Expressjet concessionary LOA/TA out

[dojetdriver]

With the new contract with CO ...how many jets will XJT have in year 2 and then in year 3?

So your at 200 and some change now ori n a few months and XJT is on its way to 100 to 120 in a few years... why take concessions?

when will the distruction of our profession end?

Its time to make a stand!

They are going to shrink XJT anyway

It's already been answered, but CAL can't take it below 190 for the next 7 years under the new CPA.

 

[No.W.]

It's funny to me the cycle of like/dislike for Ream and Co. When I was there in 2001, Jim Ream was seen as the ultimate jerk(I'd use something stronger...but...).

Remember, "if you don't like it, we'll find some other poor silly souls to fly our planes!"?

Sounds like he is back to being a jerk. If the concessions aren't going to help XJT back into profitability(by 'help' I mean...without the company will fail, but with them the company will make it), then I see no reason you guys shouldn't just take your full pay to the last day.

Seems like the logical choice depends on how the individual feels about the prospects of the concessions 'saving' the company.

Good luck guys...it's a tough call.

 

[crusader 22]

Don't get so worked up over the BK threat. At comair senior pilots got checks for nearly $100,000 in bankruptcy claims. I think the most junior guys ended up with around $10,000. Yea, perhaps the company could just fold but if that's the case the they are going to do it anyway, even after paycuts.

 

[Broke in CVG]

That looks about like our contract after the pay freeze and BEFORE the last round of BK pay cuts that the other 51% of idiots here voted for.

Our reserve system was decimated during the last round - seniority means nothing on reserve other than bidding days off. Little did the YES voters know, that they would be back on reserve permanently again so soon.

Good luck guys!

 

[Broke in CVG]

Don't get so worked up over the BK threat. At comair senior pilots got checks for nearly $100,000 in bankruptcy claims. I think the most junior guys ended up with around $10,000. Yea, perhaps the company could just fold but if that's the case the they are going to do it anyway, even after paycuts.

Too bad they forced it to go into the 401k and that $100k is now worth $30k. Would have been much better off buying a depreciating asset like a Ferrari 355 and having fun and still come out ahead.

 

[Browntothebone]

Yeah, the pay rates are good but there are other things as well. For example, XJT pilots get decent 401k matching AND a retirement contribution on top of that. As a first year FO, this adds 6.5% to your pay. Also, there is a lot of soft time built into the contract, probably because of the vacation rules. Here is a post from APC explains some of the other work rules.


Current Payscales:
http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airli...xpressjet.html
All captains will be on the ERJ-145 payscale starting October 1, 2008.

Contract amendable 11/30/2010
Rates increase by 3% per year each 12/1/xx

Planned furloughs:
October 1, 2008: 314

Line Holder guarantee: 75 hours
Reserve guarantee: 75 hours
Charter guarantee: 90 hours
Instructor guarantee: 90 hours

Ground Instructor pays: applicable longevity rate plus $12/hour override.
Aircraft/Simulator Instructor pays: applicable longevity rate plus $15/hour override.
Check Airman pays: applicable longevity rate plus $18/hour override.
Aircrew Program Designee pays: applicable longevity rate plus $21/hour override.
Minimum 5 hours per training event at override rate.
Charter pays: applicable longevity rate plus $18/hour override.
Minimum 5.5 hours per day at override rate.

Per Diem Rate: $1.70
Increases by $0.05 yearly on 12/1

SCHEDULING:
Line Holder: Min 12 days off per month
Reserve: Min 11 days off per 30 day bid period; Min 12 days off per 31 day bid period
Charter: Min 14 days off per month
Instructor: Min 12 days off per month
40 hour MMG lines - voluntary
Built between 37-43 hours
Minimum of 18 days off per month
Can trip trade but cannot pick up on days off
Can pick up Advertised trips

