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XJT or AWAC?

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chignutsak

chignutsak

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2003
Posts
371
I'm having a tough time on deciding who I'd rather work for. I've done a bit of reading (this forum and others) and I've talked to several guys/gals from each carrier, although none were senior. At this point, upgrade appears to be better at AWAC. However, mainline CO seems to be better off than US. Not a troll; just soliciting some honest opinions.
 
Whichever one is an easier commute.
 
You have a difficult yet envious choice to make!

Both are top-notch operations with a fair amount of CA attrition. AWAC is a little over 1/4 the size of Expressjet, so any growth with shorten upgrade times. That said, AWAC has not been known for a quick upgrade, although most CAs I've flown with upgraded between 2.5-3 years. Both have strong ALPA leadership and good CBAs.

XJT junior base is EWR (I've heard); for AWAC you will be assigned any of our bases (DCA/PHL/ORF) in training but can probably hold wherever you want to go by the end of IOE. DCA is the junior FO lineholder base for AWAC.

If I were you, I would be a little concerned about XJT's situation with losing airplanes with CAL. US Airways would love to get rid of some 50 seaters as well, but AWAC has 9 years left in a very secure contract for 70 aircraft. If I remember correctly, we can replace our 50 seaters for 700/900s on a one-to-one basis if ATW and Airways management agree. There are lots of rumors abound regarding 10-15 more planes for Midwest, but nobody knows if that is actually going to happen, and if it does, when the airplanes will actually come on property.

Bottom line: go to whoever has domiciles you want to move to, or who has the easiset commute from where you are or want to live. From looking the contracts from both places, you'll make more $$$ as an FO at AWAC and probably slightly more as a CA at XJT.

Good luck with your decision!
 
Last edited:
Have you interviewed or been offered jobs at both or is this just a rhetorical question??
 
BoilerUP said:
You have a difficult yet envious choice to make!

Both are top-notch operations with a fair amount of CA attrition. AWAC is a little over 1/4 the size of Expressjet, so any growth with shorten upgrade times. That said, AWAC has not been known for a quick upgrade, although most CAs I've flown with upgraded between 2.5-3 years. Both have strong ALPA leadership and good CBAs.

XJT junior base is EWR (I've heard); for AWAC you will be assigned any of our bases (DCA/PHL/ORF) in training but can probably hold wherever you want to go by the end of IOE. DCA is the junior FO lineholder base for AWAC.

If I were you, I would be a little concerned about XJT's situation with losing airplanes with CAL. US Airways would love to get rid of some 50 seaters as well, but AWAC has 9 years left in a very secure contract for 70 aircraft. If I remember correctly, we can replace our 50 seaters for 700/900s on a one-to-one basis if ATW and Airways management agree. There are lots of rumors abound regarding 10-15 more planes for Midwest, but nobody knows if that is actually going to happen, and if it does, when the airplanes will actually come on property.

Bottom line: go to whoever has domiciles you want to move to, or who has the easiset commute from where you are or want to live. From looking the contracts from both places, you'll make more $$$ as an FO at AWAC and probably slightly more as a CA at XJT.

Good luck with your decision!
Click to expand...

Just to clarify, IAH is the junior base, For Now. Junior on FO's and CA's.
 
Go for XJT. At least you don't have to aim the 145 at the ground in order to land it. That's got to be worth something.
 
Double post.
 
Master Shake said:
Go for XJT. At least you don't have to aim the 145 at the ground in order to land it. That's got to be worth something.
Click to expand...

Where else would you aim an airplane when you're trying to land it?? Just kidding, I know what you mean. To someone who has never flown or ridden in the jump seat of the CRJ that wouldn't make much sense though.
 
It is always a little tense when we're holding short and one of those is landing. Even though I know it is supposed to look like that, I still watch to see if they are going to round out in time.
 
Apache 5 said:
Amen, or whichever base you can tolerate living in.

Dont chase the upgrade...it'll be there someday, dont think its much quicker at AWAC though, about 2-2.5 yrs at XJT right now anyway.
Click to expand...
That upgrade time my go down if more E-tards and G4xxx guys keep holding off upgrade for "quality of life reasons" b/c they don't want to hub to hub commute w/ all the guys who couldn't hold IAH already.
 
Master Shake said:
It is always a little tense when we're holding short and one of those is landing. Even though I know it is supposed to look like that, I still watch to see if they are going to round out in time.
Click to expand...


It's even more exciting those first couple of times you are sitting up front.
 
Dont chase the upgrade...it'll be there someday, dont think its much quicker at AWAC though, about 2-2.5 yrs at XJT right now anyway.
Click to expand...

Agreed, don't be chasing an upgrade. I just ran into some old colleagues of mine who were pre-9/11 hires at XJT and they were still CLE FOs. Is CLE that senior or could it be just a QOL issue (ie waiting to hold a line)?

Both companies are good ones. Along with Skywest, they are probably the best regionals out there. For the time being anyway.
 
NEDude said:
Is CLE that senior or could it be just a QOL issue (ie waiting to hold a line)?
Click to expand...

