flyguy37

I think commuting would be a huge factor in deciding between the two.

Nachomamma

Depends on your seniority number...if you're junior to approximately a middle 2005 - early 2006 hire date, then yes...you're better off leaving. You'll likely never upgrade here. Not ever.

Jetlife

It depends. Weight the pros and cons, literally. Make a chart if you need to. If you can, or do, live in base for JB, that is huge. If you are an FO here, that is huge. If you are young, that is huge. If you are a 50 year old that lives in Helena Montana, and you aren't going to move, then hell no. Lots of talk of a SWA-B6 merger, could prove very beneficial to make the move to JB right now. Money isn't everything, so don't sacrifice QOL, and possibly other things just because you are mad at NJA. The grass is allllways greener, but the reality is, there are is always a give and take.

hkdguy

Waiting to see what becomes of the TA...

Then have to decide whether staying or leaving makes sense for me and my family.

I have kids and do not want to move so commuting is a HUGE issue for me. And of course the pay cut.

Sort of torn between what I WANT to do and what I think makes the most sense.

hkdguy

Jetlife

You should WANT to do what makes the most sense. Like I said. Don't act on emotion regarding the TA. I am an FO with no hopes of upgrading for the majority of my career here. I am 33, I am 30-60 minutes away from 3 bases of multiple airlines. My decision is easy, yet I still highly regard my 7/7 schedule, the benefit of never having to commute, and my benefits.

Fetzervalve

Don't forget that upgrade times at JB, Spirit and Frontier are favorable FOR NOW. I think I read that the upgrade time on the E190 at JB is now 3-4 years. Seniority can be everything in terms of base choice and schedule. So, if you are interested in one of those 3 and base choice is important to you, I probably wouldn't wait too long.

Jetlife

Comparing pay to pay. An A320 FO at JB makes around 108k. That isn't even achievable as an FO on the 7/7 under the current CBA for small cabin aircraft. Large cabin on the 18 day is still slightly under 108k. There is still a much higher chance in upgrading in 4 years at JB and everywhere else than there is at NJA. Even if you are 20 numbers away from holding a CA spot at NJA, that can easily take 4 years right now, and in 4 years the downgrade language comes into play. There are no guarantees of upgrading anywhere, but there is one pretty strong bet, and that is that upgrades at NJA ain't happening. 2 upgrades in 10 years 11 months. Lets round up for simplicity sake, 12 years, 2 legit upgrades... Nobody would bet on the odds of you upgrading faster at NJA than anywhere else right now. No matter how junior or senior you are.

Fetzervalve

Agreed. Everyone acknowledges that 1st & 2nd year pay at these 3 LCCs is relatively lowish compared to Netjets Senior FO pay. No doubt. However, if you upgrade faster at one of these LCCs you are earning Captain pay faster. Add to this more overtime opportunities and you can make good coin relatively quick. Obviously living in or near a base is very helpful.

Plus, all 3 of these LCCs operate comfortable Airbus flight decks (JB also operates E190s) - no more squeezing into a tight cockpit for 3-4 hour flights. I have friends flying Airbuses and they never want to leave them. I just read that Spirit is adding 60 A320/21s in the next 4 years. So, there are other options out there....

Jetlife

I would actually argue that lots of FO payscales at the nationals, and majors, will rival captain payscales at NetJets. But again, money isn't everything.

727C47

Follow your bliss : )