3 posts tagged “expressjet”

Well, last night I finally got the call with my base award - Houston!  It was my first choice, so I'm pretty happy.  Actually, I would have been satisfied with any base that wasn't in California, but since I got my first choice, I'm happy.  For you Californians out there, I don't dislike your state (too much).  I used to live there as a kid.  The only thing wrong with getting based in Cali for me is that I live in Virginia, and that's a sucky commute.  I could do it, but if I got a two-day stretch of days off, I would have to fly home on my first day, and fly back on the second.  More than likely, in that scenario, I just wouldn't go home.

But none of that matters, since I'll be in Houston.  That's only 1/2 a day of traveling.

From what I hear, the class that was two weeks ahead of mine is just now getting called for IOE, so I guess I can probably expect to hear something in about two weeks.  That's good, because next week I'm heading out to NM for a week.  I'd like to finish up what I start out there before I have to start flying.  If you're wondering what it is, sorry, I can't tell you...well, I guess I could, but then I'd have to kill you.  No, not really.  Just a joke.

I've got a break in training, so I'm home for the next few days.

Training at ExpressJet has been going well so far.  I've gotten a 94 on both tests, and the flight training device (FTD) sessions have been easy.  Some people have been having a hard time, but we haven't lost anyone yet.  I know for a fact that my previous airline experience is helping me.  A lot of people are having trouble with the systems, the autopilot, the flows, and the profiles and callouts.  For me, the systems are similar to any turbine aircraft, the autopilot works the same as in the Dash 8, the flows are just a little bit different, and profiles & callouts are normal - I just have to learn the differences.  I had the oral exam on Sunday, and it was pretty easy.  I've got two more FTD sessions this weekend, and then a few more days off before starting the sim.  Once I start the sim, it'll be two weeks straight in Houston.

I went grocery shopping last night while Jeannie was at work (she always runs out of the essentials while I'm gone) and picked up some things.  I bought one of those pre-cooked roasted chickens, and except for being a little greasy, it wasn't that bad.  Today I'm going to go to the Fresh Market.  It's this awesome store in Roanoke that's all about super fresh fruits and vegetables, meats & poultry, grains, coffee, and whatever else you can think of.  I don't know exactly what I'm going to get, but I've got to figure out what to make for dinner tonight, so I'm sure it will come to me.  I think I'm going to do something Mexican, since I'm in the mood to make up some pico de gallo.  Sometime this week I have to do something Korean, but I'll save that for later on.

In case you can't tell, I enjoy cooking.  If I wasn't a pilot, I'd think about culinary school.  I don't know if I'd do it, but I'd certainly think about it.  The food channel is on the tv now.  Eating rocks, so cooking is mandatory.

Time for breakfast.

With all of the uncertainty surrounding my airline, I've been looking around for any job I can find where we wouldn't have to move.  I haven't been looking real hard...more like just keeping my eyes open for any opportunity I can find.

I was on some of the message boards a few days ago, and I find out that one of the airlines I wanted to fly for initially, but didn't because I didn't meet their requirements, is hiring quite a few people.  Normally I wouldn't consider a lateral move like this.  I'm pretty comfortable at my airline and am just looking for something with a little bit more of a future plan that would keep us here in Roanoke.  Well, this airline, ExpressJet, is opening a base somewhere in Texas, either Austin or San Antonio.  Say what?  Those are two places that Jeannie and I would love to be again.  When I was stationed at Fort Hood, we spent a lot of time in those 2 cities, and we'd love to go back.

I talked to my old flight instructor, who is a pilot for them, and he confirmed what I had heard.  He also convinced me to apply.  So I did.

A lateral move from one regional airline to another isn't necessarily the best move that one can make.  However, ExpressJet shows promise of a future, whereas Piedmont does not.  Here at Piedmont, our airplane leases are up in 2 years, our pilot contract is up in 2 years, and upgrade to Captain is taking about 6.  Not the best place to be.  At ExpressJet, their fleet plan goes out for many years, and upgrade to Captain is under 2.  And we can move back to Texas.

I just don't want to have to go through another interview process....but it's worth it.