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Vistajet? Latest news, anyone?!

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Vistajet? Latest news, anyone?!

Old 28th Mar 2012, 23:14
  #61 (permalink)  
 
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Bases / Gateways

Hi!

Thanks a lot for all the useful info. Really appreciated.

Would anyone be kind enough to list the bases / gateways they're using at the moment?

I have been lead to believe that it can be an agreement with the company, but a list of actual options would be great.

Thanks in advance
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Old 29th Mar 2012, 14:14
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Freelance

Hello.

Please, does anyone know if Vista Jet use freelance pilots on their Challenger fleet?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 15th Apr 2012, 10:53
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Could someone working for Vistajet advise what the workload is like, both in terms of hours and sectors?
Ideally in the form of an average figure per 17 day tour and per year.
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Old 16th Apr 2012, 10:37
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I just read an interesting article from March 27 that they are "in a tie-up" with Air China to expand in the Chines market. The article also mentions that their fleet will double to 60 aircraft by 2015.

We are almost half way through 2012 now so that gives them about 2.5 years to get another 30 aircraft online....4 pilots per aircraft? That's 120 new pilots, plus extra to cover for people that are leaving, over the next 30 or so months.

CP
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Old 16th Apr 2012, 14:20
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China is calling... It might be psooible that VJS then hires locals instead of European pilots. They then can avoid "interrupting" rosters e.g. pilot changes and "high salaries" .... what do you think?
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Old 16th Apr 2012, 16:34
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They are already looking for Russian pilots ...
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Old 18th Apr 2012, 12:27
  #67 (permalink)  

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Given that China is a net importer of qualifies (experienced) pilots, that seems a tad unlikely, don't you think?

Next we'll be selling sand in the Sahara
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Old 19th Apr 2012, 06:43
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"They are already looking for Russian pilots ... "

Yeeees, thatīs the first step!
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 12:15
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News on VJS

Great, someone in another PPRune forum said:

"Maybe a beautiful fleet but an ugly management !!!!!!"

Right on man! Very true...love it!

Crews are still 95% perfect. Like in life, rest represents some streamlined asshole with no guts. BUT: Most of the 95% are highly demotivated, because of the mentioned "ugly management".

Things changed rapidly last 12 month. A lot, and I mean a lot, new CHs are being employed. 80% are from the magical Island (by now a standing term at VJ). Why? They really accept ridiculous contracts. On their 5-day inprocessing course in FAB they also learn for the fist time:

- Uniform cleaning on your own.
- Handbag, Stockings, etc..also your duty.
- Never turn your Blackberry off during rotation. So guess how stress-free their crew rest nights are, when Messenger and Email is ringing all night ;-)
- The new Hostesses are the BEST. Even though lots of them have never seen an airplane from the jumpseat before.
- etc..

Old contracts (Germans and Austrians) are kicked out, hence they are too expensive. And criticize a bit more.The outstanding Catering Team is somewhat doing a job like Scientology. Well, actually all VJ departements are good at this. Therefore lots of old knowledgeable girls are leaving. Very sad, as they knew how it works. New CHs get 1400 Euro/month in the first 6 month. Then a bit more. Donīt forget: Mostly they are doing more than 17 days on. And without post compensation (longer Off period etc). Just like any other employee.

For the pilots there is no difference. TF (everyone knows I guess..) is a big fan of England, London, etc..So not only a vast majority of English pilots are being employed. They also jump right at key positions like Trainingsmanager, Flight Safety, (Dep)-Fleet Chief, etc..If you are not British or donīt have a proceeding airport starting with EG...? Get lost!

Money is cut everywhere. Crews are happy to stay at Holiday Inn now. Shuttle buses have to be used, a telephone budget has been introduced. You go beyond 150 Euro/month with your phone bill? Well, you better have a solid excuse or pay the rest yourself. HR offers to deduct it straight from your pay. So, no worries.

Internet in Hotels is only acceptable if no Business Center or Lobby WiFi available. Breakfast? Well, if your Captain cheats the Hotel Bill, youīll get it. Otherwise a hungry day starts. Forget about Crew Meals!

Very nice is the introduction of the famous "Crew Meal Box". Each Crewmember is allowed to purchase cheap food for 10 Euro per 17 days rotation. If you then ask for more, guess what the answer is: F.... off!

Aircrafts are getting older. The original concept of "not older than 2 years" is obsolete. More and more Maintenance issues due to this.

Proceedings are mostly an adventure: You always (alllllwaaaays) get the cheapest travel option. Means: If you can save 30 Euro on the ticket, Crewplanning accepts a proceeding of 12 hours instead of 4 hours with a (possible) direct connection.

Upgrades Right to Left on Lear60 is pretty much impossible, as they have 14-15 Captains already. Perhaps the old Copilots get an offer for 850 or Global. But: No PIC!

