XOJET Questions
03-14-2021, 05:03 PM
#31
XOJET Citation X
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DO, Baker Aviation, Citation X
Posts: 316
Lets put a bow on this thread and chalk the last half of the thread to "don't judge a company by a single angry poster".
What many pilots who read these forums are looking for are leads on job opportunities, hiring trends and other info that would be helpful to choosing what company one wishes to pursue.
I know when I was researching for my next career, APF comments were very helpful in making the decision about choosing
XO over other companies. I say that not to disparage other 135 operators...everyone has a different culture and your priorities will vary compared to mine.
One has to weed through posters to determine the value of their opinions and reach out to those who are working at the company you wish to fly for to truly determine for yourself from "real people" what life at any company is like.
Anyone thinking of applying to XO in the future that advice still stands...send a PM to any of those who have commented on this thread and get their opinions...include anyone who demonstrates a depth of knowledge in their opinions about that specific company. Persons have a good cross section of posters to choose from and I'm sure they would respond with their experiences.
For those who are looking for positions, as of 14 March, the info below should help you...good luck...if you have any follow up questions, feel free to ask.
The operations of XO (formerly XOJET, JetSmarter) post job openings on the FlyXO website.
There are no pending announcements about hiring on the X or 300 that I'm aware of planned for the next few months but things change quite frequently. We've been told there are enough apps on file for any pop up opportunities to be filled from the talent pool on file.
The only opening being advertised is a Global 5000 Chief Pilot filling a vacancy that came open when the previous person has moved to Red Wing Aviation leadership.
Red Wing Aviation shows both Citation Ultra Captain and First Officer positions open and can be found at this link. Not sure how many positions are needing to be filled but the plan is to grow the "Light" fleet from 15 to 50 airplanes.
Requirements/Compensation for FO are here.
Requirements/Compensation for CA are here.
Talon Air Jet has also been acquired by XO with their fleet of mid, super mid and long range aircraft. They are not posting any job opportunities at this time from this page. This page has their fleet composition.
At this time hiring, compensation and work rules remain as they were before the XO acquisition. Some aspects of mx and ops have been combined such as client services and tracking of aircraft and as time goes on, more of the ops is "predicted" to fall under XO but those details have not been shared completely with the pilots to my knowledge (which is as a line pilot).
Vista US (their operations in Malta is still controlled from there obviously) has different work rules and compensation plans but are fully explained when applicants seek those details.
Despite the "drama" of the last page or two, I think interested parties will find XO is doing just fine (good work culture in place) and has a good plan going forward to make Vista/XO a great place to continue a great career in aviation.
What many pilots who read these forums are looking for are leads on job opportunities, hiring trends and other info that would be helpful to choosing what company one wishes to pursue.
I know when I was researching for my next career, APF comments were very helpful in making the decision about choosing
XO over other companies. I say that not to disparage other 135 operators...everyone has a different culture and your priorities will vary compared to mine.
One has to weed through posters to determine the value of their opinions and reach out to those who are working at the company you wish to fly for to truly determine for yourself from "real people" what life at any company is like.
Anyone thinking of applying to XO in the future that advice still stands...send a PM to any of those who have commented on this thread and get their opinions...include anyone who demonstrates a depth of knowledge in their opinions about that specific company. Persons have a good cross section of posters to choose from and I'm sure they would respond with their experiences.
For those who are looking for positions, as of 14 March, the info below should help you...good luck...if you have any follow up questions, feel free to ask.
The operations of XO (formerly XOJET, JetSmarter) post job openings on the FlyXO website.
There are no pending announcements about hiring on the X or 300 that I'm aware of planned for the next few months but things change quite frequently. We've been told there are enough apps on file for any pop up opportunities to be filled from the talent pool on file.
The only opening being advertised is a Global 5000 Chief Pilot filling a vacancy that came open when the previous person has moved to Red Wing Aviation leadership.
