Torn over a lateral move from XJet
10-10-2016 | 05:15 AM
#11
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Joined: Feb 2013
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Couple of thoughts...
Do you see yourself being at a regional for at least another 5 years? If so, why not go to a wholly owned with a flow? If you think due to pilot shortage issues that there is no way you will be at a regional in 5 years, maybe its best to stay.
Another thought, if you are considering a lateral move, why not first try and get on with an LCC such as spirit, allegiant, or frontier? Regional FO's are definitely getting hired at LCCs.
Final thought is a company like RAH has shareholders to be accountable too, whereas a wholly owned carrier is just a cost center to the parent airline. As a result, the wholly owned regional can continue to see pay and benefits increase as the pilot supply gets tighter and tighter.
Do you see yourself being at a regional for at least another 5 years? If so, why not go to a wholly owned with a flow? If you think due to pilot shortage issues that there is no way you will be at a regional in 5 years, maybe its best to stay.
Another thought, if you are considering a lateral move, why not first try and get on with an LCC such as spirit, allegiant, or frontier? Regional FO's are definitely getting hired at LCCs.
Final thought is a company like RAH has shareholders to be accountable too, whereas a wholly owned carrier is just a cost center to the parent airline. As a result, the wholly owned regional can continue to see pay and benefits increase as the pilot supply gets tighter and tighter.
10-10-2016 | 05:28 AM
#12
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Wow, very polite and balanced responses. Is this really APC? lol.
EWR is super convenient, but I've done the drive to LGA/JFK and it's actually easy when there's no traffic. There would be no "commuting" in any case, I refuse to be a commuter.
I do plan to have at least 6 months total time here before leaving, if I did leave.
Another option I have: I have a friend at Frontier who can give me a silver bullet when I reach 1500 turbine. But I could also go there from another regional.
I'm also looking at that bonus money though. Especially at Envoy and Endeavor, that's a lot of cash up front to say no to.
EWR is super convenient, but I've done the drive to LGA/JFK and it's actually easy when there's no traffic. There would be no "commuting" in any case, I refuse to be a commuter.
I do plan to have at least 6 months total time here before leaving, if I did leave.
Another option I have: I have a friend at Frontier who can give me a silver bullet when I reach 1500 turbine. But I could also go there from another regional.
I'm also looking at that bonus money though. Especially at Envoy and Endeavor, that's a lot of cash up front to say no to.
10-10-2016 | 05:38 AM
#13
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Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Grp Cpt
Couldn't disagree more with your post. Unless you plan on making a career at a regional why is qol so important? Get in, get out right? Conversely I'd suggest picking regional based on 1. Upgrade 2. $$$ 3. Other factors affecting QOL.
10-10-2016 | 05:43 AM
#14
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If I was a Newark local and I was at ExpressJet I think I would stay there and try to make the best of it. Just be patient.
The way I see it is that EWR is a junior, but solid base for United and ExpressJet so chances of it going away, or you getting displaced out of it anytime soon are small. Also they have a good contract. Sure, you wil not get any PIC time at ExpressJet, and you should have known that, but I just don't see that as a good enough reason to make a lateral move so soon in the industry, especially if you work for a good regional with a lot of history in your home town. Also, whie ExpressJet fleet will continue to shrink, I doubt they will dissapear anytime soon.
Focus on the other perks that ExpressJet has, like being one of the favorite regionals for United to pull pilots from. I wouldn't start chasing the PIC time because if things don't work out as expected I would personally regret it greatly.
Enjoy the nice contract, the drive to work, and have a good time on the line.
The way I see it is that EWR is a junior, but solid base for United and ExpressJet so chances of it going away, or you getting displaced out of it anytime soon are small. Also they have a good contract. Sure, you wil not get any PIC time at ExpressJet, and you should have known that, but I just don't see that as a good enough reason to make a lateral move so soon in the industry, especially if you work for a good regional with a lot of history in your home town. Also, whie ExpressJet fleet will continue to shrink, I doubt they will dissapear anytime soon.
