Originally Posted by
Flyboy68
Why do you think this? Don’t take this the wrong way, this is not a “bash XJT” response, but I just don’t see it.
They’ve got an aging fleet of E145s and are getting 25 Ejets. No one but the top seniority guys are gonna get the Ejet. Their pilot staff keeps shrinking month to month even with their constant hiring and classes. They can only staff about 90 of the 120 or so E145s they have and are canceling flights daily. They claim their upgrades are down to 3 years now, but one of their pilots told me that’s bull*hit, that’s it’s at least 5 years right now. I’m sorry, but they’re a dumpster fire right now. No offense.
I had an interview scheduled with them after my interview with Mesa, and after speaking to a couple of XJT pilots, I canceled it.
They’re in trouble. It’s a Catch-22 for XJT. They can’t get the upgrade times down until they hire a bunch of new pilots, and they can’t recruit new pilots because their upgrade times are so long.
Once again, I’m not bashing XJT. I think they’re a good regional. Great training, good pay, good work rules, great people. They’re just in a very tough position right now.
The only way I think they can turn it around is by acquiring a bunch of new aircraft to replace the 145s, and that may attract new hires to commit. Like it or not, pilots like to fly shiny new jets.
Just to let you know we are getting around 40-50 people a month now, 25% of all United hires are from us currently, transitioning out of the CRJ (ASA) completely and bringing in a whole new fleet type 175 beginning next month, I’m sure by the Fall to Winter all of the issues will iron out. A Jan 19 FO in training was awarded a 175 slot 2 months ago. Yes the CA 175 side obviously went senior.
You can get into class now and fly your balls off if you want or you can fly props for 6 months. There are roughly 150 pilots between the latest awarded CA 5 yrs and a July 17 hire (2 yr mark). That upgrade number should drop fairly easily but stranger things have happened.