Red Wing Aviation shows both Citation Ultra Captain and First Officer positions open and can be found at this link. Not sure how many positions are needing to be filled but the plan is to grow the "Light" fleet from 15 to 50 airplanes.
Requirements/Compensation for FO are here.
Requirements/Compensation for CA are here.
Talon Air Jet has also been acquired by XO with their fleet of mid, super mid and long range aircraft. They are not posting any job opportunities at this time from this page. This page has their fleet composition.
At this time hiring, compensation and work rules remain as they were before the XO acquisition. Some aspects of mx and ops have been combined such as client services and tracking of aircraft and as time goes on, more of the ops is "predicted" to fall under XO but those details have not been shared completely with the pilots to my knowledge (which is as a line pilot).
Vista US (their operations in Malta is still controlled from there obviously) has different work rules and compensation plans but are fully explained when applicants seek those details.
Despite the "drama" of the last page or two, I think interested parties will find XO is doing just fine (good work culture in place) and has a good plan going forward to make Vista/XO a great place to continue a great career in aviation.
03-15-2021, 06:10 PM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 278
Originally Posted by chase
Red Wing Aviation shows both Citation Ultra Captain and First Officer positions open and can be found at this link.
03-16-2021, 07:31 AM
#33
XOJET Citation X
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DO, Baker Aviation, Citation X
Posts: 316
Love the callsign
Roger that. I had heard similar comments..acquisitions rarely result in zero change
With acquisition it provides the “hope” of change that was nearly non-existent before.
Best practices at a competing company are rarely welcomed at a competitor particularly when leadership is the original/founders...”why change what has worked mentality.”
With an acquisition, leaders, even leaders who have been there awhile, have the opportunity to start looking at things in a completely different way. They also realize that if integration and other metrics don’t improve, fjobs are on the line...that’s real motivation for change.
Copying those best practices from the parent company show to those who are in control (XO senior leadership) change is possible and have bought into making the acquisition beneficial for all. No one would presume process improvement can’t occur so changes are inevitable. We see that with XO and Vista and would expect to see it at RWA and XO.
it will take time for improvement but it is in XO’s interest to see improvement...never happens fast enough when one is “living it”. Appreciate the perspective and is a good benchmark to see where thing are in 6 months to a year.
With acquisition it provides the “hope” of change that was nearly non-existent before.
Best practices at a competing company are rarely welcomed at a competitor particularly when leadership is the original/founders...”why change what has worked mentality.”
With an acquisition, leaders, even leaders who have been there awhile, have the opportunity to start looking at things in a completely different way. They also realize that if integration and other metrics don’t improve, fjobs are on the line...that’s real motivation for change.
Copying those best practices from the parent company show to those who are in control (XO senior leadership) change is possible and have bought into making the acquisition beneficial for all. No one would presume process improvement can’t occur so changes are inevitable. We see that with XO and Vista and would expect to see it at RWA and XO.
it will take time for improvement but it is in XO’s interest to see improvement...never happens fast enough when one is “living it”. Appreciate the perspective and is a good benchmark to see where thing are in 6 months to a year.
03-22-2021, 05:28 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Position: B737 Driver
Posts: 122
I worked for Xojet for quite sometime. It has been a while since I have posted something. I am happy that most of you enjoy working there. However, some of the negative points made by another poster are important too. Was it a great place to work? Yes, for the most part. However, it had issues, such as pay, work load, etc.
However, we never had a "B" scale while I was there for almost 8 years. That is a game changer that throughout history has always divided a group. Instead of chastising someone for their honest and well thought out opinions, maybe you should look at the root causes.
For retirees looking for a second career, which it appears some of you are, it may be a great place to hang your hat. I believe that it probably still is. For those just starting out, it may not be. Maybe you should take that into account when chastising someone for their respective thoughts and opinions.