Focus on the other perks that ExpressJet has, like being one of the favorite regionals for United to pull pilots from. I wouldn't start chasing the PIC time because if things don't work out as expected I would personally regret it greatly.
Enjoy the nice contract, the drive to work, and have a good time on the line.
Commutair is getting at least 40 planes from XJT and they have been told they will be getting more of them to be announced in the very near future. XJT still has over 40 planes on property right now that are not covered under any new CPA that has been announced. Commutair has announced they will be opening a EWR base for the 145's the first part of 2017 (only a few months from now).
As a 9 year FO, I tell anyone that is thinking about coming or even staying that has fewer than 7 years at XJT to run as fast as you can. Get on someones seniority list that has a future.
To the OP, you might want to look at CommutAir. They have a nice bonus (not as much as some of the others), they are upgrading as soon as you have the hours, they are expanding, their contract is almost as good as XJT and it is better in some areas. They really do have a "higher pay" than XJT due to upgrades making $64 an hour in one year instead of my $44 an hour at year 9. They have the same CPP that XJT has with United. They are located in EWR and the jets will be there in a couple of months.
10-10-2016 | 05:48 AM
#15
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From: CL65
A couple of facts that you might want to reconsider. EWR has been a base for XJT for a very long time. However, United has a tendency to move all the regionals around. I would be very cautious at this point about EWR staying a XJT base.
Commutair is getting at least 40 planes from XJT and they have been told they will be getting more of them to be announced in the very near future. XJT still has over 40 planes on property right now that are not covered under any new CPA that has been announced. Commutair has announced they will be opening a EWR base for the 145's the first part of 2017 (only a few months from now).
As a 9 year FO, I tell anyone that is thinking about coming or even staying that has fewer than 7 years at XJT to run as fast as you can. Get on someones seniority list that has a future.
To the OP, you might want to look at CommutAir. They have a nice bonus (not as much as some of the others), they are upgrading as soon as you have the hours, they are expanding, their contract is almost as good as XJT and it is better in some areas. They really do have a "higher pay" than XJT due to upgrades making $64 an hour in one year instead of my $44 an hour at year 9. They have the same CPP that XJT has with United. They are located in EWR and the jets will be there in a couple of months.
Commutair is getting at least 40 planes from XJT and they have been told they will be getting more of them to be announced in the very near future. XJT still has over 40 planes on property right now that are not covered under any new CPA that has been announced. Commutair has announced they will be opening a EWR base for the 145's the first part of 2017 (only a few months from now).
As a 9 year FO, I tell anyone that is thinking about coming or even staying that has fewer than 7 years at XJT to run as fast as you can. Get on someones seniority list that has a future.
To the OP, you might want to look at CommutAir. They have a nice bonus (not as much as some of the others), they are upgrading as soon as you have the hours, they are expanding, their contract is almost as good as XJT and it is better in some areas. They really do have a "higher pay" than XJT due to upgrades making $64 an hour in one year instead of my $44 an hour at year 9. They have the same CPP that XJT has with United. They are located in EWR and the jets will be there in a couple of months.
10-10-2016 | 06:00 AM
#16
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Joined: May 2015
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A couple of facts that you might want to reconsider. EWR has been a base for XJT for a very long time. However, United has a tendency to move all the regionals around. I would be very cautious at this point about EWR staying a XJT base.
Commutair is getting at least 40 planes from XJT and they have been told they will be getting more of them to be announced in the very near future. XJT still has over 40 planes on property right now that are not covered under any new CPA that has been announced. Commutair has announced they will be opening a EWR base for the 145's the first part of 2017 (only a few months from now).
As a 9 year FO, I tell anyone that is thinking about coming or even staying that has fewer than 7 years at XJT to run as fast as you can. Get on someones seniority list that has a future.
