chase

• XOJET indoc - scheduled for 13-22 May + travel day on either end. Got done early on 22 and was able to fly home. Airlined by XO both ways.
  
  
• Standard HR, scheduling, mx, ops, KCM paperwork, Drug/Alcohol/Sexual Harrassment briefings, safety brief as well as visits from President, Austin Schell...very sharp guy who talked about the combining of Vista Jets and XOJETs here in the US. Multiple folks talked about how "pilot friendly" he is.
  

• All done in SMF at the old McClellan AFB
  
  
• All the "big boy" safety programs in place, LOSA, ASAP, sophisiticated Crew Self Evaluation CSE program for purposes of fatigue...each crew's fatigue reported every day to operations, planes being fitted with FDAP type equipment, HUGE emphasis on safety and CAs are trusted to make the call on the line and are supported.
  
  
• Very little paper for operations, all done with company issued phones with apps, contacts already loaded, mini-IPads also
  

• Having never been at a 135 operator I had heard a lot of stories and heard some of those same stories from the 10 in my class (6 going to XOJET; 4 going to the "X", 2 going to the Challenger 300;, 4 going to Vista Jet's Challenger 350)...all of them said "XO appears to be very different than the experience I've had at previous 135 operators". Most came from "mom and pop" 135, not NetJets, FlexJets or bigger operators.
  
  
• Oral given on the 8th day, 2 new hires with head of Standards having a "conversation" about the General Operations Manual, no aircraft specific questions just questions on 135 operations (wx requirements, etc), XOJET exemptions, different levels of releases (i.e. self release vs the DO approving}
  
  
• 8:30-4:30ish most days
  
  
• All lunches were catered, all meals are covered by company after you submit the receipts through the appropriate app, rental car provided for every 2 crews (receipt for rental car submitted, you keep the points)
  
  
• Courtyard Marriott, very nice, breakfast included - already Marriott member but added credit card that gives 6 x points - keep the points
  
  
• Sim training for the "X" 3-21 at MCO Flight Safety, with travel day on either end. Already received aircraft specific "FlightBag" downloads on IPad; Marriott Lakeside
  

• XOJET is adding pilots because of "attrition" of pilots leaving for 121 but they do have folks who are making it their place to stay for good. They are on the lookout for other X/300/350's so growth of fleet is an option going forward according to what I recall.
  
  
• The VistaJet/XOJET marriage is in its early stages...indoc will be a joint effort for current and new hires on the VJ side. The potential of combining 2 different levels of service has a lot of potential and is being planned for carefully but it will take time to come to fruition but the possibilities, at least to me, seem plausible and exciting.

• For some who live in an area that has limited mainline jet service and commuting will be their way of life with a 121 carrier, the appeal of having "Home Basing" outweighs additional pay down the road + commuting. Plus they have folks who enjoy being a part of a growing company and having a significant impact on being a part of that growth..very happy and satisified and it shows. Talking to those who have ridden the up/down/up of XOJET, you can see and hear in the voice it has been a good decision for them and I applaud them for providing the continuity that any company needs when going through growth....their work "yesterday" laid the foundation for my job today.
  

I'm no expert of Fractional operations so take my observations for what they are worth.


I understood the concept of Fractional flying in a general sense but as I experienced what I have for the last 10 days, like so many other business models there are challenges ahead for fractionals due to a changing market, demands of businesses and most importantly the advancing of technical solutions/innovations being applied to the industry.

XOJET appears to be a "disruptive force" to the fractional model and is drawing in clients/business due to the adoption of some of these changes at a rate faster than others. XOJET has a much smaller fleet than the "big boys" but with the infusion of capital from new sources, they have the resources to take advantage and even expand on these disruptive applications. I won't go into the metrics they use to judge efficiency and utilization rate but for comparison purposes it was very eye-opening when compared to other operators.

My previous employer was a "disruptor" in the market place and internal metrics point out where the weaknesses of their competitors and the advantages SWA could take advantage of...I appreciate how "big data" if taken advantage of can be a huge driver of market success.

Most importantly, the "culture" I experienced among the various briefers, instructors, leadership and other departmental employees who I chatted with during my indoc training was nearly identical to what I experienced at SWA. Everyone appears to be pulling in the same direction and genuinely enjoy working at XOJET.

Enough blabbering for now...just one person's initial experience. Still a month away from flying my first "rotation" and this will be where the rubber meets the road.

"1/3rd the pay for 3 times the work", I get it but to me that isn't an issue. Too many positives for an "old fart" to ponder about working hard at something I love doing.

They do not have a union but they do have a "pilot roundtable", pilot reps who meet quarterly. They have been working some time on a new payscale and it was announced (retroactive to April 1) the week prior to our arrival. HUGE THANKS TO THEM FOR THEIR WORK! Haven't heard the thoughts from those on the line but I'm sure like any pilot group, the opinions run the gamut.

Upgrades on the X have been 8-12 months, Challenger 300 12-18 months. Slightly larger X pilot group vs 300 pilot group.

Pay begins on first day of training, 6th & 21st are pay days
Announced while in training a pay increase for FOs using the following formula...based upon flying time (don't know of anyone else that does that)
$70K, 3500 tt, 1500 mel 1500 pic
$65K, 3000 TT, 1000 mel, 1000 pic
$60K 2500 TT, 500 mel, 500 pic
$55K, 2000 TT, 500 mel, no pic time req

Base pay for CA increased $10K to base pay of $110,000.
2nd week of vacation will occur after the 2nd year vs previously after 4th year.

Again for those just reading this post, click here to see where XOJET is currently flying. Scroll down on the page and click on the airplane type on the far left and you can see where/how much the planes are being utilized.

PM for any questions or to go into depth on anything above.

Again a HUGE THANKS to all the great current and former XOJET pilots on ACP who encouraged me to apply and provided me with so much great information...a classer group of gals and guys will not be found on ACP IMHO. Again, first round is on me when I see you at TEB/PBI/VNY. Couldn't be happier and more excited about the future.

Packrat

Great synopsis, especially for someone facing the end of Part 121 eligibility this fall. Still considering XOJet post 121.

7051

Who is the Chief Pilot at XOJET? Can’t find it online anywhere.

LJ JE

We do have an international section in the GOM.

LJ JE

Awesome write up Chase! I'm sure it will be a big help to others.

chase

Trying to pay it forward like you and others did for me...thanks again.

Meant to add background of new hire class

Couple of Part 91 guys (Global, GIV, Challenger 605, Cessna 405 in Alaska), Emirates, Cargo (domestic and overseas), regional Part 121 ( Republic, Mesa), comer GMJ Shuttle EMB pilot who is transitioning over to the XO side and me ( SWA/military)

VistaJet guys were made up of 1 current VJ 350 pilot and 3 others with foreign and domestic 121/135 experience.

All were great guys and fun to be around.

7051

Well, app submitted. Fingers crossed.

chase

Good luck. They are conducting interviews monthly...not sure how many they have on file nor what total hours will get you name to the top for a call for an interview but as long as you meet the minimums, there is a chance.

RockyM

XOJET vs FlyExclusive, QOL, pay, upgrade, got a call crom both, they look pretty similar, I have read both threads completely and still cannot tip the scale. Any thoughts? Thanks

chase

Not familiar with FE. Interview at both and make your decision based upon your own interaction with the company.

Sounds like you have done your homework...good luck!