In honor of Women in Aviation month, we’re featuring ExpressJet women who have successful careers in aviation and continue to advance the legacy of women in the industry. 

“The familial environment of working for an airline made me feel right at home,” said Kristina.

Kristina’s aviation career began in 1998 by pure chance when a friend announced she needed a roommate to relocate in North Carolina.

“My friend bet me that I wouldn’t move with her and I bet her that I would. And I did.”

She found a classified ad for American Airlines and was hired by their call center. In 2002, her college professor told her Continental Express Airlines was hiring for positions at the Asheville airport and suggested she apply.

“Originally, I applied to finish my internship requirements but the job stuck with me.”

Kristina worked as a cross-utilized agent in Asheville which lead to her current position as manager of ExpressJet’s voluntary reporting programs, such as ASAP and the Fatigue Program.

“I like to say we’re the mortar in the bricks. We take the data that comes from pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, and dispatchers and we help sort through and disseminate that information back to the frontline.”

Back in her early days in aviation, Kristina didn’t find many women pursuing careers in the airline industry as a long-term goal.

“When I first started out, I worked with a good amount of women, but for many, including myself initially, it was just a job. But I was very lucky to go to Newark for a training class and meet the instructor, an incredibly smart woman named Rose Marie Morgan.”

Kristina approached Rose, who still works for ExpressJet, to offer her bilingual skills as a Spanish speaker and Kristina ended up working directly for her in Houston.

“Under her guidance, I learned how to train people and how to conduct new hire classes for employees working in the airports. She was a great influence and I credit her for making me think of my job as a new career,” said Kristina.

Kristina believes there is a lack of awareness of the diverse career opportunities within the industry, especially among those unfamiliar with an airline’s behind-the-scene jobs.

“From the outside looking in, people tend to have a skewed viewpoint of what they can do at an airline. You’re either a pilot or a flight attendant and that’s it. In reality, there are so many careers women could easily accomplish if the knowledge was out there.”

Since 1998, Kristina has witnessed a huge increase in the number of women she interacts with in her job.

“I remember going to industry meetings and when I looked around the room, there were maybe a handful of women. Now, it’s 40 to 45 percent. Of course, it depends on the group but there are more women than ever before.” Kristina encourages others to have passion, persistence, and an open attitude in order to achieve a successful and fulfilling career. She also recognizes the breakthroughs women have made to accomplish their career goals within the industry.

“Everything should always be based on merit and being a woman doesn’t mean you can’t do something,” she said. “But I think that first woman, and every woman to follow her, made a tremendous impact on the others who looked inside and said, ‘Hey, I can do that too.’”

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the ExpressJet Dallas/Fort Worth base.

On March 5, we added 15 ERJ145 aircraft to our existing American CRJ flying in DFW. Our first ExpressJet ERJ American flight in history departed March 6.

“We were so excited to welcome our ERJ crews and Maintenance teams to DFW,” said Salena LeDay, Inflight manager – DFW. “It was a great sendoff.”

Salena leads the Inflight team in Dallas, along with Chief Pilot Stace Robeson and Maintenance Base Manager Lou Bauer. With the new ERJ team members, our Dallas base will grow from 232 employees to 370, with additional expansion through July as we gain more aircraft. Currently, DFW is home to 83 ERJ pilots, 39 ERJ flight attendants and 16 ERJ mechanics.

“The majors are looking for reliable partners who understand their brand and deliver high quality operations, and ExpressJet is in the position to provide that level of service,” said Brad Sheehan, vice president – Flight Operations. “The expansion of our American operation is an exciting opportunity for us all, and I know there are more opportunities on the horizon.”

In honor of Women in Aviation month, we’re featuring ExpressJet women who have successful careers in aviation and continue to advance the legacy of women in the industry. 

In honor of Women in Aviation month, we’re featuring ExpressJet women who have successful careers in aviation and continue to advance the legacy of women in the industry. 

In college, Shreveport-based line mechanic Rachael Sullivan was one of two women in a class of 30 studying for an A&P license.

“There were only about five women total at the entire school,” said Rachael. She graduated from the Airframe and Powerplant program at the Redstone Institute in Houston, Texas, which provides training and instruction in industrial fields.

While she always had an inclination toward mechanics, she never thought she’d be destined for a career in aviation.

“In high school, I was determined to join the military. Unfortunately, my medical history prevented my enlistment.”

Instead, she enrolled in Redstone and earned her A&P license in 2006. After graduation, she landed an interview with ExpressJet and was immediately hired as an A&P technician in Shreveport.

“When I first started my career, there weren’t many women pursuing maintenance careers. The women I did come across mostly got started from their experience in the military.”

It takes physical agility, good judgment and a dedication to safety to be a successful aircraft technician, and Rachael has never once doubted her or any woman’s ability to work in the field.

“I imagine that there was once an attitude that women weren’t as capable, but nowadays it’s not an issue. I’ve never had problems with it being ‘a man’s world.’ If given the opportunity and you work hard enough, you can do this job.”

After nearly a decade in aviation, Rachael has noticed an increase in the number of women, including the number of female mechanics, hired by ExpressJet. She hopes to see more women break into the industry but recognizes there are other challenges.

“It would be nice for women to expand the field,” she said. “But as an individual, you first have to be mechanically inclined and maintenance is a very specialized career. Many people don’t think of it when they think of airlines.”

Rachael encourages women interested in aviation careers to consider maintenance, and she hopes they never view their gender as a disadvantage, especially when in pursuit of a career not often considered by young girls.

“Women need to know we can hold our own and be successful in any career if we put our minds to it.”

In honor of Women in Aviation month, we’re featuring ExpressJet women who have successful careers in aviation and continue to advance the legacy of women in the industry. 

On Dec. 10, 2014, Atlanta-based First Officer Fatima Shafi stepped up to a podium in Oslo, Norway to give the speech of her life. She was surrounded by leaders in the Pakistani government, former prime ministers of Pakistan and Norway, and Malala Yousafzai, the guest of honor. Fatima was at the Nobel Peace Ceremony, somewhere she never dreamed she would be.

