Originally Posted by
plotplot
Apex, im just wondering what it is that you are basing your decision to move home so hastily? Whereabouts are you on the timeline e.g. in training, line holder etc. Any judgment aside I'm genuinely curious as someone going through the E3 process getting ready to go over shortly. And curious how you have planned your move. Do you have a job lined up back in Aus or are you leaving a job with potential uncertainty and coming back to guaranteed uncertainty?
My understanding is that even if XJT were able to hire their targeted 840 pilots for the year, there was still going to be a net loss of a couple hundred pilots by the year's end. This will obviously change as all the mainline carriers freeze hiring across the board and slow attrition, but there was still a lot of retirements and the fact that we're 3 months into the year and they are nowhere near on track to hire their targeted 840. Combine this with the 30 jets they have parked and the 36 they're about to acquire, it's difficult to imagine that anyone will be given the boot so swiftly. Been doing a lot of research and the regionals tend to fair better than the mainlines in times of crises. XJT furloughed pilots in 2008 due financial issues related to oil prices, unrelated to any global crisis. Skywest have never furloughed, just as a couple of examples.
I may just be trying to sell myself on the idea that it will still be ok to go, but just very curious on your decision making process given that you're making the significant decision to leave and come home.
PlotPlot, it's not a hasty decision, but unfortunately a forced one. I am one of the pilots at TSA so I was going to be out of job by the end of the year however a memo was sent out yesterday that due to the reduction in United flying there will not be as much need for regional flying and as such I'd be surprised if TSA is around by May/June.
As for why I am not going to other companies:
CommutAir - $22k sign on bonus which is nice however only have EWR and IAH as bases. I have no interest in living in either of those places and I really don't want to commute.
ExpressJet - Basically have put hiring on hold, will have to retrain all 175 pilots on the 145 slowing training significantly, also reserve times are going to blow out to 12 months or more. I think you may be being very optimistic with your XJT outlook.
Mesa - Not hiring E3's at the moment it seems, no one can get a hold of anyone in recruiting.
GoJet - About to start cancelling FO classes and beginning to furlough pilots.
Skywest - Not hiring Aussies on E3's, only those currently at TSA.
On top of all this United have reduced all their regional flying by at least 25%, Delta by 40%, pilots are not moving on because no one is hiring so you won't move up seniority very quickly at all. Earning a $35k per year salary as an FO with very little in the way of bonuses, not much flying and a high chance of being furloughed if you're at the bottom of the seniority list, doesn't sound like a good idea to me.
Perhaps I get a job in Aus and perhaps I don't but even if I don't, I'm going to be in Aus where I get free health care and can do any job, i'm not just limited to one company like you are with an E3. It's just a big risk at the moment to go over there, especially if you're leaving a stable job in Aus.
For those willing to take that risk, they will be in a good spot when this does all blow over in 6-18 months because they would be on the seniority list - kudos to you. I just can't afford to be out of a job for an extended period and I don't want to be stuck in the US when that does happen.