Question for those of you who have interviewed recently with NetJets:

What are they saying the time to up-grade to captain is?

This question was asked of General MacGhee several months ago in company recurrent and he would not answer it.

He said that prospective pilots were not asking that question.

Though I wouldn't accuse the General of lying where he might get caught, I find it hard to believe that prospective pilots are not asking the question.

 

This what you wrote not too long ago. And I agreed with you. I am curious what has changed?

"I've been back from furlough six months and I can agree with everything but the hotels and crew food. 80% of what I order has been fantastic. Stevie's and Rudy's suck but everything else has been good. There's a few hotels that have changed but it's been Hilton properties at least 75% of the time. The same 12 on the Union message board spew the same crap but it really isn't that bad."

Glad you found something else that will make you happy. Always glad to see that. I challenge your post about "droves" and I have anger issues? That's a long reach bro. I just call BS when I see it...and I called it. Tell me again what the point of your post was? Was is positive?

By the way, if I were any more relaxed, I would have a bowl movement.

 

I think a legit guess for time to upgrade is 10 years plus. I am not a NJ hater who thinks the sky is falling. It is a realistic guess. That is assuming attrition picks up a little in the FO ranks and we continue to grow very slowly. We are still over 70 percent captains. Most captains are not going anywhere. Most our captains had their chance at the majors 10 years ago. There is no mandatory retirement age. The new contract will probably have some 25 day fixed schedule that all the money hungry captains with 3 ex wives will jump all over. I would not ask the upgrade question in an interview and don't ask what plane you will be placed in. This is not the worst job out there but if you have other major/lcc or good part 91 opportunities you should take them. As is mentioned above everyone talks about leaving but very few actually are. Only time will tell. I am determined to fight for a great contract so that my 15 year FO pay will be good enough to make me turn down a major

 

What is NetJets telling prospective pilots in answer to the question, "how long to up-grade to captain?"

I can't believe prospectives are not asking that question!

 

Maybe the know better!

There are no guarantees in aviation. EVERY pilot should know that. That, and the grass is not always greener on the other side.

 

I'm a new guy and knew better than to ask about upgrades. Not upgrading in a very long time was on the cons side of the pro/cons list. The pro's definitely outnumbered the cons and although I don't like not upgrading in a very long time, it was not a deal breaker when compared to any other realistic options I have in hand. I'm thrilled to join the NetJets team and will do my part to make it a better place for all of us to be.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I would equate asking that question during the interview with asking about vacation and sick leave and I'd advise potential new hires to NOT ask this question. You can immerse yourself in rumor-mongering once you get to indoc.

 

In my interview, I didn't need to ask. The interview panel brought it up. They explained that it would be a long time for upgrade and asked how I felt about being an FO for an extended period.

 

Were I interviewing prospective pilots, any pilot NOT asking about time to up-grade would be suspect since he's probably not looking for a long-term career. Probably a guy "just passing through".

A pilot serious about a career move should want to know the facts so that he can make a reasonable choice about his future. Making a career move without knowing time-to-up-grade would be a sign of poor judgement!

However, with NetJets you never know. Maybe they're looking for pilots willing to stick their heads in the sand and fly SIC the rest of their lives.

You know....like me.

 

Giving an estimate upgrade time to a potential newhire is completely pointless. No one can give an accurate prediction when we have guys flying into their 70's, a volatile market for business aviation, attrition that may or may not increase, and contentious negotiations.