Xojet
04-07-2020, 06:33 AM
#2171
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Position: KA Captain
Posts: 18
Originally Posted by XR270
So AUS and FTW are common overnights? How often would you say and on any fleet in particular?
04-09-2020, 04:16 AM
#2173
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2015
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by RKPILOTING
Hi,
is there a signing contract for new hires?Bond..?
number of years..?
thanks..
is there a signing contract for new hires?Bond..?
number of years..?
thanks..
I just finished my first OE rotation, and ditto to everything has said. Awesome experience so far. Despite the craziness out there, I'm happy to be employed and flying.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
04-09-2020, 03:36 PM
#2174
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2020
Posts: 2
Originally Posted by StrangeBrew
1 year training contract, prorated after 3 months.
I just finished my first OE rotation, and ditto to everything has said. Awesome experience so far. Despite the craziness out there, I'm happy to be employed and flying.
I just finished my first OE rotation, and ditto to everything has said. Awesome experience so far. Despite the craziness out there, I'm happy to be employed and flying.
04-17-2020, 09:25 PM
#2175
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2020
Position: right seater
Posts: 85
Stay safe and well
It is beginning to seem like social distancing, tele-everything, and uncertainty are becoming the new normal. I hope everyone is staying safe and well. For those of you that find yourself spending more time at home, I hope you are not alone and are able to take advantage of the time with family and reestablish some bonds that modern life has seemed to strip away. Maybe it is a movie or game night with the kids, or simply sitting on the couch and drinking a cup of coffee with your spouse in the morning. I realize many of you may be navigating this pandemic alone. If you find yourself wanting for a bit of human connection, I hope you find the strength to reach out, whether it is a neighbor, friend, or maybe a phone call to a relative that life has allowed you to lose touch with. If you know someone who is single, alone, or just that person who keeps to themself, keep them in mind and maybe reach out them, even if it is just to say hello. Sometimes a simple phone call can lessen the expanse that social distancing is creating; it may just make someone's day (or yours), as well.
Fly safe and stay well.
Pell
Fly safe and stay well.
Pell
04-18-2020, 04:34 AM
#2176
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 76
Originally Posted by pellfdavis
It is beginning to seem like social distancing, tele-everything, and uncertainty are becoming the new normal. I hope everyone is staying safe and well. For those of you that find yourself spending more time at home, I hope you are not alone and are able to take advantage of the time with family and reestablish some bonds that modern life has seemed to strip away. Maybe it is a movie or game night with the kids, or simply sitting on the couch and drinking a cup of coffee with your spouse in the morning. I realize many of you may be navigating this pandemic alone. If you find yourself wanting for a bit of human connection, I hope you find the strength to reach out, whether it is a neighbor, friend, or maybe a phone call to a relative that life has allowed you to lose touch with. If you know someone who is single, alone, or just that person who keeps to themself, keep them in mind and maybe reach out them, even if it is just to say hello. Sometimes a simple phone call can lessen the expanse that social distancing is creating; it may just make someone's day (or yours), as well.
Fly safe and stay well.
Pell
Fly safe and stay well.
Pell
04-18-2020, 06:51 AM
#2178
XOJET Citation X
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DO, Baker Aviation, Citation X
Posts: 316
Mea Culpa
XOJET has undergone great challenges in the past 11 months since last May, my 1 year anniversary. Changes in leadership (all good IMHO), moving HHQ from CA to FL, replacing many motivated and talented personnel who chose to not make the move to FL with equally talented people and training them all, meshing cultures from VJ, continuing to hire dozens of new pilots in 4 different platforms, bringing on nearly 20 additional aircraft onto the XO certificate, and much more.
The experience for anyone wishing to apply to any company should be a warm welcome for applying and clear communication from the company to the applicant on where they are in the process in a timely manner.
When I applied the above standard was in place. I began posting on APC sharing my experiences and within a few months after reading posts and responding to PMs from many of you who were applying I detected a trend that was different than my experience.
Emails inquiring about hiring were not being replied to in a timely manner or not at all (foul), extreme difficulty in coordinating phone interviews, timely scheduling of in person interviews after passing the phone interview or slow acknowledgement of those who didn’t pass. As George Costanzav famously said, https://youtu.be/2uAj4wBIU-8
Whenever there is a problem with “process”, it takes time to recognize (a) there is a problem and (b) what/where/whom is causing it. It isn’t important to delve into casting blame on anyone or any department...the problem has been fixed. Those lessons have been learned and for the past few months before XO sopped hiring, the new process was up and running much better. For those caught in the 6 month window of less than optimum responses and replies, we heard your concerns so try XO/VJ again in the future for an improved application process experience.