However, we never had a "B" scale while I was there for almost 8 years. That is a game changer that throughout history has always divided a group. Instead of chastising someone for their honest and well thought out opinions, maybe you should look at the root causes.
For retirees looking for a second career, which it appears some of you are, it may be a great place to hang your hat. I believe that it probably still is. For those just starting out, it may not be. Maybe you should take that into account when chastising someone for their respective thoughts and opinions.
03-30-2021, 06:21 PM
#35
XOJET Citation X
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DO, Baker Aviation, Citation X
Posts: 316
Sa227,
My comments in red below. Glad you found your experience worthwhile and enjoyable. I have found it to be the same.
Sounds like your one of the former XO pilots that 121 carriers love to have join their ranks. If that is where you wanted to end up and you have, congrats. Hope you continue to have a prosperous flying carrier. If you are doing something different, hope you are enjoying it as much as you enjoyed your time at XO. Cheers.
My comments in red below. Glad you found your experience worthwhile and enjoyable. I have found it to be the same.
Originally Posted by Sa227capt
I worked for Xojet for quite sometime. It has been a while since I have posted something. I am happy that most of you enjoy working there. However, some of the negative points made by another poster are important too. His/her comments didn’t provide specifics IMHO and ignored the reality of internal (expansion, move headquarters 2500 miles, etc.) and external (COVID) factors that are of course going to impact operations. It is how a company leadership handles those challenges and no acknowledgment of those outcomes were expressed. And respectfully, one person doesn’t make a “negative point” true either. The history, early days of Brad Stewart ( and prior to his arrival) and with some former DO’s those complaints I’m told would be valid and were expressed on this forum..Back Course may have meant those times and you may have experienced those days no doubt..not the consensus now is very different and the multiple replies point that out. Was it a great place to work? Yes, for the most part. However, it had issues, such as pay, work load, etc. Those statements have been made about EVERY 121/135 carrier out there. Not industry leading then or now but much better IMHO.
However, we never had a "B" scale while I was there for almost 8 years. That is a game changer that throughout history has always divided a group. NO ONE ON XO PAYROLL IS BEING PAID A B SCALE THAT IM AWARE OF. Future hires MAY if certain financial targets are not met but the likelihood is before hiring returns those financial goals will be met. Since we are not hiring now that makes the above statement true. Flt ops and the RT as do all pilots understand the implications of a B scale. Instead of chastising someone for their honest and well thought out opinions, maybe you should look at the root causes. The root cause is COVID my friend. XO had become even more profitable prior to COVID resulting in pay raises and bonuses. It isn’t some nefarious, sinister labor versus pilot plot to simply save coins. If that was the case furloughs, dramatic pay cuts for all would’ve been implemented. Other 135 ops did just that..that shouldn’t be ignored or discarded as an irrelevant fact that management could’ve taken but didn’t.
For retirees looking for a second career, which it appears some of you are, it may be a great place to hang your hat. Retirees populate all 135 operators but are far and away a small percentage. For those just starting out, it may not be. I haven’t flown with anyone who has “just started out” at XO. The FOs and CAs are seasoned pilots from a diverse background (young 121 regionals, cargo, 91 ops, overseas, overseas experience, flight schools, etc) that I have seen and this definitely isn’t their first rodeo. Most could sniff out trouble under the hood when doing their due diligence. Doesn’t mean some don’t leave (other than major 121 carriers which is understandable for many whose goal is to get to a Major) but rarely that I’ve heard those reasons include: being treated poorly, disrespected, failed promises made or deceived by a false sales pitch for coming to work at XO All of the previous are common in the 135 industry. The minimums that are competitive are well above “just starting” out nums. However, being treated like family, having competitive benefits, a company focused on safety, flying great equipment, flying with a company that has a great reputation for producing great new hires at 121 carriers, having pro-pilot flt ops and management leaders are all things pilots of any experience would find to be a good choice when selecting their next step up. Maybe you should take that into account when chastising someone for their respective thoughts and opinions. If providing a different perspective or asking for specifics is “chastising” someone, with all do respect, I recommend not posting on forums to those who are offended when their opinions are challenged.
