NJ is a good job with good benefits, no doubt. Nice equipment, good folks, some good Hotels, airlining without status absolutely sucks, like any job, good and bad. In the past, I criticized people for not wanting to jump ship to the big 4, don’t do it anymore. Besides the financial improvement of FDP, it is a good, stable job. Some people simply do not want to fly for an airline, good on them! After 18 years, for me personally, I saw the job was never going to change, long days, multiple legs, multiple changes, not being able to plan on an overnight, etc. Again, not a criticism, simply a personal evaluation on my situation. 7 days is a long time to be gone, especially if you have a family. Some don’t mind it, can see it both ways. And the CC schedules (other than 52) were simply not an option, 6/3, 5/3, 6/4, 6/5, completely undesirable for me, personal taste, not a bad thing, simply did not want to work that hard for the extra money, especially with a wonderful family at home.
NJ financially can be good but you have to work VERY HARD to make the $$. And the reality of large cabin was crystal clear: 18 years on property and still YEARS away from being able to hold left seat.
Schedule flexibility was a huge part of my decision making. You had very little at NJ other than a slide here and there, PTO, etc. The very few time I bid the CC72, not once was I granted a day off I requested via PBS. Not saying it doesn’t happen, just didn’t happen to me and that was submitting simple requests.
Every job has good and bad, one simply has to lay all the cards on the table and figure out what is important. For me, schedule flexibility, a very well funded pension, a generous defined contribution, and living in base, being home 20+ days a month was too good to pass up. As a 2nd year F/O, and these are TRUE, factual numbers, making $186/hr, working as least as possible, even working no more than my normal schedule I usually credit an extra 5 hours or so of premiums, I easily credit 80 hrs per 28 days. We have 13 28-day pay periods, so that’s $193,500 by simply working my schedule, no more. It’s not earth shattering money, but to make that amount at NJ as an 18 yr CAPTAIN I had to work very hard with a lot more responsibility. Now, our company runs lean, so we get calls for uncovered OT trips pretty regularly, I usually pick one up per month, that adds another 10 hours or so of credit (gets paid at 150%) for doing an out and back, gone 8 hours or so. I also like getting into the cockpit and doing nothing but flying.
I was one who used to criticize/advocate for the airline job, no more. Not because I regret leaving, which I don’t, but because there is clearly value in the NJ job and MANY are happy there. That is all that matters, that one is happy. Decent pay, good benefits, nice equipment, decent schedules, lots of good things.
Now, as a new hire, younger than say 45, I do believe the airlines are a much more attractive proposition. But if already there for a while, not an easy decision. I like being able to JS to my kid’s sporting events, travel no cost to see family/friends, and my family travels for very little. Flying standby sucks, no doubt, but you understand you don’t do it during peak times. When I see it is going to be tight, don’t even bother, purchase ticket. But my success rate has been well over 50%, and we have been able to do certain trips we would of not done otherwise.
Bottom line, if a NJ guy/gal is happy, good on them! Very good job. I will say one last thing, I have not heard from any former NJ who regrets leaving, most I talk to, the common theme is should of left sooner. Not an opinion, simply comments folk have made to me.
12-04-2020
AIRLINE
