CHQ or XJET

[pilotmyf]

I'd say CHQ. That way you can be this guy's FO one day.
http://www.born-to-fly.com/Embraer%20145.htm

Is this website a joke?????? I wonder how many times a day this guy says,"I'm an airline pilot" to someone

D0UCHEBAG

 

[Alchemy]

Expressjet

 

[mckpickle]

XJT has a better contract hands down. But I don't think there will be much movement here in another 6-9 months. We will be through expanding. Done, finished. Unless we get some other deal. Plus our contract with CAL is up for renegotiations. If it goes good, things stay the same. We can only get a very few more a/c at XJT. This is tied to CAL's scope and how many mainline a/c they get. If they don't get any we cannot grow. Now if it goes bad.....see Air Wisconsin, Indy air, Comair, ect ect. If I were a betting man I'd say things have a better chance of goind downhill here than at Shaniqua. They may have pi$s-ant management and fly a/c for free but there may be some growth and stability.

 

[Heavy Set]

What aircraft would you start in at CHQ? Would you qualify for the E170?

I think you win either way. I still think COEX is the safer bet and probably a better-run operation, but if you could either fly the E170 or have a quick upgrade time in the E145 at CHQ, then you would have a tougher decision. My $0.02. Let us know which you choose.

 

[Alchemy]

Would you qualify for the E170?

What difference would that make? Pay rates are the same.

 

[kntrdr]

I've worked at both. XJT in 2001 (furloughed) hired at CHQ in 2002. Both are excellent places to work. For me though, the money is on CHQ. The money is basically the same, the QOL (for me) is better at CHQ. I guess the best way to put this is, when I was at XJT i was one of the most junior reserve ATR fo's. McPickle was one of the most senior ATR captains. I am now preparing for my Continental interview which is coming up. XJT guys got the flow thru stuff taken away from then, and now have little hope of going to CAL. (I do not know if McPickle is able to flow thru). The movement at XJT will be NIL as soon as the last of the jets get delivered. CHQ still has many planes (170's) on order. Obviously this is subject to change at a moments notice, but I think you will move up quicker at CHQ. All this being said I did work under the old XJT contract, so things are surely better there now than when i was there. If you live in Lexington you have the possibility of being based in SDF for CHQ. We have many guys that do that.

Good luck

 

[Chip]

What difference would that make? Pay rates are the same

A little missleading. The F/O pay rates are the same, not captain. Your statement is correct for 50% of the pilot group.

 

[Alchemy]

A little missleading. The F/O pay rates are the same, not captain. Your statement is correct for 50% of the pilot group

Right, but we're talking about a newhire. What incentive would they have to go to the 170 since the pay is the same? Better bases or QOL? I honestly don't know.

I am now preparing for my Continental interview which is coming up.

Congrats and good luck. I can see some our senior captains' hair on fire and heads exploding when they see things like this. Just kinda funny to me.

 

[TNPILOT]

XJT has a better contract hands down. But I don't think there will be much movement here in another 6-9 months. We will be through expanding. Done, finished. Unless we get some other deal. Plus our contract with CAL is up for renegotiations. If it goes good, things stay the same.quote]

I agree with your statement however do not forget that when the last of the original flow throughs go over to CAL that there is a to be determined preferential interview for CAL (in the CAL pilot's concessionary contract I believe). With that being said the specifics have not been specified and it may be nothing beneficial but it might keep movement steady. The truth is we just don't know yet. My money is on them screwing us but that's my feeling with no proof other than past trends. We'll see.

 

[mckpickle]

XJT has a better contract hands down. But I don't think there will be much movement here in another 6-9 months. We will be through expanding. Done, finished. Unless we get some other deal. Plus our contract with CAL is up for renegotiations. If it goes good, things stay the same.quote]

I agree with your statement however do not forget that when the last of the original flow throughs go over to CAL that there is a to be determined preferential interview for CAL (in the CAL pilot's concessionary contract I believe). With that being said the specifics have not been specified and it may be nothing beneficial but it might keep movement steady. The truth is we just don't know yet. My money is on them screwing us but that's my feeling with no proof other than past trends. We'll see.

Let me share a little something I've learned in the almost 9 years here. If you count on the CAL pilots/union to step up to the plate and do anything for you.......you'll be waiting a long time. That was one of the biggest reason I didn't go to CAL. I felt so disrespected that the IAH chief pilots son was placed in class prior to me, when I interviewed and was offered a Job 2 years prior. F cal.

