Express Jet's Future
 

So what are the latest rumors going around the watercooler about Express Jet losing 69 aircraft within the next year?

Latest from the top is "we will announce in the next 60-90 days" They are doing their best to keep whatever they have under wraps.

Keep ur fingers crossed! and whatever else you have that you can cross.

Express
 

Express isn't the first choice of airlines for me personally because of this whole thing. So I am going to stay away from there, but I do know alot of their pilots. I have a couple of buds going for interviews this week. I can't believe they are still hiring, I figured people would stay away from there until they knew for certain what was going on.

sometimes the underdog is the best choice. When things are good everyone wants to be there, we will know whats going on soon. Its all gambling if you go with the underdog you could win big but if you lose you arent really that dissapointed because you knew what you bid on. Good Luck wih what ever youdecide.

I wouldn't concider xjt an underdog

I heard a rumor that they may try to link up with SWA. I heard SWA wants to use XJT to tap into the Mexico market

I have an interview with them on the 19th. They're a good company to work for, but I'm obviously a little nervous about the 69 airplanes and approximately 700 pilots that go with them.

I don't know why they'd be continuing to hire at the current rate, and more importantly invest in training the new hires if they're just going to furlough them in another 6 or 7 months.

I hope their management is not so short-sighted, and they really do have a plan for the airplanes and pilots... I doubt I'll get a straight answer at the interview unless XJT makes some public announcement before I get there.

If an airline needs pilots and doesn't have them, it takes 10-12 weeks to get them on line. Presumably there is some normal attrition and some scared folks bailing out to beat the rush, so they need to stay manned up through Dec. If they find out they need to furlough pilots, they can do that with little or no notice. The 69 aircraft phase-out will be orderly if it occurs.

You could take the job and gamble that they keep the planes. If they don't, you'll have an ERJ type rating and a few hundred hours turbine 121...

An ERJ SIC type rating, whatever that is worth.

Hey lets all just drink some Green label, it's getting so fun around here

since when do you get a type rating as an FO? and we all know how valuable that SIC jet time is :rolleyes:

I dont either, that comment was for the people who arent already here. Most people here believe everything is going to work out. But for the people on the outside seeing CAL threatening the 69 airplanes to them it probably makes XJET look not as good of a choice as it really is. I am very happy with XJET and i look forward to the news coming up. I think this is a great opportunity for XJT to diversify and become even more of a solid company.

The Southwest thing i have been hearing alot as well. Dont know how much truth there is behind it but the news from our company about flying for another carrier domestically and internationally seems to fit with the rumors that southwest might start some international destinations. we will see guys. :D

All FOs now must be SIC typed if flying outside of the US. Just the facts. I wouldnt say SIC time is worthless.

Trans States has been hearing about Southwest connect for months. Heard an even better one today from a flight attendant that if we dont get coex we will be getting routes on with jet blue. ;)

I wouldnt see either of these lowcost carriers leaving their lowcost ways just yet. Then again who knows?

Don't believe anything untill you are gear-up is what I just started to go by.

It's not going to get you that next job, unless your smart enough to use it to apply to Netjets or Flexjet. Flexjet a 2-3 year upgrade and Netjets the best new contract in the business, but a 4-6 year upgrade. Both ways you are in 6 figs after 6 years, plus a career move.

So don't worry so much about this 69 thing, listen to Buffet, everything will work out with Express in my thoughts, but there are alot of better options out there. Even if Express works things out, get the heck out soon b/c all the regionals are a race to the bottom. Things can be going great one year, get past some 69 action, and then they what to sit on your face for some new action. Get the picture. Don't sweat this thing, even if it works out, something crappy will be next.

Wait till you have 3-4000 of it with no PIC.

It will get you a job at SkyWest.

Thanks but no thanks. I've already done one RJ lateral move, don't really feel like doing another.

I'd take that with a grain of salt. When AirTran signed a contract with Air Whiskey and Jet Blue announced their E190s, Southwest said that they had no interest in operating RJs. Two years later, AW is no longer flying for AirTran, Jet Blue is having teething problems with their E190s, and Independence Air is out of business. It seems that high fuel prices make RJs inefficient in general. In particular they don't work well as low fare airplanes because the cost per seat mile is just too high.

Likewise, I've gone from Indy to ASA. If I move again, I want it to be out of the regional industry.

Amen to that

I spent nearly ten years at Express and it was a miserable place to work. As far as regionals go, I don't know if any regionals are any better; they're all just varying levels of abuse and lousy pay. Wherever you end up, move on as quickly as possible.

Regarding Express flying for Southwest, I'd heard that rumor for at least the last four years; since the IPO. I don't put any faith in those rumors. I don't think it fits Southwest's gig and furthermore the RJs need high yield markets. Mexico is good yield and fair loads but is such a departure from Southwest's model I don't see it happening. There are a lot of great growth opportunities for Southwest inside the US.

CAL's capacity purchase agreement is their largest debt obligation: 1.34 billion dollars in 2006; with nearly 100 million of that to meet Express' contractual profit margin. (AWST 27Mar06 "Cash Calf" p.48) Continental would be foolish to not: 1. renegotiate more favorable terms for feed capacity 2. farm out feed flying to cheaper inferior products like Mesa or Chataqua. Bethune cared about the quality of the product; current management is all numbers.

I believe Express will end up flying for another carrier, flying will decrease at CAL, but that additional flying will not be JetBlue or Southwest.

VegasBoy,
I guessed you were ex-XJT from your aircraft list. I was at XJT and I'm curious to know where you're at now. Also still interested in getting those MD-11 manuals. [email protected]

Sorry you had a bad experience at XJT. Im there right now and love it.

Ive got a third option: What if airline management charged the flying public what it actually cost to fly their increasingly large a$$es around instead of whipsawing labor and pitting one airline against the other in this great race to the bottom.:eek:

But I guess as long as people demand filet mignon, TVs at every seat and a limo to the airport for $99 coast to coast there will always be a company out there ready to trim a little bit more to provide it.:rolleyes:

Welcome to the Southwest fuel hedging program! But when that runs out we should see the industry level out more as far as ticket prices go. However, another rumor to the industry upheaval is the industry wide labor break that is occuring.

Xjt
 

Having worked at XJT, they have a good management team that have ideas for the 69 planes already in place (which can't be disclosed,,,,if I did I would have to kill you). XJT is good atmosphere to work in, all groups get along and support each other.

They are moving out of the Continental Building downtown and relocating to the airport in September in their own building (truly a separate company from CAL now). CAL and XJT still have a amicable relationship, and must work together since XJT does most of the regional flying.