ExpressJet Interview 02/28/06 - Page 2

bwade210 · March 9th, 2006, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Ummm... Just to clarify:

Colgan = Continental Connection
Commutair = Continental Connection
Gulfstream = Continental Connection
Cape Air = Continental Connection

ExpressJet = Continental Express

Bob

Thanks for the clarification Captain_Bob! There is only air carrier on that list I do not strive to fly for! That much I know!

DE727UPS · March 9th, 2006, 00:39

"Working for Continental Connection is as of now my ultimate goal"

Isn't Gulfstream Continental Connection?

stultus · March 9th, 2006, 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timbuff10

And that is how you can tell when employees are proud of their company. Got me wanting to go there now...

It is true--pretty much everybody I've met at XJT is quite proud of the company.

stultus · March 9th, 2006, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

If you don't get the leather coat then invest in a nice black trench coat.

Personally, I'd hold off on buying the coat for a while. You'll be finishing training about the time when your short sleeved shirt will be to hot for IAH.

The leather jacket was too spendy for me right now so I bought the trench and it's mostly a hassle to haul around. There are times when it's nice to have, but for the most part the blazer does just fine.

As far as the studying goes, do what you've been told by HR and here. Study the flows--know them--sit in front of that poster and be able to do them all before you head to Houston.

stultus · March 9th, 2006, 01:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cav

I would say that option 1 is still possible although it seems that CAL wants to diversify their RJ feed. As much as it pains me to say it, this might be a good business decision on their part and over the past few years they have done many things to distance themselves from us. Obviously if that happens it's not good for me or the XJT pilot group. I don't buy into the argument many here at XJT maintain that we "do too good of a job for CAL" or that "we are too ingrained into CALs service and it would be too difficult to change." I think those arguments are a bit simplistic and ignores the cost savings that CAL feels they need to achieve. Just ask any AWAC, ASA, Commair, Mesaba, or Pinnacle pilot what they think of those arguments.

As for the option to find someone else to fly the 69 aircraft for in the states, I believe this really isn't very feasible since it is no secret that there is an overabundance of 50 seaters in the marketplace. I believe that it is far more likely any additional codshare flying will be found in Europe. If you listen to this past quarter's conference call with our CEO Jim Ream and investors, he clearly states that they believe that there is more opportunity in Europe than in the states and that is where they are concentrating their efforts. If that happens, we will not be flying them in my opinion because XJT is legally only allowed a 49% ownership in XJT Europe and our (the pilots) contracts scope only covers us for XJT flying that is covered by the Railway Labor Act (RLA)...in other words does 49% ownership in XJT Europe constitute XJT flying and does the RLA cover such flying in Europe that is questionably XJT flying? In opinion the answer is probably no on both accounts since there are too many potential loop holes. Anyone of us who thinks they will be flying over there anytime soon is drinking some REALLY good Kool-Aid!

Most likely, we will not keep the flying and the planes will go elsewhere. I have heard the company believes that they will not have to furlough because attrition will keep the company properly staffed. We'll see, I don't necessarily buy that either.

I don't really like our options but I accept the idea that what is good for XJT the company might not coincide with the best interests of its pilots. I don't like it but that's life and it's out of my control so why lose sleep over it? If you want to listen our CEOs comments last quarter go to the company website and look for quarterly conference calls.

100% what I've thought all along. Sadly.

Timbuff10 · March 9th, 2006, 01:23

Is there any way you can fly for expressjet and not have anything to do with IAH and Mexico flying? Do EWR based crews end up doing those border runs from time to time?

Any rumors on California flying at all?

Captain_Bob · March 9th, 2006, 09:35

Tim,

Mexico and IAH are not bad at all... Mexico is in fact some of the best flying and overnights that I've had since I started. All bases travel through each hub and all bases go to Mexico and Canada.

When you are on reserve then you are at the mercy of scheduleing... however once you have a line, then you can place your bid preferences into the scheduling program and bid around Mexico flying if you think it't really that bad. For example, I have my bid preferences set to look for DFW/DAL/PWM/GRR overnights for me. DFW/DAL so I can spend a night at home in the middle of a trip, PWM because I have lots of friends up there, and GRR because that where my parents live. But you can set your preferences however you want... to avoid things or to look for things.

As far as the rumors go... everythings a rumor until we see it happen on our bid packet.

Bob

buffalopilot · March 9th, 2006, 11:12

All this takl about XJT makes me want to head in that direction. If you live where you are based, how often are you home?

Timbuff10 · March 9th, 2006, 11:35

Sounds pretty good, I am always a bit uncomfortable leaving the country for some reason. I have heard some stories from one of your co-workers (Szanto) about some overnights down there. Kinda hard to go 18 hours without drinking water.

Do they tend to put you guys up in good hotels? Or are they more like the "ATP econo lodge" sort of places?

bwade210 · March 9th, 2006, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"Working for Continental Connection is as of now my ultimate goal"

Isn't Gulfstream Continental Connection?

