Skywest or Express Jet

[Flip]

I was recently hired with Skywest and placed in a pool for the EMB 120. Could be October before class begins. I have an interview coming up with XJT in 2 weeks and am unsure if I should do the interview or cancel it and wait for Skywest ...even though training with them is a while off. If hired with Express Jet I would probably get an earlier class date. But I don't want to do an interview just to turn the job down. Might not be good for later chances should I ever need them.

Any ideas guys (or gals) to help in making a decision.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wannab0133]

?

go to skywest and upgrade a half decade before you do at xjet. xjet first year jet fo is less than mesa. run like the wind.

 

[MJG]

Why don't you go to the XJet interview, see what happens and then maybe you'll have two job offers to choose from. Give yourself more than just the Skywest opportunity to choose from.

 

[Anais Nin]

XJet's not doin' so hot lately! Low morale and very long upgrade time! Some very bitter pilots over there right now! Go to Skywest

 

[Tooslow]

Same thing happened to me.....

I had to make the same decision, I decided expressjet even though skywest called me first. I'd rather stay flying what I am used to - jets....they are easier and quieter to fly. I also had a another major reason, maybe you can tell by looking at my profile...I flew for a United regional and got furloughed. You need to consider who the regional is flying for, ie who is in a quest to survive, just my two cents.

 

[Sam Fisher]

XJet's not doin' so hot lately! Low morale and very long upgrade time! Some very bitter pilots over there right now! Go to Skywest

Actually, we are doing quite hot. Made $108 million last year after taxes and will do even better this year. Yes, we have some bitter pilots, but who doesn't? It is a small percentage here. Long upgrade time? Depends how you look at it. Latest Captain slot went to a guy who has been here 4 years. We have 400 pilots on our list who will be leaving in the next 2 years and another 600 or so new hire slots to be filled in the rest of 2004 and all of 2005. This will be a good place to work for the near to mid term and dare I even say long term.

Sam

 

[BoilerUP]

We have 400 pilots on our list who will be leaving in the next 2 years and another 600 or so new hire slots to be filled in the rest of 2004 and all of 2005. This will be a good place to work for the near to mid term and dare I even say long term.

Where are those 400 pilots going? Are they retiring, or is this the number you project to move on to bigger and better things?

 

[Nova]

Flowbacks to CAL.

 

[Tooslow]

I was reffering to United and if they survive, CAL is doing better than the majority...

 

[snafu1990]

Sam U better look at the seniority list again we have no 4 year capt.. 5 yrs is the min I will have five yrs in 3 mths and am still 200 plus numbers from upgrade any base...

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Sam U better look at the seniority list again we have no 4 year capt.. 5 yrs is the min I will have five yrs in 3 mths and am still 200 plus numbers from upgrade any base...

Just to clarify symantics, I am going to upgrade training in August and I have been at CALEX for four (4) years and three (3) months. Granted I am on fifth (5th) year pay though, but I have not been here for five (5) years yet. So, using that logic upgrade, time to upgrade is four (4) years and three (3) months right now. However, I will be a fifth (5th) year captain for pay purposes and benefits.

 

[Nova]

Sam U better look at the seniority list again we have no 4 year capt.. 5 yrs is the min I will have five yrs in 3 mths and am still 200 plus numbers from upgrade any base...

What base are you in? June 5th, 2000 held captain on the last bid. Last time I checked that was 4 years ago.

 

[Sam Fisher]

What base are you in? June 5th, 2000 held captain on the last bid. Last time I checked that was 4 years ago.

Thanks B.S.,

Some guys just don't get it...

Sam

 

[nimtz]

Just to clarify symantics, I am going to upgrade training in August and I have been at CALEX for four (4) years and three (3) months. Granted I am on fifth (5th) year pay though, but I have not been here for five (5) years yet. So, using that logic upgrade, time to upgrade is four (4) years and three (3) months right now. However, I will be a fifth (5th) year captain for pay purposes and benefits.

Amazing how many guys f*ck this up during their "I am so underpaid" rants.

 

[Nova]

I can't believe that's even possible but we've seen it proven time and time again here. It's made me question most folks I talk to as they often blur the lines between reality and my-life-sucks world to prove their point. I've been told several times by pilots who've said they are senior to me and tell me that they've never held a line once in the last 2 years. Makes me wonder how they'll be able to give an honest vote on any upcoming TA.

 

[SkyWestCRJPilot]

Interview at ExpressJet. Then after interviewing make your decision. Don't limit yourself, not yet. Interview, get the job offer, then decide. Plus you'll have seen both companies from an interviewee's perspective and better be able to make a decision.

 

[minrest]

I think your upgrade times are compatible at each. Both airlines are adding pilot and airframes. Basing your decision on the upgrade times today in the wrong way to go. When I was hired at ExpressJet, upgrade of Props was 1 year. It took me 1 year 9 month to hold it and I ended up going to Jet Capt before the Prop training slot opened-up. On Sept. 10, 2001, jet upgrade was about 1.5 years! It's now about 4.5 years. What will it be in 4.5 years; who knows.

Take the ExpressJet interview. If they offer you a position, then sit back and weigh your options. I think both airlines will be around for a while and will offer similar pay, benefits, and upgrade times. An advantage to Skywest is that they still have Turbo-props and you'll generally find that upgrade times on Turbo-Props are faster than jets. But then again, who knows.

Be more concerned with which bases better suit you and which company you'd want to spend a career at (you never know). It's a personal choice, good luck. If you get both offers, you're way ahead of the pack.

-minrest.