Chautauqua Selected as a Continental Express Carrier

[Kingairer]

Im not sure of all the details, but sounds like XJet still has a chance to hold on to these jets, which I hope they do.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060418/datu060.html?.v=29

[CapnJim]

Ain't sweatin' it. We're just waiting for the ETOPS certification to process so we can lash two ERJ's wing to wing ala the F-82 Twin Mustang and fly rubber dog sh't to Hong Kong.

That's a representative sample of the types of rumoTs that have been flying about this whole deal. Cal is putting out every press release and FIL imaginable threatening to drop the 69 jets, and XJT is sitting back grinning like a cheshire cat thinking it's all bluff.

Three possible results:
1. All 69 jets get axed. 690 pilots on furlough. Possible, but unlikely.
2. CAL gets bluffed out. Biddness resumes as normal. Probable, but far from certain.
3. Some jets are returned, the rest find flying elsewhere. Expressjet is no longer under the exclusive umbrella of Cal. Intriguing, but bes' viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Fourth, anyone? Preferably not of the Twin-Junglejet genre? Unless, of course, you have a photoshopped image to share...

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Scarebus in..1,2,3..

[Timbuff10]

So if the 69 jets go elsewhere they will be at a higher lease rate? This may prevent another company from acting on this since they aren't the cheapest. Will XJ be looking for concessions then to keep flying these jets, just for someone else now?

[BobDDuck]

Originally Posted by CapnJim

Fourth, anyone? Preferably not of the Twin-Junglejet genre? Unless, of course, you have a photoshopped image to share...

You mean this?

[Doug Taylor]

The big joke at SouthernJets Innanashnul is that they were going to strap two CRJ's together with military 'drop tanks' to inaugurate new service to Kiev this spring.

Sure it'll be weight restricted, blocked for three passengers but the passengers are going to love the customer-friendly CRJ aircraft which offers passengers a two-by two seating configuration with no middle seats.

[CapnJim]

Duck, That's the one! You are the wind beneath my wings!

[ScareBusA320]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Scarebus in..1,2,3..

I'm here Max. I think everyone knows how I feel bout #####auqua! Nothing but a bunch a bottom feeders galvanizing the race to the bottom. An Kingairer think your a pilot there so there so I tip my hat to ya man!

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by ScareBusA320

An Kingairer think your a pilot there so there so I tip my hat to ya man!

I'm sure KA'er won't be able to respond as he's out alco-partying to celebrate his affirmation.

[mrivc211]

I'm just glad SKYW didn't get this contract. I would have never seen the end of it on flightinfo. This is wrong man. Just wrong. At least now JA can't dangle a carrot to the ASA guys in exchange for consessions.

[Stone Cold]

I just went over to the regional board over at that "other" site...man, all those guys/gals really are all over each other, aren't they? It's scary over there...glad y'all on here aren't like that.

[CapnJim]

Well, I think it's cause we have more actual pilots over here. Or someting like that.

[Champcar]

Originally Posted by CapnJim

Well, I think it's cause we have more actual pilots over here. Or someting like that.

You mean Flight Sim 2004 doesnt count.

[bluelake]

Originally Posted by CapnJim

Well, I think it's cause we have more actual pilots over here. Or someting like that.

I dont think its that. I think a big percentage of jetcareers members are at a stage in their pilot careers / development where the issue of Chautauqua versus Coex is just not exciting to them yet, if ever.

Now... bring up mental math equations, mis-speak something technical about the Seminole?? slip versus crab... now you got a THREAD and ya better watch out on THIS board!!!

I am 13 days from a Republic EMB170 class, and I also have friends, guys I care about, at COEX.

[Alchemy]

Right. This could mean a furlough for many of my close friends. We still don't know if we will be keeping any of the Airplanes Chautauqua is slated to get.

Personally, I'm pretty pessimisstic about the situation. We will probably furlough 15-20% of our pilots in Q107. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but I have seen nothing that would leave me to believe there is any real market for these airplanes in a way that our current pilots can fly them. The lease terms we get on the airplanes if we fly them on our own just are not that favorable from what I understand.

I can't hold it against chautauqua pilots. In all honesty I could've just as easily ended up there. It's just the way the cards have been dealt. The reality is that I will probably be in the right seat at this regional for another 5+ years if I'm not furloughed, or don't find a better job straight out of the right seat. Welcome to Eagle II.

But I can't complain, I least I will still have a job unless CAL decides it wants to cut another 25% of Expressjet's flying in 2008.

How low will the mins go now since we're still taking a few more a/c deliveries, still increasing our block hours, and still hiring? You might just need to hire a 250 hour pilot if you want to find someone willing to go through 2 months of training only to be furloughed 4 months later.

I will save B767driver the trouble and say "get the flying at mainline", and will also go ahead and throw Brandon Coxton's name into thread and get it over with.

[WestIndian425]

I just found out about this myself. I wonder how this will affect pilot hiring. I do know several friends that work there now, and I was told that all will go well for them. I sure hope so.