To the OP, you might want to look at CommutAir. They have a nice bonus (not as much as some of the others), they are upgrading as soon as you have the hours, they are expanding, their contract is almost as good as XJT and it is better in some areas. They really do have a "higher pay" than XJT due to upgrades making $64 an hour in one year instead of my $44 an hour at year 9. They have the same CPP that XJT has with United. They are located in EWR and the jets will be there in a couple of months.
Commutair is getting at least 40 planes from XJT and they have been told they will be getting more of them to be announced in the very near future. XJT still has over 40 planes on property right now that are not covered under any new CPA that has been announced. Commutair has announced they will be opening a EWR base for the 145's the first part of 2017 (only a few months from now).
As a 9 year FO, I tell anyone that is thinking about coming or even staying that has fewer than 7 years at XJT to run as fast as you can. Get on someones seniority list that has a future.
To the OP, you might want to look at CommutAir. They have a nice bonus (not as much as some of the others), they are upgrading as soon as you have the hours, they are expanding, their contract is almost as good as XJT and it is better in some areas. They really do have a "higher pay" than XJT due to upgrades making $64 an hour in one year instead of my $44 an hour at year 9. They have the same CPP that XJT has with United. They are located in EWR and the jets will be there in a couple of months.
But go anywhere that works for you. Sadly XJT is being killed off slowly by SkyWest Inc. Dont ride the sinking ship to the end.
10-10-2016 | 06:00 AM
#17
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I keep asking myself the same question. I am still 80 away from the most jr CA.
There is a reason I know about the other regionals contracts and bonuses right now. I am looking at the lateral move myself, but 9 years is a lot to throw away.
I just don't see a reason to stay at XJT right now with them parking 2 -3 planes a month and having to get rid of 600 pilots in the next year due to loss of planes. I don't see an upgrade anytime in the future.
The OP was probably told a bunch of crap, like he would be upgrading in 4 years from now. I hope he runs as fast as he can and I will be right behind him.
There is a reason I know about the other regionals contracts and bonuses right now. I am looking at the lateral move myself, but 9 years is a lot to throw away.
I just don't see a reason to stay at XJT right now with them parking 2 -3 planes a month and having to get rid of 600 pilots in the next year due to loss of planes. I don't see an upgrade anytime in the future.
The OP was probably told a bunch of crap, like he would be upgrading in 4 years from now. I hope he runs as fast as he can and I will be right behind him.
10-10-2016 | 06:24 AM
#18
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I would stick out the Holidays.. see what the new year, "rings". If XJT still is loosing airplanes next year. Then. Make the move. But i wouldn't leave only to commute somewhere.. im not sure who else has a EWR base. I made a lateral move about 14 years ago. (After 5 years at a regional) worked out for me.. if your asking this question only 2 months in... then i think you already know the answer...
Why is this so difficult?
10-10-2016 | 06:27 AM
#19
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Joined: Dec 2015
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I don't think its a bad idea, but would also echo Commutair. Piedmont would also be driveable from EWR and offers the same bonus as Envoy.
Endeavor sounds like a solid plan. Good pay, short upgrade, bases where you live, and a guaranteed interview with Delta. Do you have a degree? I have heard this is the main issue causing people to reveive a TBNT. Maybe an Endeavor guy or gal can fact check that and chime in on the success of their interview program.
I dont think RAH should be very high on the totem pole. Not because its bad, its actually the opposite from what my friends there tell me, your other options simply offer better long term benefits and comparable pay.
Endeavor sounds like a solid plan. Good pay, short upgrade, bases where you live, and a guaranteed interview with Delta. Do you have a degree? I have heard this is the main issue causing people to reveive a TBNT. Maybe an Endeavor guy or gal can fact check that and chime in on the success of their interview program.
I dont think RAH should be very high on the totem pole. Not because its bad, its actually the opposite from what my friends there tell me, your other options simply offer better long term benefits and comparable pay.
10-10-2016 | 06:43 AM
#20
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Joined: Nov 2011
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I made a lateral move from XJT and saw a 80% pay raise in less than a year because I almost instantly upgraded at my new regional.
Get Seniority/QOL at your career airline, not your stepping stone regional.
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