Latest with XJet

[Poahi]

Continental cant afford to let XJT go into bankruptcy. That would cripple CAL's domestic feed and no other regional can replace that flying in the event of XJT going TU. I think CAL wants XJT bought so they wont have to.

That may be true but Skywest isn't running a charity and XJT is looking at staggering losses. I don't think CAL wants to dramatically expand the regional operation so where's the carrot? It sounds like a very expensive insurance policy.

The only option I can think of is that Skywest takes it for free essentially, runs it through bankruptcy, dumps the 50 seaters and inks new larger aircraft out of the deal.

 

[Brasilia Flyer]

Wait, I thought that ALPA was in the middle of things and was going to make sure nothing bad happens to any of the XJet folks.

Are you guys saying that ALPA isn't going to make things right?

 

[Superpilot92]

The only option I can think of is that Skywest takes it for free essentially, runs it through bankruptcy, dumps the 50 seaters and inks new larger aircraft out of the deal.

That sounds cute and all but there is this thing with CAL called Scope, you do know about that right?

 

[Superpilot92]

Wait, I thought that ALPA was in the middle of things and was going to make sure nothing bad happens to any of the XJet folks.

Are you guys saying that ALPA isn't going to make things right?

Absolutely not worth discussing with you after those comments . After all it appears you have already made your mind up on ALPA.

 

[Brasilia Flyer]

Absolutely not worth discussing with you after those comments . After all it appears you have already made your mind up on ALPA.

Maybe you missed the sarcasm in my remarks.

However, I have had 2 Xjet jumpseaters in as many days and both indicated that they are confident everything will turn out fine. . . Because ALPA was in the middle of all discussions regarding SKYW XJET and CAL and wouldn't allow anything that could be detrimental to the XJet guys.

Listen, I am not looking forward to any of the carnage which may ensue with Eagle, Mesa, or XJet. I understand that crews have families (like I do) to feed, and bills to pay. I also know that when we all got into this industry, it was a crap shoot as to which carriers would be successful and which ones would not.

BUT, I find it naive to think that ALPA is a savior to the employees of a company who's balance sheet isn't all that rosy.

 

[Superpilot92]

Maybe you missed the sarcasm in my remarks.

However, I have had 2 Xjet jumpseaters in as many days and both indicated that they are confident everything will turn out fine. . . Because ALPA was in the middle of all discussions regarding SKYW XJET and CAL and wouldn't allow anything that could be detrimental to the XJet guys.

Listen, I am not looking forward to any of the carnage which may ensue with Eagle, Mesa, or XJet. I understand that crews have families (like I do) to feed, and bills to pay. I also know that when we all got into this industry, it was a crap shoot as to which carriers would be successful and which ones would not.

BUT, I find it naive to think that ALPA is a savior to the employees of a company who's balance sheet isn't all that rosy.

Last i checked ALPA has nothing to do with the companies balance sheet . ALPA IS going to do its job to protect the XJT pilots in regards to their CONTRACT. Right now they have protections in their scope language that protects them against what SkyWest INC is attempting to do.

There is nothing acceptable about SKywest INC buying XJT making those pilots Skywest INC pilots onto furlough them and turn around and "OFFER" preferential Interviews to do the same job in the same airplanes for 1st year pay rates at skywest another SkyWest INC company.

 

[dojetdriver]

Have you ever considered that SKYW will begin flying for Continental under a CPA with Continental without regard to whether or not SKYW closes a deal with XJT?

Are you sure about that? Was there ANOTHER letter sent out by CAL's people to XJT's management? The original said that a CPA with SkyWest was CONTINGENT on the buyout of XJT, it SPECIFICALLY states this.

If SkyWest is going to do as you say, how are they going to accomplish this? So many things could change between now and when CAL can pull the 51 airframes from XJT in December of 2009.

I guess CAL could can the CPA with XJT, but that wouldn't do them any good, and I guess they could bring SkyWest on sooner. But that goes against everything CAL has said they want regarding slimming down their regional feed.

 

[kj6991]

Freedom shutdown, Mesa almost gone, Eagle possible furloughs, TSA downgrades and furloughs, Expressjet(fill in the blank)...... ALPA come save me like you always do!!!!!!!!

 

[10nCLR]

who wants to work for a scab airline like skyworst after workin for an awesome airline like xjt.
those guys at skyworst are brain washed thinkin they have it real good but in reality it is just another crap hole like mesa.

I think you should shine your disco balls with some urnge Kool-Aid, cuz you're lookin a little scabby yourself.

 

[difete]

We are in the cone of silence because the deal is being made. This source I know has been at the meetings. The source does not know the details yet of everything, but the acquisition will be similar to ASA's buy. The CAL deal was too good to pass for management here.

