Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

On September 10, members of the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) are planning an informational picketing event in seven cities. “NetJets pilots are exercising their right to engage in informational picketing to inform our customers and the public about the labor dispute with NetJets,” according to the union, which represents about 2,700 NetJets pilots. “The parties have been unable to reach an agreement on a new contract because of company proposals to cut insurance benefits while shifting additional healthcare costs to the workforce and pay issues.”

 


In response to questions from AIN, a NJASAP spokeswoman&nbsp;sent this statement: "At this time, NJASAP and NetJets remain in government-supervised mediation as outlined in the Railway Labor Act. Although NetJets has emphasized very favorable financial performance in the media, management has set its sights on the pilots’ healthcare package nevertheless. The rationale? For lack of a better way to phrase it, they are seeking to&nbsp;cut insurance benefits while shifting additional healthcare costs to the workforce because&nbsp;everyone else is doing it."

 


The seven cities are: Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Seattle; Teterboro, N.J.; Van Nuys, Calif; and West Palm Beach, Fla. NJASAP declined to provide further details about the specific nature of its dispute with NetJets. Following the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2015-06-01/netjets-brings-back-two-execs-hansell-steps-down">departure of then-chairman and CEO Jordan Hansell</a> on June 1 and the rehiring of Adam Johnson in the same roles and Bill Noe as president and COO, the union and NetJets have been in mediation, although apparently little progress has resulted.

 


At the time of the transition, NJASAP president Pedro Leroux said he was “cautiously optimistic” that the leadership changes could help rebuild strained labor relations and possibly lead to a quicker resolution of contract negotiations.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

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