Here is some "rumor" stuff I just received about express one.. I was interested until I read this. The "info" came from a gulfstream buddy.
"My contacts says the earliest realistic upgrade (if you have 3500TT and 1500 ME turbine) is 12-14 mos. with 18 mos. being the company's line. No pay during the "2 months" of training. No ID (i.e., no jumpseat ability) until you pass the checkride. If you quit or they fire you within 12 mos. of your checkride, you have to pay 100% of the training costs."
The part about no pay during training really irks me esp since the 2 months part is very flexible. Nothing like living in a hotel room for two plus months, not getting paid, with a bunch of other folks who are also not getting paid, trying to study for a checkride that your job depends on.
Here is some more info that might be helpful-
"Express Airlines I (soon to be "Pinnacle Airlines" when their IPO is consummated) was rumored to want a source of pilots with some 121 experience. It is now true-- about two weeks ago, they interviewed ~40 of our pilots, 1/3 captains. I went to interview between flights, took their "ATP" written test, and heard their "Gospel," but didn't interview (I had to go, because they started 2 1/2 hours late! Sounds like a typical F'd up regional.) It is not a flow-through, however. In a nutshell: They have 24 Saabs going away by 12/02 and 33 CRJ440's (44 seaters--NWA's scope clause limit). They will be all RJ by 12/02. 20 CRJs delivered in '03 and '04, for a grand total guaranteed of 83 CRJs by 12/04. They will have to compete with Mesaba for the other 221 CRJs NWA has ordered after their 83 promised. They have ~500 pilots now, with 200 hired in a pool (pre-Sept. 11), and 7 of our guys recently hired. I think they only will need ~800 pilots total, not much more hiring to go... "
Hope some of that is helpful
good luck