XJT Bases
 

Been reading some of the old threads and cannot find too up to date information on junior at XJT except they cannot fill classes. I've accepted a class date with C5 (Not exact date but know roughly when it will be), but have been invited to interview with ExpressJet in 2 or 3 weeks. They told me this interview is more on the ASA side, but what does the magic 8 ball hold for a new hire right now? Im trying to weigh my options between both companies

I think they will be running 2 erj and 1 crj classes for the rest of the year. During my interview they asked me which aircraft I prefer... So I would assume that they give you the choice to go either side.

Most recent update was 24 a month on the ERJ and 20 on the CRJ side. ERJ basing is currently EWR, CLE, IAH, and ORD. Starting in Fall, IAD, MCI, and DEN will be opening for the ERJ. Right now EWR is what the most junior person can hold. Starting in Fall it looks like it might MCI. With seven bases and a complete reshuffle of pilots between the new ones, it's very tough to say where you'd end up. But I can guarantee it won't be DEN. Regardless, most new hires have been able to hold the base they want within a few months even if they don't get it right away.

What about on the CRJ Side? I saw 700/900 ATL in a thread but nothing more than that. Any more insight there?

CRJ200 -DFW, ATL, IAD/ CRJ700/900 ATL, DTW. You could wind up on either aircraft and any base, really have no idea. I think they are short of pilots everywhere (not sure about DFW, haven't heard much about that operation).

Why would you go to C5? Does the amount of money you'll make mean anything to you?

Actually it is 24 per class and 2 classes a month for the ERJ side.

"24 new hire ERJ pilots will begin training on July 8. On July 22, 24 ERJ pilots and 20 CRJ new hires will begin classes. We are actively hiring two ERJ new hire classes and one CRJ new hire class every month until the end of the year."

Why does everyone always use the airline codes instead of just saying CommuteAir? Is is to make one appear to look cool or something? Never quite understood this....

Generally, for CRJ FOs, DFW is junior for -200, followed by IAD. DTW is very junior for 700/900. However, the most recent new hires went to ATL 700/900, so you never know. It's really wherever they need people at the moment. If you get ATL 700/900 you'll be seat locked with a long time on reserve.

68 pilots a month worth of hiring... where are they going to find that many guys with 1500TT?

They aren't.

From the latest ERJ seniority list: Number of people per class this year on the list. This is probably pretty close to the number originally in the class but obviously would not include washouts, resignations, or terminations.

3/25: 15
4/8: 19
4/22: 14
5/6: 7
5/20: 12
6/3: 10
6/17: 17

So was that an affirmation or a rebuttal of my comment?

My understanding is they have already scraped the bottom of the barrel to get these above. Where more qualified pilots will come from is anybody's guess when other airlines are offering short upgrades, flow thorough and signing bonuses.

It's obviously an affirmation. Based on the numbers presented, the average class size this year has been 13.4 new hires/ class. Even throwing out the high and low it is only 13.6/ class. So when they announce 2 classes of 24 per month, the numbers don't even begin to add up, but what do I know. It's just a statistical observation; take it or leave it.

Hi DENpilot, I saw you post and was just wondering, i thought expressjet was one of the better airlines, it sounds like they are having issues filling classes. If that is the case, why?

I think it might be a thing among commuters since they have to use their codes more often, but other than that I have no idea since the letters tend to be almost arbitrary. I know my airlines and thats it. Someone could ask me what I thought about airline D4 or PR or ø╙ and I'd have no idea. But if you said "Crappy Regional A" or "Crappy regional B" or "REALLY crappy regional C" I'd know exactly what they were talking about.

Same reason why people dont type expressjet airlines, dalla fort worth international airport, canadair regional jet 700 series :)

It's clearly because of the ATP rule coming into effect next month. That and as our CEO has mentioned, "a diminished interest in pursuing commercial aviation."

It's very hard for those getting into this profession for the first time to understand what is most important. Many will take the bait of a 'bonus' or 'short upgrade' or worst yet a 70 SEATER JET that makes them feel like a real airline pilot, despite having a salary that doesn't reflect the passenger count. Expressjet doesn't offer the enticements, however it will give you a good QOL (for a regional airline).

