Choices???????????

[uba757]

To all who care to help with an answer. If you had a choice would you choose EXPRESS JET or COMAIR to work for?

 

[utahpilot]

unless you live in Cincinnati/N. KY and are opposed to commuting (which is wise), go to XJET. you'll upgrade quicker, you'll make similar $.

XJET is growing, Comair is stagnant.

UP

 

[Ben Franklin]

The XJT MEC has told its pilots that Comair is going to take concessions. There was even a powerpoint slide during our contract 2004 roadshows that read "COMAIR" as a bullet point and the possibility of COMAIR concessions was brought up by pilots as well as the MEC. According to the same MEC, XJT now has the richest pilot contract in the 50 seat industry.

Sincerely,

B. Franklin

 

[Tooslow]

Thats a easy question to answer........

 

[RAV152]

ExJet. Their new contract (or TA I'm not sure if it's been voted on yet) has pretty good 1st yr pay. Subsequent yearly increases come close to ComAir if you work the rules right. Upgrades are shorter than ComAir but keep in mind those upgrades will not stay that way forever. Good Luck.

 

[rattler]

There is a Comair/X-Jet contract comparison on one of the Yahoo sites. I'm not sure how to find it, maybe someone can help. You may upgrade quicker at X-Jet, but my crystal ball doesn't look that far ahead. Personally, I was hired at Comair in 01/01 and chose CoEx. I am still an FO at CoEx (now X-Jet), but I will hold a CA position soon. I guess if I went to Comair I would be making more money, and still be in a similar position. I am very happy at X-Jet, and we've made big gains on our recent contract. But the bottom line is Comair pays better. Our contract is great in almost every section...except pay, which is about average. Check out the airlinepilotpay.com website.

I have alot of respect for the Comair pilots, and I think they have a good thing going for them, even through these turbulent times.

Both companies are top notch. X-Jet may provide more paid days of per year, with great scheduling rules, while Comair pays more per work hour.

Good luck, you are fortunate to have this tough decision to make.

 

[172driver]

The XJT MEC has told its pilots that Comair is going to take concessions. There was even a powerpoint slide during our contract 2004 roadshows that read "COMAIR CONCESSIONS" as a bullet point. According to the same MEC, XJT now has the richest pilot contract in the 50 seat industry.

Concessions are not going to happen unless something very substantial is guaranteed by the company in return. Maybe not even then. News flash: we are not in negotiations and the company is profitable.

The XJT MEC can say what they like about their new contract and the XJT pilots can swallow it and ask for more but the fact is that the pay rates suck hind tit.

Of course the MEC has to try to sell what they have negotiated to the pilot group but it seems more than a bit sleazy of them to imply that CMR is going to take concessions, therefore XJT should settle for less. I'm calling BS on this one. Y'all sold out.

Not a good negotiating climate, but we got industry leading retro pay, and our pay rates are as good as CHQ in some places, and with profit sharing, and retirement, ummm, if CMR takes concessions, we might have an industry leading contract, if you do the math right, blah, blah, blah.

Why do you think the company put the value of the contract everywhere but in the pay rates? Because you can't calculate it, because you are being misled into believing you have a great contract.

Anyway, my opinion on the choice: better pay and work rules but an uncertain future at CMR vs. less money, more stability, probably a quicker upgrade at XJT. As usual, it would come down to geography for me.

 

[uba757]

The money is very important for me. I know that 1st year pay anywere is going to be tough but I need to be up near CMR levels second year. I live in Miami and as I understand it CMR has a pilot base in Orlando. I took a look at the CMR/XJET contract comparison and it made it even more confusing.

Thanks For The Input.

 

[upndsky]

I'd say XJT, but then I'm biased.

Seriously, a friend of mine is a CMR FO. He told me that they're only losing about five captains a year and there's not foreseeable growth. Although he's only about 70 or 80 numbers from holding captain, he thinks he's going to be an FO for an awful long time. I also heard that an FO hired at CMR today will sit reserve for years.

