MikeB525

My friend called me today looking for my guidance and I thought it would be useful to throw out here.

She's a flight attendant. She was at NAA for 2 or 3 years, then got furloughed at the end of September. She was picked up by Expressjet and has been there for 6 months. Obviously it's a very different world between 121 charter and 121 regional. She liked the flying she did at NAA (the international military charters) but likes expressjet too, especially because her family's house is 20 minutes from EWR.

So, it seems the flying is more enjoyable (for her) at NAA, but they're a tiny company with unpredictable schedules, and fresh out of BK. Expressjet is a huge company by comparison, does traditional scheduled flying, and has lots of other bases (that are far cheaper than NJ) she could eventually transfer to.

Supposedly, when they called to offer her recall they mentioned acquiring more airframes but I'll believe it when I see it.

Xjet has been hiring continuously and EWR tends to go junior, so she's hoping she'll be a lineholder within the next 6-12 months, and in the meantime is flying a lot (80-85 per month). Not sure about life at NAA.

idleclamp

If she needs a stable job then she should definitely stay with Xjet. The type of flying NAA does is definitely more fun. But considering that they aren't out of the weeds yet, she should bypass recall for a while to see how the next 3-4 months play out. My opinion FWIW.

LNL76

Interesting, as I was furloughed same time as her (I know who it is!). Me and 3 others who were recalled weren't told anything about more airframes AND btw, 9 fas were furloughed this week. I know how she feels about the military charters and the big difference with regular pax (as I flew for a regional before). XJet is probably more stable...but who knows for sure?!

Tell her good luck with her decision!

JoeyMeatballs

Xjt treats their FAs horribly

MikeB525

Probably goes for every regional. Pay seems better than average (they start about the same as United mainline FAs) but her schedule seems hectic and variable.

I think I'm going to suggest she stay with Xjet for now and keep applying to the legacies/LCCs.

Speaking of which: JoeyMeatballs, any inside knowledge on if/when Spirit may be having hiring for ACY?

LNL76

Not Joey, but they had one early April. The website is updated when they're getting ready to schedule one.

MikeB525

Thanks. I know ACY is a tiny base so they probably don't hire there too often.

Softpayman

If you're considering ACY, why not PHL and USAir?

MikeB525

Good idea. I'll tell my friend. She's up in north Jersey though so that would be a 2+ hour hike (as would ACY). But when the AA merger is complete they'll have NYC bases.

Coopspeed

Anyone employed by Global Aviation Holdings needs to be prepared for a furlough or the airlines to shut down completely at all times.

If she can put that out of her mind, then she would enjoy working there while it lasts.

Great trips.

Not a regional.

Management siphons off all the cash to leave the airline with nothing.

Good luck.