Originally Posted by
Probe
It is not that we are short of pilots. We are not. We might actually be overstaffed. The current problem is we have too many pilots in the wrong place, doing &%$ all for monthly guarantee.
I believe the plan for the summer is to increase block hours on the 76T and Bus fleets, as the 737 fleet is not properly staffed. They are currently contracting a huge number of 737 sims in MIA, but we lack the instructors to cover the increase in training. A large number of the sims are going empty, even though we already paid for them.
Welcome to another UAL goat rope. It never ends.
Exactly. When IAH instructors were under the CAL system, they were paid captain pay with no step limit, had commuter priveledges, hotel and transportation included. Now with the new contract at FO pay limited to 9 year pay, there aren't as many wanting to stick around and instruct. The low pay and lack of commuter benefits may work great for guys living in Denver but now that there are two training centers, it might not be so easy finding folks willing to take a pay cut just to live in Houston, not to mention travel to Miami for those sims.
I think we gave up a lot in the instructor area on the last contract as far as pay and captains slots go. I'm sure it's great living in Denver but given the fact that TK probably won't be there forever and that we have IAH now, a lot was given up that was fought for over many contracts.