I saw an advertisement for this company in LATESTPILOTJOBS Newsletter.

Is it better than NETJETS?

NO

17days on 13days ‘off’

-all training and recurrents to be performed on your days off
-salary on the low side
-per diem on the low side
-positioning economy class

No direct experience but former colleagues speak highly of the training at VistaJet.

Not so glowing about the package and lifestyle though. NetJets certainly appear the better bet, but time to command may swing it VistaJet’s way.

I see VistaJet are hiring again on the CL350. Further to the above, does anyone know the average time to command? Is the PPJN salary correct (€45,000 & €40 per diem)? Also how long are you bonded for? Any other information from current employees would be appreciated.

Netjets is substantially better.
the ppjn salary is correct, after 3 years you get a 3k euro raise if you stay in the same position.
Vista is 17/13 except for 4 months where 4 or 5 of your 13 are used for training in Montreal or company training or to go to Malta for the boss to tell you that you aren’t working quite hard enough (and to get drunk with your mates - which is quite fun :) ).
You also lose a couple of days a year to go a day early to Asia and the odd extra sby day to cover leave. Largely extra days worked are rewarded with sby days rather than money but you do get a bung at the end of a full year if you meet the requirements.
204 days minimum, if you’re sick and don’t work them back then no 3% bonus or extra days payment for you.
350 crews work very hard indeed, so by the time you get to 3 years you will be pretty experienced. Fatigue is acknowledged but not addressed, yet. I suspect something sad will have to happen before it gets genuinely addressed.
Time to upgrade is about 6 years or so and if there’s a spot free and you’re in your 3 years of being seat locked preference is given to DEC... or has been, this may have changed.
Salary gets paid on time every month. UK pension was minimum legal required and is now a salary sacrifice scheme to dodge paying NI, the company no longer contributes any extra if you follow this scheme.
The people are mostly very good and those who have left Vista for NJ have remarked that the camaraderie at vista is noticeably better.
The atmosphere at Vista is a bit of a mixed bag but a lot of negativity around as people are leaving for many reasons and that’s unavoidably destructive.
The maintenance is good
The training is mostly very good but that’s subjective.
The hotels are pretty good for the most part, the only exception is the Holiday Inn in FAB which is genuinely vile.

So in short, you work hard, get paid badly but on time . Your colleagues are largely nice and stay in some cool places. Don’t expect any thanks or flexibility on the companies part in exchange for you having to be flexible and grateful for the opportunity.

Its not the happiest place right now but it’s genuinely a good bunch and has been improving slowly over the years. I don’t think you would be doing yourself any damage by working there and your global route knowledge will be good at the end but you’re expected to leave and will be treated as such. Between the two though, NetJets every day.

Thanks a lot for the replies - really useful information.