CitationShares Upgrade timeframe

[commuterguy]

I did a search and the most recent thread I found on upgrades was from April of 2007. In that thread they were saying 2 years, or even less. What would a newhire expect as far as upgrade times? Is there any talk that the company may slow growth due to the slowing economy?

 

[RCA]

Some estimates for upgrade are 3-4 years.
They plan on growing the fleet by 5-12 airplanes per year for the next five years.

 

[flagshipper]

The next people in line to upgrade have been here about 2.5 years so it will be close to 3 by the time they upgrade. I would say for new hires it will be between 4 and 5 of course this is subject to many variables. CS (and NJ) are not the kind of places one would come to for a quick upgrade but FOs are making more money here than regional capts so it is more of an overall QOL thing.

 

[7777]

I was told it would be 3.5 to 4 years.

 

[flagshipper]

I was told 1.5 to 2 years about 1.5 years ago and I am at least 1.5 years away. NJ still says 3 years in their interview presentation which is also bogus.

Probably the variable that could change upgrade time the most at CS is staffing ratios. They are working (they say) towards a 4.5 pilots/airplane ratio but if there is ever an improvement in vacation or alternative schedules come out they would have to up this and if it went to 5 they would need about 50 more guys overnight which means 25 upgrades over time in addition to growth and attrition.

 

[7777]

My information came from one of your pilots so take it for what that is worth.

 

[CopilotDoug]

What would a newhire expect as far as upgrade times?

Probably not fast enough to fit your schedule. If your decision pivots on the magical upgrade (much like the regionals) don't do it.

 

[commuterguy]

Probably not fast enough to fit your schedule. If your decision pivots on the magical upgrade (much like the regionals) don't do it.

Don't follow your thought process on that one. With any aviation job, how can one NOT factor in the expected upgrade time into their decision?

 

[CopilotDoug]

Because Sh!t happens and there's too many "What if" scenarios.

 

[bailout]

i would guess at leas t5 + years for a newhire today. Of course alot depends on attrition, but simple math of 5(ish) new planes a years and at 1.5 CPTs per plane, puts upgrades at 7-8 a year. We are currently 33 (ish) CPTs overstaffed, it will be 4 years or so before that gets caught up. If you add attrition of @ 20-25 a year, that number drops to 1.5 years and thats for the guy who is NEXT to upgrade from today. As a newhire you would be at least 150-175 numbers back, so 25 (attrition) X 5 (years) = 125, and then 8 (upgrades) X 5 (years) = 40. 125 + 40 = 165 numbers back. Simple math, but not so simple numbers. It all depends on attrition and deliveries.

 

[commuterguy]

Yes stuff does happen and nothings set in stone. If we wanted to avoid it entirely we would all be accountants instead of pilots. Thanks bailout for the informative post. Appreciate it.

 

[7777]

APC shows these numbers for your aircraft. The Excel and Bravos make up over half your fleet. I would think a new hire on the Excel or Bravo is going to be sitting in the right seat a long time. Particularly if you are top heavy (as you said) in captains for these aircraft.

Sovereign: 13
Excel: 27
Bravo: 25
CJ3: 17
CJ1: 3​

 

[7777]

BTW, anyone know what the new hire numbers have been this year? Also, are they focusing more on certain airframes over others for new hires this year? Thanks.

 

[XTW]

APC shows these numbers for your aircraft. The Excel and Bravos make up over half your fleet. I would think a new hire on the Excel or Bravo is going to be sitting in the right seat a long time. Particularly if you are top heavy (as you said) in captains for these aircraft.

Sovereign: 13
Excel: 27
Bravo: 25
CJ3: 17
CJ1: 3​

Those numbers are close enough for conversations sake. It doesn't matter what aircraft a new hire goes to, they will be there quite some time. Upgrades for FOs, are not aircraft dependent. New hires have been going to all airframes except the CJ1.


X

 

[7777]

How long do you think it is for a new hire XTW? If the upgrade is not aircraft specific you are saying you just wait your turn based on your hire date?