Delta & Expressjet Part Ways
Thread Starter
Delta & Expressjet Part Ways
It'll take some time for the dust to settle to see what this means for the pilots involved:
ExpressJet Airlines Announces Contract Realignment and Long-Term Plan
ALPA statement:
9 August 2017
The Summer of 2017 has clearly been a difficult summer for the pilots of ExpressJet Airlines. Each passing week produced a new rumor that sounded more believable than the week before. To begin this update, we, the respective Master Executive Council (MEC) Chairmen of the ASA and XJT MECs, would like to thank each and every pilot at ExpressJet Airlines for your patience and resolve during this high stress summer.
This evening the Company announced changes to ExpressJet’s strategic plan that include a new Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines (UAL), an expanded partnership with American Airlines (AA) and a complete drawdown of the CPA with Delta Air Lines. This announcement is certain to give rise to many questions and concerns amongst our pilot groups. Over the next several weeks we will answer those questions and keep the pilot groups informed of our progress toward protecting the careers of all ExpressJet pilots.
An overview of today’s announcement is below. In addition, a question and answer document is attached to this email.
ExpressJet has signed a new, profitable 5-year CPA with UAL to fly at least 126 aircraft
ExpressJet will place eight additional CRJ700 aircraft on the current AA CPA
The Delta CPA will end in November of 2018. Eight CRJ700s will be placed on the AA CPA (see above). The Company expects the remaining 22 CRJ700 aircraft will be flown under a future UAL CPA.
The ASA and XJT MECs have agreed on an integrated seniority list that will protect the interests of all ExpressJet pilots while complying with ALPA policy
To further explain the details of today’s announcement and to answer your questions, the Company and both MECs will jointly host an all-pilot conference call tomorrow, Thursday, August 10 at 1800 p.m. Eastern. Your elected representatives will also be available in crewrooms beginning next week to discuss this announcement in person. Look for details about the conference call and crewroom visit schedules to be communicated soon.
In the short term, this turn of events is clearly not the best-case scenario that any of us had hoped for. The ASA and XJT MECs, however, are committed to working together to best protect our pilot’s careers as the company works to implement changes to ExpressJet’s strategic plan.
History will show this as a tale of two pilot groups; two pilot groups teetering on the brink of destruction. These two pilot groups, one of which is about to lose the majority of its flying, and the other without the ability to either attract or retain pilots, are both operated by a company that couldn’t make future plans because of the instability of the pilot labor supply.
Our two pilot groups have now become life boats for each other. Lashed together, we will be a pilot force 2600 strong operated by a company that now has the ability to look into the future to gain more flying for all of us.
Make no mistake, your two MECs have worked diligently as a team to pull this together. Just as ExpressJet has taken advantage of opportunities as they have presented themselves, your two MECs will take what has been accomplished over the past several weeks to ensure the security and stability of our jobs.
This has been a long process; it has been just over seven years since the merger was announced. Soon, we will be one pilot group. These next few months will not pass without questions and concerns. The two MECs are committed to answering each question and concern. Now is the time to start the process of healing between our two pilot groups. What has happened in the past needs to remain in the past. Please be respectful of all of our pilots, whether in the airport, in a hotel shuttle, or at the supermarket. It is time to move forward as one successful and unified pilot group.
ExpressJet Airlines Announces Contract Realignment and Long-Term Plan
ALPA statement:
9 August 2017
The Summer of 2017 has clearly been a difficult summer for the pilots of ExpressJet Airlines. Each passing week produced a new rumor that sounded more believable than the week before. To begin this update, we, the respective Master Executive Council (MEC) Chairmen of the ASA and XJT MECs, would like to thank each and every pilot at ExpressJet Airlines for your patience and resolve during this high stress summer.
This evening the Company announced changes to ExpressJet’s strategic plan that include a new Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines (UAL), an expanded partnership with American Airlines (AA) and a complete drawdown of the CPA with Delta Air Lines. This announcement is certain to give rise to many questions and concerns amongst our pilot groups. Over the next several weeks we will answer those questions and keep the pilot groups informed of our progress toward protecting the careers of all ExpressJet pilots.
An overview of today’s announcement is below. In addition, a question and answer document is attached to this email.
ExpressJet has signed a new, profitable 5-year CPA with UAL to fly at least 126 aircraft
ExpressJet will place eight additional CRJ700 aircraft on the current AA CPA
The Delta CPA will end in November of 2018. Eight CRJ700s will be placed on the AA CPA (see above). The Company expects the remaining 22 CRJ700 aircraft will be flown under a future UAL CPA.
