State of Expressjet

[Propilot]

Expressjet seems to have been hiring for a while. Although we can only make educated guesses, I would love to hear your opinions on what a newhire at expressjet is likely to encounter in terms of advancement. In other words, if I were to start class in December, is it likely that I would spend a million years as an FO? Or, is Eexpressjet forcasting major hiring through 07?

Thanks

[Captain_Bob]

I hate to give you the canned JC response... but it's true.

"It depends."

From our side though... 3-4 more upgrade classes before the end of the year and an additional new hire class or two has been added to the already full new hire schedule.

We are bidding on several RFP's and are ramping up our "Corporate Charter" ops. Most likely we will be doing some branded "point 2 point" flying as well in areas where there is a need but not in direct competition with any of the majors. Some aircraft are possibly getting leased to Aviacsa and that will be money we can use to fund the other ops. or purchase new aircraft. Will any of it work? Maybe yes... Maybe no... If yes... you will see an another explosion in growth and you will be in a good position. If no... then possibly reserve for a year, normal 3-4 year upgrade due to the large amount of attrition at this time. The company keeps saying that due to attrition... no furloughs. We'll see.

If your in a hurry... you may not want to chance it. If your patient and want to enjoy a really good contract and QOL... then it's not a bad place to hang out a while. Even though we are Union... we have a great relationship with management and there is a tremendous amount of respect for them from the pilot group... kind of unusual in this industry.

Either way... It can all change overnight!

Bob

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

due to the large amount of attrition at this time. The company keeps saying that due to attrition... no furloughs. We'll see.

How many senior FO's and captains are leaving per month?

Also, about the charter ops, an FO friend just left XJT for a charter legacy gig $85k to start as an FO. If you're doing charters at XJT, you'd be better off leaving for another company IMO. Might as well make more coin doing the same thing.

[Propilot]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I have an interview very soon with Expressjet. I am trying to make an informed decision, but it is very hard to do—there are so many facets to consider.

I used to think id never go regional, but now im not so certain. There are good and bad things on all sides (regional, freight, gear operator on a kingair, etc).

[FlyChicaga]

I think a lot of people see "charter operations" and think we are going to be loading bags and flying Citations around. Not so. Our charter operation is going to be something akin to Ryan International, ATA, or Miami Air, not NetJets. Also, our pilots will be doing this flying at an override pay scale, not at the current contract rates.

I have flown charters before while employed at XJT. It will be similar to what we have done before here.

[Propilot]

I take it the assingments will be based on seniority?

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by FlyChicaga

I think a lot of people see "charter operations" and think we are going to be loading bags and flying Citations around. Not so. Our charter operation is going to be something akin to Ryan International, ATA, or Miami Air, not NetJets. Also, our pilots will be doing this flying at an override pay scale, not at the current contract rates.

I have flown charters before while employed at XJT. It will be similar to what we have done before here.

Good to hear. I hope it works out there, it sounds like you have a very proactive management team!

Nothing wrong with loading bags though, IMO. Unless you're loading 30, 40, 50+ into the back of an RJ . That could get tiring .

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Propilot

I take it the assingments will be based on seniority?

Isn't everything in the airline biz?

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Good to hear. I hope it works out there, it sounds like you have a very proactive management team!

Nothing wrong with loading bags though, IMO. Unless you're loading 30, 40, 50+ into the back of an RJ . That could get tiring .

From working there before on the ground side, yes. XJT's management team is VERY proactive. It's a rarity in this industry.

50+? My record is pushing 90 in the back of a -200 and over 110 in a -900. Yes, it's tiring.

[Captain_Bob]

The rumor is a $20 over-ride per hour for going to the Charter/Corporate side. Seven on - seven off. Your trip starts where the aircraft is and ends where the aircraft is... don't know yet about how they are going to get folks to and from.

There will be actual interviews for those interested... I imagine the focus will be customer service at that point. Then it will be based on seniority after that.

The other bonus is the aircraft used for that will be getting the EFB... Electronic Flight Bag.

To answer another question... 30-40 Captains are leaving each month on to bigger and better.. I don't know how many, if any, Senior FO's are leaving. Most folks leaving are going on to fly the big iron... not ditching the company out of fear.

Bob

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Either way... It can all change overnight!

Bob

But hopefully the current union/management relationship will not change overnight!

[Kingairer]

Originally Posted by Propilot

Expressjet seems to have been hiring for a while. Although we can only make educated guesses, I would love to hear your opinions on what a newhire at expressjet is likely to encounter in terms of advancement. In other words, if I were to start class in December, is it likely that I would spend a million years as an FO? Or, is Eexpressjet forcasting major hiring through 07?

Thanks

I thought you didnt want anything to do with regionals?

[Propilot]

Originally Posted by Kingairer

I thought you didnt want anything to do with regionals?

So did I.....

[wheelsup]

Found this on FI...

-----------------------

Captain Charter Guarantee

....Monthly.......Yearly
1 $7,036.20 $84,434.40
2 $7,197.30 $86,367.60
3 $7,366.50 $88,398.00
4 $7,537.50 $90,450.00
5 $7,715.70 $92,588.40
6 $7,898.40 $94,780.80
7 $8,023.50 $96,282.00
8 $8,215.20 $98,582.40
9 $8,413.20 $100,958.40
10 $8,617.50 $103,410.00
11 $8,827.20 $105,926.40
12 $9,043.20 $108,518.40
13 $9,266.40 $111,196.80
14 $9,495.00 $113,940.00
15 $9,652.50 $115,830.00
16 $9,813.60 $117,763.20
17 $9,977.40 $119,728.80
18 $10,144.80 $121,737.60


FO Charter Guarantee:

....Monthly.......Yearly
1 $3,653.10 $43,837.20
2 $4,645.80 $55,749.60
3 $4,834.80 $58,017.60
4 $5,048.10 $60,577.20
5 $5,150.70 $61,808.40
6 $5,256.90 $63,082.80
7 $5,365.80 $64,389.60
8 $5,478.30 $65,739.60


Too bad these aren't the rates that 'normal' pilots in RJ's are getting across the board (all regionals). I can dream though huh? On the other hand, congrats to the XJT union for raising the bar once again!

[Captain_Bob]

Kudo's to Wheelsup for finding the old thread and continueing it with pertinent information vs. just starting a whole new thread!

Yep... I've been reading the TA for the Charter Ops and it looks pretty good overall. I just got a union e-mail with bullet points on the main issues that I haven't read yet. We'll see.

Just found out that we can bid in and out of it... that makes it very tempting to me. We'll see.

Bob