express jet upgrade times

[727RedTails]

Good response above by nonstop. I can imagine that as a CFI the jet looks tempting, but the salaries right now are horrible at the regional level. I would be very depressed at a regional with anything above a three year upgrade. (which is most but not all regionals at this time)

 

[Future SNA]

Hmm...

It's always so difficult on the internet, to tell who's telling the truth, and who's telling how they feel because they're disgruntled? I have my 1000 PIC Turbine, all I need, as do most people, is 121 experience to be able to get a better job, possibly somewhere else if I have to. It's funny you guys feel this way, I'm not sure who to believe, I have 5 friends(good friends) at xjt, and they've all told me it would/will/is a great place to work, and would be a good place for myself. I'm starting to feel if I turn down too many more jobs/interviews/etc, there's not going to be crap left? If not xjt, then who...........is my question? Quality retirement? I'm 24, I honestly haven't thought about my retirement any further than a few Roth IRA's. I'm worried I might be making the wrong decision should I end up getting a job with xjt I'm young, and enjoying life, if I don't like xjt, I'll leave, the industry is cyclical, I'm honestly not worried about it in the least, it can be any worse than what I've gone through over the past 3 years.

 

[d.fitz]

FutureSNA,

Here are the mins for Airtran - specifically about PIC time.

121 PIC or military equivalent - 500 hours

It might be awhile before you are able to "write your own ticket somewhere else", as you said...

I would definitely not mention that in the XJT interview....

Go wherever you fit best and make the best of it, 'cause you are gonna be there for awhile....

If you get paid more and hate the job, it certainly won't be any fun!

If you are turning down Job(s) - as in more than one - you are shooting yourself in the foot... IMHO...

 

[wannab0133]

I also have 6 friends at XJT and they paint a very different picture. They tell me that it is the place to be. Nobody is upgrading folks in jets in less than 2 years right now realistically. Even then, there are guys out there with over 3k jet pic 121 that are waiting for the few jobs out there. Right now it is unrealistic to go to mesa and get your 1000 pic 1900 time in 18 months and step into southwest or america west. it's not happening. there is too much competition and the majors are hiring 35 a month.(air inc). do you think one of those 35 are turboprop captains with 1000 pic? no, its guys with widebody pic that are displaced and that'll be the case for years to come now in my opinion. 1000 pic is not the mins any more, its much higher than that. so it would be a good idea to go somewhere where there is a good contract and sit foe the next few years. just my 2 cents.

 

[Ben Franklin]

Hey Ben(Dover),

I found Captjim's info usefull, so go back to waxin yer carrot.

HC

Why don't you get your nose out of Herb's A$$ and re-read my post, jerk-off.

I put a dam happy face cuz I was joking around with Jim.

His facts were/are useful and you need to learn how to read.

Get a clue.


Sincerely,

B. Franklin

 

[nimtz]

The key to this career is a fast upgrade at a "Regional", and step out of the regionals as fast as you can. Look for a company with large realitive growth coming in the next few years. Same would apply to a "Major" but since their FO payscales are livable it's not as crucial. But hey, if you apply at XJT and they hire you, you can go there until you find something better (read: upgrade in the forseeable future).

I agree with alot of what you said and have the same frustrations as you. However, I think the days of figuring out and playing the quick upgrade game is over. Just like investing in a stock, if you buy it because it's hot now then you bought it too late. When I came to Xjet upgrades were running just over a year to the jet, even less for the props. Well three+ years later I'm still a bottom feeding fo.

The point I'm trying to make is that today's quick upgrade and growth can easily become tommorow's stagnation. Especially given the fact that the regionals are being played against each other in the major's beautiful portfolio concept. When it comes down to it growth can be a very ficcle thing.

Mesa and CHQ may seem to be great for those who were hired there in the past year, but somebody hired over the next six months at one of these airlines may not get enough future growth down the road that will get the individual over to the left seat. Bottom line is that when you will upgrade is in many ways out of your hands, so considering how tight the job market is you should probably go to the first airline that offers you a place.

BTW: our lives will be alot better if we get that Enhanced Flow Through

 

[Jonny O]

I totally agree with nimitz. I've been telling my friends the same thing for years. Continental Express was the laughing stock of the industry 7 - 8 years ago - crappy contract, pay for training, etc. Then, they started getting a bunch of new jets with quick upgrades and the place was great. Soon, flowbacks made things bad there again. Who knows what will happen? Maybe they'll put in a new order for jets, have an enhanced flow through, or they may decide to shut the doors on the place.....your guess is as good as mine. I wouldn't be basing my decision on where to work on current upgrade times - go wherever they will hire you and get that seniority number as quick as you can.

 

[Future SNA]

...

I agree, 1000 turbine PIC isn't enough these days, but what I'm saying is I feel better sitting right seat for a while, knowing I at least already have some pic time to fall back on. I think you take a gamble darn near anywhere you go, I have several good friends that are Captains at Mesa, one at Air Midwest, and honestly, they seem ready to leave Mesa? So why the influx of people, when others are unhappy and ready to go somewhere else? Probably because it's just about like every other job in the world, eventually, it's probably going to start sucking.

 

[Dewey Oxberger]

Future SNA,

If quality of life is more important to you than upgrade then XJT will be the place to be. The people are great, and the training/operation is top notch. We all bitch because the flowback added 2 or more years to our upgrade and we're still earning Mesa wages for the time being, but that will all change for the better soon. Just remember, you could be in the right seat for as little as 4-5 years or more than 10 depending on:
A. EFTA
B. Bottom feeders stealing our flying in 2007
C. Possible growth if B doesn't take place.

It's a crapshoot, but after the contract is signed at least you'll be able to make a living here as an FO. Best of luck to you.

 

[Sam Fisher]

actually,
Its up to about 40 a month being recalled at CAL. Looks like XJT is upgrading around 50 a month.

ACTUALLY...CAL will be recalling 25 of our active pilots per month. Total recalls to CAL will be in the neighborhood of 30-40 per month.

Sam

 

[Skyward]

We're still upgrading 50 in March.