Change is in the air at XOJET...

[gunfyter]

Wheels UP?

 

[shanes123]

That rumor has been floating around Options for some time..Just like the Flex deal you won't know til after the fact

 

[Downwind]

Is XO in trouble or just a possible expansion?

 

[t-bone]

The anecdotal evidence of where money is being spent says no we're not in trouble. Paychecks arrive on time and don't bounce. Vendors are paid on time and in full. Fleet wide upgrade to Gogo Text & Talk in progress. Initial new hire type ratings and transition training type ratings all in progress. Almost 100% increase in daily OT rate effective Nov 2013. Pay raises for pilots effective Jan 1. Pilot attrition has been incredible and they are finally admitting it's a problem and the purse strings are starting to loosen up.

With all that being said, I'm just a pilot and nowhere near the circle of trust. Just an observers opinion. Looking for strategic opportunities to expand? Yes. As in the GMJ/intel shuttle contract that we now operate.

 

[V1 Rotate]

It's no secret around here (Flexjet) that Ricci wants their 300's. Even the top dog here admits that.

 

[Downwind]

The anecdotal evidence of where money is being spent says no we're not in trouble. Paychecks arrive on time and don't bounce. Vendors are paid on time and in full. Fleet wide upgrade to Gogo Text & Talk in progress. Initial new hire type ratings and transition training type ratings all in progress. Almost 100% increase in daily OT rate effective Nov 2013. Pay raises for pilots effective Jan 1. Pilot attrition has been incredible and they are finally admitting it's a problem and the purse strings are starting to loosen up.

With all that being said, I'm just a pilot and nowhere near the circle of trust. Just an observers opinion. Looking for strategic opportunities to expand? Yes. As in the GMJ/intel shuttle contract that we now operate.

I'd agree with your assessment. I used to work for a larger 135 and when they got in trouble it was widely known that Bombardier was holding aircraft at BAS facilities for payment, parts were COD, and other similar nonsense. Even then some had their heads in the sand. Doesn't sound like XO is in a similar situation. Attrition will probably be an issue for everyone with the big 121's hiring.

 

[gunfyter]

With all that being said, I'm just a pilot and nowhere near the circle of trust.

Man I that you were in charge

 

[chief9404]

Is XO in trouble or just a possible expansion?

I would say yes their in trouble. Recently a xo customer told me that xo was charging hourly rates so low because they needed cash and said there was no way they could keep doing it and stay in business.

Maybe DAC is waiting like a vulture to pick up what's leftover from them. I think Pete Liegl would be a fool to try to acquire them.

 

[t-bone]

I would say yes their in trouble. Recently a xo customer told me that xo was charging hourly rates so low because they needed cash and said there was no way they could keep doing it and stay in business.

Maybe DAC is waiting like a vulture to pick up what's leftover from them. I think Pete Liegl would be a fool to try to acquire them.

Well, based on that premise, we've been in trouble since the day I flew a trip from TEB-VNY for $14,500. That was 6 years ago. You see, the thing is, when we need to move a plane into position for a client that is paying $8500/hour with a 2 hour minimum, we sometimes go to the wholesale markets and fire-sale that one-way leg. The airplane is going regardless, may as well get someone else to pay for the gas. Your passengers, on that particular day, could have gotten one of those deals. It's all part of the model to minimize empty legs.

 

[t-bone]

It's no secret around here (Flexjet) that Ricci wants their 300's. Even the top dog here admits that.

The irony is he'd be getting 300s that we bought from Flex! Circle of life, I guess...

 

[BushwickBill]

I would say yes their in trouble. Recently a xo customer told me that xo was charging hourly rates so low because they needed cash and said there was no way they could keep doing it and stay in business.



Maybe DAC is waiting like a vulture to pick up what's leftover from them. I think Pete Liegl would be a fool to try to acquire them.

I spoke with a Gee Wiz operator out of SNA last week that was practically foaming at the mouth he was so upset over XOJET's pricing.

 

[BushwickBill]

The anecdotal evidence of where money is being spent says no we're not in trouble. Paychecks arrive on time and don't bounce. Vendors are paid on time and in full. Fleet wide upgrade to Gogo Text & Talk in progress. Initial new hire type ratings and transition training type ratings all in progress. Almost 100% increase in daily OT rate effective Nov 2013. Pay raises for pilots effective Jan 1. Pilot attrition has been incredible and they are finally admitting it's a problem and the purse strings are starting to loosen up.

With all that being said, I'm just a pilot and nowhere near the circle of trust. Just an observers opinion. Looking for strategic opportunities to expand? Yes. As in the GMJ/intel shuttle contract that we now operate.

How is old "Brad the intern" doing? Still "scrappy"?

I'd say that the most accurate assessment would be no one who posts here has any idea of what will happen at XOJET over even the next year. Less than a year ago 5-10% of the pilot group was let go, many more from the offices. Now the the sim can barely handle new hires. One amusing tidbit I've garnered from the Silicon Valley types very familiar with one of XOJETs founder - is that a corporate board only puts a man like Brad in charge so the board can pull the wool over everyone's eyes.

Best of luck!

 

[t-bone]

How is old "Brad the intern" doing? Still "scrappy"?

I'd say that the most accurate assessment would be no one who posts here has any idea of what will happen at XOJET over even the next year. Less than a year ago 5-10% of the pilot group was let go, many more from the offices. Now the the sim can barely handle new hires. One amusing tidbit I've garnered from the Silicon Valley types very familiar with one of XOJETs founder - is that a corporate board only puts a man like Brad in charge so the board can pull the wool over everyone's eyes.

Best of luck!

I'd agree that I really have no idea. Just going by what we've seen. But past performance is no indicator of future returns, right?

 

[X-rated]

I would say yes their in trouble. Recently a xo customer told me that xo was charging hourly rates so low because they needed cash and said there was no way they could keep doing it and stay in business.

Well, there you have it. Did you ask him how much fuel to load too since he is a customer and therefore obviously qualified to make such determinations?

It's no secret around here (Flexjet) that Ricci wants their 300's. Even the top dog here admits that.

Everything is for sale. The question is, how much does Ricci "want" them. I'm guessing not NEARLY enough to make it happen.

 

[BushwickBill]

I'd agree that I really have no idea. Just going by what we've seen. But past performance is no indicator of future returns, right?

No idea myself. Only the overwhelming feeling of relief that I'm not involved anymore. At FI we will likely be the last to know.