C-130s.....

 

It's becoming rather obvious that the happy people are busy being happy, while the miserable people flock to message boards. From reading this place, every airline/job is the worst ever.

 

I was there, twice, and left. I saw two different NetJets and am wondering who is applying and why now. The company isn't growing, the bottom 90% guy was hired over a decade ago, and a new hire has close to 0% chance of ever upgrading and attaining higher wages. It is from all observable metrics a 'dead end' job. Now, that doesn't mean it isn't a fit for some, and as such, I was wondering who those some were and what their reasoning was. You don't have to justify anything to anyone. I was just curious and asked the question.

 

I'd love to dig up the old NJA union fighting thread(s) from just a few short years ago. Maybe longer? NJA after they got their contract was THE place to be. That's because the majors weren't hiring yet. Perspective. Perspective.

 

At your age, that one makes sense.

Because it's a dead end job. People with respectable resumes wouldn't apply here.

 

Exactly. There are positives and negatives at every company. We are all now fully aware of the negatives at NJ, thanks to the people who who constantly post them on this forum.
Home basing, 7 on 7 off, generous vacation etc. are some of the positives, which for many people outweigh the negatives.

Commuting is hell. Commuting to a crash pad to sit reserve is miserable. Looking at the standby list when you're number 10 in line with negative 5 seats available and 2 others in line for the jump seat is not a pleasant feeling. Moving your family to a major airline hub isn't very appealing either.
AIDS is rampant in this industry. (Aviation induced divorce syndrome.)

 

Hell what do I know

I havent flown at a regional in over 12 years. We didnt have signing bonuses, flow throughs or quick upgrades.

And honestly if you think stagnation at a regional cannot happen, you haven't been doing this long enough.


I seem to remember warning you about the negatives of NJ back when you were applying and getting hired.

How much 121 PIC did/do you have before you got picked up by wherever it is you are going?

 

I applied at NetJets because it what I want. It fits the bill for my family & myself. Current pilot position goes away in several months, so I am looking, eyes wide open.

 

I think I have a very respectable resume and if I wanted to do that type of flying I would absolutely apply there.

Macjet -
Some reasons that I might apply there? I don't have SJS, and my most fun airplane flying is in my past, but if I chose the type of airplane that I would rather fly - I've NEVER been interested in airline type airplanes. If equipment was important to me I'd rather fly business jets than airliners.

Upgrade times - I've spent most of 30+ years now being in charge of my aircraft. In the last few years of my aviation career - -I could absolutely let someone else be in charge. Whether it be airlines or fractional in this case - I wouldn't be looking to upgrade in either. I'd enjoy the money that came with each (in time) and the benefits in QOL to a senior FO position in each.

Diversity - This use to be a big thing with me I thought. I do enjoy the smaller airports and cities even in my present job - but then I don't like crowds and the hustle and bustle. When I do get to hang out for a cancelled flight or something - I do know that I'd rather hang out in an FBO than the terminal. Matter of fact - I don't get to hang out in the FBOs as much now as I would like too - at least on a regular basis. I've found in my current job that I'm even more of a nester than I thought I was in the past. I do like going to the same smaller airports, working out of the same FBOs and getting to know the people behind the desk, staying in the same hotels, eating at the same couple of favorite restaurants in each town, etc.... Recently I've had the chance to expand my own little stomping ground and I've enjoyed it - but I still try NOT to work in other regions areas if I can help it. Call me a homebody.

Homebasing -vs- Commuting. Enough said there!

Flying - this is what keeps me in my current job and out of many other types of aviation (not necessarily a good thing as it would be a whole lot easier if I wanted to do more diverse types of flying). I like having a *mission* in between takeoff and landing - and the mission isn't the en-route portion. Every once in awhile I have the chance to *play* Pt A to Pt B pilot and I get to enjoy it from the break of the usual - but I'm pretty sure that it is not the type of flying that I want to do as the standard. A part of me wishes I did - my life would be easier!

So....should I be looking to move at some point in the near/far future - I could see myself applying to Netjets. I could see myself applying to a single airline with a base in Baltimore should certain circumstances arise that force my hand - -but for others to make a decision that I should not apply to Netjets for any number of reasons is just their opinion and no more beneficial to the conversation than if they were interested in my opinion about what I thought they should do with their careers. I'm thinking they are much more free with their advice about YOU should do than they are excepting of others advice about what THEY should do.

 

All very good points and I hope it works out for you. One other thing to keep in mind, and a major reason why I left, is that a new hire will more than likely be furloughed in the future. Myself and 494 others were let loose in January 2010 due to the economic downturn and the way the contracts are written with the owners. Upon recall Harry Potter came into our class and took questions. I raised my hand and asked him if the contracts were being changed. He said 'no'. I then stated, 'so I only have a job until the next downturn?'. His reply was 'more than likely'. NetJets is not growing, there isn't much attrition at the top, and guys aren't forced to retire. Being furlough fodder in the bottom 8% after 7 years on the seniority list wasn't going to work for me. A retired guy with both .mil and an AA/UA/DL retirement probably isn't too worried about it. A young guy with a family might be. For employment stability right now I'd put DL/AA/WN/AL at the top, UA/NK mid pack, and NJA near the bottom. Your situation doesn't seem to mirror mine or other guys with young families and it does answer my question as to who is applying and why.Thanks for input and I do wish you the best.