Originally Posted by
captfurlough
Let's get this straight CAT 3...no one, and certainly not me, has said that it's a "our thing" or "foreigners need not apply mentality." Don't twist my words or attempt to put words in my mouth.
I don't mean to turn this into an argument with you as I know you're trying to inform (as I am).
We just simply disagree and I'm here to counter what I believe is misinformation. There are many prospective pilots who read this and might walk away with the idea "main lander need not apply", or HAL doesn't want you if you live outside of Hawaii.
I said what I said and stand by it as a caution to some applicants, who like others I hear talk in the pilot lounge, have voiced some level of griping about their commutes.
We must be talking to different people, because I don't hear any one complaining about their commute... when I talk to people , and everyone knows I'm a commuter. If anything I am running into more and more people considering moving away and doing it... Two A330 FO's and one InterIsland CA come to mind from recent conversations. As you know, Vancouver WA has more than 10 of our pilots living there just for tax reasons, not to mention the number in Vegas, SF, LA, and SEA.
There are also a boatload of commuters from the Big Island, and other neighbor islands... that's as much a hassle as commuting from the west coast sometimes with as full as the flights get.
We have had some guys quit after commuting, and the rumor mill has at least one other guy openly griping and saying he intends to leave.
Looking back 18 months that I can, I've seen one quit to go to Fedex and that's about it.. two fired on probation. So maybe in the past it was more a problem, but I'd say that was more likely due to the perception that a job at DAL, UAL etc.. might have been more secure or paid better.. both of which aren't so true anymore.
Commuting is usually not easy, and almost always adds time and complexity to work schedules, and can...repeat can...have an impact on your freshness for duty. And again, I stand by my comment that for most folks, your best quality of life will probably be achieved by living close to the action.
Says you... I've been doing it for years and it's working fine for me. I know many, many, many others who feel the same way.
By the way...I've been in the business for 35 years...seldom have I heard someone say good things about having to commute over time.
121? Commuting for any of those years? Where may I ask?
If commuting works for you CAT 3 great...but all applicants should think through the repercussions in their case without expectations that bidding or scheduling will make it a piece of cake. And I'm not sure I'd take a job with the thought that the company should adapt a "standard commuting policy"....if you're lucky enough to be offered a job under the terms and conditions of the current working agreement, and it works for you...go for it!
Commute all you want....but this is a longer commute than most you refer to for mainline pilots on the mainland.
And here lies the rub... you don't want people who commute to *GASP* ask for any accommodations for it... well, HAL is right now the ONLY legacy airline with no language or policies commuters... and a j/s policy that's not friendly to commuters.. guys including myself make it work... it gets much easier to as you get seniority, as with anything.
As the airline grows and more and more commuters work for us, this "may" change, but your right, sign up for the current CBA and work rules... Over time, who knows what might happen.
Like I said, all carriers have a large number of commuters, it's the industry, Hawaiian is no different.. If you are based in ATL and live in any secondary city in the US, you have a worse commute (two leg) than anyone living on the west coast would for HAL... a one leg 5 hours flight (many times in the lower rest crew module sleeping) is a lot better than taking a commuter flight and connection to a major airport on the mainland (east bound).. I've done it, and I know many who do it now... UAL, AA, DAL, WN, and so on... SURE it's better to live at base, that's no different for HAL than any other carrier tho... but it's guys like you that paint this picture of HAL being so tough to commute for, when it's frankly easier than most since a) it's west bound, b)there' a TON of capacity from the west coast.
I've spent years doing east coast commutes... I've worked for ACMI's with 18 day on schedules... this place is a dream compared! I know guys at Atlas who have identical schedules to mine, but would give their left nut to trade jobs, and I'm still very junior.
BTW...
The MEC chairman, the Vice Chair, as well as the scheduling committee chair is a all commuters..
Maybe they should reconsider working for HAL? or move to Oahu (which is already over crowded)?
