Newhire and Retention Bonus now offered!
 

Just announced today. $10,000.00 bonuses for newhires and current FO's at Expressjet.

You mean $8500 on top of what the current FOs are already getting next year?

You would think calling something a "retention" bonus would actually, uh, be enough to "retain" an employee. 4-6 months wait for payment, and how many other regionals pay much more much sooner? My guess is when the schedule has worsening crew cancels all summer long, they can then say to big U, hey we tried.

This coffee money will not keep 1 FO who has a better deal somewhere else.

Shouldn't a retention bonus be paid monthly. And why are captains being thrown under the bus.

Oh that's right, we are the problem!

You got it. Its a summer bandaid fix.. bait to stay for the busy summer/holidays.

What's even worse is the fine print and conditions in the LOA. If a pilot drops a day and goes below 75 credit hours he/she is not eligible for the bonus that month, it will be pro-rated. So if you have a week of vacation that drops 2 trips or if you play in the initial window and drop a few days and get like 73 hours, no bonus.

My prediction is that pilots will still be leaving in droves, with no fresh pilots coming through the door. When we can't fulfill our contracts, Inc will wind us down as AWAC picks up the 50 seat lift. In about 7 years, we face another economic downturn, UA declares bankruptcy again, and furloughs half of it's pilot group, while those of us who left the industry for greener pastures count our blessings for having nothing to do with this mess anymore.

You still get 75 hours in a vacation month.

My bad, you're right. I'm so used to trading everything away that I almost never see 75, more like 60 and 18-20 days off usually.

Dirk's got a point for junior reserves who commute, and I would think that is who this would target, new guys on edge to leave.

Commuter clause a few days, and not be able to pick up open time due to strict pickup rules and you could fall below 75. Seems like everyone forgets how many people are on reserve sometimes.

Also, a guy who to has to take a few days of mil per month can not easily make this up commuting to reserve... thus no bonus for drilling (and flying the line) ANG and reservists.... nice

Seems prorating this by month makes it way too easy to exempt many from this bonus.

Why not have it prorated per days available, at least for non line holders?