 

[mckpickle]

I've worked at both. XJT in 2001 (furloughed) hired at CHQ in 2002. Both are excellent places to work. For me though, the money is on CHQ. The money is basically the same, the QOL (for me) is better at CHQ. I guess the best way to put this is, when I was at XJT i was one of the most junior reserve ATR fo's. McPickle was one of the most senior ATR captains. I am now preparing for my Continental interview which is coming up. XJT guys got the flow thru stuff taken away from then, and now have little hope of going to CAL. (I do not know if McPickle is able to flow thru). The movement at XJT will be NIL as soon as the last of the jets get delivered. CHQ still has many planes (170's) on order. Obviously this is subject to change at a moments notice, but I think you will move up quicker at CHQ. All this being said I did work under the old XJT contract, so things are surely better there now than when i was there. If you live in Lexington you have the possibility of being based in SDF for CHQ. We have many guys that do that.

Good luck

I think your right on many aspects. The movement, in my guess will be a lot better at CHQ. But the QOL here is amazing. Granted I'm pretty senior but with our new contract....WOW. I'm going to do over 200 days off this year and still make over 75K. I know of FO's making more $$ than captains because of our FBO provissions. Our trip trade system is simply spectacular. (As long as you are able to be online to trade when the window opens.) I've talked to people about how the CHQ trip trade system works. Pretty dysmal. I'd honestly make your choice by flipping a coin and consulting a fortune teller. Who the heck knows how this mess of an industry is going to shake out.

 

[boxjockey]

And now we'll be blessed with your disgruntled @ss at Xjet for the rest of our time here. :uzi: :crying:

box

 

[mckpickle]

And now we'll be blessed with your disgruntled @ss at Xjet for the rest of our time here. :uzi: :crying:

box

Disgruntled? How I never work!!!

 

[Master Shake]

Another vote for JetLinkin...

Jetlink 2580: Hey approach, why do you call us Jetlinkin?
IAH Approach: Because you guys are the Cadillacs of the sky!

 

[Superpilot92]

Now thats funny!!

Discuss

 

[hbrow15]

Another vote for JetLinkin...

Jetlink 2580: Hey approach, why do you call us Jetlinkin?
IAH Approach: Because you guys are the Cadillacs of the sky!

I haven't heard that guy in a while is he still around?, I always thought he said Jetlincon as in lincon continental.

and how about

IAH Approach: Jetlincon 2580 direct CUZZZ
Jetlink 2580: Direct CUZZZ
IAH Approach: you know why I cleared to direct CUZZZ?
Jetlink 2580: Why?
IAH Approach: CUZZZ I can!!!!!

 

[nimtz]

CHQ and it's a no brainer. At a regional it's all about where you will fall on the seniority list after two years. XJT is a fine place to work, but far too many seemed to have settled on this place as *snicker* a career job. Translation for you at the bottom is XJT=Eagle.

XJT has absolutely nothing in place to grow the airline any further. Additionally it appears XJT is heading towards fun and games in trying to keep our exclusivity contract with CAL in '07. Only problem is the economics of the 50 seater have been thrown in the toliet.

CHQ on the other hand will benefit from the 170 program. Not necessarily good news for the profession as a whole, but it appears the floodgates have sprung for the 70+ seaters. I expect CHQ to get more 70+ seat flying in the year ahead. No matter what anybody tells you about contracts and QOL you come to a regional for the upgrade, both for the PIC and the fact that captain pays a liveable wage. Quite frankly I thought of leaving XJT after 9/11 for CHQ, but decided the lateral move wasn't worth the risk. Wish I would of taken the other option in retrospect.

 

[generaltso]

I think XJT will be a very different place 2 years from now. Lets face it - the 50 seater fad is quickly coming to a stop. I think the companies that know this will be the ones to prosper in the coming years. Xjet has way to many 50/35 seaters (almost 250?).

When the contract with CAL ends, they are not going to be able to place these 50 seaters anywhere. Yes they will still do business with CAL, but with fuel prices the way they are, CAL will eventually realize that they have way to many 50 seaters.

As far as dorks go, there are some at every airline. I know a lot of dorks at Xjet, but there are plenty at CHQ too.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

CHQ and it's a no brainer. At a regional it's all about where you will fall on the seniority list after two years. XJT is a fine place to work, but far too many seemed to have settled on this place as *snicker* a career job. Translation for you at the bottom is XJT=Eagle.

