XJT Pilots...help

[msuspartans24]

It beats racking up thousands of pointless right seat hours that will probably happen at a regional. The way I see it, this is the fastest route to my career goals.

So why are you coming to express in april?

 

[BrickTop]

Im sure its been beat up enough. I was recently hired by XJT and given a class date of April 24th. Anyone hear of an earlier class date? Onto the expected question. In honest opinions how many think furlough is coming. As a pecimist and one who takes face value to this industry I honestly beleive knowing the culture of XJT pilots, concessions are out of the question and even if they would agree their numbers wouldn't compete with the potential bidders CAL is looking to. Although my previous employer could offer me more job security nothing replaces the pride and value that working for a company like ExpressJet gives. With the deteriorating 50 seat market who would be interested in the 69 145XRs anyways. Granted XJT delivers about the finest product of the regional industry but most Majors dont look much past the price tag to sign the contract. In short XJT could face the same fate as Comair. An honor to be a part of a team like XJT, terrifying to think it could be temporary.

 

[azpilot]

Study hard, make it through training, fly as much as you can, wait until the day you "might" get furloughed. If you do get furloughed you will have recall rights.

If you think you can get hired somewhere else that is better go for it. Better today does not mean better tomorrow as most people know. Xjet is a great company and management is working hard to find alternate flying. They may or may not be successful.

Besides the more of you that get hired means the less likely I will get furloughed!

 

[HughBeamont]

I honestly beleive knowing the culture of XJT pilots, concessions are out of the question

Never over-estimate any pilot group.

 

[LucyFurr]

Maybe since most of the guys there PFT'd, they will pay to keep from getting furloughed or PFR- pay for recall!

 

[Wasted]

Maybe since most of the guys there PFT'd, they will pay to keep from getting furloughed or PFR- pay for recall!

Wait a second, I think my toolbox is missing a tool!

 

[MJG]

The majority of those guys who "paid for training" back in the late 90's are over at CAL now. They'd tell you it was well worth the investment. They're no different than anyone who goes to work for Southwest.

With a whopping 2 posts you have ZERO credibility.

 

[Windsor]

I'm in the april 10th class. I'm keeping my options open as to stayin on or not. I have an interview with a jet cargo carrier that is saying 12-18 mos upgrade. I'll take that over the 3-5 years that XJT said during the interview. If you log on to expressjetpilots website, you can get some info directly from what their pilots are saying about the situation.

 

[pilotkppsg]

Maybe since most of the guys there PFT'd, they will pay to keep from getting furloughed or PFR- pay for recall!

Dude, That's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo gay. Like the other guy said most of the folks that paid for the training back in the day are all flying 757/67s for CAL now, so I guess it's easy for you to judge them while you sit in the right seat of the Piper giving dual. The ones I flew w/ who had to PFT were all great pilots and taught me alot. Don't be a nutsack and you might actually be tolerable on a long pairing if you ever make it out of the Seminole. So I guess you think the same about the old Comair, Express One (Pinnacle) and ASA guys? Anyway, in response to the original question, i'd come here after seeing how things are at the other regionals w/ pay, contract, etc... For me I was gonna go to ASA, but then they just left all of us in the pool until like last week, so I really was actually fortunate to get in here like I did. Furlough may happen, but you'd also get like 8 months of 121 jet time if worse comes to worse. I'd say come here over MOST of the other regionals. Sure upgrade is a bit longer, but the company is really cool

 

[dojetdriver]

I'm in the april 10th class. I'm keeping my options open as to stayin on or not. I have an interview with a jet cargo carrier that is saying 12-18 mos upgrade. I'll take that over the 3-5 years that XJT said during the interview. If you log on to expressjetpilots website, you can get some info directly from what their pilots are saying about the situation.

XJet is a good job. Knowing what I know now though, go get the PIC as fast as you can. Careful on what they are telling you on the upgrade. Unless you personally know people there who have upgraded in that time span, they may just be blowing smoke to get you there.

 

[Windsor]

I've met a few of their pilots while on some of my cargo runs, there are a bunch of guys jumping ship to cal and sw right now. Looks like the upgrade times are going to be pretty close to advertised if not better. Either way 18mos is still better than 3-5 yrs. I'm pretty much looking at what will give me the 1500 PIC turbine the quickest.

 

[dojetdriver]

I've met a few of their pilots while on some of my cargo runs, there are a bunch of guys jumping ship to cal and sw right now. Looks like the upgrade times are going to be pretty close to advertised if not better. Either way 18mos is still better than 3-5 yrs. I'm pretty much looking at what will give me the 1500 PIC turbine the quickest.

Then it sounds like a no brainerr. Just curious, is it jet equipment, or atleast something heavy enought to get a type rating in? The more writing you have on your certificate to back up the turbine PIC, the better off you will be.