My best wishes to all Xpress Jet pilot group. It is tough times for you all. I was in IAH on the BRO when it shutdown, not fun at all to relocate family and stuff.

 

[Future Furlough]

...BUT, I find it naive to think that ALPA is a savior to the employees of a company who's balance sheet isn't all that rosy.

You got it half right...here's the fixed version

...BUT, I find it naive to think that SKYWEST is a savior to the employees of a company who's balance sheet isn't all that rosy.

 

[greg52083]

The reason that XJT pilots are reluctant to blame management for the current situation of the company is because management always treated our pilot group with dignity and respect. They didn't come to the employees and say "you gotta take cuts" or "were loosing flying so we are reducing staffing" or "were going to run a bare bones operation to reduce costs". They took lemons and at least tried to make lemonade. ExpressJet is probably one of the few airlines where you actually feel valued for what you do for the company and respected as an employee.

Regardless if I keep my job or loose my job, I'll walk out the door of XJT knowing what it is like to work for great management (i worked for Mesa and I know the other extreme) and thankful to them for at least trying to make it work. Thankful for them never trying to fund the airline on the salaries of the work groups. Thankful for keeping the company a great place to work up to the very last day. I won't be taking that Skywest interview, thank you anyways ($19/hr to fly a 76 seat jet is a JOKE, I made more at Mesa 3 years ago on a 50 seat jet).

You can say what you want about how bad our management is at XJT, but when you look at your company's management in a situation that our company faced, can you say your management would at least try and make it work and not ask you for a single cut or shed a single job?

 

[No.W.]

The reason that XJT pilots are reluctant to blame management for the current situation of the company is because management always treated our pilot group with dignity and respect. They didn't come to the employees and say "you gotta take cuts" or "were loosing flying so we are reducing staffing" or "were going to run a bare bones operation to reduce costs". They took lemons and at least tried to make lemonade. ExpressJet is probably one of the few airlines where you actually feel valued for what you do for the company and respected as an employee.

Regardless if I keep my job or loose my job, I'll walk out the door of XJT knowing what it is like to work for great management (i worked for Mesa and I know the other extreme) and thankful to them for at least trying to make it work. Thankful for them never trying to fund the airline on the salaries of the work groups. Thankful for keeping the company a great place to work up to the very last day. I won't be taking that Skywest interview, thank you anyways ($19/hr to fly a 76 seat jet is a JOKE, I made more at Mesa 3 years ago on a 50 seat jet).

You can say what you want about how bad our management is at XJT, but when you look at your company's management in a situation that our company faced, can you say your management would at least try and make it work and not ask you for a single cut or shed a single job?

Were you there during the IPO? Were you there right after 9/11?

Do you remember a couple of Ream's quotes?:

"If you don't like it...we'll help you pack your s**T."

"If you don't like it, we can find some other poor silly souls to fly our airplanes."

I don't disagree with your CURRENT assessment. Your management really did try to do the right thing, but it wasn't always like that. I was there for those two quotes(on furlough for one) above. Your union representation deserves more credit for the contract than your management does. Ream is not without pride...it may have been a matter of his personal pride to keep those airplanes and NOT about "doing the right thing by the pilots". I could be wrong on that...but I'm not when I say that your Negotiating committee and your pilot group's unity are more responsible for your great contract than your management team. When I was there...Ream and company where not in the pilot groups good graces.

 

[Skaff]

The reason that XJT pilots are reluctant to blame management for the current situation of the company is because management always treated our pilot group with dignity and respect. They didn't come to the employees and say "you gotta take cuts" or "were loosing flying so we are reducing staffing" or "were going to run a bare bones operation to reduce costs". They took lemons and at least tried to make lemonade. ExpressJet is probably one of the few airlines where you actually feel valued for what you do for the company and respected as an employee.

So the Xjt pilots have an emotional attachment to their managers. That's fine. But sometimes managers need to manage rather than making friends while the business is burning down. I feel like a respected and valued employee at SkyWest. The difference is, is that SkyWest managers are not always the good guy. When Brad Holt was working at Skywest Airlines, a lot of people didn't like the way he ran things, but he made good decisions and we've benefited from them in the long run. Again, don't you wish your management did their jobs rather than made friends with you?

 

[mack82]

Then why in the world does Skywest want XJT? Am I the only one baffled by this?

Because they need to keep from dying too. United has by far the highest operating costs of any major, putting them in probably the most jeopardy amongst the legacy carriers. Seeing how probably 50% of Skywest's flying is for United, their just trying to cover their own end by going after CAL. Teaming up with CAL to widdle XJT away to nothing is a way to extend their future without having to rely on United.

CAL, aside from Southwest is in the most favorable position for the future because of their fleet, and their operating costs are the lowest of the legacies.