Upgrades 605 have been possible, but only for fast career track pilots (FCT). If you donīt share TFs vision, make suggestions, use fair critique, ask for vacation, etc: You are NOT a FCT pilot! Hence: NO Upgrade! Others are passing left and right. And guess which proceeding airport they all have? Exactly: EG....something!

Upgrades Global: Not very likely. Even though new ones arrive (next 6 or so aircraft are all said to be BD700), old ones leave. So future is unchanged. Also, the COP that came from L60 or 605 without prior PIC rating will need to go back to 605 or 850 for PIC before being allowed to be PIC on Global. Guess how big that chance is?

By the way: New contract also means: You donīt have vacation anymore. Well, you do, but you agree upon signing to take them within your Off days exclusively. If you have family and would like 14 or more days for some package vacation, forget it! 13 MAX! Have fun...

Some 8 pilots on 605 have left so far this year. And about 6 or more are to follow in 2012. They actually meet at pretty much all Interviews from Bosch, AeroLogic, Imperial Jet (yes, even there!), DCA, Emirates, etc.. Most of them just wait for the best opportunity to leave.

As far as I know half a dozen pilots are using a laywer from VC in order to get their rights. This laywer is well known to VJ, as they have had court cases in the past. VJ never won a single one of them!

Overall guys: Situation is pretty bad. And getting worse daily. The only positive thing worth mentioning is: Your payment is always on time. But: If thatīs all you need to be happy, go ahead and send your CV. The english community is waiting just for YOU!
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 12:52
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I hear what you are saying but whats up with all the b*^%Ģ&g about the Brits?! Should VJ only hire Austrian guys? Swiss? Or whats the "right" nationality?
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 12:55
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Its Me

Great, someone in another PPRuNe forum said:
"Maybe a beautiful fleet
but an ugly management !!!!!!"

Right on man! Very true...love it!

Crews are still 95% perfect. Like in life, rest represents some streamlined asshole with no guts. BUT: Most of the 95% are highly demotivated, because of the mentioned "ugly management".

Things changed rapidly last 12 month. A lot, and I mean a
lot, new CHs are being employed. 80% are from the magical Island (by now a standing term at VJ). Why? They really accept ridiculous contracts. On their 5-day inprocessing course in FAB they also learn for the fist time:
Uniform cleaning on your own.
Handbag, Stockings, etc..also your duty.
-
Never turn your Blackberry off during rotation. So guess how stress-free their crew rest nights are, when Messenger and Email is ringing all night
The new Hostesses are the BEST. Even though lots of them have never seen an airplane from the jumpseat before. etc..

Old contracts (Germans and Austrians) are kicked out, hence they are too expensive. And criticize a bit more.The outstanding Catering Team is somewhat doing a job like Scientology.
Well, actually all VJ departements are good at this. Therefore lots of old
knowledgeable girls are leaving. Very sad, as they knew how it works. New CHs get 1400 Euro/month in the first 6 month. Then a bit more. Donīt forget: Mostly they are doing more than 17 days on. And without post compensation (longer Off period etc). Just like any other employee.

For the pilots there is no difference. TF (everyone knows I guess..) is a big fan of England, London, etc..So not only a vast majority of English pilots are being employed. They also jump right at key positions like Trainingsmanager, Flight Safety, (Dep)-Fleet Chief, etc..If you are not British or donīt have a proceeding airport starting with EG...? Get lost!

Money is cut everywhere. Crews are happy to stay at Holiday Inn now. Shuttle buses have to be used, a telephone budget has been introduced. You go beyond 150 Euro/month with your phone bill? Well, you better have a solid excuse or pay the rest yourself. HR offers to deduct it straight from your pay. So, no worries.

Internet in Hotels is only acceptable if no Business Center or Lobby WiFi available. Breakfast? Well, if your Captain cheats the Hotel Bill, youīll get it. Otherwise a hungry day starts. Forget about Crew Meals!

Very nice is the introduction of the famous "Crew Meal Box". Each Crewmember is allowed to purchase cheap food for 10 Euro per 17 days rotation. If you then ask for more, guess what the answer is: F.... off!

Aircrafts are getting older. The original concept of "not older than 2 years"
is obsolete. More and more Maintenance issues due to this.

Proceedings are mostly an adventure: You always (alllllwaaaays) get the cheapest travel option. Means: If you can save 30 Euro on the ticket, Crewplanning accepts a proceeding of 12 hours instead of 4 hours with a (possible) direct connection.

Upgrades Right to Left on Lear60 is pretty much impossible,
as they have 14-15 Captains already. Perhaps the old Copilots get an offer for 850 or Global. But: No PIC!

Upgrades 605 have been possible, but only for fast career track pilots (FCT). If you donīt share TFs vision, make suggestions, use fair critique, ask for vacation, etc: You are NOT a FCT pilot! Hence: NO Upgrade! Others are passing left and right. And guess which proceeding airport they all have? Exactly: EG....something!