No PBS - Pilot Committee builds trips and lines.
Scheduled or rescheduled duty day will not exceed 13.5 hours or
11.5 hours for duty that begins between 2101LT to 0429LT (except for stand up trips).
Stand up trips not scheduled to exceed 14 hours, no layovers of less than 6 hours, and a maximum of 3 segments preceding the layover, and a maximum of 1 segment following the layover. These trips will not be built into lines; they will only be put in open time.
Maximum of six legs per duty day.
Regular lines will not average more than 88 block hours and no lines are built with more than 95 hours.
At least 2 days free from all duty will be scheduled between trips that operate between 0100 LT and 0400 LT and trips that do not operate between this period.
Trips will only be constructed with one to four day trips.
Lines will be constructed to provide at least 2 days off at the pilot’s domicile during any 7 consecutive day period.
A trip that operates between 0100 LT and 0400 LT will be constructed with no more than 2 segments.
Personal Drop with adequate coverage or crew scheduling consent.
Bad Day Worse Day Trades for lineholders and reserve pilots.
Short Call Reserve - 2 hour callout.
Long Call Reserve - 12 hour callout.
Aggressive Pick Up Window for reserve pilots.
Floating Reserve Lines - 2 extra days off.
The largest block of days off for reserve pilots are immovable.
Junior Manning is at 150% of the greater of:
-3.75 Hours per duty period
-Trip pay as calculated
RED FLAG Open time can be picked up by lineholders at JM pay (150%).
Commuter Clause: must have two flights with one seat available (can include the jumpseat) 24 hours before departure that arrives at least 30 minutes prior to show time.
No fault fatigue policy
Charter pilots are home based

Compensation:
Paid the greater of:
• Scheduled block time
• Actual block time flown by segment
• Min daily guarantee of 2.0 hours
• 3.0 hours or calender day layover
100% cancellation pay
100% deadhead pay

New Hires:• Double Occupancy Hotel
• Uniforms are Payroll Deduct
• Jepps Supplied
• Per Diem during training $1500 (+/-)
• Once PC is complete, you begin receiving MMG (minimum monthly guarantee)
• Positive space travel provided to and from training and Home of record

Other pay Credits
• Drug Alcohol testing (30 minutes pay)
• CBT / Home study (1 hour pay for 2 hour study)
• Profit Sharing
• Customs at hubs (10 minutes pay)
• Ground repositioning (12 minutes for domestic airport except EWR, 24 minutes for EWR, 30 minutes for arrival from international destination)
• 150% pay for voluntarily training on day off
• 150% pay for trips picked up when reserve coverage is less than 10%

Vacation Accrual Rate
• Year 1: 7 days (7/12 days per month)
• Year 2-6: 14 days (14/12 days per month)
• Year 7-10: 21 days (21/12 days per month)
• Year 11+: 28 days (28/12 days per month)
Pay is 3.75 hours per day.
Paid the greater of monthly guarantee or line value. May pick up trips during vacation days or days off as add pay.
Instructors receive two additional personal days and holidays off with pay.

Sick Time Accrual Rate
5 hours per month starting from the month of groundschool

Perfect Attendance Program
Two separate six month periods

Elegibility for FMLA
Yes - entitlement codified into contract

Emergency Leave
Up to 3 days with no reduction of monthly guarantee

Bereavement Leave
Four consecutive days with no reduction of monthly guarantee

Education Leave
A pilot may be granted an educational leave for a period not to exceed 1 year. At the end of the leave, he may apply for
additional educational leave.

Personal Leave
A personal leave of absence may be requested by a pilot

Adoption Assistance Program
Reimbursement for eligible adoption expenses

Scholarship Program
Assist employees, their children, or spouses who plan to continue education in college or vocational school programs. Scholarships are offered each year for study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice. Up to 15 awards for $1,500 dollars will be granted each year.

W.I.N.G.S. Program
When In Need Get Support – An employee-funded program for co-workers overcome by personal tragedies, natural disasters, or other situations creating a dire financial need.

Uniforms:
$150/year uniform allowance

Benefits:
Various health plans – (starts 1st day of 3rd month of employment)
Available plans depend on location and level of coverage ($15-240/mo depending on # covered and deductible)
Prescription Drug Plan included in the medical plans
Dental (starts 1st day of 3rd month of employment) $18-98/mo depending on HMO/PPO and # covered
Vision $9.78-24.31/mo depending on # covered
Flexible Spending Accounts - Health Care and Dependent Care
Short-term Disability
Long-term Disability- 55% of 85.5 hours at your applicable longevity rate
Life Insurance - equal to one year of your annual base pay paid by the company. Includes a terminal illness benefit.
Supplemental Life Insurance
Spouse Life Insurance
Child Life Insurance
Personal Accident Insurance - Provides a benefit if you die or suffer certain injuries as a result of a covered accident. Coverage available for you and your family.coverage between $50k - $500k
Business Accident Insurance - Provides benefits if you are injured while traveling on company business; $200,000 paid by the company

Employee Assistance Plan (free)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help you and your family deal with personal difficulties. The EAP is a professional, confidential counseling service. The EAP will determine whether they will manage your care directly or if you will be referred to a provider in your area. Your consultations will be kept confidential.

