Do you know that ERJ classes starting in May will only have 8 pilots per class?

 

Yep, the SIMs have to move from the old Flight Safety building to the new one. Gotta downsize classes because there is nothing to train new pilots on. It is only 2 classes that are downsized.

 

I just received an invite to go to work for Xjet by their recruiting department. Doesn't look like closing shop to me if their pilot recruiting is in full swing.

 

Well, there are 189 FOs on the 175 in ORD on the seniority list. So pretty much everyone will get ORD out of training until may. Given it's been around 80-97 targeted line holders since December and we pretty much have all United birds delivered, they are cooking something


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Yeah so where did the rumor come from?

 

Read the SKYW INC 10K. Granted , all these SEC filings tend to be very much focused on lowest common denominator stuff. But it is pretty clear that there is no happy path for E145 flying past 2018.

The fact that XJET recruiting is pretending to hire is really more for show until the day comes. Nobody in their right mind would announce any kind of downsizing in advance if there is still a commitment to operate for UA this year.

I am sure that INC would also happy to continue to fly E145 for UA f they pay up. I it also remains to be seen if C5 can actually deliver. Reading their thread I don't get the warm and fuzzy that they can actually staff their operation.

 

I think Xjet pilots look at actions of the company, and the rumors are predicated on these actions. The company has to be looking at Xjet unwind and I am sure there are discussions of options. Just like our "rumors" of new bases are based on an observation of facts, so are Xjet's rumors.

At some point, actions speak louder than words. The reality seems that Xjet will continue to be downsized and will eventually disappear.
I don't think management would be opening new Xjet bases if Xjet's demise was imminent.

A few facts that might spur rumors:
1. Upgrades at Xjet are long, Xjet can't easily recruit new pilots. Who wants to work where there is a 9 year upgrade?
2. Reductions of aircraft means fewer lines. A reduction of aircraft may be predicated on Xjet's inability to recruit pilots and/or the fact they are not profitable with the 200.
3. Closing a senior Xjet base at the same time as opening it as new junior SW base, forcing Xjet senior pilots to commute to hold a line. These actions seem like an intentional move by management to reduce QOL for senior Xjet pilots, forcing their lives upside down. Any time you have unhappy pilots, you have nasty rumors.

 

I don't think that INC is intentionally attacking XJET QOL. It is simply cheaper if OO operates out of DTW than ASA - follow the money.

Just look at the latest move. All ASA 200 go away... Ahm, go to OO. And ASA gets a bunch of old UA 700 from OO. Operating a dual class aircraft probably makes more sense at ASA than the 200. What we should be upset about is giving 700 flying awy.

 

I don't think that is the case either. I think management is looking for a "formula" where Xjet is profitable.

By the way, Xjet didn't just get old OO 700's. Many of their 700's came from other regionals who are downsizing 700's and are nicely equipped.

My comment was responding to "how do these rumors start?": basically unhappy pilots make for nasty rumors.

 

They're probably just dealing with the immediate problem: hard to attract new hires given the seniority situation, so can't staff XJT. OO can staff, so they cover the flying.

Is there a deliberate plan to phase out XJT? I don't know. SGU is probably not going to go to any great lengths to keep it on life support.