Being labelled crazy when coming to GA from Airline...
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Being labelled crazy when coming to GA from Airline...
I recently have nade the decision to join NJ..
Nothing wrong with that I think. However my fellow pilots seem to think differently about it.
I have extensive airline experience on modern jetliners and I have command lined up after summer. This is done in an expat company in the gulf however, a place where I do not want to stay too long anymore.
So i choose Netjets over the likes of Easyjet, Ryanair and other LoCo operators.
why?
Lifestyle
Salary
Challenge
type of flying
Career opportunities
And although these reasons are pretty convincing when you compare them even with Gulf Airlines, people still declare me crazy on the spot!
Why?
Once in GA you ll never get out of it...
Small airplanes are for pouftas
Dont leave an A320 command behind for that....possible command that is
....
I really wonder why GA has such a low esteem in the aviation fraternity?
Is it just because people do not really know?
Jealous?
Anybody with the same sort of experience here....
Nothing wrong with that I think. However my fellow pilots seem to think differently about it.
I have extensive airline experience on modern jetliners and I have command lined up after summer. This is done in an expat company in the gulf however, a place where I do not want to stay too long anymore.
So i choose Netjets over the likes of Easyjet, Ryanair and other LoCo operators.
why?
Lifestyle
Salary
Challenge
type of flying
Career opportunities
And although these reasons are pretty convincing when you compare them even with Gulf Airlines, people still declare me crazy on the spot!
Why?
Once in GA you ll never get out of it...
Small airplanes are for pouftas
Dont leave an A320 command behind for that....possible command that is
....
I really wonder why GA has such a low esteem in the aviation fraternity?
Is it just because people do not really know?
Jealous?
Anybody with the same sort of experience here....
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Difrips,
Don't worry, make your way ! I fly an Airbus 310 in Europe, and I'm doing the same choise ! I flew Falcons years ago and it was the most exciting/challenging/funny/rewarding job I ever had ! Not easy everyday, but nicer than driving my Bus !
I'd love to fly a 747...but not on long haul ! Nothing is perfect. I don't know if you previously flew biz jets, but you won't regret it. No matter the size, a plane is a plane and biz jets have great performances without the boring aspect of the big ones (Stairs, loaders, etc...) You will enjoy it.
I'm bored as you probably are by flying the same sectors, with the same schedule and the same pax...you never see !
Some of my friends left big jets for small ones...they won't come back !
My application runs for NJE... Hope to meet you there !
Don't worry, make your way ! I fly an Airbus 310 in Europe, and I'm doing the same choise ! I flew Falcons years ago and it was the most exciting/challenging/funny/rewarding job I ever had ! Not easy everyday, but nicer than driving my Bus !
I'd love to fly a 747...but not on long haul ! Nothing is perfect. I don't know if you previously flew biz jets, but you won't regret it. No matter the size, a plane is a plane and biz jets have great performances without the boring aspect of the big ones (Stairs, loaders, etc...) You will enjoy it.
I'm bored as you probably are by flying the same sectors, with the same schedule and the same pax...you never see !
Some of my friends left big jets for small ones...they won't come back !
My application runs for NJE... Hope to meet you there !
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I've also made the change and its the best decision I've made, I now enjoy flying again and have always got a smile on my dial. Sure there are the odd days when things don't go to plan but at least I have control of the situation and not waiting for tugs loaders or such frustrations! This after flying B747, L1011 A320 A340 and B737. The aircraft type doesn't matter its the conditions of employment that really make the differance.
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Sometimes it works, sometimes not..
Years ago I left airline flying for a corporate position, as an aviation department manager.
I ran my own show and answered to the chairman of the board, no one else.
When one of the local managers mentioned that I was expected to fly seven days a week, I called the chairman, and presto...a week off.
For me and the airplane as it needed maintenance.
Good salary, a car and driver, nice accomodations paid for, 42 days annual leave...a good deal, all tax free.
