Xjet to fly 22 airplanes for UAL

[Hootie]

Long story, but due to 'contractual changes' with UAL we are being told not to block out until we have received a clearance to push. Which means all of our Chicago crews (myself included) will not get paid to deice in ORD this winter since we deice at the gate. This deserves a separate thread, but it is a huge problem right now.

This is a huge problem. As far as I understand its a direct order (release of the parking brake) from mainline and applies to anyone under the united banner(including now xjet as well). Is this correct or did I miss something? Whoever it came down from its bullsheazy.

 

[meritflyer]

Congrats to all the XJT guys. This is great news.

Hopefully, it was a profitable move and guys are recalled.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Because you are not a pilot yet (on a 121 seniority list) whom used to enjoy the benefits at no cost. Not to mention, the 'unlimited' part you mention is misleading since if you sit in business or first we still have to pay (when listed, not jumpseat).

Sorry, but from the pilot's perspective it is a bad deal.

True, but even mainline UA pilots have to pay the fees for buisness and first class travel. So its nothing to do with the bennifits at a regional.

 

[A-300F4-622R]

Yeah we're only starting like 10 cities on the UAX side in the next few months plus doing flying for AirTran to another 5 cities out of MKE.

What is it with this "me" attitude some people on here have when another airline, with pilots on the street, gets flying?

When you learn that there is no "brotherhood". Pilots, like most employees, hope that their own company does well and their competitors do poorly.

The Japanese consider business as war. They are out to destroy their competitors.

 

[SpiraMirabilis]

When you learn that there is no "brotherhood". Pilots, like most employees, hope that their own company does well and their competitors do poorly.

The Japanese consider business as war. They are out to destroy their competitors.

UPS employees don't want FedEx to go out of business though, I think both companies are happy to keep a single competitor for various reasons. But both probably want DHL to finish dying off, though.

 

[A-300F4-622R]

UPS employees don't want FedEx to go out of business though, I think both companies are happy to keep a single competitor for various reasons. But both probably want DHL to finish dying off, though.

Uhhhh....No. Remember business is WAR. You want to DESTROY the enemy.

 

[SpiraMirabilis]

If FedEx went out of business you would have anti-trust issues.

 

[A-300F4-622R]

If FedEx went out of business you would have anti-trust issues.

Not is THEY went out of business. If UPS tried to purchase FedEx, then yes you would.

 

[SpiraMirabilis]

I'll have to agree to disagree with you and leave it at that because it is kind of a digression from this thread. Most of the anti-trust lawsuits in the 1900 and 2000 centuries were not the result of two or more companies merging but of attrition or other factors eliminating other competitors, which can create a monopoly as easily as a merger.

 

[bike21]

True, but even mainline UA pilots have to pay the fees for buisness and first class travel. So its nothing to do with the bennifits at a regional.

Doesn't make it right though does it?

 

[doug_or]

True, but even mainline UA pilots have to pay the fees for buisness and first class travel. So its nothing to do with the bennifits at a regional.

Are you sure? I was talking to a ramper who said he didn't have to pay if he went under his wife's (mainline) bennies. Maybe he was full of it or maybe it has changed.

 

[Trip7]

Actually, if XJT did not get this contract, we would likely furlough more pilots. Upwards of 150 I imagine (personal opinion). That would mean ALPA pilots from XJT on the street, and ALPA pilots from Mesa on the street. Then the contract would go to ??? (SkyWest, ASA, TSA, GoJets, name your place).

Although this contract could possibly improve my quality of life exponentially, a large part of me wishes it was United mainline getting this flying back.

A complete part of me wishes it was United mainline flying the 145s instead of a contracted company. But as far as United getting 22 A320s to fly to BFE, that I don't believe is economically viable.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Are you sure? I was talking to a ramper who said he didn't have to pay if he went under his wife's (mainline) bennies. Maybe he was full of it or maybe it has changed.