While XO/VJ is not actively interviewing/hiring, applications are still being accepted and an automatic reply is generated for you to know you were successful in submitting the applications. The proper link to Jobvite with descriptions of the three pilot positions (XO-XO Aviation LLC, VJ-XO Crew Resource, GMJ-GMJ Air Shuttle) is here https://jobs.jobvite.com/careers/xojet/jobs?error=404
XO/VJ has seen a reduction in passengers but that reduction is less of a percentage basis than other 135 carriers and certainly far less than 121 operations. Many passengers are flying XO for the first time and the goal is obviously to win them over with superior customer experiences that will result in them considering XO for future flights.
Our crews have been creative on the road at finding and communicating good food options with catering still a viable option in many but fewer than before locations. Our crew travel folks are finding full service hotels when conditions permit and automatic rental cars reservations now preclude us having to travel by LYFT/Uber and having to request them on our own, still at XO expense. No crowded crew vans as I see so frequently. XO provides supplies and clear messenger to keep our pax and crews in compliance with CDC guidelines for private aircraft travel. Our pax appreciate those extra steps.
Morale is good among crews and leadership is realistic while looking forward with a creative vision to come out stronger at the end. It goes without saying we are all concerned for fellow pilots and their families who are suffering during this Covid 19 pandemic. Prayers and thoughts are with you.
With TX and other states beginning to open up next week and hopefully more, a return to a “new normal” that will more closely resemble the “old normal” than the previous lock down that many have been living with will occur.
XO has applied for dollars under the CARES program but the status of the request being filled is unknown to me at this time. Leadership is optimistic in being accepted into the program after talking to several different Congressional delegations and representatives.
I head out again next Wed for my standard rotation. If you are interested in XO/VJ and you would like to meet with crews on your off days or free time, follow the entire days worth of flying via Flightaware and see if they are landing near you and come to the FBO for a visit, time permitting of course. Anything to get out of the house, right?
Fly safe! My $.02 from a line pilot only
The experience for anyone wishing to apply to any company should be a warm welcome for applying and clear communication from the company to the applicant on where they are in the process in a timely manner.
When I applied the above standard was in place. I began posting on APC sharing my experiences and within a few months after reading posts and responding to PMs from many of you who were applying I detected a trend that was different than my experience.
Emails inquiring about hiring were not being replied to in a timely manner or not at all (foul), extreme difficulty in coordinating phone interviews, timely scheduling of in person interviews after passing the phone interview or slow acknowledgement of those who didn’t pass. As George Costanzav famously said, https://youtu.be/2uAj4wBIU-8
Whenever there is a problem with “process”, it takes time to recognize (a) there is a problem and (b) what/where/whom is causing it. It isn’t important to delve into casting blame on anyone or any department...the problem has been fixed. Those lessons have been learned and for the past few months before XO sopped hiring, the new process was up and running much better. For those caught in the 6 month window of less than optimum responses and replies, we heard your concerns so try XO/VJ again in the future for an improved application process experience.
While XO/VJ is not actively interviewing/hiring, applications are still being accepted and an automatic reply is generated for you to know you were successful in submitting the applications. The proper link to Jobvite with descriptions of the three pilot positions (XO-XO Aviation LLC, VJ-XO Crew Resource, GMJ-GMJ Air Shuttle) is here https://jobs.jobvite.com/careers/xojet/jobs?error=404
XO/VJ has seen a reduction in passengers but that reduction is less of a percentage basis than other 135 carriers and certainly far less than 121 operations. Many passengers are flying XO for the first time and the goal is obviously to win them over with superior customer experiences that will result in them considering XO for future flights.
Our crews have been creative on the road at finding and communicating good food options with catering still a viable option in many but fewer than before locations. Our crew travel folks are finding full service hotels when conditions permit and automatic rental cars reservations now preclude us having to travel by LYFT/Uber and having to request them on our own, still at XO expense. No crowded crew vans as I see so frequently. XO provides supplies and clear messenger to keep our pax and crews in compliance with CDC guidelines for private aircraft travel. Our pax appreciate those extra steps.
Morale is good among crews and leadership is realistic while looking forward with a creative vision to come out stronger at the end. It goes without saying we are all concerned for fellow pilots and their families who are suffering during this Covid 19 pandemic. Prayers and thoughts are with you.
With TX and other states beginning to open up next week and hopefully more, a return to a “new normal” that will more closely resemble the “old normal” than the previous lock down that many have been living with will occur.
XO has applied for dollars under the CARES program but the status of the request being filled is unknown to me at this time. Leadership is optimistic in being accepted into the program after talking to several different Congressional delegations and representatives.
I head out again next Wed for my standard rotation. If you are interested in XO/VJ and you would like to meet with crews on your off days or free time, follow the entire days worth of flying via Flightaware and see if they are landing near you and come to the FBO for a visit, time permitting of course. Anything to get out of the house, right?
