I would say that option 1 is still possible although it seems that CAL wants to diversify their RJ feed. As much as it pains me to say it, this might be a good business decision on their part and over the past few years they have done many things to distance themselves from us. Obviously if that happens it's not good for me or the XJT pilot group. I don't buy into the argument many here at XJT maintain that we "do too good of a job for CAL" or that "we are too ingrained into CALs service and it would be too difficult to change." I think those arguments are a bit simplistic and ignores the cost savings that CAL feels they need to achieve. Just ask any AWAC, ASA, Commair, Mesaba, or Pinnacle pilot what they think of those arguments.
As for the option to find someone else to fly the 69 aircraft for in the states, I believe this really isn't very feasible since it is no secret that there is an overabundance of 50 seaters in the marketplace. I believe that it is far more likely any additional codshare flying will be found in Europe. If you listen to this past quarter's conference call with our CEO Jim Ream and investors, he clearly states that they believe that there is more opportunity in Europe than in the states and that is where they are concentrating their efforts. If that happens, we will not be flying them in my opinion because XJT is legally only allowed a 49% ownership in XJT Europe and our (the pilots) contracts scope only covers us for XJT flying that is covered by the Railway Labor Act (RLA)...in other words does 49% ownership in XJT Europe constitute XJT flying and does the RLA cover such flying in Europe that is questionably XJT flying? In opinion the answer is probably no on both accounts since there are too many potential loop holes. Anyone of us who thinks they will be flying over there anytime soon is drinking some REALLY good Kool-Aid!
Most likely, we will not keep the flying and the planes will go elsewhere. I have heard the company believes that they will not have to furlough because attrition will keep the company properly staffed. We'll see, I don't necessarily buy that either.
I don't really like our options but I accept the idea that what is good for XJT the company might not coincide with the best interests of its pilots. I don't like it but that's life and it's out of my control so why lose sleep over it? If you want to listen our CEOs comments last quarter go to the company website and look for quarterly conference calls.