New class did start today. Don't know exactly how many, but the classroom was full, so I am guessing it was probably 24. Still rumors of a first week in December class, but nothing official.

CSIP, did you hear any rumors regarding how many they want out of the new class in IAD?

zero......

That is correct. 24 Total. Good mix of people with various backgrounds. Ex-airline guys from PSA, Comair, Colgan, Mesa and Skybus. Several CFIs and a few 135 freight/Corp. guys. Flight times range from 700 TT - 10,000 TT. Almost everyone was hired due to internal recommendation.

Still interviewing for a pool, but no more new-hire classes schduled for the remainder of the year. Subject to change of course.

Sweet. Thanks.

It appears that ASA knocked their filter down to 500/50.

It's nice to know they can actually look at my application now! haha

When is the next class rumored to be?

Also, after the merger with Express Jet is complete, are upgrade times going to be longer than at smaller regionals?

As of today, the next class is rumored to be the first week of January. Apparently the simulators and instructors are going to be too busy during December to start another new hire class. From what I have heard, there are 2 upgrade classes of 10 each right now, but that is unconfirmed.

As for future upgrades, nobody really has any idea what will occur once the merger is complete. There was supposedly a group meeting in Atlanta today to talk about how the integration will occur, but again, just a rumor. All I saw was guys in jackets and ties, and heard second hand info from somebody else saying that it was a group discussing the integration in anticipation of the ExpressJet Board of Directors vote today. Once the merger occurs, it has been speculated that it could take up to 4 years before all the integration stuff is completed and all the aircraft freezes expire resulting in a homogeneous company. Then, it's anybody's guess as to where we will be and what we will look like.

If you aren't buckled in tightly, I would go ahead and do that, because I think we are in for a ride over the next couple of years!

I'm an XJT guy with a friend who is really trying to get on at ASA. Is there anywhere i can send his resume as an internal rec? Thanks!

I think by day after tomorrow you'll be an internal rec!:D