Fly safe! My $.02 from a line pilot only
05-02-2020, 08:20 PM
#2179
XOJET Citation X
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DO, Baker Aviation, Citation X
Posts: 316
Good News
Lots of folks hurting out there, many fellow pilots. Keep the faith and everyone hopes things will begin to turn around slowly for those who have been furloughed, laid off or find themselves no longer doing what they love to do, fly airplanes. XO/VJ is finding these times challenging also but there is good news in recent events and as well as going forward that I wanted to share.
Thomas Flohr, CEO Vista Global Holdings provides his thoughts about how private jet operators could work with major carriers in giving a jumpstart for getting people back to flying.
Interesting concept and unconventional in what he is proposing for sure but these are unusual times. Whether you buy into his proposals or not is worthy of debate but he is proposing solutions I've not heard of before and worth considering I think. 16+ minutes YouTube video
Flights for XO/VJ dropped initially like everyone else but not as much as other 135 operators.
Flight totals for 30 days look back from late Mar to late April showed XO flew more flights than any other 135 carrier to include NJ, FJ who have far more airplanes...compared to the previous year, down obviously but our dip from normal was much less. I was shocked by the data but as they say, "it is what it is."
No planes are parked (other than for mx), crews are flying normal rotations. Covid 19 protocols are being applied with all the CDC/FAA recommended procedures being applied...no shortcuts.
Cleared to report from Flt ops that yesterday (1 May) and this weekend XO/VJ booked to 90% of capacity compared to normal usage.
Looking forward, the bookings are improving..they had been nearly all short-term, same day with very little out further than 72 hrs. Bookings have improved further out which is a good thing and a change from several weeks ago. One report by by a pilot showed 28 flights scheduled for the 1st (not including repos).
Great sales team and lots of new folks who are flying on/experiencing XO/VJ for the first time are finding their experience a positive one. Great opportunity to win new customers.
Was told by one of past CEOs last year that the difference between the XO of '07-'08 and XO of today (May '19) is that in that downturn, our XO client membership made up only 20% with 80% made up of brokered trips (third parties booking for clients or covering for another carrier).
The percentage of XO tiered members now makes up 80% of our flights and during lean times this will be a big positive. Rather prophetic when one considers that questioned was asked a year ago but it would appear as that strategy may be contributing to the numbers being so good during these difficult times.
Flohr is optimistic in his video and I suspect these challenging times will result in shrinkage on the part of some operators and expansion by others...Flohr appears to be leaning toward the latter for XO/VJ.
No changes to hiring, still frozen on all fronts. Applications are still being accepted via Jobvite and an automatic acknowledgement after a successful submission will be your only comm with the company but you will be in the database when hiring begins again.
One other impressive thing that blew me away and says a ton about the positive culture at XO, even in these challenging times, is the policy that allows pilots who leave XO to return back to their XOJET seniority/aircraft if the return occurs within 90 days of their last day on property.
Two of our pilots who had chosen other operators to go to, made the decision to return to XO but were welcomed back to the company and started flying nearly immediately. I don't know of 121 carrier that would do that but as in many things, I could be wrong.
Not sure about other 135 operators as I'm sure there are certain circumstances where this might be permitted but in such harsh economic time, cutting payroll seems to be the trend and not allowing persons who have left to return would seem to be an easy and some would say, justifiable action to take towards those who voluntarily chose to leave a company for another job.
Lots of FXE new headquarter folks are working from home...huge attaboy to so many new employees who signed up to come to a new operation in S. Florida but found themselves in a world no one would could've predicted.
In spite of all the challenges, the mx controllers, schedulers, travel coordinators, HR, IT folks, finance folks, safety, flight ops support and many more have stepped up and are making us all proud for doing their jobs at home and under very stressful circumstances. They brought their experience from the 121, charter, 135 world and are using it to keep XO's head above water.
These "new folks" will not be "newbies" very long...they have already earned the designation of road warriors of filling our airplanes and keeping us safe...attaboy to all of them for sure!!
I know how lucky I am to be at XO and if anyone reads this as any sort of "gloating", please accept my apology...that is not my intent at all. Could things get worse? Of course...no guarantees for anyone in these times. Must be ready for anything.
I'm just trying to share some good news that I hope is a marker that other 135/91 pilots can use that would indicate improved times are not too far in the future.
Don't give up on your career just yet...I've seen a lot in 20+ yrs, several down cycles and no doubt this one is the most challenging but Americans have proven to be resilient and rise to the occasion...I pray that will be the case in these challenging times.
Thomas Flohr, CEO Vista Global Holdings provides his thoughts about how private jet operators could work with major carriers in giving a jumpstart for getting people back to flying.
