I also left NJA about a year ago with 9 years of service. I was stuck in the right seat of the Encore for the entire time so my decision was probably easier. Flying for a quality 121 carrier is great and there is little I miss about NJA. I moved to my base and life is good. As you know commuting is rough and not recommended. My job at the airline is so much easier and way more fun. Jumping to an airline from NJA will bring more dignity to your aviation career.

I know this ^^^ doesn't answer your question, but when I punched out of ExecJet back in 2001 we were going to have "an industry leading contract by year's end" too.

You can't go by what may be coming down the pike. The lifestyle at a National / Legacy 121 operation makes NetJets seem like a bad dream - in my opinion. I got sick of coffee, ice, newspapers catering.. after three years. It beat the Commuter world by a bunch, but nowhere as nice as a large jet operator.

Take the fond memories from NetJets, forget the death defying sixth and seventh days and move on. There are good and bad people everywhere you go, and it is what you make of it.

Good luck!

I would suggest that "dignity" is an individually determined thing. How much "dignity" is there in being a public bus driver vs. a chauffer?

You want to spend your life in the bus terminal or a luxury FBO?

To each his own, my friend.

He's probably referencing the part where the chauffeur has to clean the toilets and wipe boogers off windows and tables, etc, etc.

Just a guess.

At Netjets the passengers look at you as the help.. ( yes even the chauffeur)

I am currently FO on a wide body and cannot tell you how many times I walk to the gate and the parents tell their kids " look, there goes one of the pilots"

If you feel like a bus driver, maybe you should actually go observe a bus driver for a day. May put things in perspective.. I know I am proud to be where I'm at. And never feel as though the passengers look at me as the help.

And yes, coffee, ice, papers, day 5-7 and cleaning carpets does get old

Bingo! "And remember, they are OWNERS to you boy!"

Some of you grand "Major" airline pilots need to check your egos. Hat getting a little tight?

I'm a fighter pilot and a major airline pilot. I also own my own business and plane. My hats no longer fit.

Well, that's the nice thing about the job - I don't spent my life sitting around in the terminal. I walk through it to get to my airplane, then back through it to go home or to the hotel.

But to your point - I agree that everyone has their own priorities. I don't necessarily think this decision is so cut and dry - especially for a 16 year guy that might not live in an airline base.

This. The grass isn't always greener. Don't forget what you're giving up by leaving. Don't forget that it's a risk leaving. It is also a risk staying of course. I don't want to start a huge thing, but lots of co workers I have come across at NJA that are super disgruntled working here, won't be happy anywhere. If you can weigh the real world positives and negatives, and it makes sense to leave, please do for your happiness and well being! Keep us posted and good luck with your decision.