401k Matching
1-5 yrs service 100% up to 4%
5-9 yrs service 100% up to 5%
10+ yrs service 100% up to 6%

Defined Contribution Plan - Contractual
<5 years 2.5%
5-10 years 4%
10-15 years 5%
15-20 years 5.5%
>20 years 6%

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Active employees can purchase XJT stock through payroll deductions at a 15% discount

Other Stuff:
Participates in ASAP and FOQA
Bidding can be done via online system. Bid via default (line number order), or assign values to re-order the lines for yourself. You can pick how you want them ordered based on line value, types of trips (1day / 2day), days off, etc.
Automated trip trades, trip advertisements, and picking up of dropped trips of other crew members and open time via crew web site.

That is not a competitive contract in today's world.

 

[DoinTime]

That is not a competitive contract in today's world.

Shows what you know.

 

[Captain Morgan]

It's funny to me the cycle of like/dislike for Ream and Co. When I was there in 2001, Jim Ream was seen as the ultimate jerk(I'd use something stronger...but...).

Remember, "if you don't like it, we'll find some other poor silly souls to fly our planes!"?

Sounds like he is back to being a jerk. If the concessions aren't going to help XJT back into profitability(by 'help' I mean...without the company will fail, but with them the company will make it), then I see no reason you guys shouldn't just take your full pay to the last day.

Seems like the logical choice depends on how the individual feels about the prospects of the concessions 'saving' the company.

Good luck guys...it's a tough call.

Yeah it's funny, when I was hired in 2005 he spoke at indoc. and asked "if we knew what a F*cked up industry we were getting ourselves into?" And, "why the hell would anyone one want to work for an airline was beyond me (Jim Ream)." It was the most inspirational speech I've ever heard. :laugh: He wasn't kidding was he?

 

[donvag]

Good forbid anyone insults Jim Ream. XJT Pilots stand behind the guy that has constantly told them to bend over for him.

 

[Axel]

Yeah it's funny, when I was hired in 2005 he spoke at indoc. and asked "if we knew what a F*cked up industry we were getting ourselves into?" And, "why the hell would anyone one want to work for an airline was beyond me (Jim Ream)." It was the most inspirational speech I've ever heard. :laugh: He wasn't kidding was he?

Looks like Jim AND Frank were both right.

 

[samballs]

I remember JS on XJT one day while we were in BK, the Capt said I should come to XJT they pay a lot more then OH, I nicely pointed out that not until we take concessions. He went on about how XJT will be the best thing ever, finally the Fo said OH FO's make a lot more, the Capt finally shut up. Just trying to point out Karma sucks. Pilots should remember that you can be on top one day and the bottom the next. Work together not against.

As Far as the 51% at OH, HAHAHA hows reserve feel and being back in the right seat. The senior guys and Capts that were at the bottom voted yes. Now the snior Capts have terrible schedules, and the junior capts are now FO'S. But at least you got a 401K deposit, where is that money, sure not in your 401K. Only good thing about the yes vote was, Us 49% pushed to get JC out and it worked.

 

[ualdriver]

Yeah, the pay rates are good but there are other things as well. For example, XJT pilots get decent 401k matching AND a retirement contribution on top of that. As a first year FO, this adds 6.5% to your pay. Also, there is a lot of soft time built into the contract, probably because of the vacation rules. Here is a post from APC explains some of the other work rules.

Thanks for the information.

 

[HHH]

Hind sight is often 20/20; looking back it seems like the demise of Xjet began with the IPO. Though circumstances were good for a short period of time the overall structure of the company essentially set it up for failure. Another sad reflection of the incompetence and greed in corporate America.

It's a shame that Jim Ream and upper management are still in place. Again, another reflection of the double standard, lack of ethics, and disgusting behavior of corporate America (particularly upper management).

My prayers to those at Xjet. Stand the line and don't give in. If the company can't afford to pay it's employees decent wages then it shouldn't be in business.

 

[dojetdriver]

Hind sight is often 20/20; looking back it seems like the demise of Xjet began with the IPO. Though circumstances were good for a short period of time the overall structure of the company essentially set it up for failure. Another sad reflection of the incompetence and greed in corporate America.

