The top comment I would hear from ASA lifers from 05’ thru 13’ when Delta was hiring off and on during those years was “I can’t afford the pay cut”. I’m assuming they were referring to first year pay but anything else is delusional or crazy pants. I mean it’s not even a debate.

You’re right. The economy could take a crap so why go to the bottom of a list that isn’t your ultimate goal?

It had nothing to do with pay, everything to do with QOL and being able to see my kids through high school. Setting my schedule, getting off when they had soccer or lacrosse games. Taking them to Europe on their fall break. Showing my daughter Montreal in the spring. Taking her to St John in the winter. Being married to the same girl I was married to when I started this track.
Yeah, I probably gave up some money in the long term. Doesn’t look like I’ll ever be anything more than a narrow body FO now if (big if), anyone hires me. I do wish the hiring patterns were different now that I’m ready to move on. But while a little disappointed I can’t say I have regrets. We each have our life to live as best as we can.

I can't disagree with any of this. Well said.

I think by this point most of the people who've "wanted out" from XJT have left already. Considering what has occurred at XJT, ASA especially, in the last 18 months, those who remain have made the decision to stay and are accepting of what may come.

That is true until their base closes. SGU knows this too. Systematically, bases have been closed by XJT and reopened by SKW.

If United doesn’t buy XJT, it will eventually happen with those bases too. However, at many of those bases, SKW already has a base and United has not (for some reason) started moving the flying over. Or, maybe, United has.

Reading these threads is like living through the Comair shutdown all over again. So many great people were in denial or too comfortable all the way to the end. I personally know pilots who were out of work more than 5 years, and not for a lack of trying. You're glad to see your kids and glad your wife still loves you? Add a long unemployment stint and see what happens. Trust me people. The music is about to stop and no one will be hiring for a while. Your airline is dying. There will be no announcement. Management is stringing you along. At least Comair announced the shutdown date and bribed us to stay to the end. SkyWorst is even too cheap for that. Being at the bottom of a list for a few years is way better than no job and no income. If you're near retirement, wealthy, or have a high income spouse, good for you. If you're the breadwinner and you're hanging on to this burning dumpster on a train going off a cliff, you're doing your family a huge disservice. Wake up and GTFO. Learn from history. I was there. You don't want that.

The funny thing is Envoy is running a street captain program with a $45,000 signing bonus. And, with time, a pilot will get back to ORD or DFW (from LGA). I don’t know why more XJT pilots don’t make the leap.

^This^
Fincial responsibility to your family out weighs your QOL or what days you have off. Stop excusing your laziness and get out before your lucky to be a Walmart greeter.

Why is there talk of unemployment in the even of a Xjet shutdown? Every regional is begging people to come work for them, except Endeavor (for now). If Xjet shutsdown every other regional would be clamoring for our pilots. There's also ULCC and ACMI.