Just finished recurrent. Great systems review. New instructor - did a fabulous job. Lots of senior leadership and FAPA spoke to us. I have several observations. Rapid fire...
IMO the new base will be in the southern US, Eastern Time Zone. I'm nearly certain of this based on what was said, unless they were deliberately passing on mis-information. Which, honestly could be the case because they told us they were concerned about our competitors catching wind of our intentions too early. That said, they spoke of the nightmare a northern base would present, especially after watching this winter wreak havoc as it has. Commuting crews etc. They talked of the desire to make the base a place where perhaps CA's would want to bid, and noted we have many CA's who live in Florida and Texas. Basically a range from central Florida to Virginia is my deduction. Expect it to open in October 2015 was said at least 3 times. And even FAPA said in the last month the priority to open the new base sooner rather than later has risen rapidly for the company.
There was a huge admission that the company will continue going through growing pains as the sudden increase in utilization has exposed our weak underbelly. Having been a 'low utilization legacy carrier' our metal has never been tested as it is now, and all sorts of issues are cropping up. The Denver centricity allowed much slack in the system, in prior years, to fix aircraft as they came through etc, but now an entire new strategy is required. They asserted that they are on it though, and the COO said confidently to give him 9 months to get things operating smoothly.
Huge emphasis on the absolute necessity to getting costs down, equal to____ 's, so we can compete head to head with_____, our main competitor.
Fuel Savings, and mores specifically departing with only the fuel we need was talked about at length. Questions were asked about how unintended diversions as a result of lowering the landing fuel might offset the savings. The answer was that the data proves otherwise. And after detailed explanation as to how they will cherry pick flights to beef up fuel loads, if a crew-timeout is projected, etc, should a diversion occur pretty much sold me on the idea. Of course the CA can always do what he needs to do.
Ovens. Basically the answer was this: Look guys, all the new planes weren't going to have them anyway. So you were going to lose them eventually anyway. It just didn't make sense to keep them in some planes and not others. It's a tough business decision... We made it. It isn't personal.
Outsourcing. Our costs for these services were not competitive. Another tough business decision. CEO explained had he not made the decision, his replacement would have had to make it. It sucks, it was necessary, it isn't personal.
FAPA spoke to us. The company and the union are both solidly committed to their positions. I looked hard, and sensed no weakness in FAPA. They appear extremely confident that our position is strong, and over time, and working though the legal processes and systems in place, we will get our piece of the pie, and shouldn't have to give an inch. But nothing will be handed to us. It is the way it is. But in some strange way this comforts me as I am leery of handshake deals anyway. At my last airline we always ended up with the short end of the stick on those. FAPA did mention a concern that the pilot group might overly focus on hourly rates vs work rules in the new contract. Something to guard, and educate against I guess.
Growth. Mentioned several times by several people. 200 newhires this year, ~90 to 100 upgrades. 15% growth year over year beyond that indefinitely. Want to purchase a second sim. So there will be 3. Two of ours, and one owned by SSS.
First set of snap backs almost certain to happen in April, highly unlikely to happen sooner as a sign of good will.
Denver displacements... Repeatedly asked about. One answer was that they would try to let Denver reduce naturally over time. It certainly won't grow. This seemed to calm some nerves initially, but over the course of two days, trying to read between the lines, I personally feel displacements will happen. The CEO spent a lot of time outlining how expensive Denver is to operate in. I just think the writing is on the wall. That's only my opinion, but know this, I derive at it very reluctantly as I'm devastated at the thought of leaving. But pipe-dreams are for the weak. I gotta face reality.
Look, all in all, from my myopic newhire-esque position I come away feeling better than ever about our future. I'm going to let the business men do what they do best and build this ULCC into the profitable monster it can and will become, and with patience and non-wavering hard nosed negotiating expect this pilot group to fully reap the rewards we deserve.
KSpilot, I'm awaiting your approval or condescension LOL
