Blackhawk

While I’m not optimistic about the future I would say things are different today than they were when Comair went under.
As I’ve pointed out in other posts majors need regional aircraft feed. Without it larger aircraft with lower cost/seat mile but higher costs/leg fly at greatly reduced capacity. When Comair was shut down manning these airplanes wasn’t an issue. A homeless, out of work CFI could be found under any overpass willing to throw landing gear in exchange for a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20. In addition, I think oil was still high and we were told all 50 seaters would be gone... oh about 3 years ago.
Today, not so much. UAL is pretty close to seeing their RJ fleet (which they own, BTW), parked. Hopefully they’ve realized this and do, in fact, have a plan. Heck, they are pretty much buying the pilots. If not, good luck to us. Most of us are trying to move upward but may have to “settle” for a lateral move. I almost made the leap to Envoy for the $45K signing bonus, but a year + of airport reserve was a little too much to swallow.

p51d59

United's time with this train wreck of an operation should be over soon.

ecam

Yes and no. Many were in denial, but most of us knew the end was near, and we just wanted to milk it as long as we could. Especially the old guys who weren't likely to be picked up by a legacy. I'd say a sure sign of the end being near was when ~25 year CAs started flying with ~20yr FOs. We all knew it was coming to an end, we just didn't know the date until it was announced. But the deniers were the hardest hit, and most of them were younger, great pilots who could have gotten hired out if they tried. Instead they had a lengthy unemployment time.

Having lived the scenario you guys are going through, it all looks very familiar. If I were you, I'd get out ASAP and leave the nightmare of the regional airlines in the dust. It's not going to get any better. And forget about a parallel/backwards move to another regional. You'll go from the frying pan to the fire and do this all over again in a few years. Too many regional pilots think they are too good for the LCCs/ULCCs but not good enough for the legacies. You've got to get out of that mindset. Get off your butts, update your logbook properly, get your apps out, apply everywhere, network. Or go to a ULCC and get a new type rating. If you have a good record and you're not a crusty old geezer with too much PIC time, the legacies will start calling soon. They have to. The pilot crush hits around 2021 and they won't have enough qualified applicants. Even staying at a ULCC is better than what you have. Mine has been a great capstone to my career, making decent money, and not working very hard for it.

Hang in there, there's a light at the end of the tunnel, but only if you start walking toward it.

Blackhawk

It’s not that I think I’m too good for an ULCC, I just don’t see myself commuting for that unless it’s the last option. Something like JetBlue where I would live in base, fine and I’ve got my app in there. Commuting for SWA is fine with me as well- we shall see how that works out. By commuting for Spirit or Allegiant? Well, if this place goes under I may do that.
As for as the state of the regionals, they are going through the same consolidation that majors went through. The difference this time is that pilots are in driver seats and can actually demand okay money. I think in a few years you will probably only see WOs a one or two independent regionals.

simscott

XJT does tons of feeder flights for UAL as one poster noted, UAL allowing XJT to go under is simply cutting their own throats. I wouldn't be surprised if UAL puts an offer or flat out buys XJT before year's end with the continued promise of a new contract and new sign on bonus (legit ones) to retain current pilots after the new year. Problem is if INC allows XJT to go under, someone will have to absorb those hard assets (planes, bases) to keep feeding UAL and I don't think any other regional has the capital to do that as they are having a hard enough time to fill their own pilot positions.

The one monkey wrench in all of this are the departures of the CRJ. With those gone XJT has now bloated themselves with unprofitable 145s. I would expect to hear something very soon regarding a buyout, if not, the next few months are going to be very interesting.

HuntinFishin

We were in the drivers seat. Unfortunately stINC has been able to hire bottom feeders that could have gone to any other alpa or teamster represented carrier and done just as well. They have replaced us they took our sloppy seconds crj 200s. Delta did not do this completely. This was all Skywest and their scumsucking bootlicking workgroup willing to undercut union labor. Get out wile you can, avoid the lateral if you can. I honestly think the uninted buy rumor is exactly that. Granted it's got more legs with the publicity in the financial papers but it's got to be that way to try to hold onto who it can. Just look and see how many 200 EV planes are flying in and out of DTW stained with that disgusting stINC Logo. This was the goal all along only the ultra naive should believe a UAL buy in the works means a better future. AA style direct flow in the announcement.. maybe but I see it as another retention ploy since the 10K got laughed right out of the room. Hope I am wrong for the lifers sake too many good men and women being hosed. Parting thought how may 200's were actually parked anybody got any idea how to verify that.

N1234

So, what will a UA buy / investment bring in tangible benefits? The C5 experiment doesn't look all that promising. So what else would they need to do to make it work?

AboveMins

Bingo! Someone buy this guy a round!

DirkDiggler

Don’t forget who the senior Vice President of United Express is over at United. Brad Rich. Right from SkyWest. Gotta take care of his non-union cheap labor supply. Woulddn’t be surprised if SkyWest is giving him some cash or stock options.

NYGiantsFan

One thing to keep in mind if UAL buys Xjt... Kirby is really calling the shots and where did he come from only about 1 year ago??? AA He has been at AA while 3 regionals are owned by AA and flowing.. I wouldnt be shocked to see the CPP go away and upgraded to a direct flow. He understands that a flow will get people going to XJT. He knows very well that Envoy, PSA aren't having trouble filling classes right now. Its a win win for AA... a steady pipeline of pilots coming up to AA and also AA regional feed staffed! Which in the Bloomberg article last week talked directly about "attracting pilots and boosting its pipeline of pilots" I won't be shocked at all if Kirby does the same thing at UAL and secures a nice pipeline of pilots via direct flow with XJT...