Wait... I thought the ASA side was at least "trying" to get 2 class AA flying. So instead Skywest just moves 30 700s over there. Yet another punch to the gut. Sweet.

So the rumors of DFW closing for Xjet is true? Doug Parker is a loser...sorry guys. With any amount of luck the BOD of AA will get rid of him sometime in the near future. They just booted Scott Kirby who was notorious for being anti-pilot. And he landed at United. Not good for United or their "express" carriers like you guys. Just a heads up.

Where is all of this good news of which you speak? All I've heard over the past few months is more of the same.

The bit of information I got was minimum of 101 aircraft as part of the contract, up to 155 depending on staffing ability.

I suspect as Skywest grows with 175's they won't be able to staff the 50's because of attrition and Xjt will cover the flying on short term contracts. With the CRJ or 145 is anyone's guess but CRJ would make sense

Express jet would need a western domicile(s) and us eastern if you want to split inc. by airframe.

They could cover ATL CVG DTW ORD flying Skywest does easily couldn't they?

Y'all know the current reserve times at IAH and how long it might take to hold after training?

I believe right now you can hold any base out of training... The most junior hard line holder is 2.5 year seniority... Lowest relief line holder seems to be just under 2 years of seniority... Hopefully with the CPP program starting to draw people next month and into next year, that number drops to something more reasonable. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

SkyWest is already staffed through next spring.. And the CRJ feelt is staying flat.. Plus Delta/UA draw down over the next 3-4 years will easy the CRJ staffing.. I think the ERJ extension was just a function of UA unable to cover that many coming off line at once. The 737/A320's need some spool up time.. The bigger tell tell sign is that ASA is avoiding a list merger with XJT. The MEC must be privy to realy what happens in 2018... Thats the main reason to stay away..

Main reason to stay away from XJT? Or Skywest?



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The ERJ contract with United is only through the end of 2018 at the current time, just extended from the end of 2017, allegedly going to be extended to 2019.

All regionals at this point have questionable futures based on current staffing. Anyone who claims to have the crystal ball on who will be around, and what the best choice is long term is full of it. Choose your regional based on QOL, and if this means not commuting that should be a huge factor in your choice. If you want to be in IAH, SkyWest shouldn't even be on your radar. XJT and Mesa should be.

The only "list" Mesa should be on is "avoid, no matter what".

While there are some valid arguments for your opinion, it is not necessarily the truth. I have some buddies at Mesa that are quite happy. I also know some who left Mesa to come to ASA/XJT at some point. As far as choosing a regional is concerned in this day, I would, and did, make my decision based on the ability to drive to work. That single issue, in my humble opinion, is more important than pay, vacation, sick time, soft credit, scheduling, or career progression. I like my job at XJT (CRJ), but I would never try to convince someone to come here if they could drive to work at another carrier.

Could someone do me a favor? I used to be employed at XJT (ASA). I had to leave for family issues, and I am going to try to return after the first of the year.

Could you tell me the number of lines in ATL for CRJ7/9 and how many total FO's there are on the 7/9?
And, if it is not too much trouble, what is the hire date of the lowest line holder?

Thanks!!

Roughly 220 FOs and 190 lines in ATL. We have 7/9 FOs in DTW also, and should have some in DFW soon. Most junior line holder looks like 05/2015. Welcome back.

Thanks for the information!
I wish I could start back today, but I need to wait until the first of the year. I miss flying like you would not believe.

I would believe! It will be great to have you back.

As a Houston resident, XJT seems like a great place (especially being able to live on base).

This brings up 2 questions:


1) I know this is a touchy subject... but what are yall's thoughts on upgrade time with base in IAH? I'm considering Skywest or Envoy to upgrade quicker than the current 9 year upgrades (at the sacrifice of commuting)

2) a family friend is a 15-yr FO at Delta and lives on base so he can pick up last minute trips that are 1/5, double, and even sometimes triple pay.... is that common at the regionals? or would I already be flying at the legal limit (because this could significantly change one's take home pay)

thanks yall!

