express jet upgrade times

[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.