Avi8tor441

Agreed. Just waiting for that call. I’m off so I will be listening

chase

One learns a lot about the company and its leadership when difficult times occur...these are indeed difficult and unchartered times. Leaders work to control the present and the future to the extent that they can but in the current situation, the future may only be as far as the next 3 days or maybe a week.

I feel fortunate/blessed to have stumbled (I wasn't even aware of who XO was prior to Jan '19) upon the great folks at XO.

My first thanks are to the hundreds of persons who worked here before I even arrived creating a culture that is proving to be essential in weathering the current crisis. I hear confidence and positivity from our leaders but I also hear realistic evaluations of our business model operating in a new "non-normal" 135 world. They are not sugarcoating it but merely reporting the facts as they see and experience them.

I was a young FO at SWA when 9/11 and I was sure I'd get furloughed like all my military buddies who went to the OAL...they did but I didn't fortunately. CA's remained calm and the leadership did too. I see the same type of tone and demeanor from the CAs and leadership at XO.

An amazing group of talented leaders for example,

• one of the CAs takes the time to email to the crews everyday the current "best choice" food options in their overnight cities based upon past crews experience and his own research.

• pilots volunteering to bring food from their home to crews who are overnighting near them

• automatic rental car reservations made by XO planners in place of Lyft rides to minimize exposure (I watched a van full of crews from various airlines cram into an Oakland Hilton van the other day and thought about social distancing rules and the risks associated with this type of operation)
• plenty of cleaning supplies for XO/VJ crews to use on the airplane and for their personal use at the hotels...don't think this is occurring at all 121 operators, not sure about 135 operators.

In the recent pilot call news was shared that didn't shock anyone, our total flying hours were down from March '19 vs March '20.

No big surprise but as Kevin said, the downturn was much greater at other 135 operators...in fact on

• Wed, 1 April, total hours flown were around 100 which compared to our size/scale/past history compared to much larger operators, was exceptional! XO hasn't parked any airplanes but I believe nearly every other 135 comparable or bigger in size has.

• That amount or more of flown hours is being averaged per day which is amazing considering the conditions. NO FURLOUGHS...OBTW, no union...not trying to bash unions, good ones and bad ones, as I use to be in one but for those who don't know, XO has a very good relationship between management and employees, not just pilots.

• XO leadership lobbied to include part 135 operators under CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief Economic Security) for federal payroll relief. If XO is awarded this grant (application going in this week), the next 6 months will provide job security/pay for at least 90% of employees @ 100% benefit levels.

• Decision made early on to NOT FURLOUGH. Some of our competitors chose to furlough early on....that quick decision by competitors may prove to disqualify them from receiving the full benefits of the CARES legislation.

• First new hire class (10) started down in FXE, previously all were done at MCC. When new hires depart for CAE/FS, new procedures are being used to clean simulators, facilities to keep aircrew and sim instructors safe.

• Fully staffed at Operational Control Center at FXE. When the move was announced in fall of '19, it was stated XO would be standing up in 2Q20 ready to go in FL. The company has reached that goal...pretty amazing IMHO. Rarely do these type of timelines come true and while there are still hiccups, this is no small task.

• Ops is taking this time to put better processes and procedures in place to take advantage of this downtime and allow the business to expand when XO comes out the other side. Lots of new faces means lots of new ideas being discussed and debated. With employees knowing of job security, they can focus on the future with great ideas to grow the business and enhance the customer service experience.

• Airplanes are being disinfected on a regular basis at several locations (10 day product and a 90 day product to kill pathogens....Vista Jet got us this product before 121 and some 135 operators!). Slightly less demand on the fleet allows this to occur without impacting operations.

• Safety is still very important and fully manned, all current safety programs are fully operational...no loss of focus despite the movement from CA to FL.

• Destination 225 pilots coming to XO in 4Q20 or 1Q21; highly screened at multiple points by SWA/XO interview teams during their training in AZ and back at SWA headquarters and after they get their 750 hrs.

• D225 Restricted ATP 750 hr pilots (probably 1 per class beginning later this year) must remain for 3 years minimum before being eligible to apply at SWA.

• The CAE flight training is very structured and the additional flight hour requirements will make these restricted ATP pilots qualified to fly at XO. Folks will debate fewer total hours will make for less qualified applicants. I will only use my experience...in my 20 years of flying in the AF, after completing pilot training (just under 200 hrs) and then IP school (maybe another 50 hrs), I was cleared to fly to the lowest mins I ever was qualified to fly to in the AF, 100-1/4 for a PAR as a 2nd Lt w/250 hrs...when I retired 20 yrs later, 300/1! I believe XO pilots will welcome them and give them a great 135 experience. I think these pilots will be fine and full qualified to be alongside other XO pilots.

• New IT team...exciting to listen to a strategic approach being taken to improve performance and stability. Having Vista Jet experience and lessons learned gives XO a bigger database of what works and what doesn't.

