XOJet Update

[t-bone]

How many crews per plane does XOJet usually use? I think I read that you have 20 crews for 15 birds. Is that the approximate staffing level? Seems a little low from the outside.

How in the world do you infer that because we used 20 crews on a single day to keep our 15 airplanes flying that 20 crews is all we have??? Where in that previous statement did I mention how many crews were at home watching football or mowing the lawn while those 15 airplanes were flying? Did I say anything that would lead anyone but yourself to believe that we didn't have a single pilot enjoying a day off on that particular day?

I could give you an accurate pilots/airplane answer, but I'm almost positive you'll find a way to take my statement out of context. So what's the point?

 

[Sioux115]

How in the world do you infer that because we used 20 crews on a single day to keep our 15 airplanes flying that 20 crews is all we have??? Where in that previous statement did I mention how many crews were at home watching football or mowing the lawn while those 15 airplanes were flying? Did I say anything that would lead anyone but yourself to believe that we didn't have a single pilot enjoying a day off on that particular day?

I could give you an accurate pilots/airplane answer, but I'm almost positive you'll find a way to take my statement out of context. So what's the point?

Sorry for the question! I realize how dumb it sounds now. I guess you thought I was attacking you from your response. It was just a dumb question out of curiousity and I obviously did not think about it before I posted it. I'll make sure I don't take any other responses out of context.

Sioux

 

[flyzimex]

More than one crew/day per airplane..

When you guys use more than one crew per airplane/day, what happens to the crew that flew the first part of that day? Are they airlined to a different plane to fly the following day? Is it ususally common practise by the company to keep the same crew on the same airplane for the entire tour, or do you have a different setup than the other fraxs seem to do it?

/flyzimex

 

[t-bone]

It all depends on where you are when the new crew takes your airplane. If it's in TEB, then chances are there will be another airplane along soon that you'll be assigned to. If you're someplace where you won't be needed anytime soon, then you'll either be airlined to the next city where the need for a surge crew is anticipated, you'll hang out for a day or 2, or they'll airline you back to one of our MX bases. It is very rare that you'll stay with one airplane for an entire tour. This is the reason why your QOL will be much better if you live in one of our MX bases. They won't airline you home to Timbuktu when there's an airplane that will need a crew in MCC once its inspections are complete. Living in a MX base will result in getting home occasionally during your tour.

BTW, I think the # is somewhere around 4.7 pilots/airplane. But that # is expected to increase as our vacation policy takes effect in 2008 and increases the need for higher staffing levels.

 

[Capthuff]

T-Bone, were you in HPN today?
I had an XOJet X parked beside me @ avitat
Unfortunately I didnt get to say hi to the crew, as my pax showed up about the same time.

 

[t-bone]

T-Bone, were you in HPN today?
I had an XOJet X parked beside me @ avitat

Nope...not me! I'm at home on days off.

 

[Huskers1]

I heard a rumor that XOJet doesn't like airline guys. Does anyone know if this is true or not? My guess is it came from some airline guy that either got turned down or never even got an interview. I would love to finally be based at home (DEN) and am hoping being an "airline guy" won't disqualify me. The airline world sucks!! Would love a better way of life!

 

[t-bone]

I heard a rumor that XOJet doesn't like airline guys.

I don't know where this rumor has come from, but you're not the only one that has heard it. You're probably right though, we probably didn't hire some guy who happened to have an airline background, and he's blaming it on that aspect alone. If his attitude was that we should hire him because of his worldly experience, then I am certain he DIDN'T get an offer.

It simply is NOT true. We have several guys with mostly/only airline backgrounds. Most are from the regional side of things, but 1 just retired from America West and 1 retired from United after a 40-year career there. Draw your own conclusions.

 

[Lear70]

I think that came up before, something about hiring some airline guys (regionals) who left within a year for a major and they were stuck with the bill on the type ratings (I don't think an X type is very cheap).

Maybe rumor, maybe fact, but Netjets hires plenty of airline guys, especially coming out of the majors. If you're leaving a major for a fractional/corporate gig, odds are you're doing it for a quality of life change and won't be going back to the airlines anytime soon...

 

[t-bone]

Oh yeah...those guys! We had a handful of ex ACA/Indy guys come over a couple of years ago that, after just a few months on the job, decided they weren't happy with the 135 lifestyle and decided to go help start Skybus. (WTF is right!) As long as you're genuine in your desire to leave the 121 world, which seems to be easy to understand these days, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[johnsonrod]

Oh yeah...those guys! We had a handful of ex ACA/Indy guys come over a couple of years ago that, after just a few months on the job, decided they weren't happy with the 135 lifestyle and decided to go help start Skybus. (WTF is right!) As long as you're genuine in your desire to leave the 121 world, which seems to be easy to understand these days, there shouldn't be a problem.

Hey t-bone,

I know that XOJet operates a few random Beech Premier Jets and King Air 350s (the vast majority of the fleet currently is Citation Xs). What's the likelihood that a newhire could get a slot on a Premier Jet vs. the X?

How much longer will XOJet operate the Premiers and King Airs? Are those specific aircraft just managed for their owners or also available for charter to the public?

Happy holidays.

 

[t-bone]

J-Rod,

We've got 1 Premier and 2 King Air 350s. I don't know what the plan is for those airplanes, and the company doesn't really seem to know either. The premier especially has been in limbo for months. One meeting they'll decide to get rid of it, the next meeting they decide they want to keep it around. The guys flying the premier love it, they're home almost every night!

As for getting hired into either of those types...I highly doubt it. Those airplanes are well staffed, and with the uncertainty of their future, hiring into them just doesn't make any sense. That 350 is a nice airplane though! That's a good gig to have.

 

[cessnapilot]

How in the world do you infer that because we used 20 crews on a single day to keep our 15 airplanes flying that 20 crews is all we have??? Where in that previous statement did I mention how many crews were at home watching football or mowing the lawn while those 15 airplanes were flying? Did I say anything that would lead anyone but yourself to believe that we didn't have a single pilot enjoying a day off on that particular day?

I could give you an accurate pilots/airplane answer, but I'm almost positive you'll find a way to take my statement out of context. So what's the point?

wow... try meditation.

 

[H2OK9]

I think meditation or therapy would work...someone seems to be wound up a bit too tight! relax, gain a little self-confidence.

 

[t-bone]

I think meditation or therapy would work...someone seems to be wound up a bit too tight! relax, gain a little self-confidence.

You resurrected a thread from 6 months ago to add that??? Thanks for the advice. I'll think about it, and get back to you...in 6 months.