The call of the big jet happened, of course, but it was nice while it lasted.
I ran my own show and answered to the chairman of the board, no one else.
When one of the local managers mentioned that I was expected to fly seven days a week, I called the chairman, and presto...a week off.
For me and the airplane as it needed maintenance.
Good salary, a car and driver, nice accomodations paid for, 42 days annual leave...a good deal, all tax free.
The call of the big jet happened, of course, but it was nice while it lasted.
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Flew the 757/767/737s and last year grew very sad of not enjoying my flying anymore...
I am now with NJE andif there aren't perfect, there is at least two things it did for me.
- Brought back the pleasure to work/fly again
- I live in the Sun
Absolutely no regret whatsoever.
If you fancy it because you have lost your enthousiasm when you go to work, then go for it. Different job but in my view, so much more interesting.
if it just to get out of the sandpit then you might want to consider it carefully.
Best of luck and if you make the move, yes you are a fool
but you won't be the only one 
I am now with NJE andif there aren't perfect, there is at least two things it did for me.
- Brought back the pleasure to work/fly again
- I live in the Sun
Absolutely no regret whatsoever.
If you fancy it because you have lost your enthousiasm when you go to work, then go for it. Different job but in my view, so much more interesting.
if it just to get out of the sandpit then you might want to consider it carefully.
Best of luck and if you make the move, yes you are a fool
but you won't be the only one
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Thanks for all the replies guys...
Its good to see I am not the only fool around
I am amazed as well that so many guys found themselves in front of exactly the same decision and what is more, that so many people did it for exactly the same reason: walking away from the boredom and repetition so typical for the life of an airline pilot!
And as some know it here apparently as well, it is often a very difficult decision. Management positions, uogrades, nice airplanes ...etc are all very well known tricks airlines use to keep us there! Only very few people have the courage and the balls to brake loose from all that and leave. This is even more so if you go , as they call it, BACK to GA!!!!
As far as I am concerned, I am not going back but forwards...
I lost my intrest in flying for an airline, hopping from SID to ILS, flying for 10hrs back of the clock to than do a fully automated approach in CAVOK conditions because both pilots are too tired to say a word, closed cockpit doors, 14 cabin crew that where told by management to stay away from those vilain pilots, same routes, hot seats without any decision making authority anymore etc etc etc...
I really think NJE can give me back my initial enthousiasm in flying and honestly, going there I know that this will be goodbye to the heavy metal stuff for good but hey....It is such a relief!
CVFLY, you must be that famous one from the neighbours next door....Good on you mate. I wish you all the best and maybe well meet in LIS soon.
AMEX, so you see its not only to get out of the pit mate. Its a lifestyle decision in all its aspects. I could have gone to BA and easyjet as well. Easy even as fast track command on the A319. I am on the list with Cargolux and CX called me for a second interview as Europe based FO....But I choose for NJE....A very difficult decision at first but now I cant wait to start there...Like tons fell of my back at the glimps of a second....
Let them call me (us) fools......I am sure we all know better while they never will...
Once more, keep the replies coming as I am really interested to read them all...
Its good to see I am not the only fool around
I am amazed as well that so many guys found themselves in front of exactly the same decision and what is more, that so many people did it for exactly the same reason: walking away from the boredom and repetition so typical for the life of an airline pilot!
And as some know it here apparently as well, it is often a very difficult decision. Management positions, uogrades, nice airplanes ...etc are all very well known tricks airlines use to keep us there! Only very few people have the courage and the balls to brake loose from all that and leave. This is even more so if you go , as they call it, BACK to GA!!!!
As far as I am concerned, I am not going back but forwards...
I lost my intrest in flying for an airline, hopping from SID to ILS, flying for 10hrs back of the clock to than do a fully automated approach in CAVOK conditions because both pilots are too tired to say a word, closed cockpit doors, 14 cabin crew that where told by management to stay away from those vilain pilots, same routes, hot seats without any decision making authority anymore etc etc etc...