She was supposed to married in Pakistan, raising a family and attending to her husband’s home.

“I thought marriage was the greatest thing ever,” said Fatima. “It was the goal of my whole life.”

In her hometown of Islamabad, Pakistan, Fatima’s life was a rigid set of rules designed to make her a worthy wife for a waiting husband. Many little girls grow up eagerly anticipating the day of their wedding, but in Pakistan, girls are told that getting married will be the greatest thing they will ever do. But Fatima’s father was ill and her family was too preoccupied to find her a husband, so they sent her to school instead.

“Where I’m from, education for girls is a pastime, not a necessity. You only went to school so your mind wouldn’t wander. Your brain needed to be occupied until it was time for you to get married.”

Despite limitations set by her gender, she graduated as an Electronics Engineer at the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, a school that had over 6,000 students – only 50 of whom were girls.

“In classes, I could not raise my hand to ask a question or go to the library and join a study group. As a woman, I had to walk with my head straight ahead, my eyes looking down on the ground. If you looked around, it would bring you a bad reputation.”

Halfway through her college education, Fatima’s parents found her a husband. Usually in Pakistan, when a woman gets married her education stops. However, Fatima’s parents wanted her to graduate before she got married. This decision allowed Fatima to finish school.

“After a while, I started to question how my degree was any different than the boys’. I was putting in the same time, the same work, for the same degree, and yet I couldn’t use the degree for what it was worth. Girls could not do anything.”

One day, while reading the newspaper, Fatima noticed an ad for the Pakistan Air Force. The Air Force always had ads, but there was something different about this one. What usually read ‘attention all male citizens of Pakistan, the Air Force needs you,’ now read ‘attention all citizens.’

“I couldn’t believe it. I kept checking for the fine print, something that said women couldn’t apply, but there was none. I could apply.”

Since she was a little girl, Fatima had been enamored with the idea of wearing the uniform and having the respect, but a career seemed out of the question.

“I knew I shouldn’t apply, but deep down, I think I was curious about whether I had it in me to be selected.”

On the final day the Air Force was accepting applications, Fatima applied and was immediately given an intelligence test. Candidates usually spent years preparing for the test, which traditionally disqualified 80 percent of applicants. With no preparation, Fatima passed. After eight months of rigorous tests, interviews and medical screenings, she was given a formal offer to join the Pakistan Air Force Academy.”

At first, she didn’t tell anyone.

“I was selected. I now knew for sure that I had what it took to be in the Pakistan Air Force. I did it.”

To her, getting accepted into the Air Force was just checking something off her to-do list because she thought that, like going to school, nothing would come of it. She would get married and her whim would end there, or so she thought. Fatima eventually broke down and told her parents about her offer, and their response is something she has never forgotten.

“My parents didn’t want me to waste the opportunity. They wanted me to go and then come back and get married.”

After she graduated from the Air Force Academy, Fatima became an officer in the Engineering Branch. She now set her sights on a new goal: being assigned to a fighter squadron base and running a flight line – an elite Air Force assignment.

“All my life I was told that girls couldn’t do anything, weren’t good for anything. But here, I wasn’t a girl. I was an officer.”

Instead of a fighter squadron, she was assigned to a factory, running paperwork.

“I had an office job; nothing to do with engineering. Apparently, they had been hiring women in the Air Force for years. They just put them behind a desk, filing papers. I didn’t want to file papers. I wanted to work on airplanes.”

Fatima knocked on every door and talked to every officer that came into her factory, looking for ways to get reassigned, though senior commanders made it very clear her that it was an uphill battle.

“I wore the same uniform that every other officer did, and I was going to do the same job,” said Fatima. “Gender had no meaning for me anymore. I was not scared to have a bad reputation for not keeping my eyes down and standing up and asking a question.”

This was the beginning of Fatima’s ascension through a series of avionics shops, modification hangars, engine shops. She was the first woman to attend the airborne para-jumping school, but she continued to chase her dream job, and after six months, she was finally assigned to a fighter squadron.

For the first time in the history of the Pakistan Air Force, a woman was going to be a superior officer to over 300 technicians and 60 crew chiefs.

“Girls weren’t even allowed to visit fighter squadrons,” said Fatima. “For me to be assigned there was unheard of, so I just did my job.”

This was easier said than done. Running a flight line at a fighter squadron meant that she was in charge of all the aircraft, men and equipment there. However, as a woman Fatima wasn’t allowed to step underneath the wing of an airplane, stay at the flight lines after sundown or even wear a flight suit.

Uneasy because they feared the enlisted men would revolt against a woman in charge of them, a commander warned Fatima that if she continued to perform he would make her life miserable. Eventually she had no other choice but to leave the squadron. Still, she refused to back down and was transferred to a ground engineering shop shortly after the altercation, and then again to an F-16 fighter squadron. This base with American aircraft was more westernized, and Fatima was accepted. There, she achieved another first – the first Pakistani woman to fly in an F16.

“I could rip an open F16 and put it back together like Legos. I was so close to the aircraft, but I did not know how to fly.”

The Air Force repeatedly denied her requests to transfer into pilot training, so after her military stint was over, Fatima chose not to renew it.

“Sometimes I feel I should have stayed in the Air Force longer to bring a change for women in Pakistan.”

Instead, she left her life in Pakistan for the flight training program at Flight Safety Academy in Florida, which would ultimately lead to her position as a first officer at ExpressJet.

“My family still thinks I’m missing out because I’m not married with children, but I’m a pilot,” said Fatima. “It’s an incredible thing to walk around freely and look where ever I want. Nobody judges me here. I wish I can explain the feeling I get when I walk on a street, and I know people around me are not thinking that I’m doing something wrong. I could never have that in Pakistan.”

On her last trip to Pakistan to visit her family, Fatima received an extraordinary request. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan had heard about Fatima and her struggle in the Air Force, and asked her to be part of the Pakistani delegation at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

In 2014, Pakistani teenager Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight to guarantee all young people in Pakistan the right to an education. Former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani wanted a successful Pakistani woman to be part of the delegation when Malala received the award and felt Fatima would be a perfect fit. She was honored.