They've hacked CLE down to 70 lines. You've got to be hella senior just to hold a line. The few remaining die-hards there are holding on for dear life. One was so pissed he wrote a public letter, and went after our MEC chairman to try to get the company to stop shrinking CLE. It made for some interesting reading on our forum. The CLE folks have taken this very personally. What they forget is IAH is going to get hit pretty hard as this is the only base Shaniqua will be flying from.
 
I vote for going to neither for now anyhow.

XJT still has a mystery of what they are going to do with 40+ airplanes, the ones beyond the charter op they will be starting.

If AWAC does not manage to secure some additional flying will continue to me just another so-so airline with slow upgrades. (the 2.5 year upgrade bubble has popped) Willy was once a great place to work no so much anymore.

Honestly if I was just starting out I would try for CHQ. Their FO pay isnt the greatest but Cpt pay is on par and that company just cant loose.

But I started at XJ so it isnt like I can pick em!
 
I was hired at both. I chose AWAc because I was already trained and current on the CRJ. Both seem to be good places `to work. At XJT, the give you a per diem check during training and double occupanct hotel. They didn't give you a hire date until you passed your checkride. AWAC paid you from day one, and put you up in a single occupancy hotel. However, I understand XJT has better schedules, as I don't think the AWAC schedules are any good. Plus at XJT, you can go from Mexico to Canada and cross the continent. At AWAC mostly East Coast flying and the dealing with the clogged up Northeast. I do like AWAC and I would have liked XJT, the losing of the 69 airplanes scared me off. AWAC pays a bit better but the insurance isn't good and the premiums will double in Jan 1st. Look into both and do your homework and decide.
 
Ask the magic eight ball. It tells no lies.
 
Depends on your background. Prior 121 CRJ or ERJ type? Commuter? Type of schedule you'd like. Im extremely happy @ XJT and that being said 5 minutes after I saw my crappy November reserve schedule. :)
 
pilotkppsg said:
That upgrade time my go down if more E-tards and G4xxx guys keep holding off upgrade for "quality of life reasons" b/c they don't want to hub to hub commute w/ all the guys who couldn't hold IAH already.
Click to expand...

You got it backwards... nice try though, G-tard


Regards,

Your EXXX captain:laugh:
 
Drill Sgt. Dad said:
I was hired at both. I chose AWAc because I was already trained and current on the CRJ. Both seem to be good places `to work. At XJT, the give you a per diem check during training and double occupanct hotel. They didn't give you a hire date until you passed your checkride. AWAC paid you from day one, and put you up in a single occupancy hotel. However, I understand XJT has better schedules, as I don't think the AWAC schedules are any good. Plus at XJT, you can go from Mexico to Canada and cross the continent. At AWAC mostly East Coast flying and the dealing with the clogged up Northeast. I do like AWAC and I would have liked XJT, the losing of the 69 airplanes scared me off. AWAC pays a bit better but the insurance isn't good and the premiums will double in Jan 1st. Look into both and do your homework and decide.
Click to expand...


We didn't loose any airplanes...they are just going somewhere else...to be decieded upon...

Mooser
 
Master Shake said:
They've hacked CLE down to 70 lines. You've got to be hella senior just to hold a line. The few remaining die-hards there are holding on for dear life. One was so pissed he wrote a public letter, and went after our MEC chairman to try to get the company to stop shrinking CLE. It made for some interesting reading on our forum. The CLE folks have taken this very personally. What they forget is IAH is going to get hit pretty hard as this is the only base Shaniqua will be flying from.
Click to expand...

I thought CHQ would be flying out of IAH and CLE but not EWR. Did I miss something?
 
I heard IAH only. Hence the company's new found use for the North Side Crew Room...i.e. to keep Shnaynay out. Who the hell knows. As far as us losing A/C, well my understanding is that if the 20 LRs do go to Aviacsa then that helps the big $$ picture. I know just as much as you right now, so hold on until November 8th and we'll put all the rumors to bed.
 
I think CHQ will be flying out of both IAH and CLE, but will have a crew base only in IAH. Good for them, they wont get to enjoy as much of the excellent airport food selections that we have come to know in CLE.
 
Drill Sgt. Dad said:
I was hired at both. I chose AWAc because I was already trained and current on the CRJ. Both seem to be good places `to work. At XJT, the give you a per diem check during training and double occupanct hotel. They didn't give you a hire date until you passed your checkride. AWAC paid you from day one, and put you up in a single occupancy hotel. However, I understand XJT has better schedules, as I don't think the AWAC schedules are any good. Plus at XJT, you can go from Mexico to Canada and cross the continent. At AWAC mostly East Coast flying and the dealing with the clogged up Northeast. I do like AWAC and I would have liked XJT, the losing of the 69 airplanes scared me off. AWAC pays a bit better but the insurance isn't good and the premiums will double in Jan 1st. Look into both and do your homework and decide.
Click to expand...


Are sure about the hire date at XJet? I was showed up for class in one month, took my checkride two months later. Funny, when I look at the senority list, it shows my hire date as day one of ground school, not check ride date. Where did you see otherwise?
 
dojetdriver said:
Are sure about the hire date at XJet? I was showed up for class in one month, took my checkride two months later. Funny, when I look at the senority list, it shows my hire date as day one of ground school, not check ride date. Where did you see otherwise?
Click to expand...

I think he is speaking more about pay. Meaning you don't start getting paid until you pass the check ride other than per diem.
 

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