I will be applying for these two airlines, anyone have any info/opinions on either. What are my chances at either 1100tt/75 multi, are they hiring very much now? Thanks!

 

Well I know ExpressJet is widely considered to be one of the best regionals out there whereas Commutair is more or less a nobody flying 12 old, worn out Beech 1900s. Your situation may make one more desireable than the other (like if you want to live in CLE, go to Commutair. You will probably never hold CLE if you go to ExpressJet or if you do you will be on reserve FOREVER.) It seems like at ExpressJet right now they are really looking for recency of experience, not just shear amount. From what Ive heard they are looking for 100hrs in the last 6 months and like to see instructor experience.

 

Based on experience alone, your more likely to be offered an interview at Commutair.

Upgrade time at Commutair will probably come quicker, especially considering that they will be bringing Dash 8-Q200's on line early next year.

Turbine time is turbine time (for the most part). So, as far as moving on to other companies, Commutair might mean a quicker career progression.

Smaller pilot group at Commutair. This might be good or bad, depending on how well the group works together. Also Commutair has more of a "family" atmosphere from what I hear.

Smaller pilot group most likely means fewer labor issues, however it might also mean fewer work protections should you ever need them.

Odds are also that your flying skills will be sharper after a year at commutair flying the 1900 when compared to the same year flying an ERJ.

Equipment at XJ will be more "comfortable" (IE APU/autopilot/flight attendant/faster/higher/jet/etc)

One thing to consider too is that nothing is for certain. Commutair is a small company today. It might not be tomorrow. XJ is considered to be one of the better companies to fly for now... it might not be tommorow.

Like I've said before- the only certainty with the airlines is that nothing is for certain.

~Josh
(Furloughed from one of the best (now-defunct) regional airlines in the nation, May 2005)

 

Hey Mustang,

I just got hired at XJT with 720 total and 110 multi. I have a feeling that they like to see at LEAST 100 hours multi but i'm not 100% sure if they're totally strict on that or not. As far as recency goes, I heard from some of the other guys who interviewed the day I went that they were told they needed more multi in the last 6 months, but I haven't flown a twin in about 7 months and it didn't stop me from getting hired.
You MAY want to wait til you get the last 25 hours of multi before you interview as I think this is one of the things they like to see.
I definately think that manner and personality are big factors too, so make sure you smile lots and be friendly and personable with them and you'll have a good shot...
All the best of luck to you

 

They are firm about the 100multi but, total time is competitive.

 

They are very firm on the minimums from what I saw at my interview. We had a gentleman in my group that had less than the prescribed total time but he did have more than enough multi. He was QUICKLY taken out of the room after paperwork was collected and sent home. Make sure you meet the minimums WHEN you apply not just when you go. They will check dates against your logbook.

 

Are you talking about Commutair or XJT? From what I recall, the XJT online application weeds out those without the minimums or recency of experience before they waist time and money on bringing you to Houston.

 

well that person they were reffering too may have foolishly put the min times on the app, before he actually had them, assuming that he would meet the mins by the time he did get an actual interview...its very shady and bad to do this. I too have heard of the airline not just checking to see if you had the mins, but to see if you had them when you submitted the application, to see if you fudged it

 

anyone have any info on the Quality of Life for Commutair? Thanks

 

Yeah, I think that person may have been sitting next to me in the conference because when they came back they told him about his hours and not to do that on an app again. They put him up the night before and everything. They definitly where not happy He had something like 500hrs and put on the app he had 900hrs. Guess he had some 1900 time at Gulfstream in FLA. Who knows