How many retired airline pilots go to NetJets etc? [Archive]

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Ignition Override

21st August 2006, 06:59

This question seems to be lurking in the background of today's very troubled US airline scene. We hear about pilots who stay after 60 in the (747/DC-10) FE seat. Those guys never mention it in company publications when they retire; I suppose they are a bit ashamed of it with some airlines having over 700-1,000 pilots furloughed. Why else would it be so hushed up? :hmm:

Some of them actually make some money ferrying airline aircraft to and from maintenance depots or "paint shops". I've met one of them, and he also flies some aircraft from WW2.

Back to the point: With so many old planes about to be retired, far fewer FE seats will be around. So how often do guys/gals go to Part 135 scheduled carriers etc to work? Do any of them work a minimum schedule, or is this possible? This is not my situation, by the way, at least for about nine years or so.

flyboyike

22nd August 2006, 02:01

I know of one gentleman, who went from a major airline to Netjets. He wasn't yet 60, he was 57, I think.

chandlers dad

23rd August 2006, 05:06

I know of a few airline types who went to Net or Flex. Most do not work out. The job on the road is a bear compared to what they are used to.

They are handed their flightplan/WX paperwork by dispatch, bags are loaded on the airplane, fueling done, paperwork handed to them and they fly. Their duty line is 2-3 days flying, then 4-5 off. With the fractionals they have to do everything themselves and load the bags, fuel then help the sometimes snobby pax onboard, then clean up after them when they depart. They work 6 days on, 3 days off, or if they are lucky with Net get a 7 on/7 off schedule.

The vast majority of them last a few months, possibly 6 months then quit. I know of two who quit 2-3 days into the sim training and only 1 who lasted several years. To tell the truth, when I am 60 I would rather not work that hard! Most of the guys I ran into were doing it after an ex-wife (or two) drained their retirement fund in the divorce and were trying to make enough to retire with.