ExpressJet requesting leave of absences?
 

I talked to a buddy who works for ExpressJet, and he said the company was requesting around 300 pilots to take a 1 to 3 month leave of absence starting in a couple months. Is this true? If so, is the company going to make these leaves mandatory for the junior guys if no one takes them?

i heard the same think from a friend of mine based in ewr. very interesting.

Its meant to deal with the 10% reduction of flying that pretty much the whole industry is experiencing with $106 oil. We're losing about 20 pilots/mo due to attrition so we should be fine. We'll probably end up short-staffed by the end of it.

I knew it would be a matter of time before someone posted this on here. Nothing to it, just a way to control the little bit of over staffing we have on account of the block reduction from DAL, CAL, and branded. It's only for three months with full benefits (no pay), and they haven't defined a number, but it won't be 300 I can assure you.

So the company anticipates attrition to continue at that pace in spite of reductions?

This is one step above being completely furloughed; they’re just anticipating attrition to balance their needs out. I’m not sure but if a pilot gets furloughed and comes back, say one month after being furloughed, does that pilot have to go through training before being returned to the line? Even if they are still within their currency period? Furloughed/Laid off/terminated being the part that might cause them to have to retrain according to the FAA. I honest don’t know the answer to this question. If this is the case then it’s cheaper to pay the benefits on those pilots than retrain them, it also gives the pilots the impression that Mgmnt’s looking out for them seeing they’re not technically getting furloughing.

20 is low-ball...don't know about the company but I bet attrition accelerates because of this. My seniority has moved up at least 20 a month for the last 4 months. Most of the people I've talked to are pretty sure we'll be understaffed by the end of the summer and will finally need to train-up some of these guys in the new-hire pool.

As opposed to most cr@p hole operations flying regional jets, XJT actually does care about their people, and no this isn't to mitigate furloughs, it's just to improve the bottom line for a few months and give a few people the chance to take a month or two off, and no COLA's are not mandatory, they usually go quite senior. Most of these COLAs will go to those who want a month to run their other businesses, or travel if they don't need the money. The beauty of working for a decent regional is you have the luxury of taking a month off without going to the poor house, granted the COLAs are only for FOs. Some pilots are looking forward to it, as they have new ones at home and will enjoy the time off. As opposed to non-union airlines, by definition, COLAs are NOT mandatory, those are called furloughs, and XJT is not even considering such a measure. The COLAs offer a win-win, for the company and the pilots.

I know many people would love to see the demise of XJT, especially the bottom sucking CEOs of certain regionals, simply because they can point to XJT and say to their scared pilot groups, "look, see what happens with a good contract, your company will go out of business." If you believe XJT is going out of business, you'll be quite suprised. XJT is going to go through a hard time with 106 dollar oil, as will all the majors. RJET will be fine since according to their 10K, all fuel costs are pass through expenses to the major provider. XJT only has 210 airplanes under such arrangement, leaving 64 airplanes at risk for high fuel prices. For all in the regional industry, you should hope for the success of XJT, as XJTs success will allow for better contracts in the industry.

Jet jock: read your FARS, within 90 days no training is required... wait isn't that 3 months...

Once again, the rumors of XJT's death have been greatly exaggerated.

To be honest, I wish I had started a side business 6-12 months ago or that I was independently weatlhy so that I could take advantage of this time off to travel the world or grow my business with the company still paying for my benefits. Oh well...I still need the paycheck so I guess I'm missing the boat on this one.

XJT is a fine regional airline, and I hope you guys get through this downturn unscathed.

However don't think for a second that if not enough pilots take COLA that they wouldn't cut from the bottom end of the list to keep costs down.

You only live once. If I was offered a few months off with travel bennies, I'd be gone faster than you can read this. I'd even load up the plastic if needed. I regret not doing that when I had the chance.

Read my posting! :confused:

Where exactly does the FARS talk about being furloughed and returning? It's basically like being fired and rehired and when you are, does your currency go out the door seeing it’s a training issue and not a currency issue. I’ve never been furloughed and, unless they were at another airline, no one has been furloughed at SKW seeing SKW has NEVER FURLOUGHED! :p

Once again this is NOT a question about currency! Sorry I don't have my 121 reg on me at all times and if there is a section regarding furloughed pilots then I must have missed that part! :p

Reread my post, I never called a single pilot an ass, but I have first hand knowledge that a certain RJ operators CEO specifically referenced XJT when talking about pay increases and QOL increases for a new contract, telling their pilots to "beware" if they demand such luxuries, they would be in the same boat as XJT in the future. Pilots are a jumpy bunch when it comes to rumors of furloughs, hence some less experienced groups are easily scared.

I also never implied that SKYW ever furloughed. Jetjock, I simply was referencing your inquiry when you proposed some sort of training requirement if a furlough took place. Furlough, COLA, doesn't matter, as long as the pilot passed the SIC course, and was current up until their COLA, Furlough, or Leave of Absence due to MIL, FMLA, or just Educational Leave, as long as they don't go 90 days without landings, they are current and qualified to jump back into their seat and fly. You asked the question, I simply was giving you the least wordy answer, but since you took offense I wonder if you actually were asking a question, or trying to portend a dim future for XJT via rhetorical questions.

