NetJets pilots national Ad directly addresses Warren Buffett

Friday, December 1, 2023

Since July 2008, NJASAP has served as the labor union for NetJets’ pilots. In a bold move, the association placed a front-page ad in The Wall Street Journal directly addressing Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, commemorating a significant milestone in their ongoing representation of the aviators of Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary NetJets Aviation, Inc. The advertisement follows the breakdown of negotiations between NJASAP and NetJets, fueled by the Fractional’s refusal to pay competitive wages for pilot labor and implement sensible improvements to current scheduling practices.

As the competition intensifies to retain skilled aviators amid a growing labor crisis, NetJets’ position has left the union perplexed. NJASAP highlights NetJets’ reluctance to invest in its pilots—the essential contributors to the brand’s product—and questions whether owners receive the value expected from the Fractional’s premium price tag. Notably, numerous pilots have departed the company this year alone in pursuit of more lucrative opportunities in the aviation industry, and NJASAP anticipates a rapid acceleration in attrition during the first quarter of 2024.

“We are witnessing an unprecedented trend in aviation: experienced pilots in the prime of their careers are opting to start afresh at the bottom of seniority lists with mainline carriers that recognize the importance of retaining skilled aviators,” remarked NJASAP President Capt. Pedro Leroux. “NetJets, operating in a dynamic environment, requires top-tier aviators. Owners pay for the assurance of having two experienced pilots in the cockpit, but currently, we are witnessing pilots of high quality across all seniority levels leaving the Fractional, and both Berkshire Hathaway and NetJets executives appear indifferent to this trend.”

At the negotiation table, NetJets has not argued its inability to afford market-rate wages or competitive adjustments to the pilot contract—only its unwillingness to do so. Addressing overdue modifications to scheduling practices is crucial to ensuring that the pilot group, responsible for transporting the world’s wealthiest individuals to challenging destinations, has more manageable duty periods.

“Pilot negotiators have tirelessly crafted proposals aimed at genuine improvements in life on the road while addressing the company’s concerns,” stated NJASAP Negotiating Committee Chairman Capt. Mike Pascalar. “Despite our commitment to exploring creative solutions and engaging in joint working sessions, the company adamantly refused to budge.” Notably, the company rejected this approach and the necessary competitive adjustments, even as Berkshire Hathaway maintains a record-breaking $157.2 billion cash pile.

“Despite Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway promoting NetJets as a luxury private air carrier, they are providing budget compensation to the pilot group,” asserted NJASAP Vice President Capt. Paulette Gilbert. As highlighted in the ad, NetJets pilots are dissatisfied earning 60% of what their counterparts at JetBlue, United, and Delta would make over a 30-year career. “Skilled pilots are moving on, and we anticipate more to follow,” added Gilbert, emphasizing the potential challenge for NetJets to fulfill its commitment to providing exceptional experiences to owners if a significant portion of pilots follows through on their intention to leave within a year.

Unwilling to witness the carrier become a mere steppingstone, NetJets pilots are actively exerting public pressure on the company, Buffett, and Berkshire Hathaway. Recent initiatives include informational pickets in Las Vegas and on Wall Street, with plans for the next picket scheduled for Friday, Dec. 8, at 1300ET in conjunction with Art Basel in Miami.

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