Neil

[Bandit_Driver]

http://www.jetcareers.com/forums/sho...37&postcount=9

see above link for press release from Wilkson at RJET....pretty much the same as the P.R. earlier in this thread though....it has been circulated internally around the republic family of companies...

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by Alchemy

How low will the mins go now since we're still taking a few more a/c deliveries, still increasing our block hours, and still hiring? You might just need to hire a 250 hour pilot if you want to find someone willing to go through 2 months of training only to be furloughed 4 months later.

So you think they will still be hiring people until the planes go away? Not sure why they would do that? Can't they defer the deliveries or something?

I do imagine it would be hard to get someone who is competitive at other airlines to go through training knowing they have a good chance of furlough a few months later.

Personally, I think I would go for it knowing that I may be let go soon. Would be a good way to get some free training and some hours. If they let you go then you will be pretty attractive to other regionals and if they keep you, you are in at a good time since they probably found other flying and will continue the hiring at which point the mins probably went way up again.

[Alchemy]

They can't really defer deliveries since they need them for scheduled flying for Continental for the rest of this year.

From what I hear they interviewed a group of pilots today, the day after the announcment was made that chautauqua would be getting the 69. I don't know if they will drop their minimums or not.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Timbuff10

Personally, I think I would go for it knowing that I may be let go soon. Would be a good way to get some free training and some hours.

Keep in mind, while in training you don't get paid very much (I think EJ guys get a per diem check or something), and I didn't log any time in an airplane for a little over 4 months...

That, and if you went to another company you wouldn't be out the senority lost by going to EJ for a few months and then having to start over again.

[Timbuff10]

Hey, it beats paying for ATP's regional jet program, and at the end if they find more flying you will have a job...

And I am just about to go over 600 too... Oh well, I see your points. 4 months without flying is a long time. I would probably get airsick on the first flight back.

[Stone Cold]

Another point is look at Mesaba, I think it is anyways. They are going after all the pilots who left before being furloughed and reserving the right to go after the pilots WHO WERE FURLOUGHED for training costs. As ugly as the industry is, I'd be careful with getting on anywhere thinking you'll just get on some place else quickly. As has been said before, go to a place you like...you might be there a while.

BTW, not sure if ExpressJet has a training contract, but if it gets ugly over there, I bet they'll look at it soon enough.

Please, for the love of whoever you find holy, stop getting these jobs at low times and having no options if things go bad. I'm talking about the 250-750 hour wonders. Instruct for a while and have your options. It'll help you in the long run.

[Captain_Bob]

Originally Posted by txpilot

Another point is look at Mesaba, I think it is anyways. They are going after all the pilots who left before being furloughed and reserving the right to go after the pilots WHO WERE FURLOUGHED for training costs. As ugly as the industry is, I'd be careful with getting on anywhere thinking you'll just get on some place else quickly. As has been said before, go to a place you like...you might be there a while.

BTW, not sure if ExpressJet has a training contract, but if it gets ugly over there, I bet they'll look at it soon enough.

I believe Mesaba is going after first year guys/gals that left prior to furlough... ie: they didn't fulfill their contractual obligation.

No, XJT does not have any training contract.

Bob

[Captain_Bob]

Chautauqua, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: RJET - News), will operate any aircraft returned by ExpressJet as a second Continental Express carrier at each of Continental's domestic hubs -- Newark Liberty, Houston and Cleveland. Continental Airlines will continue to schedule and market all its regional jet service as it does today.

The underlined is from me, and therein lies the rub.

Let's say that XJT finds flying for 44 of the Aircraft (which is a good possibility since 44 of the 69 are XR's with great range, fuel economy, and are much more marketable than any other 50 seater out there.), and we decide to give the other 25 back to CAL in September... then those 25 will go to CHQ.

If we keep all 69, then???

I'm still fairly optimistic about the whole thing. I don't believe min's will, nor should, come down. It's still a good company to work for. Worse case scenario is people get fuloughed but they will have a seniority number, and get some pretty awesome training under their belt. Best case scenario is we (XJT) ends up diversifying our flying and not putting all our eggs in one basket.

Time will tell.

Bob

[Timbuff10]

Originally Posted by txpilot

I'd be careful with getting on anywhere thinking you'll just get on some place else quickly. As has been said before, go to a place you like...you might be there a while.

BTW, not sure if ExpressJet has a training contract, but if it gets ugly over there, I bet they'll look at it soon enough.

Please, for the love of whoever you find holy, stop getting these jobs at low times and having no options if things go bad. I'm talking about the 250-750 hour wonders. Instruct for a while and have your options. It'll help you in the long run.

I would think anyone who would go there would go there because they want to be there. I think it is a great company. I wouldn't want to go there with the intentions of leaving after I get the training. I would hope that I could stay but if they did furlough after training, at least I would have that experience under my belt and I would imagine it would be helpful to have for getting on somewhere else.

Not really sure about not having any options though if things didn't work out. The CFI world is still there and that is where most 250-750 hr wonders are currently at. No reason why they can't get back into it.