This past December, Fatima flew to Oslo where she gave a speech in front of 300 people at a dinner held by the Pakistan Embassy.

“My voice cracked a bit,” she said. “I spoke about how the fight doesn’t stop at getting an education. It starts there. I got one of the best educations money could buy in Pakistan, but I still did not have a fair shot at using it.”

To this day, Fatima is amazed at her journey to ExpressJet, though she’s still adjusting to a life she never thought she could have.

“I want to learn how to ride a bike, how to swim and all the other things I never learned because I was not allowed to go outside. I also want to show other girls in Pakistan that they can do that too. They can do something.”

Fatima hopes to work with non-profits to empower girls through education and convince them that they have all what it takes to step out make a difference and have any career that can possibly exist.

Fatima at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with Malala Yousafzai

Fatima in her Pakistan Air Force uniform in a fighter jet

When Cody Thomas, director – Crew Support, challenged his team to achieve ambitious goals, he promised the ultimate prize in return: shaving his head. Cody is now sporting a Mr. Clean look, and motivation never looked so good!

Cody Thomas took over our Crew Support department just over a year ago, at the tail end of one of the most challenging winters to date. Through a number of training initiatives, process changes and a continuous feedback loop, the department made great strides in 2014 to improve customer service and performance.

In November 2014, with another winter looming, Cody challenged his team to achieve even more ambitious goals. As motivation to work together to meet the challenge, Cody promised he would shave his head if the team met the goals.

“Cody is truly an involved leader. He walks the floor, listens to feedback and keeps us updated on the department and the company,” said Michael B., flight crew scheduler. “The challenge Cody is going to fulfill this afternoon is just another example of how he is there for us. At the end of the day, I feel pride in my job, my leadership and my company.”

Our Crew Support team achieved record performance numbers this winter and the time has come for Cody to pay up.

“Everything we do as leaders is to support our people,” said Cody. “I am so proud of everything my team has accomplished. I believe that actions speak louder than words. For better or worse, I will do whatever my team needs to be successful. Now let the shaving begin!”

Crew Support team members gathered on the 4^th floor of A-Tech Friday for the ceremonial head shaving. With handmade signs supporting Cody’s ultimate motivator, the team cheered as Crew Scheduling Managers Michelle and Brad, took clippers to Cody’s once-dark locks.

“Cody leads by example, cares for his team and would be the first to say that the best is yet to come,” said Brad Sheehan, vice president – Flight Operations. “He knows the importance of culture, and a significant part of that is having fun. Shaving his head tells you three things: this team is incredibly capable and keeps getting better, Cody does what he says he will, and although it’s hard work, you should still have fun doing it. And let’s be honest, it’s not that much hair…”

Introducing the new, improved (?), Director of Crew Support: Mr. Clean! Oops…Cody Thomas!!

Atlanta-based ExpressJet First Officer Brandon Arrington is a dedicated athlete, so when he got the call that he had been chosen to appear on the NBC reality show “American Ninja Warrior,” an athletic competition show in which contestants compete in a series of increasingly difficult obstacle courses, he was certainly excited.

“My friends and colleagues insisted I apply,” said Brandon. “When I got the call, I was pumped – no, ecstatic. Everyone high-fived me.”

Thousands of applicants applied for the show’s Southeast regional competition. Only 120 contestants are chosen to run the course, and of those, the top 30 finishers are featured on the show. Brandon first competed on American Ninja Warrior in 2013, and was selected to return the following season in 2014. Now he’s up for his third appearance, and will soon know if he is selected.

“I was caught up in the excitement of getting chosen,” he said. “Then reality hit, and I realized I had two weeks to train.”

As a pilot, Brandon is no stranger to training, but this time he was preparing physically for an athletic competition on national television. In spite of the brief preparation time, Brandon was more than ready to compete. He’d been physically active his whole life and had a regular exercise routine.

“The show tests your upper body strength, balance, jumping and sprinting. I’d been doing CrossFit for a few years, and it’s worked really great for training,” he explained.

His first time on the show, Brandon tore his triceps muscle a week before filming. Despite this setback, he was given the green light to compete and made it through the first course easily. The second night, he fell on the pipe slider obstacle which requires the competitor to hang from a metal bar and slide along a track while gaining enough momentum to leap from the pipe to a cargo net obstacle.

Brandon says the best part of the competition is spending time with his family: his wife Kala and their young son, Connor.

“They are my inspiration and support during the competition. At one point, I was climbing the Warped Wall, and I had to get over this ledge. I didn’t know how I was going to get my arm over my head because of the injury but my adrenaline was pumping, and I could hear my wife and mother-in-law cheering me on. I looked and saw Kala holding up my son, dressed in a ninja outfit. She was yelling ‘do it for your little ninja!’ It was cheesy, but I was able to get up over that wall.”

NBC asked Brandon to return the following year. Two months before filming, he endured another training injury – this time tearing his middle deltoid and part of his rotator cuff. Again, his family helped him get past the setback.

“The first night, I blew through the course and thought I could take on the second night with no problem, but the other contestants and I all failed. It was disappointing, but it served as my motivation for coming back next year.”

The second night’s obstacle course required contestants to jump from giant, bouncy balls – a tough challenge made even more difficult by the pouring rain.

Brandon inherited his love for exercise and sports from his father, who passed away in 2010.

“My dad was an amazing athlete,” he said. “We played sports together. He worked two jobs but always made time for me and my brother.”

Although his training physically prepared him for the competition, his career as a pilot prepared him mentally.

“My job as a pilot helped me learn to not get worked up in stressful situations. It helps with handling pressure, being able to control your heartbeat and being comfortable in front of people.”

Outside of work and the show, Brandon constantly stays physically active.

“It’s a conscious decision, and you’ve got to stick with it. Find something you’re passionate about that’s fun for you. That’s also why I love my job as a pilot – I get to do something I love and have fun doing it.”