• Covid 19 Update Q&A
  • Crews and pax safety are #1 priority . TEB is our #1 airport. LGA, EWR, JFK are still open indicating State/Fed officials believe it is safe to fly. Will continue to fly there until XO can't.

• XO has exceeded CDC guidelines for anti-C19 measures on exposure to crews and pax, i.e. health release forms, measuring of crew and pax temperatures. See above comments regarding these measures

• Flying always involves risks...finding that balance is what is required before C19 and after.

• No one will be forced to work if the employee feels unsafe due to C19

• Cost saving measures have been implemented for some time; no non-essential travel, all capital expenditures frozen, new hiring frozen, significant increases in cleaning costs associated with C19 (Not mentioned on the call but certainly a benefit to any company purchasing fuel is the significant drop in the price of oil...not factors XO controls but a cushion for cost containment)

• IF XO application for grants/loans under CARES is approved, XO will be extremely well positioned to not just weather the storm but to fill the void of those companies who don't survive

• Other revenue streams are being explored for use of XO aircraft; direct and indirect support of Covid support needs

• XO brand loyalty and repeat customers are the difference between now and in 2007-08 reduced flying. That comes from superior customer service and a strategic decision to grow the client list with what customers want, reliability, safety, price, superior service.

For those thinking of coming into the 135 world, when all the dust settles and it will eventually, go back and look at how prospective employees treated their employees and remained focus on not just the bottom line but also on safety, promises made/kept and what their employees had to say about them.

Being the highest paid "fill in the blank type pilot" doesn't mean much when one is furloughed or forced reductions in pay occur.

We at XO along with FJ, NJ, WU pilots/employees and others may all be in a pickle in 6 months if we're all still walking around with masks. Let's hope not.

However, when this crisis passes (thanks to the amazing scientists, medical experts who are developing cures for C19, marshaling resources to help the front line medical heroes fight the disease, stock boys/girls at grocery stores, truck drivers & many more) and America recovers, XO I believe will end up being stronger.

I hope other 135 operators also survive and come out stronger...competition makes us all better. I've only presented the above information as evidence of why I'm hopeful that XO will. I encourage others at other 135 operators to share hopeful information...we can all use some of that!

I know many of my fellow pilots are suffering and their families...my prayers are with you. Take the time to help others by joining Be the Match, donate to local blood banks (plasma you can do more frequently just blood) by clicking here to find a Red Cross Blood Bank or Advancing Transfusion and Cellular Therapies Worldwide near you.

The link below is for those who need hope in today's world...real hope is not found here on earth, it is an illusion. It starts with taking a knee and acknowledging there is someone greater than us in charge.

10 Verses about Fear and Anxiety to Remind Us God Is in Control

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

chase

I referenced in my above post the recent legislation CARES, the correct reference should have been to the Payroll Protection Program managed by the Treasury and Small Business Administration bill announced yesterday by Trump that applications would be open for business today. It is designed for companies with 500 or few employees. XOJET qualifies under those guidelines. If furloughs are rehired by June 30, companies are eligible to apply.

"$349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which provides forgivable loans to small businesses that retain their workers or rehire laid-off employees by June 30."

dirtysidedown

We are more of a family here at XOJET than simply co-workers. Been here going on 6 years now and the pilot group really does take care of each other for any issues or problems we have faced either individually or as a whole. I know of few have left here for what they thought were greener pastures but have since returned to XOJET later on. That says a lot. I believe we will weather this storm and come out stronger in the end and can continue to offer jobs to individuals who really want to be here.

AMjetpilot

Hey guys For what I see here the company and the people that works there is fully committed to maintain a stable situation during this crisis it seems to me for the answers I been reading that it is really an excellent place to work... I have been waiting to finish my contract at the place I am working now to apply for a pilot position @XO jets ..what are the plans on future hiring if I may ask ? Can I send my application at the moment or not? Thanks for the answers and please keep safe at all times , protect yourselves, and continue doing a great job... thanks

chase

Hiring is frozen at the moment for all positions.

No estimate on when it will open..all depends on the speed of recovery.

Your assessment of XO was the same as I had before getting hired there. Everything we both thought about XO has been confirmed in the 11 months I have been on property.

Good luck.

AMjetpilot

Thanks Chase, I will be preparing myself for when the hiring starts again, I received an e-mail about two months ago from Mrs Spitzer welcoming me to apply, and for that I am very thankful , I decided to wait till my current contract ends to apply ,and then this happened.... will see you guys there , looking forward to work with a great group of professionals ....

XR270

So AUS and FTW are common overnights? How often would you say and on any fleet in particular?

CosmoKramer86

I’ve spent about 5 nights in AUS in almost a year on the 350

Guard

Haha, your positivity for all of us on these threads has always been inspirational over the years!!