American Eagle VS ExpressJet??
 

OK I have a friend that just got hired by Eagle and has a class date but recently he received the email from ExpressJet to interview. He has asked me for some insight but I think its a tough choice for him due to the following: He lives in the west coast and would have to commute to base. ExpressJet, last time I heard is sending a lot of new hires to EWR and CLE. There are very VERY few flights from SEA to CLE so commuting would be very tough. With Ealge he has chosen ORD which is commutable. He has told me that he is not chasing the fast upgrade ie: ExpressJet so if you take that into consideration then it makes for a hard choice for him. Both companies offer pretty close Pay, benefits so its close. Any suggestions?

Actually most new-hires are going to ONT and LAX.... so that would be about perfect for him. Otherwise, it looks like if he didn't hold ONT or LAX out of training, he would on the next perm bid.

My advice... atleast interview at Express and see if he's even got a decision to make!

both are good companies and the LAX base would be a really easy commute. Even if he didn't get right out of training it would only be a month or two till he could get it. Reserve is nearly non-existent on the west coast so I hear.

What are the chances of Express closing the LAX base after the Delta contract expires? He's a family guy so stability in a company is important. I agree he should interview with them and then find out what to do, only concern is that if he does get it, Express would tell him on the spot and then he would have to make a choice right there and then. I've heard that if you even hesitate for a sec then Angela will take those books back :)

LAX closing?? WTF it just opened? I don't see that happening. Also Tell him/her if he/she comes and interviews to be ready to except the offer or don't bother coming.

Is there any reason he didnt chose the LAX base with Eagle? They offer newhires whatever base they chose, so he would have been able to pick whatever he wanted.

Not to knock on our brothers at Eagle, but if upgrade is a point of importance, right now we're seating right at 2 years, not sure about Eagle, but I believe they're still upwards of 7 years (someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

Considering that Delta is the reason you guys are in LAX...I could see it happening.

Hmm, Saab or CRJ/ERJ may have come into play on that one.

Yes there are 7-year f/o's here that will upgrade soon. But you have to remember that there was NO hiring between 2001-2004 at Eagle so it's technically a 4-year upgrade. When the last 2001 hire is upgraded, the next one will be a 2004 hire.

MB

Although the delta deal+base is new I don't see them closing it anytime soon, in fact word on the street is that they are pleased with our performance and may want to expand our service. (don't wanna sound too proud). I think most people that fly for us bust their ass, especially when we have a say in our product (express/delta) ...as most people I try to carry myself to a higher standard and always try to go the extra mile. I always remember the good flights i've had and I swear to you i've never had more compliments then on XE flights. Even when i have a crap landing (l am moderately retarded)

I am not saying that another airline is as good if not better but I swear to you that XE is a great airline where you will get good work rules, decent schedules, great colleagues and a management that seems to care. I'd say good pay but I think we are all underpaid. Better then average pay but I think we all could do better. Wherever you decide, XE is a great place to go...and if you need a ride we'll try our best to get you on.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you guys are gonna do a bad job or anything. But what you said was all said about CHQ in MCO and look how that panned out. Hell, in their last customer service survey, S5 and CHQ were #1 and #2 for customer satisfaction...and between the two we've opened 4 Delta bases and closed 2 in the last two years. Delta is not good at keeping any regional in one place for a long period of time. You'll keep the flying, but it'll move to SLC, CVG, ATL, etc. etc. It's a smart play by Delta because it spreads the risk around, makes it harder to identify struck work, etc. but sucks for the regionals.

No Regional is "stable" when it comes to bases or upgrade. If he wants to fly at LAX, XE is an option, and a damn good one...he could fly the SAAB in LAX for AE or fly the 145 with XE, and not take all the crap that comes with being a part of AMR. Worst case, LAX closes and he gets into ONT on Perm Bid, so what? Delta has kept SKW in SLC forever (at least in Regional Airline years). Chasing "stability" at AE is good for one thing...your "stable" career as a permanent FO at Eagle...and then Big American ("take it back!") goes on strike...watch out.

How long is the Delta/Express Jet Contract out of LAX?

IIRC it is fairly short for a regional contract...kind of a trial basis kind of thing. But there's no reason to believe that XJet will screw it up.

Upgrade is a significant factor to consider...if not for career reasons, then simply for money.

Thats correct, its initially 2 years but the rumors are flying that DAL is happy and talks have begun already for more flying. We shall see.

The point had nothing to do with XJet stability...it's that Delta moves around regional flying more than any other mainline partner I've ever seen. When you have 11 different companies flying for you...you can do that.