Though he’s waiting for the official word from NBC, Brandon looks forward to returning to American Ninja Warrior. The next season will film in Orlando, and it would give him a chance to take his son to Disney World.

“I’m just a big kid at heart,” he said. “I love to do anything that tests my physical and mental abilities.”

Brandon on the American Ninja Warriors obstacle course

Brandon with his wife Kala and his “little ninja” Connor at the American Ninja Warrior competition

Dr. Kozarsky and his team

Dressed in surgical scrubs in a Honduran hospital room, Detroit-based Captain Carlos Enriquez watched the elderly woman open her eyes, blinking to adjust to her newfound sight.

“At first we thought the surgery failed,” Carlos said. “She was looking to the side and the doctor kept asking her to look straight at the eye chart on the wall.”

Carlos, a team of volunteers and a PBS documentary film crew watched as the 71-year-old turned to the surgeon and said, “Doctor, please give me a second. I am looking at my beautiful daughter and I have not seen her in a long time.”

“At that moment, we realized the surgery was a success. It was one of those moments that stayed with me.”

In March, Carlos volunteered for the ECHO Foundation (Eradicating Cataracts Honduras Outreach), a non-profit established in 2008 by Dr. Alan Kozarsky and Kyle Coffey. The organization’s mission is to provide cataract surgery brigades to restore sight to hundreds of poor Hondurans who otherwise would not have access to the surgery.

“Dr. Kozarsky is my air medical examiner and he’d mention ECHO from time to time. But I never gave it much thought until after my trip to Honduras for the Army.”

A U.S. Army soldier specializing in combat arms, Carlos was sent to train Honduran forces a year ago. When he returned home, he chatted with Dr. Kozarsky about the experience and ECHO came up during their conversation.

“I told him ‘next time you go, take me with you.’”

Volunteering his vacation time, Carlos flew from Atlanta to San Pedro Sula, Honduras and spent a week assisting the surgeries. The mission was also filmed for the upcoming PBS documentary, “Sight: The Story of Vision,” which educates viewers on the health and science of the eye. The film documents the history of sight, and the science, technology and medicine that allows people to see, as well as how to cure diseases of the eye and correct vision. A premiere date has not been announced yet.

Carlos’ previous trip to Honduras proved valuable to the logistics of the trip.

“I knew the Air Force base commander where we landed. We unloaded our supplies and went straight to the hospital. I don’t have any medical training so I thought that’s all I could help with. But the doctor was very good at putting people to work.”

He and the volunteers set up waiting areas for patients, organized the operating rooms and prepared medical supplies.

“It didn’t matter what your background was. Everyone did a little bit of everything, with the exception of actually performing the surgery.”

Carlos worked mostly in the OR with the doctors, helping to set up supplies for the surgical procedures. Fluent in Spanish, he also acted as an interpreter between doctors and patients.

One of the stories documented by the film crew was a 15-year-old patient who was blind in one eye and received a corneal transplant. As an interpreter, Carlos went with the film crew to pick up the teenager from his home and bring him to the hospital.

“San Pedro Sula is one of the biggest cities in Honduras for crime and gang activity, and his neighborhood was a little dangerous. Some of the volunteers were nervous but my military training kicked in to take inventory of what was going around us,” Carlos said.

The humanitarian mission tremendously improved the health and livelihoods of over a hundred patients, including a 21-year-old medical student now able to continue with her studies, the parents of a young woman, and a double amputee, diabetic patient who required full-time care.

“It was amazing to watch these surgeries change lives forever.”

According to the ECHO Foundation, there are at least 50,000 people in Honduras needlessly suffering blindness from cataracts. For most, eyesight is easily fixed with a 15-minute surgery and a $100 worth of resources.

Carlos didn’t realize the emotional impact the Honduras humanitarian mission would have on him personally. He plans to return every year.

“I went down there on a whim. I didn’t know what to expect, and it was incredibly rewarding. By the end of the week, there was nothing but smiles, hugs and tears of happiness.”

Delta First Officer Justin Place shares how his experience as a pilot at ExpressJet prepared him for his dream career at Delta Air Lines.

As they say, “hindsight is 20/20,” and I am in a unique position to be able to look back and reflect on the decisions I’ve made to get to this point in my career. Joining ExpressJet (then Atlantic Southeast Airlines) in 2007 was one of the best decisions I’ve made thus far. The eight years I spent there were a significant part of a solid foundation for a long career in aviation, and the perfect segue to my career goal of working for Delta Air Lines.

ExpressJet undoubtedly gives you the tools required to be successful no matter what your career aspirations are. ExpressJet’s training department is by far one of the best kept secrets of our industry. From day one, I was impressed by the quality of instruction and the professionals providing the training. They are not there to simply meet the FAA minimum requirements but to prepare you to operate proficiently in technically advanced aircraft flying in the unique demands of both modern domestic and varying international airspace systems. They’re able to do so because of the vast wealth of knowledge and experience gained over years of flying at ExpressJet themselves. If you need additional proof, look no further than their recent certification as the first part 121 passenger-carrying airline to offer the ATP CTP course for new-hires.

However, our industry today is much more than getting from point A to point B, and ExpressJet goes well beyond simply training you on the technical skills of flying an airplane. They also focus on how to provide some of the best customer service possible, and that starts with hiring great people. By far the best part of working for ExpressJet Airlines is the people you work beside. The aviation industry is a small, close-knit group, and it’s great to see a friendly face no matter what airport you are walking through. The life-long relationships built at ExpressJet will continue to reward you in the future, both personally and professionally, as they have done so for me.

The next step in my career with Delta Air Lines is flying their Boeing 757/ 767 aircraft out of New York City, both domestically and internationally. I look forward to the new challenges as they present themselves, but I do so knowing I’m well prepared by the experiences and skills learned at ExpressJet Airlines.

Thanks for the memories,

Delta First Officer Justin Place

Our Vice President of Flight Operations, Brad Sheehan, answers questions we’ve received through our social media channels. He answers the tough questions and shares how we’re making our airline better for our team members and the next generation of ExpressJet pilots.

