Does ExpressJet’s Late Flight Record and Poor Service Compound Their $26mln Quarterly Loss?

Clearly, the XJT team posting a loss this quarter and having problems with fulfilling their first quarter revenue goals must have absolutely nothing to do with the poorly trained personnel or inadequate level of service they’re offering.

BTS | Seven New Carriers Report On-Time Performance, Baggage Mishandling to DOT

The monthly report contains a list of regularly scheduled flights that were late at least 80 percent of the time. In February, the most frequently late flights were ExpressJet flight 2369 from Cleveland to Dallas-Fort Worth, late 91.67 percent of the time; ExpressJet flight 2796, also from Cleveland to Dallas-Fort Worth, late 90.91 percent of the time…

 Ouch. Back when I was a techie road warrier I used to screen flights in Travelocity and if they were historically above 20% late I wouldn’t touch that route. So I am wondering how that impacts their launch? 

ExpressJet Holdings Inc., Posts Loss on New Airline Costs 

The start up of their own airline led Houston based ExpressJet Holdings Inc. (XJT) to a $26.4 million quarterly loss.      

Update on Dr. Girlfriend’s trip

Doctor Girlfriend reported back after her late return to Sacramento this evening quite the story to relate. In Part 2 continuing my previous ExpressJet tale, I’ll be sure to post more however what she did relate to me did include:

1. Late takeoff because of a hand-cranking handicapped transfer done on the tarmac in 100 degree heat.

2. Something about the flight attendant (F/A) wanting Dr. Girlfriend to take a diaper all the way to the rear of the plane versus simply dumping it into the small waste bag two feet from the cabin door during the flight.

3. Dr. Girlfriend’s mother (said wheelchair passenger) got lost in the shuffle somehow when at the end of the trip the F/A grabbed an elderly passenger and, assuming they were the wheelchair pax, stuck that lady into the mother’s personal, custom wheelchair.

4. The confrontation with the flight attendant the F/A then wanted to “assist the wheelchair passenger down the steps” and Dr. Girlfriend refused to let her, asking for the proper equipment to be used. The F/A had evidently decided that Dr. Girlfriend’s mom could somehow walk, even though she hasn’t in over 35 years.

5. Dr. Girlfriend tried to put a stop to this madness by getting the pilot to mediate. This was her only option to keep the F/A from attempting to manhandle her mother down the steps, to which the pilot was heard to say that he didn’t understand the F/A’s accent or refusal either.

Um. I don’t know if maybe I’ve been too long outside of a jet, but I do recall that clear communication used to be a job requirement. How else will everyone understand what to do in case of emergency? Not to mention during this flight the F/A spent all that time jumping on the holy hand grenade of Federal Accessibility of Airline Service.

ExpressJet: Conjures Evil Flight Attendants To Save Money

Maybe it’s because ExpressJet forgot to screen their flight attendants for those who don’t have people skills… Or for those without a soul: 

Talking toddler and mother removed from flight in Houston

 (7/11/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) - A passenger on a Houston flight says she and her child were thrown off the plane during an incident before takeoff. The question is — did a crew member go too far, or was the move justified? (ABC Affiliate) 

Flight Attendant Boots Gwinnett Mom, Baby From Plane

Kate Penland said she was glad to board the plane in Houston after an 11-hour delay to visit her father in Oklahoma. But she said a rude and aggressive flight attendant caused her to get to Oklahoma a day late. Penland thinks her 19-month-old son, Garren, has a bubbly personality. But Penland said when they were aboard a Continental Express plane, a flight attendant became annoyed by Garren’s personality when he kept saying three words. 

For those of you who clicked that ‘poorly trained personnel‘ link who aren’t in aviation, that’s 500 hours total time (TT) and 100 hours multi-engine. I’ve driven more than 100 hours in two months driving back and forth to the Bay Area. 

In basically 16 hours a week flight time for two months plus their internal 90 day wonder class and Presto! You’re an ExpressJet Pilot. I wonder what it takes to get the Flight Attendant job? 

I would trust neither the pilots or the FAs in an emergency situation. That kind of judgement just doesn’t grow on trees. Add to that the inexperienced ground crew and all you’ve got left are the mechanics. I hear they’re first rate, with only one Class A accident in the past 16 years to show for it.

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