XJet
 

I am surprised no one has commented on ExpressJet's hiring freeze in regards to their latest performance report. Could this be a bad sign for XJT, or will they be able to recover?

Discuss

They have discussed it. However if you plan on talking about XJT and bad signs you better have one foot in the sturrip.

I interviewed and was offered a job in late Nov. They told us the next class date would be February, but now it sounds like April or May. The reasons I have heard for this is a reduction in block hours from CAL and lower than expected attrition rates. There again, everyone I have have spoken to that flies for XJet have all said that this is all subject to change. Hopefully hiring will pick up mid '08.

CAL thought we were "overstaffed", so due to the arbitration we simply aren't going to keep as many pilots on staff, basically less pilot per airplane. We haven't received an airplane in a few years and you can't go on hiring 80+ a month indefinitely, attrition is not that high, remember, F/O's really don't leave here like they do at Colgan. MESA, TSA etc........... I hope maybe one day we will be able to "recover":p, but as of now we are staffed right where we should be, 3,100+ pilots and our block hrs from CAL keep on getting reduced.

Also I am not sure where you have been,but age 65. I am sure management takes into effect the attrition rate won't be as high due to AGE 65, for those of you that don't think it will make a difference, its already happening, CAL is reducing the amount of new-hires, wonder whos next

Are they going to be able to sustain the branded flying.

BTW I am just a curious observer wondering why they took such an abrupt about face

Unless there's something recent that I'm unaware of, we did several days of interviews in October, 3 days in November, and 3 days last week. Most likely, nothing in January and we'll do some interviews in February. Everyone is being put into a pool with classes anywhere from Feb. through April.

This is nothing more than our company shooting themselves in the foot. Watch next summer they are going to be short CA and FOs. XJT typically bases everything off of CAL, which is a problem. Just because CAL slows down stuff doesnt mean MANY of us arent leaving to other companies other than CAL. DAL, NWA, UAL just started really hiring and alot of people are getting called and have left or are leaving. The branded flying is doing fine and exceeding expectations so that has nothing to do with this. Carry on

Yes, it does look abrupt. However, we have no reason to hire any more pilots except for attrition (I believe it is slow in this time of year). We were understaffed this time last year and then came the mainline (Branded) and Delta flying. Therefore, we hired 80 a month and maxed out the training department until we were properly staffed. Now we are so it is time to scale back. The movement within the company has slowed down, but it is still a great company to work for.

Congrats on NWA!

Ugh...educate yourself.:rolleyes: The branded stuff is expected to be turning a profit by Q1 or Q2 next year.

Don't come here expecting movement to be as quick as it has been in the past. The fact of the matter is that we are not growing right now. That means hiring is only for attrition. THAT is why hiring has slowed down. Now add to that the whole age 65 thing and you put the brakes on even more. If you're coming here tomorrow expecting a 20-24 month upgrade you're in for a rude awakening. If you're looking for a good company to work for that takes care of its own, has a say in its own destiny and has opportunities for growth in the future then this is not a bad place to be.

huh? :confused:

Thanks I appreciate it!!

I really hope that XJET can post a profit with their branded flying but with the current price of fuel it might be challenging to continue that with out a change in fleet type. Any word if XJET plans to get larger planes for this flying?

No
.

If we got larger planes to do this flying, then we would be competing with much bigger players out there...companies who could bring in a 737, if ya get my drift.

Exactly. Good thing I like to work...summer is going to be ridiculous. :D

I know I was a ramper with them, they let me have time off to go build my flight hours for them, when I applied, I was told about the hiring slow down and it may be best to pursue other interest.
I wish Express Jet all the best, and they in my book are a world class operation. Hope it works out for you, or maybe they could combine with Eagle to become Megaopolis Regional Airline feeder man, with ambitions to take over the moon - the moon!!!!! LOL

But seriously, could an Express Jet Eagle merger be a reality? Similiar fleets, etc. I think in 2008 there is going to be alot of bloodletting, record high fuel prices, a reccession, its' gonna be rough. maybe size in this instance may be of some help, then again I always wondered why airlines won't buy an oil refinery and set their own prices. Just a thought.

Because speculators set the prices, not the refineries.

Okay, didn't know that.

It would be nice to see some regional consolidation. Then we could tell to the majors what they will pay us to fly their routes. Sound good?

Oh wait, the sad but true news is that there is always someone willing to do the work for less money.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy Colgan

Xjet interview
 

I interviewed there last week. there was 24 people in my interview date and they took 3 of them. All had Turbine time and 135 expererience. None of the CFI's got offered the job. A very abrupt bout face in hireing considering I know several new hires there that got hired with less time then I have, but, that was six months ago. amazing how this industry can stop and turn on a dime!

It all depends on the day. One day last week, 7 out of 11 were hired and most were CFI's

Official news from the Union says no new hire classes until after 1st quarter '08.

Any idea how many people are in the pool?

You would have thought my new hire class was a CFI meeting.

And everyone in our class made it through..

Angela said "A Lot" but wouldn't give a number. But, i'm sure it shortening everyday by people deciding to go someone else instead of waiting.

Kinda what I was thinking. I guess we'll see what happens. If nothing else we'll be so short staffed by summer that I won't have to worry about that pesky free-time problem I have. ;)

Additional proof that this so called "pilot shortage" doesn't exist.