Brad Sheehan, vice president – Flight Operations

What is ExpressJet’s upgrade time?
Brad: The future of ExpressJet is bright, especially for our new pilots. Pilots hired today will likely upgrade in four years with our current fleet plan, and any additional or extended aircraft will shorten it further.

What is the signing bonus at ExpressJet?
Brad: We currently offer a $7,500 signing bonus to CRJ or ERJ type-rated pilots. We offer our new hire pilots the best training in the industry, paid ATP CTP on-site, a mature contract that focuses on quality of life, and the best flow through to the majors of all regional airlines. I believe that when deciding where to build your career, it’s important to consider your future opportunity in the long term.

Are ExpressJet pilots hired by the majors without PIC time?
Brad: Yes. Almost half of our pilots who advance their careers to the majors each month are first officers, and the majors hire more ExpressJet pilots than any other regional. We are the largest United Express and Delta Connection carrier, have a solid safety and training record, and we’re one of the best performing regional airlines; the mainlines appreciate that.

How much does a first year pilot make at ExpressJet?
Brad: It’s no secret that first year pay for a regional pilot is lower than you’d like, but pay at ExpressJet is more than just minimum guarantee. For example, you’re paid for deadheads and cancellations, ExpressJet pays 70-75% of top medical plans to keep you and your family healthy, we share our operational rewards quarterly with our employee group and we have dozens of other perks for our people.

Is ExpressJet parking planes?
Brad: We’ve been working proactively with our mainline partners to restructure our fleet to make ExpressJet more profitable. While we are parking older, less profitable planes, we’ve doubled our American Eagle fleet to over 30 planes just this month.

Where are your crew bases?
Brad: ExpressJet has some of the most commutable and desirable bases in the country: IAH, ORD, CLE, EWR and DFW for our ERJ fleet, and ATL, DTW and DFW for our CRJ fleet. In several of our crew bases, we are the only regional carrier which means a lot in today’s world.

What does ExpressJet’s future look like?
Brad: We intend to hire and upgrade 40 pilots a month, which allows us to cut current upgrade time by more than half for those getting hired today. We are working out details around pathway programs and partnerships with leading flight schools, universities and other partners who recognize the value in both short- and long-term strategies. It will take some time for the pilot seeds we are planting today to grow, but we know they will and we will continue to be on the leading edge of innovation in this industry, ready for the next generation of pilots.

Why should I choose ExpressJet over other regionals?
Brad: Unlike many of our competitors who offer only speed, we represent one of the last few mature regional airlines. Certainly some will doubt our sincerity or capability, but we continue to trend in a positive direction and I believe that makes us a stable company poised to grow.

As each month this year goes by, our story gets stronger. ExpressJet is a stable, mature company that continues to exceed expectations and has a clear future in the industry. With a vision for our success and a plan to get it done, we have a bright future in the industry, and pilots joining our team will be poised to realize the career benefits of our success.

To learn more about a career at ExpressJet, visit www.expressjet.com/careers/pilots.

ExpressJet Airlines is pleased to announce an Open House event at our Atlanta headquarters on July 17-18, 2015 from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. EST. Aspiring airline pilots and aviation students, professionals and enthusiasts of all ages are encouraged to attend.

This event is a great chance to learn more about ExpressJet and the airline industry, and enjoy a beautiful view of the runways at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with our chief pilots and recruiters, meet flight schools and flight instructors, and experience our professional flight simulators used to train ExpressJet pilots. The event will also feature a tour of our facilities, free admittance into the Delta Flight Museum located down the street from our hangar, as well as the opportunity to meet with ATP Flight School, the largest flight training company in the United States.

Flight experience is not necessary to fly the simulator, but guests must sign up for a session at www.expressjet.com. The event will take place at 990 Toffie Terrace, Atlanta, GA 30354.

More than 400 visitors attended our Houston and Atlanta Open Houses  to get a behind-the-scenes look at ExpressJet Airlines. Attendees toured our facilities, met with recruiters, flight schools, our chief pilots and United First Officer Afton, piloted a takeoff and landing in our flight simulators, and learned about ExpressJet and the airline industry straight from the professionals.

“I had a very good day today. I met so many pilots and all of them shared some good advice on how I can reach my goal of becoming a pilot. I also got a chance to fly a professional flight simulator!” said attendee DeJion E.

Attendees took off and landed in our on-site flight simulator used to train ExpressJet pilots and met with our chief pilots, recruiters and EPIC Ambassadors. Current and future airline pilots also talked with United Airlines First Officer Afton to learn first-hand about the progression from a top regional like ExpressJet to a major.  Several flight schools were in attendance to meet with students about available aviation programs and flight training. The event also featured a tour of our facilities and allowed visitors to learn the many different areas that go into operating a successful airline, including the Maintenance hangar, Operations Control Center, training classrooms and engine shop.

If you didn’t make it out this time, keep an eye out for future Open Houses in Atlanta and Houston – you won’t want to miss it!

Captain Peter Loveitt (far right) with his crew

Newark-based Captain Peter Loveitt retires today after more than 38 years at ExpressJet. He holds the number one spot on the ERJ seniority list, his employee number is 10, and he has been a pilot for nearly 50 years.

“I’ve loved aviation since I was a kid,” said Peter. “I started flying when I was 16 and got my private pilot license just after high school. After that, I went to school for aviation maintenance and proudly served with the 101st airborne in Vietnam before returning to Fort Benning, Ga., where I finished the rest of my flight training. I joined Bar Harbor Airlines in March of 1977 and the rest is history.”

Bar Harbor is one of the many airlines that became what is now ExpressJet. Bar Harbor operated in the New England area, Peter’s home.

“I was born and raised in Maine, still live there in fact, so Bar Harbor was close to home which was important to me. It was a lot simpler back then. We worked hard flying the Cessna 402 or Beech 99, operating a few routes in New England. The growth of our airline and the increasing complexity of our operation have been tremendous. We’ve gone from small aircraft to sophisticated jets; a few routes to 2,000 flights per day.”

The size and scope of our operation, from a small family-owned airline to the world’s largest regional, was the most extraordinary change Peter’s seen in his time with ExpressJet, but it’s what has stayed the same that’s most important.