XJT has absolutely nothing in place to grow the airline any further. Additionally it appears XJT is heading towards fun and games in trying to keep our exclusivity contract with CAL in '07. Only problem is the economics of the 50 seater have been thrown in the toliet.

CHQ on the other hand will benefit from the 170 program. Not necessarily good news for the profession as a whole, but it appears the floodgates have sprung for the 70+ seaters. I expect CHQ to get more 70+ seat flying in the year ahead. No matter what anybody tells you about contracts and QOL you come to a regional for the upgrade, both for the PIC and the fact that captain pays a liveable wage. Quite frankly I thought of leaving XJT after 9/11 for CHQ, but decided the lateral move wasn't worth the risk. Wish I would of taken the other option in retrospect.

Yeah, you're right. Who cares about the pay, whats important is that you can fly a 70 seater and will probably upgrade quicker. We all know that as soon as you hit that 1000 turbine PIC all of the majors like Delta, United, and US Airways will be banging your door down to hire you. Especially if that PIC is in the almighty 170, since it looks cool just like an airbus! I mean, even if the majors don't call, at least you'll be a cool and well paid E-Jet pilot.

 

[Superpilot92]

i think the companies that are buying the 170s are shooting themselves in the foot. the 170 is going to turn into the e135 version. it was great when it came out but the 190 will be the one that prevails. Just my opinion.

 

[XJETDriver]

Will you PLEASE run for President?? It seems to me that you have ALL the answers... oh and by the way CHQ could go Tango Uniform like the drop of a hat! You say "no matter what anybody tells you about contracts and QOL, you come to regional for the upgrade" Yeah... who cares about QOL?? and who the hell cares about your contract? Please send me what your smoking

CHQ and it's a no brainer. At a regional it's all about where you will fall on the seniority list after two years. XJT is a fine place to work, but far too many seemed to have settled on this place as *snicker* a career job. Translation for you at the bottom is XJT=Eagle.

XJT has absolutely nothing in place to grow the airline any further. Additionally it appears XJT is heading towards fun and games in trying to keep our exclusivity contract with CAL in '07. Only problem is the economics of the 50 seater have been thrown in the toliet.

CHQ on the other hand will benefit from the 170 program. Not necessarily good news for the profession as a whole, but it appears the floodgates have sprung for the 70+ seaters. I expect CHQ to get more 70+ seat flying in the year ahead. No matter what anybody tells you about contracts and QOL you come to a regional for the upgrade, both for the PIC and the fact that captain pays a liveable wage. Quite frankly I thought of leaving XJT after 9/11 for CHQ, but decided the lateral move wasn't worth the risk. Wish I would of taken the other option in retrospect.

 

[nimtz]

Yeah, you're right. Who cares about the pay, whats important is that you can fly a 70 seater and will probably upgrade quicker. We all know that as soon as you hit that 1000 turbine PIC all of the majors like Delta, United, and US Airways will be banging your door down to hire you. Especially if that PIC is in the almighty 170, since it looks cool just like an airbus! I mean, even if the majors don't call, at least you'll be a cool and well paid E-Jet pilot.

Ah yes in SkyBoy and XJETDriver we the see the naive, cocky XJT pilot who believes his company to be unquestionably the best. Not to unlike the "100/hour for 5 year captain" crowd we had around here a few years ago. One has to be insane to turn down Express for anybody! It's nice to live in that reality. I know cause I was in it my first year, but then logic enters the equation.

The 70 seat issue is a moot point for a newcomer. They are most likely going to be stuck flying these airplanes for sh!t wages. Not to different from the reality I was given with 50 seaters. Unfortunately for all of us the horse was long ago let out of the barn.

Let me ask you kids something, how much time have you spent in the right seat? Come back and talk to me after 4.5 years then tell me if you still have the rose colored glasses. The COEX cockiness will wear off in due time once you actually stop to think about it. If you want to believe otherwise, enjoy being a fool I guess.

Take a look at kntrdr's post. He was well junior to me at XJT when furloughed. Four years later he's got a CAL interview and I've got 3500 hours of SIC time. He's had captain pay for two years, I've had it for six months. Well at least I have my slightly superior contract/QOL. Oh and I get to look down on any CHQ/MESA pilot because I work for Expressjet!

