Mesa muscle!
 

Old news. And very inacurate in many ways. A lot has changed since the article was written last year...

Mesa requires a 4 year degree huh? Interesting.

Is ExpressJet any good of a regional? Their pay/numbers/upgrade time seem pretty good.

They prefer a degree, but I'm not sure they are in a position to be picky right now.

Yes, very good. However...CAL airlines removed 69 of their aircraft from CAL service effective in 2007. XJet is trying to find new business for those aircraft but until something is announced formally you would have to assume that they may be doing massive layoffs next year.

I am an aviation noob so forgive me.. So CAL is taking 69 aircraft out of CAL serivce and XJet is going to use them for their services right? I am curious why that would mean XJet would be laying off?

CAL owns the 69 aircraft, I think they may own most or all of XJet's planes.

Anyway, CAL revoked 69 airplanes worth of flying to give to a lower bidder. XJet had two choices per the contract:

1) Return the aircraft to CAL so they could be used by the new provider (Chataqua), resulting in massive layoffs. This is what everyone though would happen.

2) Continue to lease the planes from CAL for a higher lease rate. Obviously in order for this to make sense XJet would need to have some other use for those planes.

XJet chose 2), surprising everyone. This has the advantage of putting CAL & Chataqua in a tight spot because they do not have 69 RJ's sitting around to cover that flying...

But XJet still has to find an employer for 69 RJ's...not an easy task. Or they might try an indy-air type stunt, but the long term prospects for success would be P1ss-poor. Anyway, the point is unless XJet announces a NEW major airline partner who needs 69 planes, you would be going out on a limb to take a job there...it would be a gamble, it might work out great. AA is rumored to be a potential partner.

That's what I thought. It was just listed, in the linked article, or propaganda. . . whichever you choose, that it was a minimum.

I think if you have previous 121 turbo-prop experience, they would take you without a 4-year degree.

Part of my brain still isn't understanding. So these 69 jets were used by Xjet, is that right? They decided to keep them, but pay more $, is that right? Well if they were already using them to begin with, why would there be a problem? Because of higher overhead with having to pay more to lease them?

Yes, they pay more for the lease, but that is a minor issue.

The big issue is that they have 69 planes that are operating on CAL Expess routes which means CAL pays XJet for the service which is where XJet gets the revenue! In 2007 those planes will NOT be able to operate as CAL Express, will NOT be painted with CAL colors, and will NOT earn any money!

The cost of paying lease, mx, and crew costs on 69 planes that are not in use would bankrupt any airline in a matter of weeks or even days. XJet needs to find someone to pay for the service provided by those airplanes, and they have not announced who that is yet (if they even know).

I read somewhere it would be Hawaiian. Can't find the thread now. . . may not of been Hawaiian Airlines, but it did have Hawaii in there someplace.

::shurg::

I see...gotcha. Is it possible CAL might just decide to keep contracting flights with XJet since they're in a bind with the other airline? Or is that a no go?

No such animal

Probably not. If you're betting on this, you should go play the lottery instead!

There is some suspicion that XJet's strategy was to keep the lease in order to make the jets unavailable to CAL. Since CAL and/or CHQ may not be able to sh*t 69 RJs on demand, it may force CAL back into some kind of relationship with XJet so as not to lose a lot of business due to lack of aircraft.

One possibility is a lease back, where XJet leases the planes back to CAL, but CAL pays CHQ to actually operate the planes...not good for XJet labor.

The current rumors actually involve XJ operating the planes themselves.

There was an article in ATW a few months ago stating that XJT was looking to place those RJs in eastern europe and fly feeder to an unnamed airline. They also said that they are looking at placing planes in China. Mesa is also looking at China as the next growth area. Be careful juinor types, you could end up in Bulgaria or China!

What a wonderful career you signed up for! Have fun commuting home from eastern europe or China on your 5 on 2 off schedule!

I don't really see living abroad as a bad thing. Though i'd rather live somewhere like Prague if it were eastern Europe. Though would prefer western europe or UAE or something as well. You make it sound like living outside of the USA is a bad thing :rolleyes:

Be my guest, leave.

There are many, many hurdles to evercome before something like that would be possible.

The crews may need to be locals, and if not, they will need extensive license conversion, like a JAA ATPL :eek:

I would probably do a stint in either location if offered...I like to travel anyway, and that give me the benefits of travelling without the actual travel! :D Presumably cost of living isn't too bad in quasi-third world countries.

XJT info
 

As an XJT FO, I can say that the rumors abound. We have several things going in our favor though. First is that the airplanes that we are losing are all LR and XR (the ones with winglets) models. Lets put it this way. We do IAH-BOI and IAH-YYZ, both 3 1/2 hour flight and we are normally able to take close to 50 people (+/- 2 depending on wx) on both routes, which is just about longer than other 50 seat jet can do.

Second, since we were the launch customer on the 145 models, and are Embraer's biggest 145 customer, the lease rates that are on those planes are excellent! so even if we are paying CAL more for the a/c, its still a very competitive rate.

Third, its a win-win situation for CAL. They get paid extra money for us to use these airplanes. Now, I'm pretty sure they have to put out a new RFP for another carrier to fly those routes AND supply the RJs. Or, they can use some of the 23 737s they ordered to use on some of the more popular routes.

I'm very cautious about whats going on at XJT, and the rumors are a dime a dozen here. We have heard just about everything from Southwest flying to gutting out the planes down to 19 seats and doing a charter thing. Whatever happens, it should be interesting to say the least.

IF things work out at XJT, I have to say, its pretty much one of the best regional airlines out there. As much as I am not happy with ALPA, I'm glad we have it. We have a great Human Performance group. Our vacations are protected. So far we have been able to stop prefferential bidding. And our union has a pretty good working relationship with management. I'm glad I'm at XJT and not elsewhere!