“I’ve stayed here because of the people. The people I work with, everyone who is involved in this company, they make ExpressJet a great place to work. My years working with pilots as a check airman/instructor were some of the most rewarding.”

Peter also credits ExpressJet’s work rules and management as a reason he built his career here.

“ExpressJet also offered me the quality of life I wanted, and that’s big for me. I wanted to be there to raise my children. Staying here worked out well. I’m very pleased with my career. I could have gone on to bigger and better things, but I’m proud to work for a good company. It’s been a good ride.”

Peter flew his last trip on July 20, a round trip from his Newark base to Cincinnati with his wife, Deb, on board. The Newark team arranged a water cannon salute as he taxied and met him at the gate with a warm welcome.

“They gave me a nice welcome here in EWR with a gathering with a cake in the crew lounge. It was a good day for my final flight – the weather was beautiful – but I’m going to miss ExpressJet and the people. My time here has just been amazing. For a little boy from Maine, this has been an amazing journey.”

After retirement, Peter plans to spend as much time outside as possible, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, boating and woodworking.

Water cannon salute as Captain Loveitt lands in Newark on his final trip

On Thursday, SkyWest, Inc., ExpressJet’s parent company, held its Q2 2015 earnings call. SkyWest, Inc. reported their best financial quarter since 2008, with a net income of $31.5 million dollars, ending the quarter with over $500 million dollars in cash reserves.

Pilots beginning their career have many factors to consider when choosing where to work –  base locations, quality of life, pay, upgrade time, aircraft type – but the long-term financial stability of the airline is one of the most important factors to consider. We are proud to say that ExpressJet, as part of Skywest, Inc., leads the industry in many of these categories, especially our focus on long term financial stability and operational success.

One of the primary drivers for the company’s financial success is the reliability of our product. ExpressJet Airlines has continued to be the industry leader in operational performance: our controllable completion  performance has topped all United Express carriers for the last 12 months and counting, and we’re a top-tier performer for Delta Connection and American Eagle.

SkyWest, Inc. President Chip Childs credited ExpressJet’s employees with our success: “I can’t say enough about the operating performance and what the [ExpressJet] teams have done out there to be, candidly, the best in the industry.”

“Every decision we make is for the long-term stability of our company, which in turn benefits the people who make ExpressJet a success,” said COO Alex Marren. “We have  a great team of aviation professionals who provide safe, reliable and enjoyable flights every day for our passengers. Working together, we will continue to improve and make ExpressJet an even better company.”

More ExpressJet pilots are hired by the majors than any other airline, offering opportunity to those who wish to move up in their careers. Pilots seeking to make ExpressJet a long-term career are able to have confidence in the financial stability of our airline. All of our pilots fly with the best.

Are you ready to start your career at ExpressJet or want to learn more? Visit expressjet.com/smartchoice and complete the contact form to have an ExpressJet pilot reach out to you.

ExpressJet Airlines is excited to announce a multi-phase partnership with Boldmethod, a digital aviation media company, to give readers an inside look at regional airline operations. Boldmethod is a landmark company that is transforming how aviation professionals and enthusiasts understand the aviation industry. The alliance utilizes Boldmethod’s industry-leading online teaching methods to educate, engage and empower future aviators in an innovative way.

The collaboration will focus on regional airline operations, an inside look at aviation professions and tips on beginning your aviation career. We’re looking forward to launching the first three segments in the series over the coming months:

First Flight of the Day: The first feature encompasses all the tasks that are associated with preparing for the first flight of the day, including maintenance preparation, pilot preflight and safety checks, flight attendant cabin prep, ramp operations and, finally, take off.

Pilot Interview: ExpressJet and Boldmethod take audiences through a typical pilot interview experience. The feature integrates the standard aviation interview experience with a culture that is unique to ExpressJet.

ATP CTP Course: Aviation enthusiasts will find the answers to questions regarding the ATP CTP course instruction, get an in-depth look at ExpressJet’s training program – the only part 121 carrier to offer the training in-house – and tag along as a pilot trainee completes the flight simulator portion of the course.

“We take pride in leading the industry in outreach to both future and current aviation professionals,” said Brad Sheehan, senior vice president of Operations at ExpressJet. “The partnership with Boldmethod builds upon the existing priorities of ExpressJet: educating, engaging and empowering the future of aviation to prepare them for a successful, long-term career. We’re confident that partnering with Boldmethod will enhance our reach to educate and inspire the next generation.”

“Aviation is an amazing career field, but getting an in-depth look into an airline career can be nearly impossible,” said Aleks Udris, co-founder of Boldmethod. “Together with ExpressJet, we’re producing stories that give future aviators an inside view of the airline world. We’re showing people what it takes to push a flight out on time – from the flight deck to the operations tower.  We’re walking through an interview process, to help people prepare for any aviation interview, and we’re looking in-depth at training, starting with the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP CTP).”

“We know an inside view of the industry will show how amazing aviation is, inspiring more students to start aviation careers,” said Colin Cutler, co-founder of Boldmethod. “We want pilots to understand what large aircraft training includes, helping them prepare for the next step in their careers.”

Our partnership will allow for aspiring airline pilots, aviation students and professional enthusiasts to learn more about ExpressJet and the airline industry through Boldmethod’s sharable, digital flight training content. The features created as a result of the partnership will be available to ExpressJet and Boldmethod audiences online.

About ExpressJet Airlines
Headquartered in Atlanta, ExpressJet Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., is a regional airline leader with 8,400 aviation professionals, an average of more than 1,800 daily flights and an all-jet fleet of 332 aircraft. Through capacity purchase agreements, ExpressJet operates as American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express to serve 187 airports in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.

About Boldmethod
Boldmethod is an online aviation media company with a half-million monthly viewers.  We produce daily stories, quizzes and posts that will teach you to fly, make you laugh, and remind you why you love aviation.  Some of it’s educational, some of it’s just plain fun.