Expressjet has a great contract relative to the industry and in my opinion, this is what many need to focus on in order to preserve their self-respect and dignity. Don't take the bait, go where the contract will allow to wake up and not hate yourself and the decisions you've made by becoming a regional airline pilot. The job is fairly dehumanizing even at the 'best' regional, so try and go to one that won't totally destroy your soul in every manner. So yeah, read read read about contracts. Most important.

The honeymoon with your shiny 70 SEATER will end after six months to a year. Jumpseat around on different carriers and you'll develop a good picture of where the morale is lowest and at best, marginal.

+1...yup...................

I know I've never been called Mr Optimism, but as one of the only big regionals left that haven't taken concessions, I see storm clouds on the horizon for ASA/Expressjet. Let's just say SKW isn't going to let us keep losing $25M/quarter forever and we're mostly a 50 seat airline. Every day, I hear more senior ASA pilots say they don't see the doors staying open more than 5 years. I know 15 and 20 year pilots that have apps in everywhere. So maybe these new entrants to the industry are reading the writing on the wall.

Well, thanks for the help everyone. I got the call today that I was approved by the review board and have a class date. Sounds like they are changing the way they do classes now, Everyone goes to Houston for Indoc and from there you bid for your equipment and base and break you out from there. I'm looking forward to this!

Congratulations and welcome aboard.

How hard is it to ge ATL as a new hire? When you say different, they still tell you if you are going to the crj or erj right?

Not any more, you have to bid for both sides in Houston during Indoc. Its all fair game for anyone. Seniority in class is based on age.

Whats the average age of a class at exp jet?

In my class the age ranged anywhere between 25 to 50. Average is probably 27-28

I'm in the same boat. I have a class coming up in a couple weeks. I'm only really interested in going CRJ as I live in ATL. Anyone know if you can roll back to the next class if you end up on the ERJ side or do you have to resign and try again?

Suggest you call the recruiter you talked to and ask him. As I understand it, all this just changed in the last week. Probably still a lot of unanswered questions.

Really? :confused: You get whatever you get and if you complain im sure they'll just fire you. Good luck with that one :eek:

Here's the issue though, the new training process has changed. Now you go to Indoc and bid on equipment based on class seniority and company needs, so you would not have a clear choice before that.

Yeah, guess I'll have to take my chances. And no, I don't have to take whatever they'll give me. Not for $20k a year. Maybe more people should have some pride...

All you are doing is shooting yourself in the foot with this. Do you want to work for Delta or United or some major some day?

Interview scenario

Recruiter "So I see you worked at XJT for one day, why?"

You " I didn't get based at home"

Recruiter "Ok no further questions, we'll call you later"


Not a team player eh? You can't be based at home forever. There's a difference between pride and understanding how the airlines work. Go ahead though one less military guy to compete with for the majors!

It could still be the old way and there is no guarantee that you will be based in ATL. Take the first slot and hopefully you will get CRJ and be able to bid ATL later on, if you didn't get in on the first try. Or forget this place altogether and just keep plugging away to get in at a major. Either way, good luck.

Actually the conversation will lead back to the fact that they aren't paying me enough to commute to two jobs and pay for a crashpad on $300 a week. But i'm sure you'll do it for less...

I have shiny domicile syndrome more than anything, once fences and contracts merged you can move around. Just remember you can always be somewhere worse like great mistakes living in out stations or silver living in out stations doing 3 leg commutes.

I'd love Atl crj for my own convenience and QOL but you can't walk into an airline chasing equipment and bases, got to look down the road into what it can do for you in the future.

Haha good luck.

Does anyone know why the process was changed (other than what seems to be the obvious answer: We need bodies on the ERJ side more than we need them on the CRJ side)?

That seems to be the driving force. Shortly after receiving my CRJ class, they called back saying management was freaking out because they couldnt fill the upcoming ERJ class. This way they're able to keep filling classes. Could be a good thing I guess, gives everyone more options.

Which contract are you working under until you're assigned to equipment? Pay and hotel occupancy during training differ between the two contracts.

I know recently new hires have gotten it, but is there any chance of DTW going junior still?