meitnerium

if you want options, look at other threads. You joined APC 3 days ago and have only posted in Flexjet. There are other options. Evaluate them. Don’t chase metal. Chase quality of life or money.

ShoutVFR

Makes sense. I've chatted with a couple of FJ guys on the ramp and they all love it. For the most part I've heard that everybody who works a normal amount makes around the 100-110 mark. If you're a workaholic its not a whole lot more than that. QOL looks WAY better than regionals thats for sure.


Been lurking for a few years now so while I'm still relatively new to the industry I'm definitely familiar with lower-time options... This current job has taught me to chase QOL more than anything but given my plan to get my student loans paid off in five years, making less than 70k at the next gig is going to be a little tight for me. Good news is almost all of the options out there are paying well above that at the moment.

Thanks to all, I'll go drop some posts around APC soon enough

AkPilot99

I started back in April and I’m on par to make 130k or better after the one year mark if I don’t take the Phenom upgrade that is right around the corner. The 130k includes the bonuses and the per diem you pocket since we don’t spend money on food while out on the road. I left the regionals to come here for better QOL, pay, and just wanting to see the fractional world. For me and my situation it will be hard to leave here for the major airlines. I like my homebasing, catered food, and dinner on the company card.

We have a seniority biased PBS system and I have gotten what I want every single time. I started out on 8/6, but quickly was able to do 6/6 and 7/7. I prefer those rotations the most. Days on the road vary. A few rotations were 1 and 2 legs and done. Others are a mix of 1 and 2 with some 3-4 leg days in there. I have done 6 legs one day but those were short hops around the southeast. Some fleets work harder than the others.

In my opinion Flexjet is an awesome place to work. There are a few issues like any other place but I am still happy. I came from a background of 135 flying and lodge flying in Alaska. I also did some flight instructing prior to that. This by far has been the easiest job I have had; however, it is not for everyone. But it sure does beat the regional grind.

PM for any questions!

ShoutVFR

Awesome! I don’t think I’d want to be away from any more than 5 days at a time so guess PBS would be my goal from the beginning? Did you choose fixed at the beginning for any specific reason or was it seniority based?

AkPilot99

no, those schedules are from PBS. I bid for those combinations. 14-16 days total for the 28 day bid period is what I bid from. And I do combinations of 6/6, 7/7. It’s easier to talk someone through the process of bidding but you can get 7/7, 6/6 easily if you set yourself up right in the PBS system. 3-5 day lines are mainly given to guys who live in green bases. If you live in Dallas those lines are easier to get.

MtnFlying

Is there a list of the green bases or is it just the airports that are legacy hubs? I'm based out of DTW and would like the flexibility of having 3-8 day lines during any given period. I'm still in training, so not working the PBS scheduling stuff yet.

Thanks!

Junglejuice

I could not see a fractional building a line with 3 days due to the airline cost in/out and lack of efficiency. Even pilots based in Dallas/West Palm/NYC cant be certain they will start and finish there. I was under the impression that 4 days is the minimum and rarely assigned unless you work out of GREEN base or get lucky during during bid transition.

FlyAbove

You will never receive a 3 day line they don’t exist. You’ll only get a 4 day line if it butts up against a training event. 5 day lines are possible with some seniority. During the busy season over the holidays expect 7-8 day lines.

Junglejuice

atl-den-dfw-ewr-fll-hpn-lax-mia-ont-ord-pbi-sna
I think this is accurate.

AkPilot99

I couldn’t remember if the minimum was 3 or 4 days. That’s my bad. But you can get more of an airline schedule if you want it. But you have to live in a green base.