread like this even needs to be discussed. THE PILOTS (and families) ACTIVELY ENGAGING AN OWNER REGARDING HOW MUCH THEY SHOULD TIP US....UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE !!! And how embarrassing ! Again, it doesn't matter to ANY OWNER at Nutjets how much we are paid...AND IT SHOULDN'T ! MANAGEMENT is who we have a HUGE $$$ PROBLEM WITH !!! We, the pilot group, need to vote this TA down and, if need be, shut this whorehouse down and provide more customers to FLOPS and CS ! That's the free economy bayyybeeeee !"

I was just responding to some pilot's wife's request for tips.

But, I never said that the owners HAVE effected change for the pilots, just that we have the ability to do so. While management may not listen to the union or the pilots, it does listen to the owners. No owners = no planes = no need for pilots.

Fly safe.

 

[netjetwife]

This tipping talk makes me uncomfortable. Please do not feel like you need to tip the pilots.

I have accepted tips and been glad for the money. But it also makes me feel a bit dirty. However I would NEVER EVER ask for or hint about getting a tip. Thats way low and dirty.

So I just wanted to add my 2 cents and say please do not feel obligated to tip!

I want to make it absolutely clear that my husband does NOT ask/hint for tips. But they have been FREELY given and were appreciated, esp. by the Fo/FOs. There is nothing wrong with accepting recognition and thanks, in the form of a tip, for a job well done and service above and beyond what was mandated.

 

[Frac Daddy]

Huh?

But, I never said that the owners HAVE effected change for the pilots, just that we have the ability to do so.

And the owners won't. So what is your point?

 

[Majik]

But, I never said that the owners HAVE effected change for the pilots, just that we have the ability to do so. While management may not listen to the union or the pilots, it does listen to the owners.

Well don't hold back. Knock yourself out. You have my full permission to do whatever is in your power. It's only been three years. What are you waiting for, an invitation???

 

[beytzim]

NJAOwner, since you're on this site to watch and learn because you have lots of money invested in NJA, you must be sweating a little more than before.

I'm sure you've read by many of us like Griz, Diesel, Lear55 and Gunfyter that Boisture gave NJA's financials to our MEC. In those financials, the company is barely afloat. It's a miracle in itself that we have survived this long, let alone another 5 years. According to Boisture, we have much cost cutting to do. This, of course, will invariably directly affect your service.

In addition, Boisture has concluded that our famous business model is not working. The model of generating income from aircraft sales/resales is causing NJA to go into the red. We now have to dig into flight operations (read Monthly Management Fees) for additional sources of income. This undoubtly will require NJA to increase the MMA above the 3.75% annual increase.

We are already easily the most expensive fractional out there. Santulli said three years ago very confidently that FlexJet or Flight Options will go under pretty soon. That has not happened, and in fact, Options is growing and Citation Shares is proving to be a better option than the big 3 frac thus grabbing very valuable market share from us.

The writing is on the wall, my friend. It may be in your best interest to look elsewhere when your contract is up.

I.

 

[Live4flyng]

The writing is on the wall, my friend. It may be in your best interest to look elsewhere when your contract is up.

NJAOWNER, to add to this, Citation Shares has the Excel and will soon be able to upgrade you to the Sovereign. Netjets is going broke, so I fully expect the Sovereign order to be cancelled very soon. Crews have to pull the power back during ferry flights to save on gas, and maintenance items are being deferred at an enormous rate. Service from the flight crews continues to exceed expectations while increased pressure from management and scheduling only makes the job harder. Fatigue is another issue that is rearing its ugly head. Crews are working 14 hour days with show times at legal, and forced to sit around the FBOs until 12 hours of duty has elapsed in the event there aren't any flights. Obviously Netjets has oversold its capacity, operational inefficiencies and exorbitant crew salaries will soon bring the father of fractional aviation to a final conclusion. As for your tag line "Fly Safe".....safety starts with the company. Next time you fly, ask your crew how long they have been on duty and how much sleep they got the night before. If I were riding in the back, there are a few things I would like to know before the airplane moves.

1. How is the weather?

2. Is the crew well rested?

3. Is the airplane airworthy?

4. Is the beer cold?

 

[Some guy]

and maintenance items are being deferred at an enormous rate.

I can tell you that we defer items when the acft needs to fly. Once you stop in a maintenance facility, we get as much done as we can. Our big problem is the entertainment systems. When these items are deferred more than a week or so, it is usually because parts are not available. Otherwise we do everything in our power to give you an aircraft with no MEL's. The people I work with and myself are very pro-active about having maintenance done at the very first opportunity. Nobody has ever told me not to have the work done that needs to be done.

If I were riding in the back, there are a few things I would like to know before the airplane moves.

3. Is the airplane airworthy?

I can tell you that I would have absolutely no problems putting myself or my family on any QS tail number.

 

[miles otoole]

We are already easily the most expensive fractional out there. Santulli said three years ago very confidently that FlexJet or Flight Options will go under pretty soon. That has not happened, and in fact, Options is growing and Citation Shares is proving to be a better option than the big 3 frac thus grabbing very valuable market share from us.

What are these facts you speak of? How exactly are CS or FLEX better options?