NJA capt, how long did it take you to upgrade to the X?

 

I had already been PIC on several types here before the CX. Currently CX FOs are bidding smaller a/c in order to get a PIC bid. Too many senior pilots bidding into the CX for them to upgrade.

 

How long is the FSI training for some of the different aircraft types? I guess some are probably longer than others. How long is say the soveriegn or 800xp versus the ultra? Thanks!

 

Our last PIC bid for the CE560 was just awarded to #2011 on the list, hired 4/25/05.

 

Going up tommorrow for a interview. Anyone else?

 

I will chime in on this as well. I was at a small commuter before I came to NetJets. It was my intention at that time to build jet time and move on. It took me about 6 months to decide that I wasn't leaving. The new contract has certainly cemented that decision. There are a few jobs out there that, with enough seniority, would be a better job than NetJets but to me it certainly would not be worth all the years and hassles it took to get to that position. NetJets is not perfect but I think the quality of life is pretty good.

Having said that, I realize for new hires one of the biggest headaches will be trying to commute or deciding to move if you accept the job. The way I understand it is, NetJets offers you a job and a location, i.e. one of the 5 new "super gateways", take them together or leave them. They seem to be filling one or two locations at a time and then moving to the next one. Now if offered a job and the location isn't the one you were hoping for I don't know if you could say, "I will be happy to accept the job at a future time when X domicile becomes available." They might go for that.

As for life on the road, most people start in one of the smaller planes and certainly upgrade in the smaller planes. All flight planning is done by dispatch. It is similiar to 121- pick up your release, look it over, sign it and you are on your way. Half the trips are empty and the pax are just ordinary people 99% of the time. Be cordial, helpful and friendly- butt kissing not required. Average pax load on a smaller airplane is 2 so not many bags to throw. Food is all catered so you set it in the plane and the pax help themselves.

Most trips are in the Northeast unless you get based in LAX. A small airplane will average 4 legs total of about an hour apiece with an hour in between. Most duty days are 12-13 hours. I know the math doesn't compute but somehow those seem to be the averages.

This website says upgrades are currently running a little over a year. That's probably about right or maybe less time. I think we have about 2400 pilots and the 400xp upgrade has been around 2000. This website also says we are hiring 500+ pilots this year. That sounds pretty high but they may have better intel than I.

I hope that helps. Good luck.

 

I know the schedules are 7on/7off and then there is reserve, which apparently goes senior. Is the 'reserve' sched the only way to get more days off as you get more senior? How is the flexibility bidding 7on/off when you are junior, can you get certain days off if you want?

 

The reserve schedule is the junior schedule and it is typically 3 days more work per month. You bid for your schedule and the company will assign at least 10% of the fleet/seat to reserve. If you need a specific day off on the 7/7 the best way is to call in sick.