Our current slight superiority in contract and management are not enough reason to justify being on the bottom of a seniority list of 2300. Especially considering the future shows a trickle of movement and nil growth for company with an increasingly uneconomic airplane. For a newcomer with a choice the answer is pretty obvious.

 

[Rook]

OMG he's a homo.

From here on out I rescind everything I've said about you mil guys having no sense of humor. Vandal, bro that was subtle but F'ng hilarious.

Rook

Detroit livin' but missin' my KSPS home.

 

[Superpilot92]

Bitter maybe. What kind of class do you have when you talk down to fellow xjeters. You may be unhappy with your decisions but not everyone else is pissed off at the world.

 

[nimtz]

Bitter maybe. What kind of class do you have when you talk down to fellow xjeters. You may be unhappy with your decisions but not everyone else is pissed off at the world.

Class, give me a break man. We work together and sometimes socialize together. Just cause you think you got the greatest job in the world doesn't qualify you to teach etiquette. Quite frankly I'm content to be at XJT at the moment, so nice try with the pissed at the world remark.

I'm simply telling a newcomer that this place is not his best option. Notice a common theme on this thread. Those of us who have many years at XJT are telling this guy to go with CHQ. Yeah that's right the guys who helped get that great contract/QOL you have now. Guess what XJT is just another regional like CHQ, Mesaba, or Comair. Those of you with the XJT superiority complex obviously can't handle that. These are the same types who in the past flapped their traps about how contract '02 would revolutionize the profession and have denied CHQ pilots the jumpseat for 'bringing down the industry.' Yeah you know what I will talk down on anyone who acts like an @sshole regardless of who they work for.

 

[ERfly]

I haven't heard that guy in a while is he still around?, I always thought he said Jetlincon as in lincon continental.

and how about

IAH Approach: Jetlincon 2580 direct CUZZZ
Jetlink 2580: Direct CUZZZ
IAH Approach: you know why I cleared to direct CUZZZ?
Jetlink 2580: Why?
IAH Approach: CUZZZ I can!!!!!

You're right. It is Jet Lincoln. I asked approach one night about Axe (that's his name). The controller said he's having some family problems and has been taking some time off.

However, we still have Richard, Mr. Happy!

 

[BluDevAv8r]

We have our share of Riddle dorks to, but XJT all the way!!!!

Wow, I never would have thought you'd be such a big supporter of XJT...especially given your comments that you've made in the past, pasted below. Out of curiosity, what has changed?

-Neal

I dont need the NC to jerk me off and tell me how good this is. Its a POS and I vote NO!

If this POS TA passes, you know you will not find anybody that voted yes....just like LOA-15. After I vote NO, Im going to print out my no vote, copy it so it fits on my ID.

Here is my 2 cents.

It passed and we have to live with it. But all you YES voters, us NO voters dont live with mommy and daddy and had them pay for our education. We have familys, homes, bills, ect. and the compensation does dont cut it!. We came into this industry with a perception of being here for a few years and moving on to something better, but as we know its not there, so why not make it as close to what we were looking for. Most of us have been here for 5 or more years and are in our 30's and want a better life and I hate to say it but money does it right now, not 1 more day off for the month. We have to live with this TA for more than 2008. Hope it was worth it for you?

 

[Mookie]

The jetlinkin' guy also calls the CHQ guys "Chaniqua." went to tracon for a visit myself on a long break. those guys are absolutely hilarious. try asking for direct Ninfa some time coming from the west....

Mookie

 

[mrmarcus81]

I live life one fix at a time

 

[meatwallet]

FWIW, this guy used to be an instructor at the flight school I work at. He worked his tail off networking and flying to get where he is. Word on the street is he's also an excellent pilot. I know him, and he's actually a pretty cool guy, who's really excited about flying, including getting an airline job. So he made a website about what he loves doing. I think if you guys don't understand that love and excitement for flying, then you're in this job for the wrong reasons. Weren't we all once that young kid who stood behind the airport fence, watching airplanes take off and land, wishing it was us? I know I was, and that's why I'm doing this for a career. And, as for the hot chicks with the dork comment...........this guy hangs out with and dates some of the best looking girls I've seen, get over the dork comments.

Wow you're a douchebag. Another nomination to you, and your buddy smiling paul to FlightInfo.com Tool of the Year