I see potential new hires with a lot of questions. Here is the short story. We are negotiating a contract still with meetings to take place on the 21st. We are still two different pilot groups but are negotiating a joint contract...however, the "joint" part is all but moot. The company looks to be willing to extend the existing ASA contract with no concessions but no huge improvements to both pilot groups. Short of the E145 side taking the contract as is at the end of the month (wont happen)... it is my belief that they will be sold off to United main line, or simply.. the contracts that they fly will not be re-bid. By this time next year, Express jet should be almost totally out of the E145 business, and begin rebuilding with new contracts in the E175's.. Likely, they will not be as large as they are now ever again.

The Delta contracts come up again for rebid in 2015 as well.. Yes, there are cheaper operators out there... but they dont seem to be able to hire pilots due to welfare level wages. Hopefully, Expressjet's ability to man cockpits will strengthen their bargaining position.