 

[Windsor]

All jets, Falcons, Lears ect....pay isnt that hot, but the more u fly the more u make. its still better than the $19,600 that I'd be guarantee'd at XJT. Kids I buy my happy meals from at McDonalds do better than that

 

[chuychanga]

Unless you personally know people there who have upgraded in that time span, they may just be blowing smoke to get you there.

I personally know someone who was awarded IAH CA on the last bid after just under two years and is going to training in May... ME.

 

[Melon]

Sure upgrade is a bit longer, but the company is really cool

Let's see if you are still saying that in 6-12 months. I hope you are. Working for a "cool" company will not pay the bills. In the long run, unles you are happy as a regional FO for the foreseeable future, you need to get PIC time ASAP. All that SIC will do you no good except to get your totals higher. If I were an FO (or even a junior CA) at XJT, I would be looking for other options.

Also I agree, do not over-estimate any pilot group. I believe concessions would pass at XJT, although not by a wide margin.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Me also. I will see you there. two years two months from DOH exactly two years from getting on line.

Windsor, And where do you think you are going to go with 1500 PIC? I left Ameriflight where tons of guys had 3000 hrs PIC turbine and were not going anywhere. At Xjet we have hundreds of guys wanting Southwest with thousands of hours of 121 jet crew pic and they are not going anywhere.

Live your life now and don't sell your soul for something that MIGHT happen down the line. If the age 60 rule changes and Southwest stops hiring for 5 years, will you be happy flying for a charter operation? ALways on call, no schedule, questionable mx. NO LIFE? Make sure to get a realistic understanding of the operation before you make you choice.

 

[Master Shake]

I personally know someone who was awarded IAH CA on the last bid after just under two years and is going to training in May... ME.

Me too. My neighbor is a G3XX going in May. Say what you want, but our QOL, equipment and management are top notch. I couldn't imagine being treated better by any other regional out there today.

 

[Windsor]

Me also. I will see you there. two years two months from DOH exactly two years from getting on line.

Windsor, And where do you think you are going to go with 1500 PIC? I left Ameriflight where tons of guys had 3000 hrs PIC turbine and were not going anywhere. At Xjet we have hundreds of guys wanting Southwest with thousands of hours of 121 jet crew pic and they are not going anywhere.

Live your life now and don't sell your soul for something that MIGHT happen down the line. If the age 60 rule changes and Southwest stops hiring for 5 years, will you be happy flying for a charter operation? ALways on call, no schedule, questionable mx. NO LIFE? Make sure to get a realistic understanding of the operation before you make you choice.

I live the life now, it fits my lifestyle just fine. Getting the chance to get PIC Jet time is a step up from the t-prop time i'm getting now. It beats racking up thousands of pointless right seat hours that will probably happen at a regional. The way I see it, this is the fastest route to my career goals.

 

[ERJFO]

Also I agree, do not over-estimate any pilot group. I believe concessions would pass at XJT, although not by a wide margin.

That obviously shows you know very little about the pilot group. All of the people that would be furloughed can't vote and although there would be people going back to the left seat quite a few people are proud-enough that they work for a company that doesn't undercut and play "MESA" that they would still vote no.

It also depends on the concessions - would guys loose 35 cents on the hour to say a CA??? YES, would guys take a Comair chop and drop??? NO.

 

[chuychanga]

As a soon-to-be junior CA, I'd certainly accept going back to the right seat before concesssions.

 

[Alchemy]

As a potential furloughee, I'll walk before I vote yes for concessions.

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

As a potential furloughee, I'll walk before I vote yes for concessions.

Agreed. This really is the vibe you get from everyone at XJT. I'll go back to CFI work (or back to get my Master's) before I'll become, or join Mesa.

 

[AviatorTx]

Being as honest as I can...

I do not think concessions would pass at XJT. Our current contract fell way short of everyone's expectations. It simply passed because we realized that we would not be able to do any better with the state of the industry and the NMB factored in. Add to that that many of us paid thousands in lost wages by getting furloughed or displaced by the flowback. So, with this in mind, many of us feel like we already gave at the office.

Furloughs: Probably, but not as many as people might think. I do believe that XJT WILL find business for some of those 69 airframes. The question is how many.

Upgrades: The last of the PIGS (PFT guys) goes over in April. CAL has already stated that they are cutting back on hiring for the summer. We are not far away from taking delivery of our last plane. This means that upgrades will slow. I just can't say by how much. My personal guess would then be a 2-2.5 year upgrade, ONLY if there are no furloughs. If we furlough and displace, your guess is as good as mine.

Being honest, I can't say what I would do if I had a class date here, as well as somewhere else. XJT is a class act, and our Mgt treats us very well. I think starting here now would be a roll of the dice, but then again, this would apply to anywhere in the post 9/11 environment.

Regardless, good luck to everyone.

 

[cfdoubleeye]

Those that state XJT is PFT do not have the current info. Current classes have no training contract nor do they spend a dime for thier training. A $1400.00 per diem check is about the closest form of payment though...

 

[XJETDriver]

How is IAH treating ya Paul?