The ASA and XJT MECs have agreed on an integrated seniority list that will protect the interests of all ExpressJet pilots while complying with ALPA policy
To further explain the details of today’s announcement and to answer your questions, the Company and both MECs will jointly host an all-pilot conference call tomorrow, Thursday, August 10 at 1800 p.m. Eastern. Your elected representatives will also be available in crewrooms beginning next week to discuss this announcement in person. Look for details about the conference call and crewroom visit schedules to be communicated soon.
In the short term, this turn of events is clearly not the best-case scenario that any of us had hoped for. The ASA and XJT MECs, however, are committed to working together to best protect our pilot’s careers as the company works to implement changes to ExpressJet’s strategic plan.
History will show this as a tale of two pilot groups; two pilot groups teetering on the brink of destruction. These two pilot groups, one of which is about to lose the majority of its flying, and the other without the ability to either attract or retain pilots, are both operated by a company that couldn’t make future plans because of the instability of the pilot labor supply.
Our two pilot groups have now become life boats for each other. Lashed together, we will be a pilot force 2600 strong operated by a company that now has the ability to look into the future to gain more flying for all of us.
Make no mistake, your two MECs have worked diligently as a team to pull this together. Just as ExpressJet has taken advantage of opportunities as they have presented themselves, your two MECs will take what has been accomplished over the past several weeks to ensure the security and stability of our jobs.
This has been a long process; it has been just over seven years since the merger was announced. Soon, we will be one pilot group. These next few months will not pass without questions and concerns. The two MECs are committed to answering each question and concern. Now is the time to start the process of healing between our two pilot groups. What has happened in the past needs to remain in the past. Please be respectful of all of our pilots, whether in the airport, in a hotel shuttle, or at the supermarket. It is time to move forward as one successful and unified pilot group.
Thread Starter
Just as an addendum to current events, as Expressjet (technically Atlantic Southeast Airlines in this case) begins shedding an approximate handful of airplanes per month in Oct, 2017, a stream of experienced CRJ pilots will enter the job hunt. This will continue through the estimated sunset of Expressjet's DL flying in Nov, 2018. IIUC, the existing KATL, KDTW and KLGA bases will disappear with a small KDFW base remaining for some AA flying.
At this point, there's absolutely no way to predict where people will go or try to go. But what seems a reasonable notion is some will go to other regionals. It's not unreasonable to assume many were already trying to locate elsewhere; now they have to.
The last seniority list I saw for ASA was just over a year ago but is good enough for amateur soothsaying and fortune telling. There were ~1500 pilots with the top third having been there 15 years or more.
Make of that what you will.
And...just in case this isn't complicated enough:
http://asamec.alpa.org/LinkClick.asp...3d&tabid=11021
At this point, there's absolutely no way to predict where people will go or try to go. But what seems a reasonable notion is some will go to other regionals. It's not unreasonable to assume many were already trying to locate elsewhere; now they have to.
The last seniority list I saw for ASA was just over a year ago but is good enough for amateur soothsaying and fortune telling. There were ~1500 pilots with the top third having been there 15 years or more.
Make of that what you will.
And...just in case this isn't complicated enough:
http://asamec.alpa.org/LinkClick.asp...3d&tabid=11021
Last edited by bafanguy; 10th Aug 2017 at 21:42.
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At this point, there's absolutely no way to predict where people will go or try to go. But what seems a reasonable notion is some will go to other regionals. It's not unreasonable to assume many were already trying to locate elsewhere; now they have to.
And of course part of this story are the CS100s coming to Delta starting next year. That's an increase of capacity at the mainline so they may start hiring.
The question is when will this "future UAL CPA" get signed. Next year? After the current deal in 2023?
Thread Starter
The CRJ900 fleet will go to Endeavor and they presumably will need staffing in Atlanta.
And of course part of this story are the CS100s coming to Delta starting next year. That's an increase of capacity at the mainline so they may start hiring.
The question is when will this "future UAL CPA" get signed. Next year? After the current deal in 2023?
And of course part of this story are the CS100s coming to Delta starting next year. That's an increase of capacity at the mainline so they may start hiring.
The question is when will this "future UAL CPA" get signed. Next year? After the current deal in 2023?
Correct. Endeavor will have a bunch of seats to fill. As for DL's hiring, they've been doing that furiously since 2014 with almost 4,000 hired in that time frame...and no real end in sight due to age-outs alone.
