ExpressJet growth

[FinalOverERI]

We lets see.....if we have 2500 pilots and we loose 10% of our flying and do not replace it......thats 250 pilots.

And if we keep those 250 pilots this airline might actually be adequately staffed!

 

[hagen]

RIGHT ON Pickle!!!!!!!!!!Burn baby burn .....We can all dance round the flames like indians if they don't want to pay...Hell we can turn it into a reservation and set a casino on the grounds..

Take off the xjet colored glasses they gave out in indoc...Quit sniffing that new plane smell...Have some crappy Timmy's coffee and get informed...

This place might be OK but its not "The place to be"...That would be flying for playboy I think!!!!

Buen Dia

Oh and the last shiny new jet I flew threw up blue juice all over the lav...Put that in your MEL book!!!!!

Ops need a hazmat crew to come clean crap out of LAV...
COPY!!

 

[Doogie]

Allow me to offer a slightly different perspective than the "average new-hire." I've been at Express Jet since May, finished IOE the second week of June, and have been having the time of my life. Those of you who are considering applying, in my opinion, should.

The training department is top-notch, the Embraer is a nice, easy to fly and comfortable (Except for the seat) jet. Everybody I have come into contact with is top notch. Although I'm sure it might happen eventually, I havn't flown with a dud yet. Maintenance and reliability are outstanding, with almost 200 hours in the airplane, I've encountered only 3 deferred items. Even on reserve the QOL has been easy to handle. (I am lucky enough to live in domicile.) The company's safety culture is outstanding, with a well administered ASAP program, and one of the best FOQA programs in the industry.

There is a different rumor for every day of the week, take them with a grain of salt. It is likely that the company will be delving into new market/airframe after a TA is reached, but you shouldn't be planning your career based on maybes. Another thing you shouldn't be worried about is upgrade times. In this industry there's no telling what going to happen next. That brings me to my main point. XJT is not some stepping stone, This is a major airline. We have one of the best products in the entire industry, and are making money. I could happily spend the rest of my career here, and not feel I was "settling" for second best.

Now, contract negotiations. Do not let fear of self-help action cause you to miss out on, or give up seniority at what I really believe is THE place to be. Yes, negotiations have drug on. Yes, there is a fairly high level of frustration amongst members of BOTH sides. The only thing missing from this company is a fair level of compensation and iron clad scope, but I trust the union, and much more importantly, have complete faith in my fellow pilots to handle these matters properly in the coming weeks and months. Not applying at someplace because of a potential strike, is like working outside of aviation because you don't want to get furloghed if terrorist ever use an aircraft again. Don't miss out on a great opportunity because of a "what if."

If you're thinking I've drank too much of the kool-aid, and are simply delirious to finally be flying a jet, please take a look at my profile. I've worked as a freight dog, and for the last five and half years, was a Captain and Director of Safety at a large 135 operation. I took a tremendous pay cut to come over here, and I've got to tell you honestly, it's been worth every penny. Sure I miss being Captain, but who cares? After years of international turbine command experience, I have nothing to prove to myself, except to see how good a "sparky" I can be. Most importantly, I've got a place to go to work where I can easily remain happy, challenged and stimulated for the rest of my career. Flying Lears was a hoot, but I couldn't spend another day on the pager.

Express Jet is a tremendous place to work, and it's only gonna get better. Give it a try.

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Andy Neill]

FACT. Everyone whos been at express longer than 2 years is ready to burn the place down. We are sick of managements BS and couldn't care less if we go Tango India. If they don't wanna pay we don't wanna play. Morale here sucks!!!!

Tango India???
=Totally Incoherent?
=Tapdancing Idols?
=Turned In?
=Toppling Insomniacs?
=Tough Images?

 

[I.P. Freley]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, the two people who I know well at EJ (well enough that I talk to each once a month or more) think more like mckpickle than Doogie or ljdrvr. They both want more money, but also know "what that will (could) mean" when the CPA runs out a few short years from now... And in both cases they simply look at EJ today as almost a totally different company from the one they signed on to work for 3-1/2 and 5-1/2 years ago, respectively.

Mckpickle, I have to ask... What does "tango india" mean? I would've understood "tango uniform"...

 

[Paul R. Smith]

Growth...what growth?

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=39749

WE can kiss any growth goodbye if SWA pilots get their way.

Just thought this was important to link you all up to. Its important cause I said so.

 

[mckpickle]

Mckpickle, I have to ask... What does "tango india" mean? I would've understood "tango uniform"...

I am such a freakin moron sometimes!!! Sorry, I meant Tango Uniform. I was on my 20th hour last night writing that after a commute home.

 

[Buckeye70]

Why would anyone take such a paycut?

I've been a freight dog for a year now and have no intention of applying at a regional that pays $17600/year. Are you kidding? It was bad enough taking a paycut from being a CFI to be a freight dog. I was very lucky to work at a school that took care of their people and paid appropriately.

That new jet smell can't pay the mortgage or help you save for retirement. Money isn't everything......when you have it. I actually filled out the Xjet online app and when I clicked NO on the box that said, "Are you willing to make $20k per year?" the response was "Why don't you want to work for Xjet?" Are you kidding? A few weeks ago I had a Pinnacle new hire offer to walk my resume in. He asked me if not getting paid in training and paying for my hotel during training was a deal breaker for me. DUH!!!

I love to fly, but living on Ramen noodles to do it is not worth it.

Flame on!