Right now, at XJT there is a lot of movement. There are the flowthroughs to CAL and the feeling around here is that the company has something big planned. Whether that's true or not is impossible to tell, but the general mood here is one of optimism. While I'm about 400 numbers from the most junior captain here, at this pace, I'll be captain before my buddy at CMR.

As far as pay goes, if you work the system and count the profit sharing (I know, it's BS but still), you'll make close to CMR wages.

Of course, that can all change tomorrow.

 

[upndsky]

Comair had a base in MCO, but no longer. Chautauqua has a base there, I believe.

 

[uba757]

That changes everything for me. I was willing to relocate to Orlando but CVG is not my cup of tea. TOOOOOOOOOO Cold.

 

[rattler]

That changes everything for me. I was willing to relocate to Orlando but CVG is not my cup of tea. TOOOOOOOOOO Cold.

Yes tropical Newark is much better! Or maybe beautiful Cleveland, Ohio! And if your real lucky you'll get our most desireable base, exotic Houston!

I'm serious about the exotic part, you should check out Rick's.

 

[upndsky]

EWR or CLE is no day at the beach, either.

 

[uba757]

I understand what you guys are saying but atleast XJET gives me the chace to stay in Houston. My wife loves Houston if you know what I am saying.

 

[N813CA]

rattler

First of all if you were hired at Comair in 2001 like you could have you would be a captain right now. Also Comair will be hiring 300 Fo's this year with no growth. From the mouth of our new President, we were told to hold on things are going to change real quick. He is all ready getting the financing ready.

 

[uba757]

So N813CA you see growth at CMR in the near future. (1 or 2 years).

 

[MJG]

Tough call either way, at least you have a choice. Are you going to commute from FLA? If so take a look at the commuter policy for each. Don't know about CMR but XJT has one, not perfect but at least it's something to fall back on. Overall the two contracts are pretty close. I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor. Your quality of life, IMHO, should be the deciding factor. Again my opinion, but you can make all the money you want but if your QOL sucks, you'll still be miserable, well paid, but miserable none the less.

Sad thing is none of us can tell you what's going to happen 6 months from now, a year, 5 years etc. That would make it easier to choose between the two.

Also look at the business structure for each. CMR is part of DAL still. XJET is now its own little entity though CAL is still calling most of the shots. Each has its pros and cons. CAL is only slightly better off financially at this point than DAL. Both are still bleeding uncontrolably. Not sure about CMR but I expect XJET to go out and seek other "opportunities" for either contract flying or independent flying.

Like I said, tough call but at least you have a choice.

 

[Fly BI]

ExpressJet, for sure

It's a simple answer, ExpressJet is where you want to be. Comair operates those ugly Canadian things. Enough said.

 

[chperplt]

Our new boss.. Mr. Fred says we have 3 major issues to deal with before we can see growth at CRM..

Not in any specific order

1) Reduce the number of MEL/DMI items and the amount of time it takes to clear those items.. Example... At a meeting two weeks ago, we had 38 APUs inop. Fred says we can't operate like that.

2) Improve our horrible customer service. He says we can't treat our passengers like crap and expect them to come back.

3) Get a crew/aircraft tracking system that actually works.

No where in there do you see pilots take concessions. That's not to say that we won't be asked to take them, but they aren't in his list of "must do's" before CMR can grow.

If you work for CMR, check out the Q&A section on EPIC..

 

[scotts]

Tough call either way, at least you have a choice. ... Not sure about CMR but I expect XJET to go out and seek other "opportunities" for either contract flying or independent flying.

Like I said, tough call but at least you have a choice.

I hope you're right MJG, but my impression/opinion is that XJT will not be rocking the boat with CAL before 2007. If we get bigger planes or other flying before 2007 it will be because CAL wants us to.

FWIW...