Expressjet future questions
 

Hi everyone,
I’m in the process of applying to Expressjet. I have been researching other regionals or LLC. I’m at 2000tt 200 tpic with a 135 company with no schedule. Expressjet is attractive to me now because of the Mana acquisition. I’ve been waiting for the dust to settle to ask these questions.
-are there any rumors of an actual flow to United?
-does the FA scope interfere with a potential flow for pilots?
-will upgrades happen quicker with more airplanes? Why or why not?
-where will xjt be in 5-7 years with the new ownership?
-if not xjt, then where?

Thanks! Any info will help

The crj550 thing showed that its impossible to predict the industry even just a few months out, much less 5-7 years

That would require YOU to provide information you haven’t provided, like marital/family status, geographical location, ultimate career goals, etc. Assuming your ultimate goal is 121 flying at the big six I can give you three scenarios; consensus, optimist, and pessimist.

Consensus: live in base. No regional job is worth commuting for. Get a four year degree if you don’t already have one. Upgrade when your time comes and send out apps as soon as you meet major minimums and keep them upgraded.

Pessimist: go somewhere you won’t mind being stuck for a decade when we have the inevitable downturn. No big deal if you are on reserve forever, you are getting paid and accruing seniority for the sit.

Optimist: go somewhere that needs pilots badly, that has an early training slot for you, has short reserve times, that will fly your arse off, that will upgrade you as soon as you have 1000 SIC, and will get you 1000 ME TPIC quickly. That way you can move on quickly and start all over at the bottom again, albeit a much better paid bottom.

Ymmv but if you are an optimist, expressjet or gojet might be players. But don’t expect anyone to have much better insight than that, even if you’d given them more data. Chaos theory governs the regional world, as kettle chips said.

Put your chips down and spin the wheel.

Excargodog,
I’m 25 I’m currently based in ABE. I could live in base in EWR or PHL. I have a gf of 2 years and she has a job where she can work remote. Not really looking to leave the east coast. I don’t have my four year degree, my plan was to find a job where I could finish school and work. Ultimately, I would love to end at United. I don’t have my ATP so LLC or ACMI not likely to hire me. I want to find the most direct path to United. I know XJT has a slow upgrade. I have the upgrade (hawker 800xp) opportunity at my current job but it has really poor QOL. Thanks for the insight!

I just left Xjt, but the ManaAir purchase really is just ownership change, there still needs to be something else to really get people to Xjt. Yes, the upgrade may come down due to a spike in new hires, but still too long compared to some of the others and they want to get to 50-60 new hires per month, it will be difficult to achieve unless they give more incentives. I don't see a flow at Xjt anytime soon. At your age, you are young and could consider PSA... they have a PHL base and you could be flowing to American within 5years once those retirements start kicking in at AA. AA junior base is also PHL as well, so when you are 30,31 years old you could be based in PHL for American. Thats something to consider..

I got to agree with FlyingMaryJane (which might not be an ideal email address to put on your airline apps LOL) that with those parameters and the current absence of a four year degree, PSA might be a better fit. They do have flow and my understanding is they are so hurting for captains they are FORCING FOs to upgrade. Granted, wholly owned pay generally sucks, but living in base where you want to be is huge.

Is there some compelling reason you want United?

FlyingMaryJane,
Where did you go after xjt if you don’t mind me asking? PSA would be a good alternative to xjt but I’m seeing a lot of unhappy FOs on reserve forever. The quick upgrade is the really good though. My understanding is you don’t need a 4yr with a direct flow?

Excargodog,
I’ve just had my sights set on UAL since before I had my private. I know a few check airman there that had great things to say. I’m open to any major really. The AA flow seems like a good idea but the poor pay and long reserves means poor QOL. It’s a tough decision.

Where did you go after XJT? What does your crystal ball say regarding the future of the company?

I would target a regional with a REAL flow.

(Some regionals promise some dumbass guaranteed interview with the boy boy BS, and then hire @ 50% of those guys. Don’t fall for that.)

Once you have a real flow, a lot of stuff doesn’t matter. You are guaranteed a job.

Doesn’t keep you from apply at other majors, but it’s a great position to be in.

Flow to United is 100% nothing more than a collective desire of the pilot group. I don’t think anyone has anything to even substantiate the creation of a rumor. Nothing leaking, the Union isn’t winking, nada.

The only reason people talk about it is because Scott Kirby is the guy who got the flows at AA wholly owned carriers started and he’s now at United. Enough to get some ideas in your head going, but that’s it...