I really think NJE can give me back my initial enthousiasm in flying and honestly, going there I know that this will be goodbye to the heavy metal stuff for good but hey....It is such a relief!
CVFLY, you must be that famous one from the neighbours next door....Good on you mate. I wish you all the best and maybe well meet in LIS soon.
AMEX, so you see its not only to get out of the pit mate. Its a lifestyle decision in all its aspects. I could have gone to BA and easyjet as well. Easy even as fast track command on the A319. I am on the list with Cargolux and CX called me for a second interview as Europe based FO....But I choose for NJE....A very difficult decision at first but now I cant wait to start there...Like tons fell of my back at the glimps of a second....
Let them call me (us) fools......I am sure we all know better while they never will...
Once more, keep the replies coming as I am really interested to read them all...
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I have started with a big european regional company and worked for them 6 years, changed for GA and I love it, that is you have a very challenging and versatile job, taking care of everything...and anyway smaller aircraft are a lot more nice to fly (at least for me). You meet alot of people all around the place.I had the same experience you have, coming from the line GA boys look at you strangely, yes but its very different from the line you know and you have to take care of everything (not a big deal) so they all think they are the best( they especially try to lower the salary I guess with some sort of excuse...) but with NJE you will not have this kind of problem (as long as you live in the good country).
Do not listen too much what other say, talk to your heart and do what he says to you
No problem
Do not listen too much what other say, talk to your heart and do what he says to you
No problem
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I love GA. I worked for a small regional and then went GA. I got bored senseless going from A 2 B 2 A 2 B 2 A, sometimes I even went to C. I tink I do the whole alphabet in a month now. Fly some great pax, see some lovely places and I enjoy operating the machine.
I was recently told by a friend who upgraded to a 757 that I would always be viewed as a small plane pilot, I reminded him that I don't care. I enjoy my flying, command times in GA tend to be lower than the 12 or so years he's facing and with the latest NJE pilots deals, I think within a few years more airline boys will be looking at our inferior little niche for the lifestyle it can present if you go with a good company.
Also, I think it's worth mentioning that part of the reason I fly because I love the machines and the technology, and the technology on some of the modern aircraft, G550's, Falcons (Especially 7x), Challenger 300's etc... is years beyond even modern airliners, and that for me is a huge appeal.
I was recently told by a friend who upgraded to a 757 that I would always be viewed as a small plane pilot, I reminded him that I don't care. I enjoy my flying, command times in GA tend to be lower than the 12 or so years he's facing and with the latest NJE pilots deals, I think within a few years more airline boys will be looking at our inferior little niche for the lifestyle it can present if you go with a good company.
Also, I think it's worth mentioning that part of the reason I fly because I love the machines and the technology, and the technology on some of the modern aircraft, G550's, Falcons (Especially 7x), Challenger 300's etc... is years beyond even modern airliners, and that for me is a huge appeal.
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Hi,
even though I am not hired by NJ yet I am looking forward to the prospect of being hired by them,and as you guys have all formulated so well,to get back the joy in flying that we all once had.
I myself have become a helicopter pilot 13 years ago because I at that time refused to pay for any typeratings in the fixed wing world,and I still hold on to that principle,but after counting waves on the North Sea for all those years with the same boredom mentioned buy you all I can't wait to enter an operation like NJ has.
So for my part I hope to join the enthusiastic group of aviators very soon
even though I am not hired by NJ yet I am looking forward to the prospect of being hired by them,and as you guys have all formulated so well,to get back the joy in flying that we all once had.
I myself have become a helicopter pilot 13 years ago because I at that time refused to pay for any typeratings in the fixed wing world,and I still hold on to that principle,but after counting waves on the North Sea for all those years with the same boredom mentioned buy you all I can't wait to enter an operation like NJ has.
