Express Jet Questions:

[BushwickBill]

Ok just looking for some positive feedback. Please leave your negative ways at the door. I don't fly for an airline and I'm not very interested in the bickering typical of FI.

I've tried using the search function and have managed to find out a few things. Express Jet is flying branded flights, they are loosing money, they aren't loosing money, they wont hire you with less than 100 multi and they wont hire you without 100 hours in the last 6 months.

Not really what I'd like to find out. Here are my questions:

I have an interview invitation. They sent it to me with less than 10 days to ask for a day off. This doesn't really work at a small 135 company. Will it ruin my chance to get an interview to ask for a later interview date?

What is the quality of life like? How is the schedule? In other words how much time off can you get?

How is management? Positive negative? Do you feel like management supports you?

If I could get an LAX or ONT base could I commute from the Bay Area? If not the first year the second?

I noticed they the pay is ok for a first year F.O. A lot less than I'm making now but a survivable situation to get into 121.

Thanks for your time. I'm looking forward to being part of a great team.

 

[Captain Morgan]

All I know is: I worked for ExpressJet and about 2 years ago I was working for a 135 cargo company and I was moving because my run closed. I lined up the moving truck and sure enough they called me to interview on that weekend that I was going to move. I explained to them why I couldn't and that I was very interested and then politely asked them If they would consider me for a future interview. The girl on the phone kinda sounded shocked because at that time, people weren't just getting snatched up like they are now. When we hung up I thought I blew that one, but what could I do, I had a truck lined up, my lease was up, and I bought tickets to fly to my old residence. A month later, I got a call to interview and went. I was the first to interview and was offered a class. I know they are pretty understanding, but try and make that interview at all costs. If you can't, just be honest. Good luck, it's a great company!

CM

 

[rjacobs]

Interview: a week later probably wont hurt you, a month, they may say thanks for applying, see you later. I actually interviewed a week earlier and I think I picked up about 40 seniority numbers because of how classes were running when I got hired(only about 32 a month vs. 32 a class now). There were a few slots left for a class that started the following monday and I snuck into one. If I had interviewed a week later I wouldnt have started class for over a month.

QOL: This is a big thing that our contract has going for it. On reserve it sucks, as a line holder its great. I ended up with 18 days off in July with around 110 hours of pay(FBO 2 day, Pay protected EWR trip FUBAR resulting in 2 days off, one 150% pick up day trip). My QOL is pretty good. Commuting sucks, but from SFO to LAX or ONT should be do-able and not terribly bad.

MGT: Very positive experience with upper mgt. We are having problems with running 2 new operations, thats for sure, but its stupid problems that could be fixed by spending a little money such as phone problems and computerized scheduling software problems. It seems like nobody wants to take the blame and step up and fix these issues though.

Pay isnt terrible first year, second year is a huge improvement. First year I generally took home(after tax) around 2100. I had the cheapest health and dental insurance, reasonable life and long term disability, and the standard 5% 401k. If I didnt do the 401k or life and LTD, I might have pulled in an extra 150 or so.

 

[BushwickBill]

Thanks guys beers on me! I'm going to try and delay my interview until September 1st from August 23rd. Hopefully they will understand I'm the only copilot for the airplane at my current job.

 

[Vegaspilot99]

It shouldn't be a problem...I was scheduled for today and couldn't get an extra day off from work. I moved it to the 23rd with no problems...hopefully it didn't reflect badly, but they seemed ok with it. Good luck.

 

[Captain Morgan]

We may just hold you to that beer!

 

[TNPILOT]

Thanks guys beers on me! I'm going to try and delay my interview until September 1st from August 23rd. Hopefully they will understand I'm the only copilot for the airplane at my current job.

Just stress that your company needs you and you're just trying to do your job. Maybe even tell them they've been good to you so you want to follow up on your end of the deal. If they can't respect that from a pilot then you don't want to work here anyway because I'm sure they'll expect it of you!!