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Originally Posted by PrivateFlyer
No need to be snarky with attitude. I have already stated the facts. Earlier this week several GIV pilots we're told that next month they will be no longer flying the Gulfstream and being sent down to smaller airframes with applicable pay cuts. Several on the Citation X received the same news. All pilots are in good standing and have done nothing wrong. It is also true that several 3rd party maintenance vendors have outstanding invoices and won't release planes until proper payment is completed. There has been a significant reduction in revenue based off poor maintenance status, and numerous trips canceling due to lack of reliability which hurts pilots ability to make bonus flight hour money. Lots of home and hotel standby and poor communication. Upward career progression opportunities have slowed or diminished for lots. These are all the facts. I understand you have no way of directly verifying this information, which can lead to internet frustration, however all I'm saying is don't believe everything at face value and to ask the hard questions if your considering employment.
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Originally Posted by Dksstompin
I can 100% confirm his last two points about the aircraft being at 30% and the maintenance vendors not being paid. As far as the individuals being forced into pay cuts and smaller airframes... I haven't heard anything about that. Just keep in mind FE is a decent first job or after 121 retirement job... but it's not really a place you're going to spend your career and I think management recognizes that.
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Originally Posted by 1Pint
The recent decision by flyExclusive to park its Encore jets has raised a lot of questions. With only 30-40% of the fleet available, it seems like there is a deeper problem.
The decision to downgrade senior pilots who were dual-rated is also puzzling. Was this done to free up pilots to fly other aircraft, or was it an attempt to drive away experienced pilots? Demoting a pilot who has been flying the same aircraft for years is a clear sign that the company is in trouble.
It is possible that flyExclusive is simply trying to cut costs in order to stay afloat. However, the company's actions have also damaged morale and confidence among its pilots. It remains to be seen whether flyExclusive can recover from this crisis.
It is also possible that flyExclusive is simply trying to consolidate its operations and focus on its core business. However, the decision to downgrade senior pilots suggests that the company is in serious trouble.
Only time will tell whether flyExclusive can recover from this crisis. However, the company's actions have damaged morale and confidence among its pilots, which will make it difficult to attract and retain talent in the future.
The reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated..
So, things have been busy around here while I have been off. To begin with, many of the above reports are true, and I am one of the affected pilots. Here is what I know..
1) It’s true that the Encore fleet is being retired and its pilots have transitioned to other fleets, thus taking up sim slots that would have been street hires. We are still hiring, but the classes are smaller until December because of our internally transitioning pilots.
2) Many senior pilots on the X (Seniority #3, and me, #25) are dual-rated in the XL and are paid a stipend to maintain these two type ratings, and if necessary, to fly the XL when needed. When the X is not available to fly, we can be called to fly the XL. We will still be flying both types as the Company needs us.
3) There has been no “downgrade”, per se, for me or my fellow X pilots and our pay as dual-type rated Captains remains the same. Also, we are not being “downgraded” per se into the XL as we will still be flying the X when they are available. The XL has always had a better dispatch rate than the X.
4) I have not heard about the Gulfstream Pilots situation, but I can totally understand a G-IV SP pilot not wanting to go to a smaller jet.
5) Fleet wide availability quoted seems low, but that could could be a be on a given bad day. My opinion.
6) I did hear a rumor about a vendor, but I also heard that the Company audited invoices and pushed back on what they thought was “gouging”. Unofficial.
Bottom Line: There is truth to these posts, except for the pay downgrades for the X Pilots. I am an X Captain, dual-typed in the XL, and my pay remains unaffected. Along with other X pilots, I chose to keep my XL type active, accepting the stipend, and we knew that we may be asked to fly the XL one day (I am actually heading to recurrent here next week). I actually like the XL and enjoy flying it. I am sorry to hear about the Gulfstream pilots, though, and will reach out to them for clarification.
For me, personally, I will definitely be keeping my ear out as too what’s going on here, but the Company has just been too good to me through 100th Birthdays, Hurricanes, concussions, Covid-19, etc. to consider bailing unless the sitiuation was dire. What I have seen here since March 2018 has been consistent growth, pay, and QOL improvements, so I am going to ride this ride as long as I can. I think that we are in a transition period until we start getting the new jets en masse, and when that happens I feel things will stabilize and continue to improve, but that’s just my opinion.
I will keep you posted