So for my part I hope to join the enthusiastic group of aviators very soon
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Also, I think it's worth mentioning that part of the reason I fly because I love the machines and the technology, and the technology on some of the modern aircraft, G550's, Falcons (Especially 7x), Challenger 300's etc... is years beyond even modern airliners,
Sometimes a C172 is better equiped.. LOL
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Hi CL300,
I do not fully agree with you there. I fly the A340-600 so I consider it to be the latest generation airliner, correct?
FD guidance below 400ft: it exists ok but....on rotation we rotate to X deg pitch up regardless of the FD, because it simply can not cope with the dynamics of take off.
Cost index: how many airlines do you know that use variable CI the way it was intended to be used. Myself I know one. All the others flyconstant CI the whole time. On top of that most pilots will change the CI the whole time to gain those odd 5 minutes flight time...
Autoland: Great feature I have to admit. But from what I understand there is no need to certify most executive jets to do an autoland. Too many small airfields, visual approaches etc. I was flying a european national carrier before, doing european hops all winter. We maybe did 5 CATIII approaches per winter season/pilot on average. Now I am flying a big national carrier in the sandpit. This winter season my number of CATIII approaches stands at....0! So the cost of certifying an airplane to operate in CATIII conditions has to be considered as well...Maybe there just is no economical case for certifying exec airplanes for those kind of ops.
CPDLC: We have it on board these days...true...Its very nice to get a start up clearence in busy aiports or to use while crossing the atlantic. But thats about it....There just is not much use for it because the ATC centres are lagging behind. In europe only Eurocontrol uses it, Shannon atlantic is another one, Brasil ATC when crossing south atlantic, Mumbai FIR, Calcutta and Yangon on one airway....thats about it. And on all these FIR s VHF or HF is still operational as well. So why again, certify the airplanes for those things if the use of it is rather limited? I am sure that once it is widely implimented we will see them appearing on the bizz jets as well.
On the other hand bizz jets introduced long time ago the following:
Electronic nav bag and moving map charts
Trust bias/rudder bias if EFATO
HUD
Big screen EFIS and avionics
....
I tell you one thing, comparing the flight deck of the current generation A340-600 with e.g a GV or 7X is like comparing a 737-200adv to a 737-800.
Airliners are not by far as inovative and pilot friendly as the modern generation bizz jets. My experience off course...
I do not fully agree with you there. I fly the A340-600 so I consider it to be the latest generation airliner, correct?
FD guidance below 400ft: it exists ok but....on rotation we rotate to X deg pitch up regardless of the FD, because it simply can not cope with the dynamics of take off.
Cost index: how many airlines do you know that use variable CI the way it was intended to be used. Myself I know one. All the others flyconstant CI the whole time. On top of that most pilots will change the CI the whole time to gain those odd 5 minutes flight time...
Autoland: Great feature I have to admit. But from what I understand there is no need to certify most executive jets to do an autoland. Too many small airfields, visual approaches etc. I was flying a european national carrier before, doing european hops all winter. We maybe did 5 CATIII approaches per winter season/pilot on average. Now I am flying a big national carrier in the sandpit. This winter season my number of CATIII approaches stands at....0! So the cost of certifying an airplane to operate in CATIII conditions has to be considered as well...Maybe there just is no economical case for certifying exec airplanes for those kind of ops.
CPDLC: We have it on board these days...true...Its very nice to get a start up clearence in busy aiports or to use while crossing the atlantic. But thats about it....There just is not much use for it because the ATC centres are lagging behind. In europe only Eurocontrol uses it, Shannon atlantic is another one, Brasil ATC when crossing south atlantic, Mumbai FIR, Calcutta and Yangon on one airway....thats about it. And on all these FIR s VHF or HF is still operational as well. So why again, certify the airplanes for those things if the use of it is rather limited? I am sure that once it is widely implimented we will see them appearing on the bizz jets as well.