Happy to have dissenting views but opinions disguised as facts that leave a reader with a very different opinion of a work environment should always be challenged or have sufficient backing to make the comments valid. Otherwise the reader is mislead. SPOILER ALERT: Not all opinions are the same, particularly mine 😱 .
However, we never had a "B" scale while I was there for almost 8 years. That is a game changer that throughout history has always divided a group. NO ONE ON XO PAYROLL IS BEING PAID A B SCALE THAT IM AWARE OF. Future hires MAY if certain financial targets are not met but the likelihood is before hiring returns those financial goals will be met. Since we are not hiring now that makes the above statement true. Flt ops and the RT as do all pilots understand the implications of a B scale. Instead of chastising someone for their honest and well thought out opinions, maybe you should look at the root causes. The root cause is COVID my friend. XO had become even more profitable prior to COVID resulting in pay raises and bonuses. It isn’t some nefarious, sinister labor versus pilot plot to simply save coins. If that was the case furloughs, dramatic pay cuts for all would’ve been implemented. Other 135 ops did just that..that shouldn’t be ignored or discarded as an irrelevant fact that management could’ve taken but didn’t.
For retirees looking for a second career, which it appears some of you are, it may be a great place to hang your hat. Retirees populate all 135 operators but are far and away a small percentage. For those just starting out, it may not be. I haven’t flown with anyone who has “just started out” at XO. The FOs and CAs are seasoned pilots from a diverse background (young 121 regionals, cargo, 91 ops, overseas, overseas experience, flight schools, etc) that I have seen and this definitely isn’t their first rodeo. Most could sniff out trouble under the hood when doing their due diligence. Doesn’t mean some don’t leave (other than major 121 carriers which is understandable for many whose goal is to get to a Major) but rarely that I’ve heard those reasons include: being treated poorly, disrespected, failed promises made or deceived by a false sales pitch for coming to work at XO All of the previous are common in the 135 industry. The minimums that are competitive are well above “just starting” out nums. However, being treated like family, having competitive benefits, a company focused on safety, flying great equipment, flying with a company that has a great reputation for producing great new hires at 121 carriers, having pro-pilot flt ops and management leaders are all things pilots of any experience would find to be a good choice when selecting their next step up. Maybe you should take that into account when chastising someone for their respective thoughts and opinions. If providing a different perspective or asking for specifics is “chastising” someone, with all do respect, I recommend not posting on forums to those who are offended when their opinions are challenged.
Happy to have dissenting views but opinions disguised as facts that leave a reader with a very different opinion of a work environment should always be challenged or have sufficient backing to make the comments valid. Otherwise the reader is mislead. SPOILER ALERT: Not all opinions are the same, particularly mine 😱 .
03-31-2021, 11:39 PM
#36
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Position: B737 Driver
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by chase
Sa227,
My comments in red below. Glad you found your experience worthwhile and enjoyable. I have found it to be the same.
Sounds like your one of the former XO pilots that 121 carriers love to have join their ranks. If that is where you wanted to end up and you have, congrats. Hope you continue to have a prosperous flying carrier. If you are doing something different, hope you are enjoying it as much as you enjoyed your time at XO. Cheers.
My comments in red below. Glad you found your experience worthwhile and enjoyable. I have found it to be the same.
Sounds like your one of the former XO pilots that 121 carriers love to have join their ranks. If that is where you wanted to end up and you have, congrats. Hope you continue to have a prosperous flying carrier. If you are doing something different, hope you are enjoying it as much as you enjoyed your time at XO. Cheers.
