from reg. capt.-netjets fo...was it a good move for you? Would you have rather waited for a good major? Are you happy with QOL/sched.?

 

This is a fair question. For many years getting to a major was everyone's ultimate goal, the major-airline gig was "the dream job". We started flight school with that embedded in our brains.

A couple of years, NetJets gets its new contract, CS and FX matched it. NetJets improves its contract, again FX follows. All of a sudden the fractional job is as good as the majors, but better QOL. That's throwing some people off balance, specially those who knew little about the corporate world.

2 ERJ guys called me last month, they asked the same question you are asking right now. One has interviews at NJ and NW, doesn't know in which direction to steer the boat.

I understand your question.

 

to answer your question, it has worked for me, best QOL, contract and job I've ever had. I'm finally done looking for a job. Good feeling

 

Looks like I'll be sending my stuff in soon...I keep hearing good things...

 

the important thing is to try to get in this year, 2009 at the latest. Lots of rumors about NetJets stoping the growth at 5000 pilots (about 2700+ now). After 2010, you'll be looking at an upgrade time of 8+ years, " airline-style".

 

Many people I know who work here left Northwest because the upgrade
time was taking too long. We have people leaving the majors to work here.

 

Hopefully they aren't expecting a quick upgrade at NetJets.

 

give it 3-4 years. By 2011, 2012 the upgrade time at NetJets will be just like the majors. However, at NJ you won't have to pay for benefits, meals, or a crashpad. still a better deal....

 

Directed at no one in particular...

Have you ever had one of those moments when you hear of a killer stock like say...Apple Computer, and you think "Damn! I should have bought into that two years ago!"

I'm starting to think the same now holds true for NJA. I know a couple of guys who left Cape Air and went there. Why did they go? NJA was one of the few operators that would take someone with their ATP, 2500TT and NO turbine. This was a year ago, when the TA was still very much in the ether.

Here we are now, and the only posts I'm seeing here are "...but I got my acceptance letter! When will I get an interview?? Has anyone else got an interview?!?"

There are no less than two dozen Cape Air people all waiting, acceptance letter in hand, for their interview, and they all submitted their stuff late last fall.

I very much had my scope aimed directly at NJA, but now...not as much. I'm trying to be as versatile as possible. I recently left Cape Air and took a job on a Hawker 800 for a small 91/135 company. In fact I'm in day 2 of training here in Dallas at Simuflite as I type this.

My logic is this: If two people are covering the receiver, then someone else is open. Look with wider eyes. The other opportunities are coming.

I think NJA is the Apple Computer of the aviation industry. Basically if you aren't in already, you kinda missed the boat.

Next minimums to drop: JetBlue in February. Watch.

 

Very good point, and that will be the most likely scenario here in a few years, but we're not there yet. If you get here this year or 2009, you can still make captain in 5 yrs. Let's not forget upgrade at a major/box-hauler is 10+ yrs.

When you say "missing the boat", you're talking about a quick upgrade vs 8-10 yrs. Newbies have to study the whole package, not just quickest path to the left seat....(stability, QOL, benefits, etc)

The great companies of today compensate us in different ways, Fedex, UPS and Southwest give you $$$$, NetJets gives you good pay, great benefits and a QOL that you won't find anywhere else.