Thanks.
C5 is growing and I believe it will continue. Third year FO pay doesn’t matter because by that time, you should be a captain.
XJT shows promise, but is not growing yet. They have AQP, a better contract, and higher first year pay.
I believe they’re both great options and much better than Envoy (low flight time, long reserve, low pay), Endeavor (low flight time, backed up training and start dates), or republic (no classes for 8 months, less likelihood of being hired by one of the big 3).
The discerning factor for most with offers at both places should be: which one has a base I want to live in? For me, they both have EWR, so that makes it a tough call.
I will likely be at either one for less than a year due to my current time and experience. But if I get “stuck” at one, the question as 18-24 months on property rolls around will be “Am I glad I chose commutair because now I’m a captain” or “Am I glad I chose expressjet because it’s a nicer place to work and fly?”