The future of expressjet?

[ASLhands]

Originally Posted by skibum515

Personally, I think SkyWest is a done deal for a few reasons. The BOD would be STUPID to not sell at some point. Since CAL has already said they are taking the xjet flying, that'll ruin them and the BOD will get nothing. If they sell now (or in the relative future) then they'll at least line their pockets before the ship tanks.

skywest management met with the xjet MEC last friday and basically gave them a seriously insulting proposal for the takeover. They won't integrate the seniority lists, and will be cutting branded which will put about 700 pilots on the street (my DF among them). Cal has the option to review it's flying with skw yearly, and find a lower bidder. Skw has also recently added 145's to their operating certificate, indicitive of them transfering the flying over to the skw guys and furloughing the xjetters. They won't give preferential hiring or classes to furloughed xjet guys.

Basically, the proposal is going to throw 700 guys under the bus for a year of *temporary* security. I say burn the company down. Xjet didn't get an industry leading contract to see it slowly dismantled.

here's a post by an xjet captain off of the pipe, and i think it sums up some things pretty well:

I think that guy makes some good points. It is a bit comforting to see someone who is not in panic mode

[Regina]

My husband has been there for 9, almost 10 years, and I am pretty stressed too. BUT, I would be stressed if he were flying for any company. No airline is safe right now, in my opinion...not a regional or a mainline carrier. If pilots begin to jump ship at express before any deals are certain, they are going to end up at the bottom of the senority list with another carrier and the first to be let go. Yes, keep your resume and hours updated, but any pilot with any airline should be doing this. It doesn't hurt to look for options, but express is a great company; something will be worked out. People are impressed with express because they have a great set of employees, their on time is great, and they continue to be one of the best regionals out there. Rumors about new bases have been out there for a long time, but I didn't see that happen; just like this may or may not happen. Like I said, keep resumes updated, keep options open, but don't yell "fire" unless you actually see it.

I know that the uncertainty of the airlines will always make us worried, but it is the business of the airlines. I don't think the company really wants the blastmail that they sent on a public forum, but again, that is my opinion. I would hate to see anyone get in trouble for posting it. I know management looks at the pipe, so who is to say they don't look here...? When my husband looked for the blastmail on the pipe, he couldn't find another pilot posting it, although it may currently be posted or maybe he didn't look in the right place. My point is that I feel that it is okay to discuss your concerns, but I would be very worried about sticking a company newsletter word for word on here...no offense to anyone.

[skibum515]

I was concerned about it too, but it's already been posted on Airline Pilot Central, and you have to figure, the union isn't going to send anything out to their pilots that isn't going to be public knowledge anyway. One of the union guys said that over on the pipe.

just fyi

[katbuad]

Companies do not have souls. I can't think of a religon or source that believes that they do. Without a soul what would motivate them to do the "right thing"? Yeah, companies are made up of people that do have motivation to do the "right thing." But even a beginners ethics class highlights many of the reasons why people inside companies feel that doing the "right thing" was beyond their control.

I bought a 64-page award-winning code of ethics manual produced by Enron on ebay for $34 right after their collaspe. The seal was still intact, it had never been opened.

IMO, blastmail is just that. . .the message they want to communicate. Once it is out there, they can't control how it is used or discussed. If they want to maintain control and confidentiality, they should stamp it confidential and send only to a select few.

We had a little saying at my old job. . . if you are using *Yikes* and *Double Yikes* it's better not to put it in an email. Haahah!

[ASLhands]

Originally Posted by katbuad

IMO, blastmail is just that. . .the message they want to communicate. Once it is out there, they can't control how it is used or discussed. If they want to maintain control and confidentiality, they should stamp it confidential and send only to a select few.

I agree. Most union information that is sent out is sent out with the intent of informing people. If it doesn't say confidential, then it would be assumed it isn't confidential. My union (a teacher's union) sends blast mail, posts the message on their website, posts the message in staff rooms in the schools etc. It's all over the place. In fact, I get sick of reading the same thing over and over.

The blast mail sent about skywest and expressjet had absolutely no conclusions. It was just informative. It was sent to probably 3,000+ people. When you do that, you can't control what happens with the information.

Anyway, just my .02

[madlibs]

PS: That's not "secret information." It's posted on the VARS which management has access to. MANY people in management are still members of the Union. This information is distributed to them the same as it is to all other pilots.

[Erin]

1. Sharing stress is fine. No one knows the airline life like another airline family.
2. 15 years in the industry tells me that restraint in public discussion is an absolute necessity.
3. Union blastmails and such are not secret information, but our personal thoughts and opinions made public before the Union has a chance to work on the issue is never helpful.
4. My husband, on behalf of his ALPA brothers and sisters, requested that I pass along the need for our restraint.
5. 11 years seniority does amount to a hill of sh*t if XJT is dismantled, we are all in the proverbial same boat.
6. As far as a soul, no, I don't believe a company has any such thing. However, the trust we have placed in XJT has rarely been abused.
7. The airline business has been in a constant state of crisis since 9/11. And we probably ain't seen nothin' yet.

Cheers,
Erin

[katbuad]

Couple years ago, Expressjet was the place to be. It's horrible to see what is happening to them now.

Originally Posted by Erin

And we probably ain't seen nothin' yet.

I couldn't agree more.

[rgphib]

Well, then maybe they should take down the ExpressJet Pilots Forum site since all that is being talked about is peoples opinions on what is going on......not to mention other aviation message boards where people from all companies are talking about this.

While I agree that posting some information here might not be appropriate, I do think that it is okay to talk to other wives/so about what we think about everything. I wouldn't say talking about our thoughts and fears is "negotiating".

This is going to be a long, tough road. As Erin said, we don't really know anything as most information is only known by people who have been behind closed doors. I hope that the right thing is done for ALL the employees.

And remember this was just a first offer.....the union and company are hopefully working on 1) saving the company or 2)getting a better offer. We will know more when they feel it is best for everyone to know all the details.

I know it is hard not to worry. I feel like we've been worrying about the company ever since CAL took away the 69 planes and then brought in other regionals and now the Q400 (which is really going to hurt alot of commuters, not to mention the lines). I am worried about DH leaving Express for a new company as he will be low man on the totem pole there, but I am also worried about what will happen if he stays at Express.....I guess the worrying will never stop.

We just have to have faith in the union and company to do the right thing for the employees of ExpressJet.

[christykay]

Originally Posted by rgphib

.....I guess the worrying will never stop.

Welcome my friends to the world of aviation!
Our chaotic world where you can't make plans for next month or next year- let alone next week.
It's so much fun isn't it?!?