All my friends with a PPR number had to pay $50/year for it. But once you have the anual fee paid, all domestic travel is free, including free first class. International flights you just pay the taxes, but are limited to 6 segments or something like that. Still better than UA unless you fly out of the country often.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Doesn't make it right though does it?

There are ways around it. With few exceptions, no pilot sitting in first on a flight I'm working ever pays for first, and thats all I'm gonna say about that.

 

[kellwolf]

A complete part of me wishes it was United mainline flying the 145s instead of a contracted company. But as far as United getting 22 A320s to fly to BFE, that I don't believe is economically viable.

Depends on your definition of BFE. In the past three days, I've done PIT, BOS, IND and PHL out of MEM and DTW. Hardly BFE, but I was flying an oversold 50 seater.....

 

[bike21]

There are ways around it. With few exceptions, no pilot sitting in first on a flight I'm working ever pays for first, and thats all I'm gonna say about that.

Well, we certainly appreciate it let me tell you. Not everyone 'gets it' in the system

 

[heph224]

I don't know why people are assuming that Expressjet will be doing this flying at a loss, I have not heard the financial details of the CPA. According to analysts, ExpressJet will be profitable 2Q 2010.

NEW YORK, Nov 17 (Reuters) - ExpressJet Holdings (XJT.N) surged for a second day on Tuesday after an analyst noted that the airline's new partnership with United Airlines would help the company be profitable by mid-2010.
"Cost efficiencies should push overall XJT results to profitability by 2Q '10," Avondale Partners analyst Bob McAdoo wrote in a note. He expects the company to log a 2009 loss of $1.72 per share, but a profit of 47 cents in 2010.

United parent UAL Corp (UAUA.O) said Monday that ExpressJet would operate regional flights under the United Express banner starting in May 2010.

In a regulatory filing, ExpressJet said the arrangement will have an initial term of three years for 11 aircraft and two years for the remaining 11 planes.

ExpressJet, once a subsidiary of Continental Airlines (CAL.N), is using planes from its corporate aviation division for the United deal. United will also receive warrants for 2.7 million ExpressJet shares.

"XJT has had surplus pilots and surplus mechanic hours available beyond the minimums required for the CAL service," McAdoo wrote. "As such we believe that XJT will be able to fly the new hours for UAUA without hiring additional personnel."

Regional airlines typically earn between 5 and 12 percent operating margins in these deals even when their larger partners struggle, McAdoo wrote.

ExpressJet was up 11 percent at $4.01 and was the No. 2 percentage gainer on the New York Stock Exchange around midday. The Arca Airline Index and broader stock market were slightly down.

(Reporting by Deepa Seetharaman, editing by Matthew Lewis)

 

[jynxyjoe]

I don't know why people are assuming that Expressjet will be doing this flying at a loss, I have not heard the financial details of the CPA. According to analysts, ExpressJet will be profitable 2Q 2010.

Well that's exciting. Good news for XJT.

 

[surreal1221]

Correct me if I'm wrong . . .

But this agreement is for two different time periods? Or the same time period?

1st period: 3 years
2nd period: 2 years

Totalling five years. With XJT operating only 11 aircraft for United during any one period.

Or, are they two seperate agreements, running concurrently. 2010-2012 XJT is operating 22 aircraft, and from 2012 to 2013 they are operating only 11? Thus for a total agreement period of only three years?

In a regulatory filing, ExpressJet said the arrangement will have an initial term of three years for 11 aircraft and two years for the remaining 11 planes.

Is what got me thinking.

 

[Baronman]

Totalling five years. With XJT operating only 11 aircraft for United during any one period.

Or, are they two seperate agreements, running concurrently. 2010-2012 XJT is operating 22 aircraft, and from 2012 to 2013 they are operating only 11? Thus for a total agreement period of only three years?

I believe it will be 22 aircraft broken down as you said above (concurrently). Additionally 10 aircraft will be flown from May 2010 - Oct 2010.

In the interm 3 aircraft will be flown starting in DEC leading building up to the aforementioned 22 by May 2010.

So in that May-Oct period there will be over 30 total with some being from our charter.