Pocono Pilot
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- Joined
- Oct 23, 2004
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What is happening around here?
I always thought we were short staffed?
XJT MEC Chairman’s Update
September 11, 2007
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is MEC Chairman Bill Dressler with an update for Tuesday Sept. 11, 2007. There are two items for review.
Item 1: Flight Instructor Furloughs Back to the Line.
Late last week, ExpressJet management advised your MEC that the Company needed to furlough both Flight and Ground Instructors back to the line. The Company indicated that all instructors would first have the option to request a leave of absence from the Training Department to temporarily return to line flying. Judging from previous reductions in the department, there would stillbe a need to furlough some of the instructors back to the line.
To be clear, these instructor furloughs, similar to those that have happened in the recent past, do not entail any furloughs of pilots. The main reasons indicated for the furloughs is (1) the reduction in pilot hiring anticipated as a result of the preliminary block hours for 2008 given to ExpressJet by Continental and (2) the fact that the Company has continued to hire over 80 pilots per month although we have not taken delivery of any new aircraft since June of 2006. In the past, the preliminary block hour numbers provided by Continental have often been significantly revised; nonetheless, the Company felt the need to prepare as if these numbers will hold true. Although no pilot furloughs are anticipated, the recent rate of hiring more than 80 pilots a month is expected to be reduced to approximately 15-30 pilots a month, in the months hiring occurs. Obviously, this is subject to change but I anticipate this will continue for the next six months. Management will be hiring strictly to cover attrition as opposed to increasing staffing. Although this temporary slowdown will be hard on furloughed instructors, as well as affected pilots, I am hopeful it will also provide an important opportunity for the Company to address the problems that continue to plague aspects of our operation and to plan for future growth.
The XJT ALPA Flight Instructor representatives are currently working with management to reduce the number of instructor furloughs needed, minimize the impact on those furloughed, and plan for their quickest possible return. In the meantime, please help us to welcome these brother and sister pilots back to the line where we can all learn from their wealth of knowledge, skill and experience.
Capt. Bill Dressler
Chairman
ExpressJet Master Executive Council
I always thought we were short staffed?
XJT MEC Chairman’s Update
September 11, 2007
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is MEC Chairman Bill Dressler with an update for Tuesday Sept. 11, 2007. There are two items for review.
Item 1: Flight Instructor Furloughs Back to the Line.
Late last week, ExpressJet management advised your MEC that the Company needed to furlough both Flight and Ground Instructors back to the line. The Company indicated that all instructors would first have the option to request a leave of absence from the Training Department to temporarily return to line flying. Judging from previous reductions in the department, there would stillbe a need to furlough some of the instructors back to the line.
To be clear, these instructor furloughs, similar to those that have happened in the recent past, do not entail any furloughs of pilots. The main reasons indicated for the furloughs is (1) the reduction in pilot hiring anticipated as a result of the preliminary block hours for 2008 given to ExpressJet by Continental and (2) the fact that the Company has continued to hire over 80 pilots per month although we have not taken delivery of any new aircraft since June of 2006. In the past, the preliminary block hour numbers provided by Continental have often been significantly revised; nonetheless, the Company felt the need to prepare as if these numbers will hold true. Although no pilot furloughs are anticipated, the recent rate of hiring more than 80 pilots a month is expected to be reduced to approximately 15-30 pilots a month, in the months hiring occurs. Obviously, this is subject to change but I anticipate this will continue for the next six months. Management will be hiring strictly to cover attrition as opposed to increasing staffing. Although this temporary slowdown will be hard on furloughed instructors, as well as affected pilots, I am hopeful it will also provide an important opportunity for the Company to address the problems that continue to plague aspects of our operation and to plan for future growth.
The XJT ALPA Flight Instructor representatives are currently working with management to reduce the number of instructor furloughs needed, minimize the impact on those furloughed, and plan for their quickest possible return. In the meantime, please help us to welcome these brother and sister pilots back to the line where we can all learn from their wealth of knowledge, skill and experience.
Capt. Bill Dressler
Chairman
ExpressJet Master Executive Council
