Well, these new schedules started at the beginning of the month...I know its just been a few weeks now, but I am just curious what those of you that are working under this type think? Are they working out like you thought they would? Is it better then the other schedule options? What are your general opinions of the schedule? thank you!

 

I did the old 18 day schedule before and so far I like the new fixed 18 day schedule about the same. I like knowing my days off for sure by the 15th of the previous month a lot, but the price I am paying for that is working more days- 18 this month and 17 next month. I averaged about 15 days per month (not including vacation months) on the old 18 day schedule so I am working a little more now, but I don't mind with the 50 percent pay raise I got to do it. For the two months I've bid and gotten schedules for, I've gotten exactly what I asked for on the bids, but I only asked for one 3 day block of time off specifically each month and didn't bid for anything else. I believe between 70 and 80 percent of pilots got at least their first choices both months, but there are definitely some pilots who didn't get any of their choices. Also I'm dissappointed that seniority isn't really a factor in the schedules- hasn't hurt me yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time before someone junior gets what I asked for while I don't. The union has said there will be one or two changes on the preferences for the June schedule and hopefully they will continue to make improvements. I personally think they should add a preference for most weekends off and one for most days in a row off once a month (this is sort of there with unbalanced days off on the current form, but I don't think it is really the same thing).

 

This is not a complaint.
Being in different fleets has its advantages and disadvantages when bidding for your schedule. Being in a small fleet with no growth had proved to be a good and bad. I was on the 18 day and was slacker(not by choice) and worked for home A LOT. When this new bid for schedules came out I bid the 18 day and was not awarded it. There are pilots in other fleets junior to me making more $$$$. I was not given a choice in aircraft when hired so that is the disadvantage of the structure. Either way, NJA treats me awesome, I'm on 5 weeks of vacation and have been making POW turns all month. JTF howzit?

 

What would be a realistic first year gross salary expectation as new Netjets (base aircraft) pilot on the 15 day flex schedule, when considering the overtime, holidays, soft money etc. I am aware of the pay graphics here in the forum, but I'm looking for some enlightenment when it comes to the O/T and soft money.

Any inputs would be appreciated...

 

Most pilots here say they average around 10 percent over their base salary with holidays, OT, and extended days. If you want to make the most money possible you would stay on the 18 day schedule (you'll be on it for training and until you can bid off it so you'll be on the top paying schedule for at least a couple of months your first year) and then use the pref bidding to ensure you work as many holidays as possible. The 18 day schedule also ensures that you will do at least 3 tours a month and gives you more opportunities to get the big day one OT if they start you before 8 am. More tours per month also gives the company more times to screw up getting you home on your last day and offers more opportunities for 2 extended days of pay if they don't get you home (I got it twice last year). You can add at least another 6k to your salary in nontaxable perdiem that while it isn't technically salary, it is rarely used since you have the vast majority of your meals catered (I average buying about 1 meal per tour).

I personally don't want to mess around with the 15 day reserve schedule since you can't really plan anything while on that schedule. Starting in June or July those on that schedule can start using personal days, but it kind of sucks that you have to use a personal/ sick day to guarentee a day off in advance. I'm guessing the 15 day schedule won't work 15 days very often, but not knowing any of your days off more than a few days in advance isn't of interest for me. I'm happy on the 18 day fixed so far.

 

I was told that only 19 pilots in the whole company didn't get the schedule that they bid for, and something like 11 of them were in the Encore.

LPC,

I feel as though you worked pretty hard at being a slacker, sounds like you may have to work for real now, as you may need the cash.

 

How many different sorting choices do you currently have to choose from when bidding with your PBS system?

What PBS system/vendor do you use?

What program do they use to generate your pairings?

What are your typical pairings? Are they 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, day trips? Just curious how they piece that all together.

Thanks!

 

So, the entire month is just a rolling "reserve" period then? Once they get you on the road and use you, you have 3 days off once you get home and then the whole thing starts over again?

What about the 7/7 schedule, do you have any control over which 7 days you are working? Or is it just assigned to you?

 

Few sorting choices currently- I believe only 4 right now and no vendor/ software yet (required within 2 years of implementation). The schedulers manually make the schedules and the union scheduling committee overseas them sort of. Typically anywhere from 5 to 7 days, but they will throw in a 4 day every once in a while and once every 4 months they can throw in an 8 day tour.

 

The 15 day is a rolling reserve. Once home they must give you at least 3 days off and they have to brief you by 7 pm the day before if they plan on using you. They can use you up to 5 days in a row and up to 15 days in the month. Some on it have said they were given their schedule for the month in advance (of course subject to change), but this is the first month of this schedule and giving them advance notice is not anything they are obligated to do or anything you can really trust to make appointments around. For hard days off outside of the 3 minimum after a tour, you need to bid to use a personal day and that program won't start until this summer. Just too much uncertainty for me to try.