Just because one is larger doesn't mean they are different. They are both subcontractors. XJT is publicly held, AWAC is a private company. They work based on a fee-for-departure type setup, which is wildly profitable for the regional carrier.

Maybe not from your standpoint, but to 2 of my friends its significant (who were recently hired). To the bottom 650-700 pilots it could suck (and have ramifications on the others, ie back to reserve, CAPT to FO, etc.).

Apparently those at XJT thing they are immune because their airline flies to all parts of the country and to mexico and canada. Maybe your company is immune because it's not a "niche" carrier (whatever that means)? Please.

I sincerely hope your management is able to pull together a plan, we need as many good carriers in this business as we can get. But lets look at the track record here. All the "good" carriers are losing contracts, and the bottom feeders are picking up the slack (mesa, chq, go jets, etc.).

Keep in mind I'm very pessimistic (that way I'm never disappointed) and we'll all know how this plays out in the next few months, right? I thought I remember reading that chautauqua is placing their aircraft sometime starting in January? But if I were in the bottom 1/4 of ExpressJet's senority list I personally would be warming up the resume printer, but that's just me. Hell, even though I don't see a furlough in my immediate future I still am applying to other jobs to keep my hand in. You never know.