chase

My reasons for choosing XO (in order)

1. Favorable culture, similar to my previous employment, i.e. less complaining by pilots than other 135 companies, very positive comments on company by former employees vs other 135 employees, very respected by my former company in the pilots who have come from XO, positive vibes at the interview by everyone I met

2. Variety of places they flew too. Yes other 135 operators fly to those same places but FBO sitting is not the standard at XO

2a. Capt authority has seriously eroded in my 19 yrs of 121 operators. Not the case in what I can tell from talking to the many CAs who I have spoken too

3. Homebasing. Again most do this but for precious 121 commuter if is very nice.

4. Lots of “big boy” programs in terms of safety that I didn’t expect to find..mature ASAP program, positive fatigue management program, LOSA program, FOQA program in the near future

5. Faster upgrades than other 135 operations under 12 for the X and 18 months for the 300

6. VERY approachable flt ops leadership and company leadership, respected by the pilots

7. People who work here have a great deal of pride in the company

Just a few thoughts, probably better expressed by others who have been here longer

Knobcrk1

I came from the airlines into pt135. I’m not at XO but a competitor. I was new too with no 135 experience but I’ve learned that if you can handle being gone for 8 or 15 days away at a time, it’s hands down better flying than the airlines. Of course you don’t fly as much so it’s not as demanding but you also do a lot of waiting in hotels as well. But typically the first and last days are really travel days. You can work during those days but unofficially they’re really used for travel. I’m on a 15on 13off schedule it’s tough being gone but it’s really really nice having almost 2 weeks off straight, I also live in LA so I can get away with few nights at home during the rotation. First day you get airlined to go pickup a plane. Then you takeover that planes schedule or whatever they have scheduled for flights. I’m assuming you fly a lot on the citation but I’m on a gulfstream so we typically only do one long leg a day and not every day. So basically you’re doing a few flights a week hanging out at different cities. There could be times where you won’t have a flight at all and you’re at the hotel a few days. And so on until the last day where you are relived by another pilot. Again if you don’t mind the smaller planes, and long rotations, on a given day it’s way more relaxed than airline flying. I guess that’s why there’s 65+ year olds everywhere still doing it. Plus added bonus of cool places and you fly a lot interesting people. No more Dayton overnights.

OnThePath

Are there any pilots that are flying for XOJet Crew Resources that would be willing to talk offline (or share their experience here) about their job?

If so, please send me a PM.

Thanks in advance!

Shenzi105

How does the flex schedule work? is it like the PBS/Flica bidding some 121 have, with possibly just 2-3 days off at home between rotations?

j3gibbon

I’m on the 8/6 but considered the flex and it is similar to airline bids. Days off request is put into a electronic system around the 11th awarded on the 15th. You can set a max number of days on a row (min 8..max of 15? Maybe). I see some guys work 5 on 3 off, some 5-15 days on with 3-7 days off. I’ve sometimes seen 3-4 days on but it’s not common. You get more $ for the flex and you work on average a day or two more a month (some months can be light and others heavy (up to 20 days I believe)). If you choose to try the flex you have to stay on for 4 months, but can go on at anytime (with enough notice so that you’re in the bid).

SkylaneRG

What determines what airframe one gets? SSN in training, age?

If all other minimums are met is the ATP written a hard requirement? Coming from the 91 world so it hasn't been a necessity.

MOGuy

Usually determined by current need at time of job offer I believe.

chase

https://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/vista-global-launches-new-online-charter-booking-marketplace-457/

Vista Global, the holding company set up by Thomas Flohr that includes VistaJet, XOJET and JetSmarter, has launched a new online charter booking marketplace called XO.

The company says that it has leveraged JetSmarter’s technology, along with XOJET’s customer-centric expertise to build the XO website. It provides live flight prices for whole aircraft charters, as well as single-seat options on JetSmarter shuttle flights.

If the single-seat option is chosen, the website lets customers know how many seats would need to be sold for the flight to operate.

“In the first month after closing our acquisition of JetSmarter for its innovative technology at the beginning of May, we have worked relentlessly to establish a new company, a new brand, new products, and be ready to serve every single customer in the business aviation market,“ says Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman, Vista Global. “XO, powered by JetSmarter technology, is well equipped to address the $11B per year global market of On Demand business aviation, as well as the new market of customers moving up from First and Business class. I can’t wait to go live and introduce our suite of XO solutions to the market”.

During CJI’s tests of the website, flights on some popular US routes could be booked instantly.

These include Teterboro to Orlando, Los Angeles to Las Vegas and Dallas to Houston. Where possible, the single seat JetSmarter option is offered.

However, outside of the US, CJI was unable to find any flight routings that offered live pricing.

Instead, the system asks you to submit a request to receive multiple options.

XO says that it currently has access to over 1,500 private jets globally.

To increase the number of aircraft available, the company has set up the ‘XO preferred operator partner network’. A section on the company’s website encourages operators to sign up to the program, saying that being part of XO will help operators increase their revenues and help with fleet optimization.

LJ JE

Written is a hard retirement.

tnaillo

Any current XO pilot not living in California? Do you pay CA state taxes or your state of residence? Sounds like a great job but not with that insane tax rate. Any info would be great. Thanks in advance