On the other hand bizz jets introduced long time ago the following:
Electronic nav bag and moving map charts
Trust bias/rudder bias if EFATO
HUD
Big screen EFIS and avionics
....
I tell you one thing, comparing the flight deck of the current generation A340-600 with e.g a GV or 7X is like comparing a 737-200adv to a 737-800.
Airliners are not by far as inovative and pilot friendly as the modern generation bizz jets. My experience off course...
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Hello Difrips,
very good decision.
I am about to take the same one even though I am flying the B747-400F for a well known european operator.
I don't want to finish my life tired by jet lags and other boring ultra long haul flights...I won't miss the airlines because I want to fly again the REAL STUFF( wich is flying raw data visual approaches).
I am fed up with flying through the autopilot, after a long boring 11 hours flight.
I thing I won't miss the BIG stuff...
Cheers
very good decision.
I am about to take the same one even though I am flying the B747-400F for a well known european operator.
I don't want to finish my life tired by jet lags and other boring ultra long haul flights...I won't miss the airlines because I want to fly again the REAL STUFF( wich is flying raw data visual approaches).
I am fed up with flying through the autopilot, after a long boring 11 hours flight.
I thing I won't miss the BIG stuff...
Cheers
Aviator
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difrips:
Excellent post! I've been having doubts about leaving the airlines as well. My colleagues think I'm crazy for considering NetJets. When I also cancelled my CX interview last week, they thought I'd done raving mad! I haven't been accepted at NJ yet (interview this Saturday), but hope I'll be seeing you guys in a NJ cockpit some time soon!
PS: buy this month's Airways Magazine, and check out Hugh Pryor's article on "Plane Snobbery"
Excellent post! I've been having doubts about leaving the airlines as well. My colleagues think I'm crazy for considering NetJets. When I also cancelled my CX interview last week, they thought I'd done raving mad! I haven't been accepted at NJ yet (interview this Saturday), but hope I'll be seeing you guys in a NJ cockpit some time soon!
PS: buy this month's Airways Magazine, and check out Hugh Pryor's article on "Plane Snobbery"
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CL300,
If you want technology by a computor I'm a pilot learn't to fly on Harvards and thats where my pasion comes from I only use technology if I absolutley have too. There's no way in hell I would strap my but to a machine flying across time zones just because it can autoland or you can CPDLC ATC! Raw data and visual approaches hand flown are what i became a pilot for, you can't beat hand flying some of the approaches into the Swiss Ski resorts its what makes me a pilot. I've flown mant of the heavies and quite frankly i can teach my 10 year old to operate a modern heavy jet in about an hour on microsoft flight sim! It would take a lot longer to teach him to fly a safe raw data approach into somewhere like Samdan(St Moritz).
If you want technology by a computor I'm a pilot learn't to fly on Harvards and thats where my pasion comes from I only use technology if I absolutley have too. There's no way in hell I would strap my but to a machine flying across time zones just because it can autoland or you can CPDLC ATC! Raw data and visual approaches hand flown are what i became a pilot for, you can't beat hand flying some of the approaches into the Swiss Ski resorts its what makes me a pilot. I've flown mant of the heavies and quite frankly i can teach my 10 year old to operate a modern heavy jet in about an hour on microsoft flight sim! It would take a lot longer to teach him to fly a safe raw data approach into somewhere like Samdan(St Moritz).
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bond??
does anyone know something about the training bond, if there is one?nobody mentioned it at the interview..how much..for how long..and for which type rating..
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I always tell the big bus drivers, is your initial climb greater than 6.000fpm at 220kts fully loaded? nop? then I am the big driver, i fly ferraris, you fly yellow school buses.
I enjoy GA, I am flying for one owner, now I want to move to TAG or Netjets, I have the interview with them next month to get back home in south Spain
I enjoy GA, I am flying for one owner, now I want to move to TAG or Netjets, I have the interview with them next month to get back home in south Spain