My path to ExpressJet was anything but typical. Before I was able to call myself First Officer Tanner Johnson on ExpressJet Airlines’ Embraer 145, I was a student at Kent State University. When I graduated in August of 2010, circumstances prevented me from following the conventional path of becoming a flight instructor right after graduation.

At the time, the flight schools were saturated with instructors and airlines were just beginning to ramp up their hiring. The unfavorable environment of the industry caused me to seek other opportunities that would allow me to touch the world of aviation that I loved, just from a different perspective. Prior to becoming a first officer with ExpressJet, I worked as a customer service agent and ramp attendant for US Airways affiliate Piedmont Airlines and later a first officer there. Each position allowed me to gain a better understanding of the different roles at an airline and how they factor into a flight’s success. I still appreciate those experiences, and frequently reference them in my role as a first officer. Although I did not end up as an airline pilot through the same channels as most, I know that the experience made me a well-rounded candidate.

The vibrant culture, great work rules and growth opportunities at ExpressJet led me to leave Piedmont. When considering the switch, I noted many of my former instructors and friends from Kent State were working as ExpressJet pilots and enjoyed their work environment. I wanted to follow their paths.  While I wouldn’t normally recommend switching to another regional, for me it was a huge step forward in my quality of life. From training and culture to work rules, I cannot think of a better decision I have made for my career than to join the ExpressJet team. It truly has been a rewarding experience for me both personally and professionally.

I would like to offer a word of advice to those interested in an aviation career. I have learned that to be competitive in this industry, you have to remain committed to being more than a pilot, and I implore you to do just that.

When working for a regional you are a brand ambassador not only for your airline, but for your partner airlines as well. While the safe operation of each flight is the most important aspect of stepping into the flight deck, working together with gate agents, dispatchers, ramp personnel and even passengers all factor into the equation of being a successful pilot. Gaining customer service skills at the start of my aviation career was an invaluable experience that equipped me with the tools I needed to go above-and-beyond for our customers on a daily basis. You must tap into your own skills and unique experience to do the same.

I encourage you to be intentional about making yourself visible to everyone throughout the airline, not just the crews you fly with. With this career path comes the opportunity for continuous growth because you can learn something from every individual you encounter.

Finally, always remember that when you put on your uniform you are more than a pilot. You represent your own hard work and dedication, but you are also the face of every one of your coworkers working behind-the-scenes to make ExpressJet successful. Wear the wings proudly.

For more information contact: ExpressJet Corporate Communications
corpcomm@expressjet.com
Business hours: 404-856-1199
After hours: 877-955-3989

ATLANTA – ExpressJet Airlines (“ExpressJet”) is excited to announce a partnership with JetBlue Airways (“JetBlue”) through the JetBlue University Gateway Program (“Gateway”) to offer qualified students and current pilots a clear pathway to a career at JetBlue.

The partnership expands on an earlier agreement with JetBlue to create three distinct pathways from an
Aviation Accreditation Board International (“AABI”) partner school to ExpressJet to JetBlue:

ExpressJet to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year to meet Airline Transport Pilot (“ATP”)/Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (“R-ATP”) minimums >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 3,000 hours and 36 months for at least 4,000 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

ExpressJet to Cape Air to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year to meet ATP/R-ATP minimums >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 1,800 hours and 24 months >> Serve as a captain at Cape Air for at least 1,000 hours and 12 months for at least 3,800 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

Cape Air to ExpressJet to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year >> Serve as a captain at Cape Air for at least 1,000 hours and 18 months >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 1,800 hours and 18 months for at least 3,800 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

In addition, this new partnership will offer current ExpressJet pilots who meet all program requirements an additional option for career advancement.

“ExpressJet and JetBlue share similar values and a dedication to hiring highly qualified pilots, making our partnership both a good culture fit as well as mutually beneficial for each airline and our pilots,” said Brad Sheehan, senior vice president of Operations – ExpressJet Airlines. “We’re excited to introduce this new partnership to further solidify ExpressJet as the best regional airline for collegiate aviators to begin their careers.”

The new ExpressJet pathways join the long-standing partnership between Cape Air and JetBlue. The
Cape Air to JetBlue pathway requires graduation from an AABI partner school, flight instructor experience and at least 2,500 hours and 24 months at Cape Air for at least 3,200 total flight hours, plus a jet transition course before an interview at JetBlue.

Pilots in the Gateway program must meet a defined set of criteria, including regular performance reviews, and successfully complete new hire interviews at each airline in the path they choose. In addition, for the University Gateway Program, pilots must attend Auburn University, Bridgewater State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona and Prescott campuses), Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Jacksonville University and the University of North Dakota. For the Advanced Gateway, pilots who graduated with an accredited major and flight training from any AABI school are eligible.

For more information, visit www.futurebluepilots.com.

Please see the PDF version for the complete release.

ExpressJet has been a long time supporter of organizations that advance the aviation careers of women and minority groups, like Women in Aviation International (WAI). When Georgia Governor Nathan Deal officially proclaimed Sept. 26 as Georgia’s first annual Girls in Aviation Day, we jumped at the opportunity to support this great event.

“The WAI Atlanta chapter hosted a full day of activities at Conyers Middle School for more than 100 girls ages 8 to 16 to recognize the day,” said Captain Andrea Weeks, an ExpressJet pilot and recruiter who also serves as WAI “Gone with the Wind” Chapter membership chair. “I’m so proud that my company was the Diamond Sponsor for the event. Their support made this event happen, and I know the event made a positive impact on the attendees.”

The girls spent the morning meeting aviation and aerospace professionals, and learning about the expansive career paths available in the industry. High school WAI chapter members interacted with attendees and served as an example to their peers that early careers in aviation are possible for women. Civil Air Patrol and Middle Georgia State University were onsite to provide program information and next steps for girls who wanted to get involved, and girls were able to interact with female pilots.

“We were very excited to show the girls the opportunities available to them in the field of aviation and help them follow the next steps in their career,” said Andrea. “Everyone had a great time learning about STEM careers available to them. I think we might see a few of the girls in our new hire pilots classes in a couple years!”