Plenty of ASA pilots have gone to legacy mainline spots...and every other type of operator you can think of.
Thread Starter
Interesting development in the ASA-XJT situation. Under the circumstances, every little bit helps and it's sort of creative. I guess this is more of a head "keeping" effort vs head "hunting". I don't know how many people will benefit from this:
August 29, 2017
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE CREDIT AT EXPRESSJET FOR PRIOR 121 EXPERIENCED PILOTS
Today the company and XJT/ASA ALPA reached a tentative agreement on a
new program that will allow current ExpressJet pilots and new hire
applicants with previous FAR Part 121 experience to count years of
service with another carrier toward their total longevity at
ExpressJet Airlines. Below are the highlights of the program:
* Pilots will be able to count up to 10 years of previous FAR
Part 121 experience toward longevity for hourly pay on their equipment
and seat
* Pilots will be able to count up to 10 years of previous FAR
Part 121 experience toward longevity for benefits including:
o 401(k) match
o Defined Contribution
o Vacation accrual
* Applicants must have separated from their prior employer in
good standing
* Applicants must have a minimum of one year of prior FAR Part
121 experience to qualify for this program
* Current ExpressJet pilots who have previously separated in
good standing from any FAR Part 121 carrier will receive the benefits
of this MOU upon date of signing, which we expect will be later this
week
* New hire pilots will be placed at the bottom of the seniority list
Look for the full language of this joint MOU along with a frequently
asked questions document toward the end of the week.
August 29, 2017
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE CREDIT AT EXPRESSJET FOR PRIOR 121 EXPERIENCED PILOTS
Today the company and XJT/ASA ALPA reached a tentative agreement on a
new program that will allow current ExpressJet pilots and new hire
applicants with previous FAR Part 121 experience to count years of
service with another carrier toward their total longevity at
ExpressJet Airlines. Below are the highlights of the program:
* Pilots will be able to count up to 10 years of previous FAR
Part 121 experience toward longevity for hourly pay on their equipment
and seat
* Pilots will be able to count up to 10 years of previous FAR
Part 121 experience toward longevity for benefits including:
o 401(k) match
o Defined Contribution
o Vacation accrual
* Applicants must have separated from their prior employer in
good standing
* Applicants must have a minimum of one year of prior FAR Part
121 experience to qualify for this program
* Current ExpressJet pilots who have previously separated in
good standing from any FAR Part 121 carrier will receive the benefits
of this MOU upon date of signing, which we expect will be later this
week
* New hire pilots will be placed at the bottom of the seniority list
Look for the full language of this joint MOU along with a frequently
asked questions document toward the end of the week.
Thread Starter
This is a bit of a hopeful statement:
“We anticipate this agreement will encourage prospective pilots to apply at ExpressJet,” said Chromer Smith, chairman of Atlantic Southeast Airlines’ Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) unit.
ExpressJet Pilot Leaders Agree to Novel Pay Scale Credit Plan | Air Transport News: Aviation International News
“We anticipate this agreement will encourage prospective pilots to apply at ExpressJet,” said Chromer Smith, chairman of Atlantic Southeast Airlines’ Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) unit.
ExpressJet Pilot Leaders Agree to Novel Pay Scale Credit Plan | Air Transport News: Aviation International News
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Expressjet's new longevity policy is already in place at SkyWest for returning SkyWest pilots and former Expressjet pilots wanting to go to SkyWest. It is called soft landings. Soft Landings 2.0 includes pilots from other companies but has not been put into effect yet but they copied and pasted the policy at Expressjet. Regardless, Expressjet will have some shrinkage over the next 18 months and will be a hard sell to new hires.
Thread Starter
Can't tell the breakdown of the ISL as it doesn't contain dates of hire.
When hearing about the upgrade opportunities at other regionals being restricted by getting that first 1000 hours of Part 121 time, wouldn't it be a reasonable thought for people to bail and take whatever 121 hours they've got to circumstances where it'll do them more good…and sooner ? Especially the young and footloose?
Just a rhetorical question from the Peanut Gallery.
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And on that note, SkyWest just announced that they have approved Soft Landings 2.0. This is basically the same deal as Expressjet, where 121 pilots from other companies can retain longevity for pay purposes. The theory at SkyWest is that they will get more flying and that upgrade times will drop to a point so low that there won't be enough FO's with the requisite experience to upgrade. Those coming with prior 121 experience can take advantage of the low upgrade times.