I don't think you would really prefer UAE...nice ameneties, but it's like living your life inside a gigantic mall...there is no outdoor anything, except maybe beaches (with zero surf) during the temperate season.

Browntail Exposed!!!
 

I know why browntail posted this article. Mesa is seen as the slum of the regional industry (no disrespect to Mesa pilots). So when he sees something that shows Mesa as performing well, he posts it as fast as he can. He wants people to feel that flying for a living is miserable, and will continue to be miserable.
He has no interest in contributing to this board.

Also, who gets this kind of newsletter??? I know who! People who want to become pilots. These look like the kind of broucheres that high school and college kids get from airline academies. I have long claimed that browntail is under 20, and has absolutely no airline experience!

Furthermore, I have also exposed he has an agenda. He is doing everything possible to tell you how crappy your job (or future job) will become. He wants to discourage as many people as he can from becoming pilots. He wants those good airline jobs. He doesn't want you. And he will go out of his way to tell you how miserable flying for a living is.

I have exposed you browntail. I know why you posted this link. You have an agenda. Now please tell me how young you are!!!



P.S. those financial numbers are pretty bad. They do not impress me. I am also glad you posted this link. It appears as if Mesa OWNS most of their -900's. This is very interesting. What is going to happen if/WHEN US Air guys vote in a 71+ seat scope clause. Mesa will be left with 30 CRJ-900's that they OWN.

You are right, you caught me! I do not work for an "airline".

There are 38, probably more on the way.

Unfortunately Airways pilots cannot "vote-in" anything of that nature. When their someday combined contract is due for ammending they can attempt to re-negotiate scope if they like. But negotiations are all give and take...since airways has a long term contract with mesa that would be hideously expensive to break for their own convenience, Airways would demand ridiculous concessions in exchange for getting rid of the 900's. The pilot group probably has more important things on their agenda.

What is more reasonable, and has been done in the past, is that a new scope might be created which "freezes" the number of 900's to the levels on the property at that time (might be a lot more than 38). That is good for the mainline pilots, but doesn't cost the company a fortune and screw up their operations by dumping useful airplanes that they are obligated to pay for.

why dont you guys get rid of your hardon about browntail???
he may make some annoying comments but dont you think you're throwing gas on the fire by letting him get under your skin? just ignore him, he'll get tired of it eventually, and even if he doesn't - who really cares?

lets be adults here

Rumors do abound here at XJT about the 69 airplanes. Some of the best I've heard:
- Flying to Mexico for SWA
-Redoing the airplanes with 19 pax corporate interiors
-CAL will have to contract with XJT for the flying anyway since no other regional has the lift to supply on such short notice
-Flying in Europe

But this is fact: Hiring was supposed to stop in July but it sounds like a class a week through the end of the year. Are they hiring now so they have plenty of people to lay off? I doubt it... Something is in the works for sure.

Flying to Mexico for SWA? Yeah, right....no way in hell thats gonna happen!!
SWA is successful because they have always stuck to their business plan, no way are they gonna change it now!

Corporate interiors? All 60 plus jets? Yeah right!!! Maybe 5-10 I can see, but no way are they gonna have enough business to convert 60+ jets!!!

Flying to Europe....come on, give us something that is at least realistic!!!

Clearly you are not familiar with the definition of rumor...:rolleyes:

SWA does not ALWAYS stick to their business plan. Remember when their business plan was to only do short/medium point to point, not to codeshare with anyone and not to have hubs? Well now they do transcons, codeshare with ATA and just because SWA says LAS, MDW, BWI are not hubs does not make it so.

You are right on one point, the number I've heard is about 10 airplanes to be converted to corporate. In my opinion the rest will stay with CAL Express since no other regional can make 60 airplanes appear out of thin air.

And I didn't say flying TO Europe, the rumor is flying IN Europe as a regional carrier for a European airline.

That does actually make sense. Keeping the planes could have been a good strategic move for XJet to force CAL into a corner. Risky though.

I agree generally, but if SWA wanted to go international, then outsourcing is definately the right approach for them, as opposed to buying a herd of 767's and painting them blue&orange. It's really hard to do 20 minute turns in an international setting...like f-ing impossible.

And it has already happened with the ATA codeshare.

While 121 experience and a 4-yr degree would be preferred, I think the only thing really required to get hired at Mesa is a pulse.

The day tha WN expands to Mexico it will be with their own metal!!! They also would not need 767s, as their 737-700s have plenty of range to fly PHX/LAS/LAX/SAN/HOU/MCO/MDW to CUN/GDL/MEX/SJD etc...

It hurts to see my foorball team being compared to Mesa! OUCH!! That is just hitting below the belt.

Browntail is flamebait and has been banned at other forums under the following names:

TheGuat, Rhoid, GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, E170GuppyKiller, FreightNazi, ABXpert, OUT, 410Dude, IHaveAPension, TheMissingLink, LucyFurr, RJDC, UPSer and numerous others.

can i ask is there any reason why any airliner requires a degree, when it doesn't even have to flying? all it does is set you back 4 years in which you could of spent gainging valuable flight time

Makes for more competition, shows you can stick to something and are teachable. Plus i'm sure statistics somewhere show pilots with degrees are overall better aviators.

college requirement
 

It shows that you can make a commitment and stick to it, while setting a goal that you work towards.

it alows you to spell and use proper grammar. (when it doesn't even have <anything to do with> flying) (gaining).

just kidding...but seriously, college not only shows commitment and trainability, but those who went to college tend to have better communication and CRM skills.