Wow Guys....

And thanks for your understanding what I was trying to say, Bill.

I never intended to turn this into a flamebait post battle, nor was I trying to impugn you guys personally. I simply saw you guys being challenged by several of your fellow pilots on these boards, and it didn't seem you really understood the outrage here. I also don't think you realize that I want XOJET (and any American company for that matter) to succeed and have nothing personal against the company (Never applied, interviewed, rejected, etc.). I have several friends at XOJET who love their jobs, are well paid, love their equiptment, etc. XOJET employs many Americans, not just pilots, during today's tough economy. So I truly wish XOJET no ill will as a company: In fact, I hope that they grow, prosper, and hire many more of the aviation professionals currently on the street.. or about to be.

So I really don't "have a dog in this fight", not even being in the same part of the airline business, other than the fact that when I see fellow pilots, Americans, human beings, etc. getting screwed over I get Pi553d off. As to XO's assertion that I am somehow "exploiting?!" XO's terminated pilots, well.. I most respectfully disagree: I am one of the pilots that has stood up most vocally for these 23 since day 1. In fact, I feel that I have spoken up for them more than even their fellow XOJET pilots. Input sound of crickets chirping until lately... Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong..

As far as my agenda goes, well... You've got me there. It is easy to see my agenda on these forums by reading my posts: I am usually an advocate for the furloughed, the terminated, the powerless, and the downtrodden fellow pilots on these boards. Yes, I have spoken out against the XOJET and Flight Options terminations, as well as praised FlexJet and Citation Shares for the classy way that they have handled their downturn. I have spoken up for Virgin America pilots, Skybus pilots, Gemini pilots, and ABX/Astar pilots to name a few. When I thought a few of the "winning" pilots were gloating over the "losing" pilots, it pi553d me off and I called them on it. Do I get emotional and verbose when I see a wrong? Maybe..

And as far as exageration, I will admit to that if you all admit to your use of EUPHEMISM in your description of terminations there... A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener, or in the case of doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker. XO, you used a euphemism when you referred to your 23 fellow pilots as being "let go" and I think that you unknowingly served to dilute the severity of your company's actions. Being "let go" brings to mind a handshake, a hug, a tear, a severance check, a letter of recomendation, recall rights, etc. Far from the terrible reality of what your friends and fellow crewmembers experienced! Could I have said it in another way, or used a less painful analogy than the Holocaust? Sure, I admit to that, apologized to that, and will do that again freely. I probably should have used a less painful analogy than the Holocaust, like calling the current economic disaster a "natural correction" vs. "the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression", but I didn't. I did want to call you guys on your use of euphemisms, though. I did and I stand by it.

I can learn from all you guys, XO, Falcon, G400, Bill L, Fred F, etc. and I will take your gladly advise into consideration, XO. But also consider my advice on the use of euphemisms to dilute what I think was a very malevolent act by your company. To call it something less than what it was, I feel, only serves to let it happen again. That was my point.


As I said in my previous post, I wish you, XOJET, and your 23 terminated fellow friends and pilots well. And I am glad that you are proud and protective of your company. It is good to have a good career during these tough times. And I hope that XOJET follows the lead of Flight Options and recalls these pilots with back pay.. Flight Options made a mistake, but fixed it and XOJET can too. I don't think that these hopes are part of any veiled agenda... But if you believe that it is, then there is nothing that I can say that will change your mind. I feel that I have said my peace here and have again spoken up for pilots that found themselves in a similar situation like I did in a former life. I don't want this to conjure flame, use names, or require a Moderators scrutiny.

Best of luck and good fortune to you guys, XOJET, and their 23.

In Unity,

B727DRVR