Xtra Airways

[Gas Man]

Anyone flown for or have any general information on this outfit?

 

[Stukadriver]

I flew for them back when it was Casino Express. We called it "the place where the trailing edge of technology (737-200) meets the leading edge of fun." Now it's 737-400's and 800's. We flew gamblers to casinos, USMS charters, VIP charters, etc. It was a lot of fun, but I was away from home a lot. They had a few guys on furlough last I checked.

 

[thunderworm]

everyone who has been furloughd and wanted to come back has. some didn't because of commitments to other jobs they got while being furloughed. the schedules aren't too bad. week on week off or sometimes if you want two on two off. i enjoy it and do have fun.

 

[Dash8don]

Are the schedules still 1 week on, 1 week off or 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off? Is that the same for reserve or is everyone on reserve? Do you pretty much have to live in base or is the schedule commutable?

 

[Dash8don]

Also, do they have a training contract?

 

[Nevergreen]

Is the chief pilot still that guy from Midway?

 

[Old School 737]

Is the chief pilot still that guy from Midway?

No he is long gone.
They are moving HQ to BOI and getting 3 more -400's for hocky contract. From what I hear.

 

[thunderworm]

the scheduler works with your days off requests and builds you a line for the month. there are no reserve lines you just do days on reserve and flying days in the same month. so basically there is no biding for lines they assign them based on your requested days off for the month. seems to be working pretty well. No training contract and hopefully they never have one. right now we are getting 2 more planes by june 1 another might be on the way for july and a lot of requests for other contracts but the problem is we do not have the crews to staff all the planes and can't hire enough in time and maintain staffing levels. so basically everyone is going to be working their tails off. all hiring is being done by internal recomendations. they will not look at anyone who is not recomended. this is due to the complexity of how we operate i.e. bases changing and schedules etc. it is not a normal 121 airline.

 

[Skippy]

they are interviewing in DFW very soon-- i guess its both an informal and formal interview

3 new planes for hockey contract-- well hockey season is almost done-- i doubt they are ramping up for next season so early-

buddy said you could be a captain making 76K first year in about 3 months---

76K first year 737 captain-- RU FREAKING SERIOUS

 

[Old School 737]

they are interviewing in DFW very soon-- i guess its both an informal and formal interview

3 new planes for hockey contract-- well hockey season is almost done-- i doubt they are ramping up for next season so early-

buddy said you could be a captain making 76K first year in about 3 months---

76K first year 737 captain-- RU FREAKING SERIOUS

Interviews were yesterday and today.

 

[thunderworm]

the planes are not for a hockey contract rather professional sports in general. I doubt anyone will be a captain in 3 months. that seems a little like wishful thinking. 1 yr could happen. $76 hr is the pay for 1st yr cpt. 70 hr guarnetee. who wouldn't like more money?

 

[Skippy]

im sorry guaranteed $63840 plus per diem---- i can make more than that as a captain on a beechjet --- embarassing.

arent they known for ups and downs in their hiring and furloughing--- like usa 3000? pay so low, people will get hired , get current- b/c they usually hire just the typed guys b/c its cheaper and voila they leave--
is there a training contract?

oh my ruby mountain -- what has become of thee

 

[thunderworm]

Agreed pay is low but will take what I can get at this time. Not really known for ups and downs as far as fourloughs. haven't furloughed before this last one last year for 20 yrs. They don't hire just typed guys it is about a mix although this time around they can be very picky. the training is the same if you have a type or not so really don't save money right off the bat but at least shows the canadate is trainable. No training contract. I can't stand those and wouldn't work for someone who required it. May not sound peachy to some but at least they survived the mass extiction of ad-hoc charter companies that went under last summer, barely. but are around to enjoy some of the benefits. Have a chance to have the most planes on property ever this year. so hopefully some of the bennies will improve. the flying is great and the guys you work with are too, seems to be that way with small niche companies.

 

[A-V-8]

So if I dont have an internal rec am I SOL.

 

[belliott]

So if I dont have an internal rec am I SOL.

Thats the way I understand it... which sucks because I got to meet quite a few of their crews over the last year and would love to be part of the company... I didn't hear a single negative comment about the company from anyone there.