freezingflyboy

Anyone at ExpressJet have any experience commuting to EWR from CLE? Seems like there are quite a few flights between the two each day (not too many in the early morning or late night though ). Also, any idea on how long it would take to hold CLE?

Express pilot

It shouldn't be that bad of a commute. CLE has the least amount of lines, you'll be on reserve awhile there. Good news, from what I hear is a CLE reserve only flys 10 days a month of so. That was from a buddy of mine based in CLE a year ago. He could hold a line there, but would bid reserve and never fly and sell homes on the side. Something to think about. But if alot of flight time and faster upgrade, stick with the commute to EWR. CLE is real senior guys and the smallest base, and it always seems like the lines are getting reduced even more. For example, I flew with 5 yr. flight atted. that CLE is her home. She commutes to IAH to hold a line. I know thats flight atted. but get the picture .

freezingflyboy

Hmmm...Not what I wanted to hear. I plan to fly as much as I can my first year just in case I find myself furloughed in January. How long did it take your buddy to hold CLE?
Another question: I start training 3/27 and it wasn't really clear when I finished with the paperwork but...what do I need to bring with me to Houston for the 2 months of training? Will they be sending me any information before class starts? About the only info I got was to wear khakis and a polo when at the training center.

Express pilot

My buddy held CLE out of training, you should also. I didn't mean to discourge you. My advise, if you live in CLE, make CLE your base, on reserve. You can always call scheduling and get on the will fly list, so you will fly. For upgrade you will want to start thinking about EWR. Also, is you want to hold a line faster, think EWR. But again, as a new hire that lives in Cle. just base yourself there for awhile. For training you should get a big white binder, that has most all your stuff in it. Call the training center and find out whats going on and just ask questions that concern you. As far as getting furloughed in Jan. , anything can happen in this career, but the word is, everything will be fine. I'm not a cool-aid guy, but we will fly those planes for someone else before they went to CAL, or CAL or our management just be using this for paycuts. I would not worry about that, most guys of this regional sec. don't know the details. Just worry about getting through training, not that it is hard, it seems like you have the passion to pay attention

freezingflyboy

Sounds good. I don't live in CLE, just think I would like it better than EWR and I know IAH is very senior. I got the big white binder and the cockpit poster and am spending hours a day worshipping it (my girlfriend thinks im nuts). I guess I meant like should I be shopping for a flight case now or wait until I get to training? What kind of goodies helped you through training or did you wish you had while you were in training? Also, is it worth having a car down there in Houston during training?

I'm with you on the January thing. If it happens, it happens. But if it does happen, I want to get as much experience as I can with the company before they boot me out on the street.

Express pilot

Your doing the right thing worshipping that book. My advise would just show up for training with your limitations and memory items down cold. Study flows also. This will get you ahead of the game, win comes down to learing other stuff. You'll already have the limitations and memory items out of the way. Just make flashcards and play some kinky game with your girlfriend, she will enjoy that and start to like that white book. Your oral will always start with limitations and memory items, so thats always a must. Like I said just study those and look over your flows as mush as you can, but don't stress your self out, just make those flashcards

dojetdriver

You are right, if it happens it happens. As much as it will stink, it won't kill your career per se. You got hired and made it through a 121 program, you are hireable again elsewhere. As much as it stinks to go to the bottom again. Like the other guy says, study the limitations, memory items, and flows and you will be fine. The hotel has laundry, so don't take more crap than you need. Also, typical things, a notebook, highlighters, pens, pencils, ect.

I ended up just mailing a box of stuff so it was waiting at the hotel when I arrived. Including some food, tuna, peanut butter, detergent, soap, ect.

freezingflyboy

Are they going to send hotel information? They didn't even really give us any info on that. I stayed overnight before the interview, do they use the same Holiday Inn while you're in training?

freezingflyboy

Just wondering how long it takes to hold IAH. Also wondering how long it would take to hold a line in CLE. What are the trips like out of each base?

Express pilot

Like i tried to tell you earlier, CLE has the least amount of lines, CLE sucks, except if you live there. For holding IAH, I don't know if you mean a line or just being based there. Holding a line a have no idea, but being based there could happen right out of training or take 4 months or so. Holing a line the quickest, goes in this order: EWR, IAH, CLE. I've been based in both IAH and EWR. What are trips like. More Mexico in IAH. Get more overtime in EWR, because of traffic and delays. I enjoy flying out of EWR for the NE flying, but I commute from DAL, so IAH is more ideal. Hope thats helps. If I were you I would base myself in EWR first. From what I remember you live up north, and by your freezingflyboy name, you'll like EWR better than IAH, plus an easier commute. Just don't go to CLE, you'll thank me later