NetJets, XOjet and the likes..

badtransam97

badtransam97

Well-Known Member
So I'm thinking that this type of flying may better suit my lifestyle vs 121. I like the idea of being "home based" that some of these companies have, and the 8/6, 7/7, etc... I am wondering though, does it take working regionals, or freight to get these jobs? I found a smaller fractional/charter outfit that I may try to get on with that will accept all my helo time. Just thinking out loud, but would it be stupid for me to have the goal of a NetJets type job by going that route? Reason being, I can possibly keep the HEMS job temporarily and fly part time with the other folks to build the necessary time. I just feel the commute to a regional will be killer for my family life unless they out a base closer to my home. Right now, the wife is used to my 7/7 schedule, so I fugured the fractional sched would be similar. What do you guys think? Crazy talk?
 
In my new hire class, most were airline, but it was a small class. There's lots of very diverse backgrounds here at NetJets. If I were to guess, most of the senior guys are former corporate, the last 10-15 years probably saw more airline guys stepping in. Looks like half and half being hired right now. I was an airline captain prior to coming here, but they are looking from all places equally at the moment. The regionals suck. If you have a corporate job lined up, it won't hurt your chances. Probably would help, since you'd have experience catering to high dollar clientele.
 
One of the companies I have in mind is flying PC-12's and Phenoms. Not sure on how long the upgrade is to get into the Phenoms since it seems to be merit/ability based vs seniority.
Would it be beneficial to fly the pc-12 and wait out the phenom? The reason I'm interested in this place is because it's the only place that's nearby where I live and I can be home based. The pay doesn't seen terrible, and the equipment is very nice. Thanks.
 
Netjets is very similar to many other operators out there in that they value diversity of experience in their pilot group. I have flown with pilots with just about any type of experience you can think of: all branches of the military; freight; airline; corporate; charter; even a NOAA hurricane hunter. I came to Netjets from a 135 cargo operator (hence the NightCargo handle), so I can say with certainty that they hire from that group.

If the job you are talking about helps get you to the hiring minimums, AND allows you to have stability at home...I say go for it.

Good Luck!!
 
@NightCargo I know you said you came from cargo, and that NetJets hires from a varied background..does one need to have multi turbine PIC from a cargo outfit, or would just piston multi time work? Been looking at Central Air since they have a base a couple hr drive from me I could possibly work for. Im wondering if I shouldn't just jump on the regional bandwagon and ride it for a while to build the multi time??? What would you guys do in this situation?
 
@badtransam97, just want you to know I haven't forgot about the rotor time question. I've heard lots of rumors, but still waiting on official word from someone in the department.

When I was hired, I had lots of piston PIC and a couple hundred hours as a Lear SIC, but no multi TPIC. In my interview group I was the low time cargo guy, but we also had corporate, charter, and retired airline pilots as well. It didn't seem to matter where the time came from, but for those of us who passed the interview the common denominator was that we all genuinely wanted to be at Netjets. Easy to show once you get the interview...but how you get your name pulled from the stack quickly? Besides recommendations...I wish I had a good answer.
 
Thank you @NightCargo I appreciate it! I was hoping I could find something part time to get the hours, while I kept my EMS job. That's looking like it is gonna be tough to make all that work. So, I'm trying to figure out the best and quickest route to get where I need to be, wether it is cargo, regional etc..
 
Can you fly any equipment from any domicile or is the equipment region specific? (i.e. You can get the aircraft you want but it will require a move...) I understand that anything large cabin is a long long wait and upgrade is 10 years or more.

Also, how difficult is it to change domiciles? Can I simply tell them where I want to live or is is based on company need and seniority? Could I live down south in the winter and north in the summer? Can I get the domicile I want directly out of training?
 
You choose your domicile and they airline you to pick up a plane on day one and your last day they airline you home. Depending on your base you will hardly ever fly a plane in our out of your actual home domicile. You can change domiciles every 30 days with 30 days notice.
 
Is it unlikely that spending a year or so at a regional would give me enough experience to get on at one of these places? I think that if I count my helo plus what I would fly at a regional in a years time would put me around 3000TT, 1200FW, and 800 multi or so.
I just a hear a lot of guys say oh man I've tried for years to get on at NetJets, etc...I was unsure if a lot of people look past these places because they want major 121 jobs, or if it's just that hard to get on with them.
I don't really want to go to mainline 121, and basically would use the regional as a way to build the fixed wing multi time quickly vs hammering out the time on my own dime over several years..
 
badtransam97 said:
Is it unlikely that spending a year or so at a regional would give me enough experience to get on at one of these places? I think that if I count my helo plus what I would fly at a regional in a years time would put me around 3000TT, 1200FW, and 800 multi or so.
I just a hear a lot of guys say oh man I've tried for years to get on at NetJets, etc...I was unsure if a lot of people look past these places because they want major 121 jobs, or if it's just that hard to get on with them.
I don't really want to go to mainline 121, and basically would use the regional as a way to build the fixed wing multi time quickly vs hammering out the time on my own dime over several years..
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I know a few people who have done just that. They've used 121 for experience/time building and then got on with a NetJets or similar.
 
Mark815 said:
I know a few people who have done just that. They've used 121 for experience/time building and then got on with a NetJets or similar.
Click to expand...
How long did it take them? I'm hoping that it won't take me over a year or so to get enough time to be competitive. Do most places hire frequently, and at their posted mins? Maybe with all the hiring supposedly being done the next few years, it'll be beneficial to me.
 
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