Yeah...Captain_Bob already coprrected me on that. I meant to say Express Jet...but if your implying that I want to work for Gulfstream because I stood up for students at that school or because I live in Ft. Lauderdale, then your wrong! Glad to see you are keeping tabs on my progress mom.

DE727UPS · March 9th, 2006, 13:51

"but if your implying that I want to work for Gulfstream because I stood up for students at that school"

Oh...well....you can understand my confusion, then. You're post was in response to me blasting Gulfstream at another site. Gulfstream doesn't get much positive press here. That's why I like it here so much...

bwade210 · March 9th, 2006, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"but if your implying that I want to work for Gulfstream because I stood up for students at that school"

Oh...well....you can understand my confusion, then. You're post was in response to me blasting Gulfstream at another site. Gulfstream doesn't get much positive press here. That's why I like it here so much...

Your telling me.....the place that I train at right now is located 2 blocks from Gulfstereams HQ at KFXE. I see plenty of the b.s. that is associated with GA on a daily basis, including lots of my fellow students walking out our door and over to Gulfstreams.

DE727UPS · March 9th, 2006, 18:34

"including lots of my fellow students walking out our door and over to Gulfstreams"

Tell them to check out jetcareers, first.

Alchemy · March 9th, 2006, 19:31

Quote:

Kinda hard to go 18 hours without drinking water.

The company provides you with as much bottled water from stateside as you care to carry. I think the bottles we get are 2 liters each, I carry one for a short overnight and two for a long one in Mexico. I use it to brush my teeth and drink. I'm sure I've accidentally swallowed some Mexico water from time to time in the shower and whatnot, and it's never really hurt me. I also make it a point to try out some of the local cuisine if I get a chance to. Never gotten sick yet (although some of the food has been pretty bad). As an IAH based pilot I spend about 3 nights a month in Mexico on average. I'd imagine it'd be one night a month or less for a CLE or EWR based pilot.

So far in my year and a half here, I've flown into Aguascalientes, Chihuahua, Ciudad Del Carmen, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Leon-Guanajuato, Mazatlan, Mexico City, Monclova, Monterrey, Oaxaca, Puebla, Saltillo, San Luis Potosi, Tampico, Toluca, Torreon, and Villahermosa. I think there are still a dozen or so COEX destinations in Mexico I haven't been to; it's nice to have the variety of flying into a new city every so often. Later this month I'll get to go to Cabo San Lucas for the first time.

The non precision approaches down there tend to keep you pretty sharp as well, especially since they're often at night and almost always in the mountains. Add some bad wx into the mix and things really get interesting.

Captain_Bob · March 9th, 2006, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timbuff10

Sounds pretty good, I am always a bit uncomfortable leaving the country for some reason. I have heard some stories from one of your co-workers (Szanto) about some overnights down there. Kinda hard to go 18 hours without drinking water.

Do they tend to put you guys up in good hotels? Or are they more like the "ATP econo lodge" sort of places?

Tim,

You have to relax a bit... Mexico is not that bad. Yes we do have guys who are super freaky about it and try to bath in bottled water... but those guys are... well... those guys. I've never bathed, brushed my teeth, washed my hands, etc... in bottled water. A lot of what you hear is pure paranoia from folks who may have had one bad experience or who have heard "stories" about it.

We also have guys who refuse to leave their hotel rooms on long overnights for fear of the unknown. Like I said... Mexico is probably some of the best overnights I've had... I've gotten to experience Culture, Markets, Pyramids, History, Beautiful Cathedrals, Fantastic Dining, and wonderful people... But you have to be willing to take a few steps outside your room.

Speaking of rooms... Mexico Hotels are typically nicer than a lot of the stateside hotels.

Bob

Alchemy · March 9th, 2006, 22:38

Yeah no kidding. The Holiday Inn Expresses we stay it in Mexico are nicer than most Hiltons and Doubletrees stateside. Most US corporate franchise type hotels in Mexico are super-clean.

Fiesta Inns and Camino Reals are usually pretty nice too.

Timbuff10 · March 9th, 2006, 22:52

That is pretty interesting... I think I would be game for something like that actually. 1-3 nights a month down there would actually be fun I would think. I was afraid they would just stick you on that route and that is all you would be flying or something.

Bob, I'm not quite that anal about the water and shower deal, but it is good to know that expressjet doesn't get all pissy about crews snagging water bottles like some other airlines I have heard about.

Captain_Bob · March 9th, 2006, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffalopilot

All this takl about XJT makes me want to head in that direction. If you live where you are based, how often are you home?

Living where you are based is the shiznit! Commuting works... but it isn't always fun. As long as you know that, and plan ahead going into it... then you'll be OK.

If you live in Base while on reserve then you have the potential of being home 30 to 31 days a month and getting paid for 75 hours!

For XJT: You are guaranteed 11 days off on 30 day bid periods and 12 days off on 31 day bid periods. Any day that scheduling doesn't call you... is another paid day at home.

