CitationJason

To All Who May be Willing to Assist:

I am an airline pilot with some corporate flying exerience, and am reaching a point in my career where I am really looking very closely at what I am seeking to gain long term from my career. I'm reaching that point in which I am seeking to begin in that long term direction. I am young (mid twenties), a homeowner, with my first child on the way. I live within 15 minutes of a Citation Shares base. I provide you this info to give you background as to what type of "place" I am at in life.

I have some questions for anyone with Citation Shares about those oh-so important details regarding what it is like to work at Citation Shares. I have seen the pay scale and I am pleased with what I have seen. I don't have to get rich, as I won't chase a job for a buck, but it is definitely better or as good as what I see myself doing financially with my goals for an airline career.

The more important thing is scheduling and operations.

1. Is Citation Shares 7 on 7 off?

2. If not, what are the schedules like?

3. If so, how hard is it to be gone for 7 days at a time? What is that lifestyle like? Anyone with kids, please chime in.

4. How are the day to day operations? (i.e. Aircraft Cleanliness, Customer Service, Maintenance, Dispatch, Crew Scheduling)

I am very passionate about working for a well run flight operations department. I unfortunately don't have that with my current employer.

5. Firm minimums?

6. Preferred Qualifications?

7. ATP Written, or actual ATP Certificate?

8. Anything else of note that you can think of?

Thank you so much for showing the patience and care to take the time to read through, and contribute to this thread. I am so grateful, in advance. I really hope to gain additional knowledge about some of these fractionals.

Sincerely,
CJ

EXTW

Jason,


Answers:

1. Yes

2. See #1

3. I like the 7+7 and I have little monkeys.

4. New to reasonably new airplanes that are kept in excellent condition, mechanically and visually.

5. Whatever minimums are posted in the CitationShares website, that is a firm minimum. I do not know what they are these days, sorry.

6. Generally more than the the mins. Sorry I can not be more specific as I have not figured out what they look for even after I have been here this long.

7. ATP I believe. Again, check the mins listed on the website.

8. Nothing other than be yourself when you talk to them.



EXTW

CitationJason

X,

Thanks for the info. I am really sold on the idea of the fractionals, I am just not sure about the whole 7/7 thing. I think it would be a lot better than I think. I appreciate your input and opinion. I have some Citation experience, and I love that line of aircraft. I like the idea of merging my enjoyment of corporate flying with the airline training standards and operating procedures. I am also a little unsure on how to, or whether or not to go ahead and pay for my ATP. Paying for any more training/ professional development makes me a little sick to my stomach. Again, thank you so much for the time to input to this thread. I really am very appreciative.

CJ

Reeteaser

Don't know if this helps you or not, but I did my ATP very cheap. Got the written out of the way, then turned my next 135 renewal into an ATP check by getting with our FSDO inspector ahead of time. The ride is the same, the oral was a bit more involved. The only $ spent was on a Gleim book and written test.
Is this an option where you work?

Chris99

3. It hasn't been hard for me, but I came from a military background where my trips were longer.

5. It depends on your background. I got hired with slightly less than the 2000 hour minimum.

7. ATP certificate is required.

8. There is currently talk of a union here at CS. We're also hoping for a raise if the NetJets TA passes this year.

CitationJason

Thank you for the idea. Since I am already only an SIC, I wouldn't really be able to turn my next ride into an ATP ride. I can investigate. I do appreciate the heads up. I am definitely not gonna' get the ATP the good ole' fashion way with my employer anytime soon. We'll just have to see how things shake out. Again, thank you so much for the input. I really value the advice of folks who have "been there before".

CJ

CitationJason

Chris 99,

Thanks so much for the info. it is really valuable. I am trying to keep an open mind about the whole 7/7 deal. I had a bad experience with long trips with a previous employer, and I am optimistic that my perspective was skewed just a little, and that having 7 off following the 7 on would be a great deal. Still gotta' get those mins in place first. Good luck with the raise and union. Be careful what you wish for too. Again, thank you so much!

Bill Lumberg

Think of it this way - if you take a normal work week off between your normal 7-days at home, you get 21 days off in a row. That ain't bad. You certainly won't find that at the airlines. I've heard people describe the 7 days off as a mini-vacation twice per month. At the end of 7 days you will actually look forward to getting back out on the road again.

CJ, check your PMs.

CitationJason

Bill,

Thanks for the info, and to everyone else, the response is exciting. Thank you all. One more question now, the 7 days on, are there 6 overnights, or do you ever wind back up in your base?

Also, do you folow one plane around, or are you deadheaded where they need you, etc.?

Thanks again.

CJ

P.S. Bill, I responded back to ya' via PM. I look forward to your response.

correcting

If your main concern is a nearby crew base, there is a possibility that Netjets will have 100 new crew bases available to all new hires in about 2 months. We'll all know by Dec 1. One of them may be near you. If that happens, then that would be another option for you as well. I won't argue as to which fractional is better. You'll have to decide that on your own. But at least you'll have a second option in the frax biz.

7 days on can get a bit long at times. But it sure as hell beats 4 or 5 on and 2 or 3 off and commuting on your time off with an airline. And the 7 days off is a really nice motivation to keep you going when your doing the 7 days on.