Class size
 

Does anyone know how big the class is that is starting on Monday? Trying to get an idea if the new contract is attracting new hires.

I’m hearing 5 or so starting today.

They are going to have to do better than offer a few shiny 175s within a year’s time. Market forces will dictate our future and determine if United is serious about keeping us around. Endeavor rates and a bunch of upgrades would be a good start.

The announcement was made just before Christmas; give it time.

One thing you will get here that you won't get much of anywhere else while on reserve: actual flight time from day 1. I'm averaging 65 actual hours of flight time per month and that's without picking up any red flag (I commute). I'm hearing reserve FOs at other regionals aren't getting close to that.

That’s true. And also, the 2 most preferred regionals (Endeavor and Republic) have no class availablity until the fall. If we get some good bonus money going, it could attract people.

I’m starting to look into ExpressJet myself for this reason, build time and move on. If anyone can elaborate, where can a NH expect to based? Thank you

All regional pilots are flying their tails off. Expressjet needs something better then a guaranteed interview "ccp" because the upgrade time is horrible.

Please understand that upgrade times are not linear. With few pilots on the seniority list in recent years, and the new flying in 2019 and beyond, I wouldn’t be surprised if these factors enable new hires to upgrade in 2 years or less.

^^^^^^^^^^

Most new hires are being assigned to EWR and ORD, with an occasional CLE.

All I hear is lineholdets at XJT complaining about low value lines. I think there’s a lot of spare capacity labor here and I’m not sure why we aren’t using it efficiently.

Primarily CRJ, but I hear some of that from the ERJ guys too.

I’m sure that’ll change soon enough but why is that happening is beyond me....

I don’t know if it has changed since I left in October, but they were very inefficient. Noncommutable lines worth 60 odd hours with 12 days off. As a senior captain. Barf. But then they keep putting out red flag messages, like anyone can pick up trips when they start out the month with 12 days off and are down to 9 or 10 commuting. What a joke.

Well....they have to pay everybody a guarantee of 75 hours. If they made lines that exceeded that, it just means they pay more. Spread out the suck, and it’s cheaper. Plus....making the super senior guys want to leave is a money-saver, also. Win-win. When it’s time to turn things around, the fewer guys at the top of the pay scale the better. At least that’s what it seems is their thinking.

Apparently we’re getting a CRJ base in Houston now.

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the lines are gonna be equally awesome to the ORD base.

Yep. CRJ IAH base opening in May 2019.

I wonder if that’s a displacement from the ORD base or if they will be adding more aircraft and training more pilots....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Several folks have told me that “you can fly 85-95 hours per month as an FO out of EWR”

Is this true and easily possible while taking min days off for someone living in domicile?

Yes. Blackhawk’s complaints are isolated to the ORD CRJ base.

The trips have become a lot less productive over the years but it is still possible. Looking at the EWR FO reserve schedules, the credit hours for last month ranged from 67 to a high of 94.

Does a NH choose their aircraft and base during training? If so, is the 145 out of EWR or any base? Since IAH is out of question.

This is normally done during training in age order. "Needs of the company". It can really be a crap shoot and is subject to change. In my new hire class... a few years ago... I was in systems class for one airframe when someone came into class, asked who the oldest person was (me), and asked if I wanted to fly a different airframe.

145 is all bases. Realistically all new hires should expect the 145.

I would think -200 might be a possibility, but yeah. Probably -145.

I’d expect the 175 to be an option later on this year.

Appreciate it! I have my interview next week. If all goes well, looking to join April/May.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope to see you flying with us soon.

More instability for those poor guys and gals? Or possibly a good thing for the DFW crews

What is expressjet’s plan to hire the manning required for the forecast growth? It doesn’t sound like classes are full but it sounds like they’re losing 20 captains per month to CPP and probably a decent more to other airlines from the mid-level seniority folks. What is the plan to start attracting quality applicants?

We’re in a holding pattern until the transaction goes through and United really takes the reigns.

We won’t know anything until all that happens first.

Things won’t magically happen day one of UA ownerships, (wait Mana Air ownership)..... they will need to stabilize the operation and get the 175 on certificate. Then maybe 2020 things will happen.. untill then attrition will stay high..

Wasn’t this deal supposed to be sealed last week? I though they were planning to close esrow on the 9th.

I’m told things are still pending government approval and those are on standby because of the shutdown.

Interview
 

How hard is it to get an interview at XJT?

Depends on how qualified you are.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It’s literally so easy a caveman could do it.

Lol, I must be in the dark ages then :)

When I applied it took them about a week to call me back and give me a phone interview/review of my app. We scheduled my actual interview during that call or shortly thereafter...I really can’t remember.

What's the junior base at XJT? EWR or ORD?

I think both basically are.