July 17, 2016 MEC NewsBlast
07-17-2016, 01:09 PM
MEC Update
Commentary on August Schedules
It’s no secret that the schedules system wide for August are atrocious. In my 9-year career spanning two airlines, eight domiciles, and four aircraft types, I have never seen the schedules actually get worse in the middle of the summer. To say this is unprecedented in the history of this airline is an understatement. Many pilots have been reaching out to the MEC and various volunteers with the same question that has been persistently echoed for the last 2 years.
“When will it get better?”
The truth is, we simply do not know. I will not lie to any one of you and say that next month will hopefully be an improvement. Normally, with the summer schedule coming to an end on August 21st, one would expect changes (for better or worse) as the slower fall schedule sets in, but with AAG requesting Envoy cover for other carriers and operate at full throttle continuously, I can only assume that the schedules will continue in present fashion into the foreseeable future.
So what now?
The MEC and its Scheduling Committee are leaving no stone unturned in an effort to improve the quality of life for the pilots. As Scheduling Committee Chairman Jeff Cortez is forced to highlight every month, the flight files given to us from AAG are not conducive to success. AA is scheduling and running their regional operation like it is 2006, and not 2016. It is long past time for AA to wake up and realize that if this continues, Envoy and the other wholly owned carriers will continue falling short.
Worse,
Pilots talk to each other. Our prospective First Officers are better connected today than any pilots in the history of the airline industry. Many of these fledgling professional pilots know each other via social media, college, networking, or previous employment. These applicants share stories and swap information in a collective effort to find the best possible place to work. “How is Envoy? What’s the upgrade time like? How long until you hold a line? What’s life on reserve like?” are just some of the common discussion points amongst new hires. How well does AA and Envoy management think our airline stacks up when these questions are asked by pilots also interviewing at SkyWest, Endeavor, Republic, or any carrier with more favorable answers? It’s no secret we are industry lagging in almost every one of these metrics.
The remainder of 2016 will be critical for Envoy. There are 15,000 employees whose livelihoods depend on savvy management from Centreport and Regent Boulevard. Moving forward, the new reality for the fee for departure carriers will take a level of forward thinking not often seen in our industry. Some airlines are beginning to move forward with what they believe to be a successful strategy for navigating this turmoil. Others are perpetuating the managerial missteps that have brought nearly all fee for departure carriers to the brink of an unstoppable staffing nightmare.
At this point, all your MEC can do is continue to offer ideas and contractual improvements that we believe will position our carrier for success. Our Negotiating Committee has brought forward proposals and ideas to management in an effort to bring compensation to industry average, fix reserve, stop attrition, increase hiring, and set Envoy on a path towards success. Our negotiators have more proposals ready for discussion with the Company should they chose to engage.
We will continue to keep the Envoy pilots as informed as possible.