Originally Posted by
55555
If you want to make a comparison on something that makes a real difference in your work life as a pilot, you should be comparing the type of people you have to work with. Idk about some of the airlines mentioned, but NJ hired some real wackos about 12-15 years ago that make your tour absolutely miserable. Not just in the cockpit but in public also.
Can’t say it enough that HR needs to be kept out of pilot interviews. They are totally clueless about what it takes to operate in this environment.
Worst pilot group overall, that I have ever flown with, was at NJA.
In the 2.5 years at my current job, I have flown with maybe 1 or 2 that I would consider putting on the do not fly list. At NJA, it was easily a 50/50 shot on whether to not you would fly with a complete and total wack job or weirdo. And I am not picky, I don't care (nor do I bring up) about political views, sexual orientation, or religious views. So to really bug me out you gotta be real weird.
Problem is, the majority of NJA pilots were hired when the airlines were furloughing, so they took all comers. That included people that couldn't pass an airline interview, scabs, and airline furloughs/layoffs. That demographic makes up at least 60% of the pilot group, and a lot never returned/couldn't return to an airline job. Not to say that there aren't weirdos at the airlines, or that only weirdos are attracted to fractional jobs, but there is a common theme. Flex/Flops guys prove that time and time again. Every time I met a long time Flops pilot I wanted to take a shower after, they were so odd, all of them.
NetJets was the first job where I met pilots who were flat earthers. I didn't think a pilot could earn an ATP, and fly long distances, yet completely ignore math, science, and provable fact, but they exist. From staunch racism, fringe extreme political views, odd behavior, guys carrying binders around to show how many law suits they have against the company, people trying to convince you that there are aliens living underground etc. I had never really experienced any of that before NJA.
That being said I met some truly amazing people there and had unforgettably positive tours with them, and I am proud to call them friends to this day. But percentage wise, the number of wackos at NJA was far higher than any other job I had prior, and since.