Question for COEX Pilots-

[Maxwell Smart]

A couple of Questions for Continental Express Pilots- I understand your company is now an all Jet fleet - with the last Prop being retired on the 12th of this month- How is your expansion going - how many Jets do you have now and how many do you have on Order? Will you be getting any of the Larger 70 seat and 90 seat Models? What are you guys hoping for on your next contract - and are you still part of Continental Airlines - or an independent Carrier for yourself now? -- I have seen the larger RJs that Embraer has - but they look like a total different airplane than your 145s and your 135s - -- anyway thanks for any questions you can answer for me - Good luck - MAX

 

[captjim]

A couple of Questions for Continental Express Pilots- I understand your company is now an all Jet fleet - with the last Prop being retired on the 12th of this month- How is your expansion going - how many Jets do you have now and how many do you have on Order? Will you be getting any of the Larger 70 seat and 90 seat Models? What are you guys hoping for on your next contract - and are you still part of Continental Airlines - or an independent Carrier for yourself now? -- I have seen the larger RJs that Embraer has - but they look like a total different airplane than your 145s and your 135s - -- anyway thanks for any questions you can answer for me - Good luck - MAX

Good questions Max. Expantion is estamated to increase another 25%. We've been growing like a weed for the past 5 years or so, and no slow down in sight.

We have 181 jets on property at this time. The planes are coming at a rate of 4 to 5 a month. We have 93 to go, for a total of 274. We do have 100 options for the CAL system. Nobody knows if these options will be excercised or not. We have 30 135's and the rest are 145 ER's, LR's. and the XR's.

From what our managmnent is saying they aren't intrested in getting the 170's. The performance is crap and they're expencive. They say that they want to keep us at one fleet for cost savings, which I could see. Who really knows what their thinking.

CAL still owns about 51% of ExpressJet. With that the flowthrough is still in full effect. However it's working in reverse, thus the reasons for the furloughs here. We have put out a recall list, with recalls starting in May, than God.

As far as the contract, well most of us know that we're here for a long time. With that, we'll be asking to be compensated accordingly.

Hope that helped.

 

[Maxwell Smart]

Thanks Jimbo- - You are in negotiations right now- When will they be complete - and is CAL going to be selling majority interest in you guys and let you start flying out on your own? - Thanks for the response - MAX

 

[Maxwell Smart]

Also - Do you think COEX will bring all the furloughs back and begin hiring by next year ? - thanx Max

 

[captjim]

CAL will sell the rest of XJET when the market comes around. They want to get a good price for the stock. I don't see that happening in the near future.

We can go out and find another carrier to fly for, provided we find the aircraft to do it. As of right now there's no word of that happening.

As far as hiring, don't hold your breath. We have approximently 390 on furlough. That includes mainline pilots that weren't senior enought to hold positions here at CALEX.

Unfortunatly, I don't see us hiring until mid "04". Recalls will begain in May with 40, another 40 in June, and then 30 a month there after. So as you can see, it'll take a while before hiring begains again. My best guess is we'll be hiring in June or July of "04". Let me just say these numbers are predicated on CAL NOT recalling at all. Whether they will and when nobody knows.

Stay toned in to the board for updates.

 

[ex208driver]

capnjim i have heard that cal management will sell us when they need the money no matter what the stock price is then. could be next week or could be a couple of years down the road. i heard they just need the money and will get it. on another note i have you heard a rumor about denver getting some maddogs.

 

[captjim]

capnjim i have heard that cal management will sell us when they need the money no matter what the stock price is then. could be next week or could be a couple of years down the road. i heard they just need the money and will get it. on another note i have you heard a rumor about denver getting some maddogs.

The Denver rumor is running rampid. We'll just have to see what happens. Gordon is just waiting to see what UAL does. Time will tell.

Yes, CAL can sell the rest of us at anytime, but they want the big money! That was what Gordon said during the 3rd quarter's confrence call.