You were being condescending just as you are now. You chastised first and then made your points. I will not waste time quoting every one of your points. It is a waste of time. I will only quote one:
NO ONE ON XO PAYROLL IS BEING PAID A B SCALE THAT IM AWARE OF. Future hires MAY if certain financial targets are not met but the likelihood is before hiring returns those financial goals will be met. Since we are not hiring now that makes the above statement true. Flt ops and the RT as do all pilots understand the implications of a B scale
I never said that you had a “B” scale. I stated a fact from having seen its ramifications in a former life. I know who you are, and where you came from. It’s a small world... Good on you. For some, XOJET may it may be a good fit. For some, it may not. His points were valid. Future pilots may have a B scale. You stated it in your retort.
As far as my career choices, they are mine and mine alone. I do not tolerate condescension. iIf an opinion differs from mine, I only state facts without my personal opinion or attacks. It’s all in the presentation...
04-01-2021, 05:46 PM
#37
XOJET Citation X
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DO, Baker Aviation, Citation X
Posts: 316
Sa
Sorry if you felt my comments were condescending towards you...not meant to be. I simply was responding to your observations and in some cases agreeing. For the original poster, I simply challenged his observations with counter arguments. Others provided the same.
As far this comment, “I know who you are, and where you came from. It’s a small world... Good on you.“ Not condescending but an “ominous tone” nonetheless. Superfluous to the discussion.
Cheers my friend. Fly safe
Sorry if you felt my comments were condescending towards you...not meant to be. I simply was responding to your observations and in some cases agreeing. For the original poster, I simply challenged his observations with counter arguments. Others provided the same.
As far this comment, “I know who you are, and where you came from. It’s a small world... Good on you.“ Not condescending but an “ominous tone” nonetheless. Superfluous to the discussion.
Cheers my friend. Fly safe
Originally Posted by Sa227capt
You were being condescending just as you are now. You chastised first and then made your points. I will not waste time quoting every one of your points. It is a waste of time. I will only quote one:
NO ONE ON XO PAYROLL IS BEING PAID A B SCALE THAT IM AWARE OF. Future hires MAY if certain financial targets are not met but the likelihood is before hiring returns those financial goals will be met. Since we are not hiring now that makes the above statement true. Flt ops and the RT as do all pilots understand the implications of a B scale
I never said that you had a “B” scale. I stated a fact from having seen its ramifications in a former life. I know who you are, and where you came from. It’s a small world... Good on you. For some, XOJET may it may be a good fit. For some, it may not. His points were valid. Future pilots may have a B scale. You stated it in your retort.
As far as my career choices, they are mine and mine alone. I do not tolerate condescension. iIf an opinion differs from mine, I only state facts without my personal opinion or attacks. It’s all in the presentation...
NO ONE ON XO PAYROLL IS BEING PAID A B SCALE THAT IM AWARE OF. Future hires MAY if certain financial targets are not met but the likelihood is before hiring returns those financial goals will be met. Since we are not hiring now that makes the above statement true. Flt ops and the RT as do all pilots understand the implications of a B scale
I never said that you had a “B” scale. I stated a fact from having seen its ramifications in a former life. I know who you are, and where you came from. It’s a small world... Good on you. For some, XOJET may it may be a good fit. For some, it may not. His points were valid. Future pilots may have a B scale. You stated it in your retort.
As far as my career choices, they are mine and mine alone. I do not tolerate condescension. iIf an opinion differs from mine, I only state facts without my personal opinion or attacks. It’s all in the presentation...
04-13-2021, 07:22 PM
#38
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Position: B737 FO
Posts: 49
Sorry Late to the game , but XOJet got new uniforms? Well good for them - no offense to anyone intended but honestly whenever I saw those old ones I couldn’t help bet think of pulling up to the valvoline to get my oil changed
04-14-2021, 03:18 AM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Position: Poolside
Posts: 534
Originally Posted by Anchorman
Sorry Late to the game , but XOJet got new uniforms? Well good for them - no offense to anyone intended but honestly whenever I saw those old ones I couldn’t help bet think of pulling up to the valvoline to get my oil changed
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