While on reserve many pilots commute to their base/crashpad the day before their reserve time starts, and can't commute home until after their last day of reserve for the week... if you do the math... worse case scenario means you spend very little time at home if you don't live in base while on reserve.

When you become a line holder then you get between 12-18 days off a month based on seniority. But you also have more control over your schedule. You can trade trips and drop trips (coveragle allowing). For example... I currently attempt to drop and trade so as to fly only about 60 or so hours a month, commutable trips, and around 16+/- days off to spend with my family.

Hope that helps,

Bob

Cav · March 10th, 2006, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffalopilot

All this takl about XJT makes me want to head in that direction. If you live where you are based, how often are you home?

I live approximately 30 minutes from EWR where I'm based so I'll bite. This month I have 14 days off built into my line. It is worth over 90 hours of pay which is higher than usual, but typical of this month's lines. It is made up of 2 day trips and 1 day trips so I'm home as much as possible. In fact, I'm only gone 5 nights in March. The best part is having Fri.-Sun. or Sat.-Mon. off each week. Typically I do not do a lot of day trips because I hate doing 4 leg days (most day trips are either 2 legs which is good but generally senior called "turns" or 4 legs which well, stink) and I don't like to spend too much time in the car and parking lot bus. 2 day trips generally are 3 legs per day which I really like. Usually a 2 day line will put me away from home 8 nights a month, put some extra per diem in my pocket, and cut down on gas money.

Skyhawk1079 · April 21st, 2006, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Bob

Tim,

You have to relax a bit... Mexico is not that bad. Yes we do have guys who are super freaky about it and try to bath in bottled water... but those guys are... well... those guys. I've never bathed, brushed my teeth, washed my hands, etc... in bottled water. A lot of what you hear is pure paranoia from folks who may have had one bad experience or who have heard "stories" about it.

We also have guys who refuse to leave their hotel rooms on long overnights for fear of the unknown. Like I said... Mexico is probably some of the best overnights I've had... I've gotten to experience Culture, Markets, Pyramids, History, Beautiful Cathedrals, Fantastic Dining, and wonderful people... But you have to be willing to take a few steps outside your room.

Speaking of rooms... Mexico Hotels are typically nicer than a lot of the stateside hotels.

Bob

I brushed my teeth with bottled water while I was deployed in Southwest Asia a few years ago. I am in the Air Force, by the way. We were told not to use the tap water for brushing our teeth. LOL

Kingairer · April 22nd, 2006, 21:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemy

Yeah no kidding. The Holiday Inn Expresses we stay it in Mexico are nicer than most Hiltons and Doubletrees stateside. Most US corporate franchise type hotels in Mexico are super-clean.

Fiesta Inns and Camino Reals are usually pretty nice too.

Thats b/c all of teh house cleaners here in the US are the "Minor" Leagues and are just here learning the skill. Then they go back to the majors.

Captain_Bob · April 23rd, 2006, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kingairer

Thats b/c all of teh house cleaners here in the US are the "Minor" Leagues and are just here learning the skill. Then they go back to the majors.

Doh! badump bump! He'll be here all week folks... don't forget to tip your waiter...

Diamnd15 · April 26th, 2006, 00:17

kind of off topic, but how hard is it for a normal pilot without any of those bridge programs to get on at mins now a days???

CapnJim · April 26th, 2006, 08:08

Bridge programs are for suckers. Get some quality time, study hard, apply, apply, apply, and you'll do fine.

Hey Bob, I'm with you on the Mexican hotels being nicer than stateside. I did the PVR overnight a long time back, and holy crap! I slept with the patio doors open, and listened to the surf all night. Awesome.

There's always San Luis Potosi for a counterpoint, but it's certainly no worse than, say, Lubbock.

Worst hotels? Quebec's shoeboxes. I hate Quebec; buncha miserable human beings that want you miserable too. Ottowa's great, and the people friendly. But something about Quebec makes me grouchy. I think the people are just pissed that the rest of Canada hates them, the French look down on them, and America just ignores them as being something somewhat worse than the French. They're the Rodney Dangerfield of provinces.

Kingairer · April 26th, 2006, 11:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapnJim

Bridge programs are for suckers. Get some quality time, study hard, apply, apply, apply, and you'll do fine.

Hey Bob, I'm with you on the Mexican hotels being nicer than stateside. I did the PVR overnight a long time back, and holy crap! I slept with the patio doors open, and listened to the surf all night. Awesome.

There's always San Luis Potosi for a counterpoint, but it's certainly no worse than, say, Lubbock.

Worst hotels? Quebec's shoeboxes. I hate Quebec; buncha miserable human beings that want you miserable too. Ottowa's great, and the people friendly. But something about Quebec makes me grouchy. I think the people are just pissed that the rest of Canada hates them, the French look down on them, and America just ignores them as being something somewhat worse than the French. They're the Rodney Dangerfield of provinces.

Im sure Quebec Loves you too..Its really a great place.