Ok cool. But can anyone provide me with some actual feedback abou what's going on there? There's a lot of inside talk I don't understand in this thread.

 

I think it's an error in the system.

 

2nd. There are rumors some of us on active duty may be allowed to VSP, so I may be entering the job hunt soon. I agree about the inside talk, and I've read on other threads that management seems to be using every opportunity to punish the pilots for the no vote on the TA. Would current XJT pilots advise looking at other regionals right now?

 

It's not a bad place at all. We aren't being punished for No vote at least not on the crj side. Everything has been fairly quiet with a few new leadership changes in management. Nobody knows for sure whats gonna happen so with that being said if we have a base where you want to live it doesn't hurt to apply, interview and see for yourself.

 

How about on the ERJ side? Have you heard anything negative from over there since the NO vote?

 

I do not feel like there is vindictive punishment from management. More absence of leadership that really hurts pretty much everything. They are just trying to get the flights flown, and they are often pushing beyond contractual limits to do that, if you know it is not correct, then don't do it. Most airline management seeks new limits when they are desperate. We also have variable levels of (in)competence at work running the place day to day, but they are making some changes to try to dampen that. We have a lot of chaos at times, more than most anyone can ever remember. Pilots are still good, training is great, crews are good to work with. Shut the door, don't trust dispatch too much, and have a good time. And vote NO until you have a reason not to.

 

There are certainly worse places to work IMHO.

Our NO vote fell right when XJT experienced some of the worst weather and thus meltdowns in its history. This got alot of attention in terms of management realizing that there are some systemic issues. Skywest Inc is very revenue focused right now and sees that XJT needs to improve performance to not just avoid financial penalties in our contracts but hopefully get some of the bonuses. So there are alot of leadership changes taking place and improvements being made with our scheduling department in particular. The take away here is that Skywest Inc is reinvesting in XJT and willing to take the time, effort, and money to improve it... for now...

Ultimately part of their plan does involve new labor contracts with several groups. I think it is widely viewed that the pilots contract will determine the direction and tone for the flight attendant and mechanic contracts. Management would like to get their ducks in a row before they pursue any growth. So as of now airplanes are leaving the property as they come off lease- as of now the pace is fairly slow but does pick up as time goes on. If memory serves the ERJ side loses very few airplanes in the short term (next year or so) but in less than 5 years the combined Erj and Crj fleet will be half its size due to aircraft coming off lease and assuming no renewals. Management is OK with the aircraft losses for now as they see attrition increasing and pilot recruitment becoming more difficult. All of this makes projecting an upgrade timeline for a new hire very very hazy.

So if you come here-
will you have job security? most likely.
will you have decent quality of life compared to other regionals? yes.
when will you upgrade to captain? who knows.

 

+1. This is the best summary of the current state of affairs at XJT. Well said.

The new VP Flight Ops is making dramatic changes in OCC processes already and the last IROP on the ERJ side was barely felt. I think the company leadership changes and union leadership changes (CRJ) are going to make a big impact in the positive. BS is one of the most progressive flight ops leaders we've ever had, and the new MEC chairman is hell bent on righting the wrongs of the last TA and is actively engaging the NMB and management on operational issues and securing an acceptable contract.

I'm cautiously optimistic for the moment, particularly in light of the Eagle vote and (hopefully) the RAH vote.

 

Why should you care if you don't have a US license?

 

I'm not old enough to get one ATP age in Canada is 21, which is what I hold. I am an American citizen though, and is like to keep tabs on things