Women in Aviation International (WAI) has been providing networking, education, mentorship, and scholarship opportunities to women and men striving toward careers in aviation and aerospace for nearly 25 years. This year WAI and its global chapters celebrated Girls in Aviation Day on Sept. 26, charging each chapter to host events for the day and petition state representatives to officially recognize the date as well. State Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Ga., championed the cause and helped make it official in Georgia.

The Atlanta Chapter of WAI is open to men and women with a full range of aviation backgrounds including pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, aviation safety specialists, aviation insurance executives, airport managers, airport operations and emergency response managers, and dispatchers. If you have interest in getting involved with the organization or any of their activities visit www.waiatlanta.com.

Girls learn how engineering and design work hand in hand

The Young Women of the Atlanta WAI Gone with the Wind Chapter giving tips and information on how they got started

A Girl Scout troop engaged in learning all about the behind-the-scenes career path of aviation maintenance/tech ops

Girls learn the nuts and bolts of aircraft maintenance

Incident Management & Hazardous Materials team teaches the girls how chemical safety is very important in the aviation industry

Aircraft dispatcher Julie showcases how her role fits into daily operations and air traffic safety

Not only does Bill Schumacher guarantee the safety and comfort of his two-legged passengers as a flight attendant, but he also ensures the well-being of his furry four-legged companions as well.

Serving as a flight attendant for ExpressJet Airlines means your life can be spontaneous, but Bill Schumacher amplified the spontaneity level when he decided to become an ambassador for Cairn Rescue USA (CRUSA). CRUSA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to shelter, foster and find permanent homes for the Cairn Terrier dog breed. As a volunteer ambassador, Bill is responsible for transporting and accompanying Cairn Terriers as they meet their new owners.

“The decision to do this work was easy,” said Bill. “After meeting a friend’s Cairn Terrier, I instantly fell in love with the breed. They’re feisty, fun and absolutely faithful to their owners. Stubborn, too!”

While volunteering for CRUSA, Bill decided to foster Rosie, a Cairn Terrier in Nashville who was living in a home with “one too many dogs.” Bill drove to Nashville from Atlanta to pick up Rosie which he would foster  until she found herself a new “forever” home. Rosie found a permanent home quickly…with Bill.

“I flunked the foster dad test in short order, and had to have her for my very own,” he said.

He adopted Rosie in 2010. It’s been a total love affair ever since.

Caring for Rosie has given Bill hands-on experience working with this particular breed of dogs. The experience has served him greatly and since his own pet adoption, he has delivered over 30 Cairn Terriers through CRUSA to loving foster homes and forever homes all over the country for the last 5 years.

“It can be very stressful as it’s difficult transporting a dog using any transportation method,” Bill explained, “especially when the animal has to ‘do its business.’”

He continued, “The extra work and the challenges are worth it. Seeing the faces on our CRUSA foster parents and recipients of Cairns to permanent homes makes all the extra work and stress well worth the effort.”

CRUSA was only the beginning of Bill’s involvement with pet adoptions. He recently started his own non-profit organization called “PuppyLove.” Puppy Love’s mission is to network with others who would like to donate their time transporting dogs not only for Cairn Rescue USA, but also for other rescue groups in need of transports. PuppyLove will be the clearing house for the transport of small dogs from numerous rescue groups needing assistance, particularly in moving adopted dogs to their new loving homes.

If you’re interested in becoming involved with CRUSA or PuppyLove, please go to http://www.cairnrescueusa.com/ or send an email to puppylovechicago@gmail.com for more information.

In the photos: Bill with some of the dogs he’s brought to new homes and families

In September, ExpressJet expanded our University Gateway partnership with JetBlue Airways to include new paths from ExpressJet to JetBlue, and an Advanced Gateway for current ExpressJet pilots. Since then, we’ve been traveling to partner schools with JetBlue and Cape Air representatives to talk to students about the program and hold interviews for interested applicants.

“ExpressJet, JetBlue and Cape Air are all dedicated to hiring highly qualified pilots who share our cultural values,” said Courtney Dennis, manager of Pilot Hiring and Recruitment – ExpressJet Airlines. “This new partnership further solidifies ExpressJet as the best regional airline for collegiate aviators to begin their careers.”

The partnership expands on ExpressJet’s earlier agreement with JetBlue to create three distinct pathways from an Aviation Accreditation Board International (“AABI”) partner school to ExpressJet to JetBlue:

ExpressJet to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year to meet Airline Transport Pilot (“ATP”)/Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (“R-ATP”) minimums >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 3,000 hours and 36 months for at least 4,000 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

ExpressJet to Cape Air to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year to meet ATP/R-ATP minimums >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 1,800 hours and 24 months >> Serve as a captain at Cape Air for at least 1,000 hours and 12 months for at least 3,800 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

Cape Air to ExpressJet to JetBlue: Graduate AABI partner school and serve as a flight instructor for one year >> Serve as a captain at Cape Air for at least 1,000 hours and 18 months >> Serve as a first officer at ExpressJet for at least 1,800 hours and 18 months for at least 3,800 hours total flight time >> Interview and begin training at JetBlue

In addition, this new partnership will offer current ExpressJet pilots who meet all program requirements an additional option for career advancement.

“JetBlue chose ExpressJet because of our pilots’ professionalism and passion for flying,” said Brad Sheehan, senior vice president – Operations. “We’re a good cultural fit, and our pilots have a history of success with JetBlue. The new Gateway programs complement our already strong hiring relationship with JetBlue.”

Pilots in the Gateway program must meet a defined set of criteria, including regular performance reviews, and successfully complete new hire interviews at each airline in the path they choose. In addition, for the University Gateway Program, pilots must attend Auburn University, Bridgewater State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Daytona and Prescott campuses), Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Jacksonville University or the University of North Dakota. For the Advanced Gateway, pilots who graduated with an accredited major and flight training from any AABI school are eligible.

To learn more about the JetBlue University Gateway Program, visit futurebluepilots.com. To learn more about the JetBlue Advanced Gateway for current ExpressJet pilots, visit xjt.com > Flight Operations > JetBlue Gateway.