batman

Hey dudes,
How does the trip trading work over at XJT? I'd like to hear from Saabarooski, as I think he's an old colgan guy. Guess whos thinking about grabbing the newest G- number?

batman

New hires go out to Cali right? How long to hold IAH?

More importantly, is there still a Pappadeaux in the E terminal?

Superpilot92

Well you can get any base you want in a short period of time. Most people are going to SOCAL right off the bat. And you wouldnt be a G-Number anymore, you would be a U-Number!! There is a PappaDeaux in terminal E

batman

Haha, hey dude. I was hoping to hear from you again sometime soon, we talked last week about me jumping ship over that way. Can you clue me in better about trip trading there?

Im supposed to upgrade in Dec.. but do I really want to live like this for another 2 years? Also, even though I have about 800 turbine, I have 0 jet time- where does that put me in getting an interview? Ive had my app in for 3 weeks now and no call.

Sanchez

With your times, you should have gotten a call the next day! If you personally know anyone that works here with us, have them call HR for you and get things rolling.

As far as trip trade, well it's simple, we have two windows where we can trade our trips for whatever trips are in open time. Initial Line Improvement Window (ILIW) and Secondary Line Improvement Window (SLIW). ILIW is where the "hard" line holders go in and trade around improve the lines to their needs and wants, i.e. more credit time, more time off, good overnights...you get the picture.

As ILIW closes, the folks left are assigned relief and reserve lines. Now later towards the end of the month, SLIW opens and everyone can now trade trips until the end of the following month. Even reserve guys do well with trip trading and aggressive pick up. It's all a bit over simplified, but I hope it helps.

DMEarc

ExpressJet is a great company, no doubt. Good contract, decent pay, treat their employees good. It's probably one of the top 3 regionals/majors.

Ask yourself one question though...do you really want to be on the backside of a major hiring spree? If anyone thinks that upgrade is going to stay 2 years, they're really drinking the kool-aid. THey have a LOT of low time FO's who will upgrade soon, but won't be able to go much further for 3-4 years. There are too many regional jet captains right now looking for major jobs that have twice the time that some of the new XJT captains have. The upgrade will slow, I promise.

Secondly...You upgrade in 5 months. You want to wait 3 or more years just to get into a jet? You pull back it goes up, you push forward is goes down. Thats right...just like the 1900!

In conclusion, I as well as everyone here believe you have to to what is right for you and your family. If you are from one of their bases, makes sense to go, sure! If you have this hard-on for Mexico and a 50 seat RJ with winglets then my advice would be to wait.

Good luck in whatever you choose, sir.

KiloAlpha

I see the point you are trying to make, but it's a little bit of a stretch. You could make the same comparison between a C150 and a B747.. but much like your initial analogy it would be rather ridiculous.. the 1900 doesn't even have an AP for pete's sake

The same statement could be said about Colgan; except Colgan guys don't have the Jet PIC time that gives some recruiters that fuzzy feeling.

Laxrox43

I couldn't agree w/ you more. I have been contemplating on what to do myself at the end of my contract. I have chosen to stay on w/ Colgan. Reason being, I will upgrade in the next few months. I have friends at ExpressJet that were there over a year before I got hired on w/ Colgan...and I will be a Captain before them!!! PIC is PIC when there is Jet-A involved.

Stick it out bro. Plus, you will have the opportunity to sidestep to the Saab, and get "heavy" T-prop time, and get another type-rating. Looks good on the resume.

Like DME said...good luck in whatever you decide.

Lax

MudPupppy

I'm a CA at Colgan and if Xjet had a base where I live I would consider leaving my left seat to work at a better company in my hometown. It wouldn't even be a lateral move, Colgan is not on the same plane of existence as Xjet.

I enjoy flying don't get me wrong, but I think it's important to work at a company you are proud to be a part of, and want to help make successful. Plus, you don't want to get stuck at Colgan if you really don't like it. Keep in mind United even said if age 65 goes through, they will most likely only hire a handful of pilots next year. 1000 PIC meets the mins, but not competitive mins. We have over a 100 captains at CJC with over 1000 PIC but they are still here.

Having said that, Colgan has potential to be a great place to be. hopefully some of the management will be on their way out and ALPA will get voted in. The Q400 will either make or break this place.

KiloAlpha

Fear of being "stuck" at Colgan was one of the primary reasons I chose to leave. There are many miracle stories about captains upgrading in 1 year and being at CAL within 12-15 months after that, but there are just as many sob stories that don't get much company press. I've flown with more than 1 Colgan captain that has numerous resumes floating around, but can't even get called for an interview... those guys are "stuck" for the time being; making $40k/year.