ninerdriver

Tone deaf much?

"There are a bunch of pilots without jobs right now. Don't hire some of them."

Unless you're already at your forever airline, I hope for your sake that your username isn't as easy as it looks. Ex-XJT folks, and particularly ex-L-ASA folks, are everywhere.

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Betasound

There was a company town hall Skype meeting yesterday and the company managers did mention that yes, we will be doing XJT stuff, but there is no timetable. Picking up stuff here and there while working on a plan to cover more it sounds like.

It all depends on COVID and travel demand. If what was said above holds true, we were barely covering the flying we had pre ‘Rona and just adding XJT stuff, even at reduced fleet utilization, won’t work without growth. But, there is no timeframe.

As for implementation, well, I’ve been at C5 over 7 years. Planning and implementation has never been a strong suit here. I’m glad to still have a job but it’s going to still be a long and tumultuous time here, even if “normal flying” comes back quickly. I also don’t see all of XJTs or C5 flying coming back. Instead of 17000 hours of block time or whatever between the two, maybe only 10k stays on the 145 and the rest goes to mainline or other carriers. No crystal ball, just speculation here.

njd1

I was talking to a senior captain the other day and his take was this is merely a stay of execution based on Kirby’s stated plans to eliminate all 50 seat flying as part of the long term recovery strategy. For that reason, during the town hall I posted a question regarding long term contingency plans to acquire 175s. Then the f’ing power went out courtesy of the tropical storm and I haven’t been able to replay the call so I don’t know if my question was answered.

In any case my plan is really not changed...get the hell out of dodge ASAP. If this stay of execution allows me to do that without a gap in employment I’ll count my blessings.

tallpilot

The answer was that Kirby said that early in the year and perhaps changed his mind, thus explaining the 6 year deal. The proof will be if they spend any money upgrading the interiors, adding entertainment, etc. If all they do is duck tape HEPA filters on the recirc fan inlets then it’s a good bet the airplane is just being used as a stopgap.

Working for a company that is entirely dependent on a larger partner is always going to involve some risk. C5 was a ‘get your time and go’ airline. Except now there is nowhere to go.

rickair7777

Unfortunately (for senior EV pilots) absent any contractual requirement to honor or consider EV seniority, C5 would most likely tend to hire younger junior EV refugees anyway. They already know how to be FO's and will be happy to have a job, vice being bitter like you say.

The EV greybeards may have more luck with cargo. Also EV to C5 might be out of the fire back into the frying pan...

njd1

I’m not privy to the details of the CPA but I know XJT had one and you see where they are right now. Just because that contract has a 6 year term does not necessarily mean C5 will be flying for UAL that long due to the 50 seat phaseout strategy. CPAs are largely a contract for services at a specific price. Anything beyond that is subject to change.

As for having a place to go, this downturn will serve the same function as prior downturns - convince starry-eyed pilots to have skills outside the industry. Hard lesson to learn and advice that is never taken to heart, IMO, until the bottom falls out. Had one captain tell me he was taking a basket weaving degree for 4 years simply to satisfy the UAL hiring requirement. I suggested he change that strategy to a STEM degree but he shrugged and said “that’s too much work”. Hummmpf. You can lead a horse to water...

DontGetHooked

Who says United ALPA wouldn't set up some pref interviews for their soon to be furloughed pilots. A lot of junior UA guys have 145 type ratings.

MasterOfPuppets

they already have.....it’s an LOA signed in 2012 tied directly to a United Express carriers ability to operate for United.. I’m not going to argue about it AGAIN so if you are interested go look on the Mesa Board in the when will training restart toward the last couple pages.

ReadOnly7

That LOA is only for “larger than 50 seat” AC. Doesn’t apply here. I saw your discussion about this on the other thread. My hope is that United takes as much of this flying back as possible.

SP238882

Experience and folks coming from other places will be welcomed be they XJT/UA/Anywhere else if and when hiring starts, but that could be months or years from now. A lot of our hires pre Covid had a wide array of previous experience and we benefitted from that. New eyes and skilled hands are an asset to us all. If we can in any way provide a soft landing as well, that’s a win/win in my book.