Money will be tight, they are simply being creative to save some money. I'm sure on Monday you will see XJT post a considerable loss.

well, I couldnt resist from opining on this subject. While I hope XJT does well and that the pilot group comes though $106.00/barel oil, this can't be good news for the airline or for anyone wanting to get hired by the company. They havent had a class date (new hire) since November and they are not anticipating any untill June (maybe). Now they are giving people time off, yikes! Does not sound good from the outside looking in, thats all I'm saying.

You XJT guys seem to be taking it in stride, as you should, but as I interviewed there in Dec. I'm glad I made the choice not to go there no matter a good the contract is. Good Luck guys, without a drastic change in oil prices soon, all regionals will be in it, but XJT is particularliary volnerable becuase of the branded flying.

To answer your question, JJ, I think re-training is required after furlough recall. Although, I'm not sure of that. It has nothing to do with currency, it's more like a dequal.

off subject but this statement is not entirely true. right after 9/11 several guys from our flight school that were hired at skywest and actually finished their checkrides were sent back home and were told that they would be called when they could come back. i remember that very well because our school let them come back and instruct, taking a few of my students from me!!! :rolleyes:

Buddy of mine at Mesaba is taking 1 month off in April. He said the company has been offering this for months. Seems like that is COLA to me, yet those guys aren't freakin' out. Our company is being smart and doing something that is a win-win for everyone, exactly like Mesaba has been doing

Despite the Doom & gloom some have on the COLA's, I just finished the installation of my Turbo Honda S2000, :) Holy Bologna the car moves :)

I have a funny feeling that if it were RAH doing this, many on these boards (especially XJTers) would be all over the "possible demise of Chautauqua."

XJT's contract dictates what training is required after a leave of absence. It is the same for all types of leaves. If gone for less than 90 days it is one trip to the box to get any required landings, over 90 days is a few ground sessions and a couple of trips to the box. The company offered leaves are for a maximum of 91 days.

Of Course we would :).

Thank you for answering my question instead of overreacting like full reverse. It was a simple question and one that I obviously didn't know the answer to.

Full Reverse, ease up and understand that not everyone is out to bash XJT!

Unless it was your CEO, you don't really have "first hand" knowledge. Which regional was this?

It sounds like your submissively dragging RAH into this COLA deal Xjet is working out like we're waiting in the wings to "steal" your flying. Nothing is further from the truth. If you're referring to something our CEO said, I must have missed that one. He hasn't said anything about contract negotiations, period.

Of course, if something bad does happen at Xjet, it's gotta be RAH's fault. :rolleyes:

Never said it was RAH RAHs CEO, it wasn't, I have not bashed any group by name, in fact I have propped up RJET by quoting the fact that their pass through costs will leave them sitting pretty with high fuel prices, while such fuel prices will greatly affect the bottom line at XJT.

And you're correct I misused the term first hand information, it was second hand via printed form of a message from their CEO. I'm not saying who, because I am not going to point fingers, or out my source.

I have also not opined on SKYW, never made a single comment toward them, I think it is others who seem to be experts on XJT that get defensive about their own airlines. Feelings of inadequacy?

I've never claimed to be an expert on XJT. Actually, I usually go out of my way to tell everyone (RAH, XJT, SKW, ASA, Comair, whoever) that unless you actually work at the company, you probably don't know what you're talking about. I hear plenty of things from my close friends at XJT (good and bad) but I don't bring them up here because I would not know what I'm talking about...I don't work there.

And I'm not defensive, nor do I feel inadequate. :D

It would not have surprised me if it was RAH's Bible thumping CEO. He's had it in for us ever since we didn't let him and Kellner get their grubby mits on our shiny XRs:D

Nobody steals flying.

It is assigned by mainline.

What on earth are you talking about?

Some airlines are offering time off w/o pay. QX is doing it for the RJ guys, possibly due to the other a/c that has "jet like speed" as an addition.

Are you kidding. There's definitely something to it. People being asked to leave without pay is huge.

You're right...he's been sitting around trying to figure out how to screw over XJT for a year and a half now. Get over yourself :cool:

Really?! than why isn't everyone freaking out over Mesaba doing this for the past couple of months?

Do you know why RAH got XJT flying? It is because they have a cheaper operation. How much do your FO's get paid over there? How much do their FO's get paid on the 170? We have a more costly contract than RAH does, don't tell us they didn't cost CAL less.

Why don't you compare a 5-year 170 FO at RAH to a 5 year DC-9 FO at NW.

Yes really. Read my first post. I didn't say people should be running in the streets crying. I'm saying it's a bid deal. Huge deal. A company has been losing money, their cash pile has been shrinking, they are now cutting back on the pilot group. IT'S A BIG DEAL. I find it odd that so many are comfortable with this. Or maybe just not wanting to admit what's going on.

Nothing gets by you, eh Slick?

A DC-9 with 125 seats vs a 70 seat jet?:rolleyes:

Didn't answer my question. Why aren't people freaking out over Mesaba doing this?

Last I check you have 175's and your rates are for the 190 as well. Keep it up. You still pay FO's like sh*t over there. What are RAH's FO rates for the 70 seater versus XJT's FO rates for the 50 seater?

How the hell should I know or care? To each his own.

You, my friend, are clearly not familiar with the concept of sarcasm. Must be sad and dark and lonely living in such a literal world:rolleyes:

You sure seem to care an awful lot about the COLA at XJT and why we aren't freaking out... There are some guys here who are probably jumping for joy. I'm kinda like "meh...whatever...wish the girlfriend got offered a month off so we could go travel...oh well. Back to my USA Today."