1. The CPP program will hopefully begin to reduce upgrade time. Some of the most senior guys will leave, go to UAL, open up slots for mor junior guys. Once we get through about 100-150 guys, upgrade times will probably be closer to 4-5 years tops. If we keep a healthy movement after that, it will continue to drop. Obviously this depends on fleet size staying constant and contracts getting renewed etc... Also SKW is not the best choice of you're thinking IAH/not commuting. Lots of shrinkage and poor line quality lately, so SKW would definetly have to be a commute as well.

2. We used to see 200% premium pay, now 150% premium pay is common, but not an every day occurance, staffing levels aren't that bad, yet. Living in base allows you the most flexibility when it comes to picking up premium flying. I can tell you as a commuter, if they announce 150% pay for flying tomorrow, I'm not jumping up and down to sign up. As far as whether you are legal or not, that's just going to depend on how much you fly. Some guys manage to credit over 110+ hours a month with soft time, premium pay, and a good understanding of the work rules.

How much flying would someone on reserve in Atl on the 7/9 expect to fly each month?
I have heard most will never break guarantee,averaging only 30 to 40 hrs a month actual flying time.
Im trying to find out information for a good friend.
Thx

I don't know what is is like now. Last year when I was flying as a new FO. I always broke guarantee. I wanted to fly, and I did. I credited 100 hours several months.

Looks like the average so far for the month is about 38, so that would end up close to 75 for most. Some of the senior guys are half that.

What is the minimum number of days off per month at Xpress Jet? How long would it take to hold a line on the ERJ out of IAH with 12 days off?

The current upgrade time is over 9 years at XJT.

Most junior FO line holder in IAH was March 2014. Every one under that is still on RSV in IAH

The most Jr CA in IAH was hired in April 2007.

Company is still parking a couple of planes a month and no upgrades have been announced in months.

30 day month- 11
31- 12

Cant say how long to hold a line in IAH, guessing probably at least a couple years as of right now. That could change for the better but who knows. A better question might be how long to get to IAH, considering most are going to ORD or EWR. I think you could probably do it in 6mo, but just my guess.

If living in Houston is a priority, XJT is where I'd go.

Sorry, trying not beat the same drum, but just curious about crj Dfw junior guy Doh, also junior line holder doh. Does LCR there go junior to a line holder?
How much longer does the contract have there.
Thanks for your time.

You'd probably be awarded DFW out of training. They are short FOs there.

Currently it's hard to gauge junior line holder. It's artificially lowered by having captains fly as reserve FOs so the most junior line holder is very junior, like 2 or 3 months on line. If that LOA stops then the time to hold a line would rise. There's a lot of attrition in DFW right now so a line wouldn't be too long of a wait though.

The AA flying contract expires around the end of January 2017, but according to management they are very hopeful and confident the contract will be extended with larger aircraft. The DFW pilots are probably less confident due to staffing and Skywest's penchant for keeping the larger/lucrative flying on the Skywest side of the house.

Why? The low pay allows Mesa to be competitive with contracts, ensuring job security!(until all the pilots leave)

Umm. yeah. Keep believing that!

Your sarcasm detector needs to be written up

You have it backwards. The new currency is pilots. The flying goes to the airlines that can staff it. Mesa won't staff their flying if they can't attract new hires. Mesa is in trouble. And at this point it would take considerable pay increases (not likely) AND additional airframes to make them attractive. Remember, you don't upgrade if you can't hire FOs onto the bottom of the list.

He's been known not to have one. So just let it slide.

Can anyone chime in on how likely getting ORD based as a new hire would be at ExpressJet? I live between MKE and ORD, and would prefer not commuting if possible. Thanks.

Sent you a PM

ORD should be easy to get. Several in my class did.

A lot of guys getting ORD out of training. I'd say worst case scenario if they sent you to Newark, it'd only be a few months to get to ORD.

If I choose ATP Academy to get on at ExpressJet will I get tuition reimbursement and be chosen as an ERJ pilot supporting United?

What's upgrade time looking like?

Yep. And the majors rewarding the contracts know which airlines are attractive to pilots. They are monitoring the pilot contracts and compensation. They know Mesa won't be able to attract or retain pilots. And they won't risk the cancellations.

Agreed. Mesa is in trouble.