Interesting concept and unconventional in what he is proposing for sure but these are unusual times. Whether you buy into his proposals or not is worthy of debate but he is proposing solutions I've not heard of before and worth considering I think. 16+ minutes YouTube video
Flights for XO/VJ dropped initially like everyone else but not as much as other 135 operators.
Flight totals for 30 days look back from late Mar to late April showed XO flew more flights than any other 135 carrier to include NJ, FJ who have far more airplanes...compared to the previous year, down obviously but our dip from normal was much less. I was shocked by the data but as they say, "it is what it is."
No planes are parked (other than for mx), crews are flying normal rotations. Covid 19 protocols are being applied with all the CDC/FAA recommended procedures being applied...no shortcuts.
Cleared to report from Flt ops that yesterday (1 May) and this weekend XO/VJ booked to 90% of capacity compared to normal usage.
Looking forward, the bookings are improving..they had been nearly all short-term, same day with very little out further than 72 hrs. Bookings have improved further out which is a good thing and a change from several weeks ago. One report by by a pilot showed 28 flights scheduled for the 1st (not including repos).
Great sales team and lots of new folks who are flying on/experiencing XO/VJ for the first time are finding their experience a positive one. Great opportunity to win new customers.
Was told by one of past CEOs last year that the difference between the XO of '07-'08 and XO of today (May '19) is that in that downturn, our XO client membership made up only 20% with 80% made up of brokered trips (third parties booking for clients or covering for another carrier).
The percentage of XO tiered members now makes up 80% of our flights and during lean times this will be a big positive. Rather prophetic when one considers that questioned was asked a year ago but it would appear as that strategy may be contributing to the numbers being so good during these difficult times.
Flohr is optimistic in his video and I suspect these challenging times will result in shrinkage on the part of some operators and expansion by others...Flohr appears to be leaning toward the latter for XO/VJ.
No changes to hiring, still frozen on all fronts. Applications are still being accepted via Jobvite and an automatic acknowledgement after a successful submission will be your only comm with the company but you will be in the database when hiring begins again.
One other impressive thing that blew me away and says a ton about the positive culture at XO, even in these challenging times, is the policy that allows pilots who leave XO to return back to their XOJET seniority/aircraft if the return occurs within 90 days of their last day on property.
Two of our pilots who had chosen other operators to go to, made the decision to return to XO but were welcomed back to the company and started flying nearly immediately. I don't know of 121 carrier that would do that but as in many things, I could be wrong.
Not sure about other 135 operators as I'm sure there are certain circumstances where this might be permitted but in such harsh economic time, cutting payroll seems to be the trend and not allowing persons who have left to return would seem to be an easy and some would say, justifiable action to take towards those who voluntarily chose to leave a company for another job.
Lots of FXE new headquarter folks are working from home...huge attaboy to so many new employees who signed up to come to a new operation in S. Florida but found themselves in a world no one would could've predicted.
In spite of all the challenges, the mx controllers, schedulers, travel coordinators, HR, IT folks, finance folks, safety, flight ops support and many more have stepped up and are making us all proud for doing their jobs at home and under very stressful circumstances. They brought their experience from the 121, charter, 135 world and are using it to keep XO's head above water.
These "new folks" will not be "newbies" very long...they have already earned the designation of road warriors of filling our airplanes and keeping us safe...attaboy to all of them for sure!!
I know how lucky I am to be at XO and if anyone reads this as any sort of "gloating", please accept my apology...that is not my intent at all. Could things get worse? Of course...no guarantees for anyone in these times. Must be ready for anything.
I'm just trying to share some good news that I hope is a marker that other 135/91 pilots can use that would indicate improved times are not too far in the future.
Don't give up on your career just yet...I've seen a lot in 20+ yrs, several down cycles and no doubt this one is the most challenging but Americans have proven to be resilient and rise to the occasion...I pray that will be the case in these challenging times.
05-03-2020, 12:55 AM
#2180
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2020
Position: right seater
Posts: 85
Chase,
Thank you for the update and thoughts. Things are definitely frustrating right now for many people, myself included (I'm still stuck over here contracting)- at least I still have a flying job. Hopefully, by this fall/winter, interviews and training classes will resume. It has been said that patience is a virtue. So, I will continue to patiently await news of the world returning to normal.
Please continue to keep us posted, as your insights and observations make being patient that much easier.
Fly safe and stay well.
Pell
Thank you for the update and thoughts. Things are definitely frustrating right now for many people, myself included (I'm still stuck over here contracting)- at least I still have a flying job. Hopefully, by this fall/winter, interviews and training classes will resume. It has been said that patience is a virtue. So, I will continue to patiently await news of the world returning to normal.
Please continue to keep us posted, as your insights and observations make being patient that much easier.
Fly safe and stay well.
Pell
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