Originally Posted by
fishforfun
It is a 2 year equipment lock, unless it is in the companies best interest, and that is a quote.
What I don't get what you are saying is that guys shouldn't be able to bid into things others cannot? How does every other company fill vacancies? My understanding is all companies allow new hires to bid into vacant positions ie a new hire at Delta can bid into the 76 even though there are more senior guys did not get it.
Looking at the TDY list it appeared there were very few involuntary TDYs. Maybe that doesn't reflect the real story. I also have friends at regionals spending weeks TDY making 30-50% less than us.
So far the biggest complaint has been that they can change days off less than 12 hours before a scheduled day off. That is a serious issue that needs to be fixed in the contract. In the mean time, don't answer your phone on your days off.
I've never had any issue getting a hold of anyone I've needed to. Emails replied to in same day, phone calls answered or returned within 24 hours.
Not trying to argue or start a fight but I'm just passing on my experiences.
I'm not trying to start a fight either, I'm just passing along my experiences as well.
The pay here is A LOT better than any regional, no argument there. But honestly, I can't think of anything else better and I want too.
AFAIK at the Legacy carriers, you can bid what you can hold, period. There are no seat locks at all, everything goes in seniority. New hires bid alongside senior people and get the scraps. That is how it is supposed to work. Here the company will actually reserve spots for new hires and not allow senior FOs and CAs (even those with no seat lock) to bid on them.
In my -80 GOM I believe it actually says the seat lock is 3 years. The company is enforcing 2 which is better, sure, but does the clock start from DOH, checkride, or IOE completion? Clear as mud. They have also had bids where they skip over people and just suddenly decide they won't let anyone switch.
The TDY's come and go. September is a slow month so there are less. Like a previous poster said, don't go by the involuntary TDYs, go by all the TDYs. IWA was pretty rough the last few months, most of these guys ended up MYR or PIE, again no guarantee of commutable schedules. Regional TDYs? I haven't ever heard of that happening for more than 4-5 days at a time? Usually involves sitting reserve out of base. There is no extra pay credit being TDY'd here, just the extra tax free per diem.
Your lucky to have had quick responses from the company. Try calling about vacancy bid, company travel, schedule problem, or worse, a payroll issue. It usually takes 2-3 phone calls or emails.
Everyone's experience here is different. I really want to settle in and have this place be great, but so far it's let me down and not one of the above gripes have anything to do with my pay (besides it not being correct). FWIW I hear the AB IWA schedules are some of the best in the system (if your not being TDY'd to FL). Supposedly senior guys/girls are getting up to 15-16 off, I wish we could still do that on the -80. If your set on coming here and willing to move to base perhaps that is the place to go?
Good Luck.