Upgrades Global: Not very likely. Even though new ones arrive (next 6 or so aircraft are all said to be BD700), old ones leave. So future is unchanged. Also, the COP that came from L60 or 605 without prior PIC rating will need to go back to 605 or 850 for PIC before being allowed to be PIC on Global. Guess how big that chance is?

By the way: New contract also means: You donīt have vacation anymore. Well, you do, but you agree upon signing to take them within your Off days exclusively. If you have family and would like 14 or more days for some package vacation, forget it! 13 MAX! Have fun...

Some 8 pilots on 605 have left so far this year.
And about 6 or more are to follow in 2012. They actually meet at pretty much all Interviews from Bosch, AeroLogic, Imperial Jet (yes, even there!), DCA, Emirates, etc.. Most of them just wait for the best opportunity to leave.

As far as I know half a dozen pilots are using a laywer from VC in
order to get their rights. This laywer is well known to VJ, as they have had
court cases in the past. VJ never won a single one of them!

Overall guys: Situation is pretty bad. And getting worse daily. The only positive thing worth mentioning is: Your payment is always on time. But: If thatīs all you need to be happy, go ahead and send your CV. The english community is waiting just for YOU!
Have you ever thought they are getting rid of the German and Austrian pilots because they are always moaning about terms, and maybe those from EG..? airports are better at the job than you are

Last edited by Above The Clouds; 9th Jul 2012 at 18:01.
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 13:13
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I had an interview with them 2 weeks ago in SLZ. Seriously, stay away, many people leaving the company but many more will leave soon, only Bristish guys will stay as they love those shi tty old hotels, crappy food (have you ever read a book on Bristish cuisine?) and bad salaries. Well, they live on an Island, what do you expect from islanders?
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 13:25
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I had an interview with them 2 weeks ago in SLZ. Seriously, stay away, many people leaving the company but many more will leave soon, only Bristish guys will stay as they love those shi tty old hotels, crappy food (have you ever read a book on Bristish cuisine?) and bad salaries. Well, they live on an Island, what do you expect from islanders?
What's the purpose of all this Brits-bashing? I mean, the topic is on VJ and it's where it should focus. You can argue forever on what is the best cusine, the fanciest hotel, the best roster that suits your lifestyle. Attaching people from this or that isle is not going to act as an eye-opener on ANY company that has the potential to treat you bad. I have been to the interview myself, then it was all made very clear, questions were asked and answers matched the general opinion I was able to get from this network. So why not do some homework first, then decide? What's next? German operators being to picky on...fluency in German? Oh wait...been there, done that...!

DK (non-Brit, happy to proceed from EG...,LE...,ED...,LP...etc,etc)
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 15:31
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@ Above the clouds...

...yeah definitely you are right and about 50 to 60 Germans and Austrians are wrong! How did that work again with the ghost driver? One? 1000! ...Hahahaha...

Lemme guess: Your Proceeding Airport starts with EG... Hahaha..your one of a kind...
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Old 9th Jul 2012, 17:47
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Hey yeah.... how about we start bashing each other on here re. who sleeps in what hotel and has wifi. Me thinks you folks need a CRM refresher again.

Who cares if you're a Brit, German or Austrian - Ts & Cs are apparently going down the drain and neither one should gladly accept that. Then again there'll always be one behind you waiting to take your seat for less benefits - sad.
By the way - I don't moan much, yet am Austrian. I agree some of my fellow citizens have a tendency to complain though.... glad I'm here in Suisse.

How about we play nice again... and no, I'm not from VJ.

Last edited by INNflight; 9th Jul 2012 at 17:49.
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Old 13th Jul 2012, 23:08
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'It's me' - you are clearly misinformed on many MANY different levels. Maybe if you put aside your own anger and ego you'd realise that:

The Training Manager is German, the Safety Manager is Danish and 3 of 4 Fleet Chiefs are German; the other is Italian, not a 'Brit'.

You complain that you can't get upgraded? Maybe it's down to your poor attitude rather than your Nationality.....
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Old 14th Jul 2012, 09:04
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I had an interview with them 2 weeks ago in SLZ. Seriously, stay away, many people leaving the company but many more will leave soon, only Bristish guys will stay as they love those shi tty old hotels, crappy food (have you ever read a book on Bristish cuisine?) and bad salaries. Well, they live on an Island, what do you expect from islanders?
With this kind of racist ignorance you have to wonder why you didn't get hired?
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Old 14th Jul 2012, 10:11
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Man - this discussion is an embarrassment, i.e: grow up guys.
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Old 14th Jul 2012, 10:39
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and maybe those from EG..? airports are better at the job than you are
Maybe.

Hope we will find out one day.
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Old 14th Jul 2012, 12:44
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Thumbs up British crappy hotels and horrible food

Lear60fellowyou are my idol, i agree 100%.
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