It's a shame that Jim Ream and upper management are still in place. Again, another reflection of the double standard, lack of ethics, and disgusting behavior of corporate America (particularly upper management).

I'm anything but a JR supporter. But a few things to consider. When the IPO/CPA was done, under the umbrella of CAL there wasn't much that JR REALLY had to do. See my other posts about when I used to hear guys brag about what a great operation, as well as great management team XJT had.

All XJT management had to do was keep planes flying to meet the completion/performance factors outlined in the CPA, at a guaranteed profit no less. Actaully, a pretty healthy profit margin, more than most others get to operate at. Now, not really THAT easy, but that's all that had to be done.

With the exception of relatively recent events, they NEVER had to face the issues that other regional managements have had to face. One being the legacy they feed being in Ch.11, another one of having the ENTIRE flying put up for bid on a constant basis.

Granted, they could have given the 69 airplanes back to CAL. But I don't think that would change the situation XJT is in now.

 

[V1rowt8]

The proposed TA has a 2.83% pay cut with a freeze of any pay increases for a year. So if we do the math the concession for a pilot that is making $79.69 would be $77.43 an hour, not bad right? Wrong! By not voting yes to this ridiculous concession that pilot would be earning $84.56 an hour after his two normal pay increases throughout the year. This equates to a reduction of hourly pay of $7.13 an hour, or over $700.00 a month! Not to mention the loss of his 401k match of the lost pay. This TA is actually almost a 10% pay cut! Lets say that the average is $500 a month per pilot that is conceded, that equates to approximately $15 million. I thought that the company was only after $10 million in concessions?

 

[dvmthwsvan]

The proposed TA has a 2.83% pay cut with a freeze of any pay increases for a year. So if we do the math the concession for a pilot that is making $79.69 would be $77.43 an hour, not bad right? Wrong! By not voting yes to this ridiculous concession that pilot would be earning $84.56 an hour after his two normal pay increases throughout the year. This equates to a reduction of hourly pay of $7.13 an hour, or over $700.00 a month! Not to mention the loss of his 401k match of the lost pay. This TA is actually almost a 10% pay cut! Lets say that the average is $500 a month per pilot that is conceded, that equates to approximately $15 million. I thought that the company was only after $10 million in concessions?

Don't forget too, if for some reason you were to still go into BK, if this gets passed you have a new starting point for the company to demand concessions. Like at Comair, when the pay freeze was voted in and then we went into BK, we got no credit for the pay freeze. The company needed pay cuts came from the freeze pay. Double cuts. I could see this as a plan from a management that knows it will be in BK soon. Ask for a small pay cut now, and get another in a few months from the courts.

Dave

 

[erikgigem]

bump.

 

[flynryan15]

Don't forget too, if for some reason you were to still go into BK, if this gets passed you have a new starting point for the company to demand concessions. Like at Comair, when the pay freeze was voted in and then we went into BK, we got no credit for the pay freeze. The company needed pay cuts came from the freeze pay. Double cuts. I could see this as a plan from a management that knows it will be in BK soon. Ask for a small pay cut now, and get another in a few months from the courts.

Dave

Agreed

 

[nerjdriver]

OK, Express Jetters, here is your chance to hold the line and save the profession.

No fair dissing the other regionals and blaming them for your woes. You say they fail to step up; now it's your turn at bat.

"I just want to tell you [all] good luck. We're all counting on you."

So it is our responsibility to put our jobs, livelyhoods, and families on the line to help you. I don't think so pal. Im voting yes on this, because it benefits ME the most. I think its is a little price to pay to perhaps greatly improve our situation. I think without it, CH 11 will happen without question, and the pilots WILL take it the worst. 3% is something I can live with, how about our brothers on the street who gave up 100%?!? Its not management vs. pilots, sometimes you have to work together. I just dont understand the "stick it to em" attitude you guys have.

 

[donvag]

So it is our responsibility to put our jobs, livelyhoods, and families on the line to help you. I don't think so pal. Im voting yes on this, because it benefits ME the most. I think its is a little price to pay to perhaps greatly improve our situation. I think without it, CH 11 will happen without question, and the pilots WILL take it the worst. 3% is something I can live with, how about our brothers on the street who gave up 100%?!? Its not management vs. pilots, sometimes you have to work together. I just dont understand the "stick it to em" attitude you guys have.

Two years ago you guys voted to extend your contract to help the company out. You did it and management can't make it work. You guys can't keep playing the beaten' wife with your management.