 

[Sam Fisher]

I've been a freight dog for a year now and have no intention of applying at a regional that pays $17600/year. Are you kidding? It was bad enough taking a paycut from being a CFI to be a freight dog. I was very lucky to work at a school that took care of their people and paid appropriately.

That new jet smell can't pay the mortgage or help you save for retirement. Money isn't everything......when you have it. I actually filled out the Xjet online app and when I clicked NO on the box that said, "Are you willing to make $20k per year?" the response was "Why don't you want to work for Xjet?" Are you kidding? A few weeks ago I had a Pinnacle new hire offer to walk my resume in. He asked me if not getting paid in training and paying for my hotel during training was a deal breaker for me. DUH!!!

I love to fly, but living on Ramen noodles to do it is not worth it.

Flame on!

People take pay cuts all the time to gain further opportunities down the road.

What do you make at your freight outfit per year?

How many days off do you receive?

Can you turn a 7-day vacation period into 24 days off in a row? How many vacation periods do you get?

What kind of 401k match do you receive? At XJT, in your first 5 years, if you put in 6%, the company then puts another 6.5% into your 401k account. After 5 years, it is even more than that.

Do you get LTD that provides 55% of your income, tax free, if something goes wrong medically?

The list goes on....want me to keep going?

Sometimes sacrifices are made on the front end for rewards on the back end. XJT isn't perfect and the first year salary is tough, but all in all, it is a great company to work for. It will be even better when we ratify our new contract here soon.

Sam

 

[mmmdonut]

boooooobies up

 

[Paul R. Smith]

you said yourself that you initially took a paycut to work as a "frieght puupy"..What do you think captains at the regional level make? You ain't always gonna be a new hire you know!

 

[ILStoMinimums]

The cargo gig must pay really well then..right?

 

[AZaviator]

I've been a freight dog for a year now and have no intention of applying at a regional that pays $17600/year. Are you kidding?

I have agree with Buckeye70. I've been flying freight for almost 2 years and am making a rather good salary and can't afford to apply with one of the lower paying regionals. It has nothing to do with making career sacrifices, or taking 2 steps back to eventually go 3 steps forward, but it has everything to do with ...um, how do I say this.......everything to do with being paid $17-18k/yr! Think outside the Aviation industry, who would take a job, right out of college with a large corporation, making $17-18k a year?? Expressjet seems like a great company. The pay though, has to be embarrasing.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

People take pay cuts all the time to gain further opportunities down the road.

What do you make at your freight outfit per year?

How many days off do you receive?

Can you turn a 7-day vacation period into 24 days off in a row? How many vacation periods do you get?

What kind of 401k match do you receive? At XJT, in your first 5 years, if you put in 6%, the company then puts another 6.5% into your 401k account. After 5 years, it is even more than that.

Do you get LTD that provides 55% of your income, tax free, if something goes wrong medically?

The list goes on....want me to keep going?

Sometimes sacrifices are made on the front end for rewards on the back end. XJT isn't perfect and the first year salary is tough, but all in all, it is a great company to work for. It will be even better when we ratify our new contract here soon.

Sam

I would have to agree on this. The salaries at ExpressJet may be ridiculously low, but one has to keep in mind that it is a stepping stone towards a better career. By no means am I justifying the fact that EJ underpays their pilots, but for someone to completely close their mind to what could be a potentially prosperous airline career because of having to put up with a regional airline salary for a few years is a bit silly. Best of luck to the XJT pilots on the contract negotiations...you guys deserve better.

 

[Sphincter Boy]

The salaries at ExpressJet may be ridiculously low, but one has to keep in mind that it is a stepping stone towards a better career.

Pre 9/11, I'd be inclined to agree with you, but that's hardly the case now. For some, this is their better career.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Pre 9/11, I'd be inclined to agree with you, but that's hardly the case now. For some, this is their better career.

Since 9/11 regional airlines have become much bigger stones, maybe more like giant boulders, that take much longer to get across...but nevertheless, I wouldn't consider them a long term career. This industry has always had its ups and downs, right now..its down. Saying that working for a regional airline is now a long-term career that you will do for 20 or more years just isn't very realistic. The airline industry will eventually revive, just as it always has. I'm not trying to be overly optomistic, just remembering history and the fact that the airline industry has, and always will be, a neverending roller coaster ride. I do believe strongly, however, that because pilots are having to spend longer times at regional airlines prior to progressing with their career, that they should be paid a reasonable salary for it.

 

[Floyd94]

The pay though, has to be embarrasing.

ITs all relative... ask some of the "senior" guys at XJT, what they started out making...

I"ll bet is was lower than 17600...

 

[ILStoMinimums]

ITs all relative... ask some of the "senior" guys at XJT, what they started out making...

I"ll bet is was lower than 17600...

The question is will the bar get any lower?

 

[nonstop]

ITs all relative... ask some of the "senior" guys at XJT, what they started out making...

I"ll bet is was lower than 17600...

They also upgraded in 6 months, and obtained a CAL seniority number in 4 years. Big difference. Like you say, it's all realitive. Today, you're realitively fu<ked at the regionals, with no upgrade you have no options. Not to mention no substantial raise.

 

[Rudder120]

The pay could be better. I think we all agree on that. However, most of the people that aren't happy at Express weren't sent to the street in '01. I flew on the pager for 27 months during furlough. Took a huge paycut to come back. But having a schedule makes XJT a pretty sweet deal in my opinion. But keep in mind, I don't want to work for peanuts for the rest of my life. "SHOW ME THE MONEY"