I would assume so. Here at ExpressJet times are uncertain and unclear. On the CRJ side, while we are experiencing some movement on the FO and Junior Capt side, the potential loss of aircraft due to contracts coming off line in 2015, or the rumored IAD CRJ base closure in early 2015 will certainly wipe out any attrition gains we are making this year if both events do occur.

As of the June seniority list, there were 312 pilots hired in 2007 ALONE. All of these pilots will reach seven full years of service sometime this year and will top out on the pay scale as an FO on both airplanes (CRJ tops out at year 7, CR7/9 at year 8). Captain upgrade for those hired after June 07 is still at least 18-24 months away before they can even think about being the plug Captain in DFW or DTW. If we lose more flying, or have a base closure (both of which are more likely than not, sadly enough) then most of those FO's hired in 2007 and beyond will remain FO's until they are hired elsewhere. I hate typing that and I hate the reality of it, but it is a sad fact.

Just for the record: The CRJ IAD base closure I mentioned above is only a rumor, there is nothing solid that supports this rumor, nor has our MEC/ALPA stated anything about it, but it seems to be a hot rumor amongst most pilots I've spoken to.

XJT has a lot of potential and could accomplish a lot of good things in the future, but we have so much drama and baggage we have to sort out in the next year that nobody can accurately predict what will happen. Is it a better move to come here over another airline?...that I cannot answer with any certainty.