A year ago after retiring from the airlines and taking some time off, I started looking at the fractionals. Netjets and Flexjet were both great companies and I sent both my application. Pay and benefits were a bit better at Netjets but Flexjet had two big attractions, dynamic leadership and clear growth plans. The positives at Netjets were stability, deep pockets and a bit better pay and benefits. I did what I've always done and I went for growth and opportunity, the course of action that has always served me well.

Flexjet had about 600 pilots with plans to hire 170 in the next year while Netjets had about 2400 with plans to hire many more but percentage wise much less. Flexjet hired me quickly and I went there. While in training, Netjets called and I politely thanked then for the opportunity to interview at a great company, but that I was no longer available.

Now, less than a year after starting, I missed a phenom captain slot by only a few numbers and probably could get one on the next bid. The merit based promotions here are only in the Red Label program for the big equipment, hence for new hires it is strictly seniority, which currently is running about 1 year for upgrades if you are interested in flying the phenom. Many SICs on the larger aircraft are not bidding captain on the phenom and will have longer upgrades.

For potential new hires at both companies, keep in mind that both companies downsized heavily during the 2008-9 market crash and have only recently started hiring. When people talk of 12 year upgrades, bear in mind there are virtually no 3-11 year upgrades due to the many years that there was zero hiring. Both companies are great companies.