Boeing Aviator

From today's Council 5 Staffing Update.



Crew Resources September Update:

Yesterday, Crew Resources released their September update. While you can read the full text of the update, because it includes significant information for nearly all of our Council 5 Pilots, I wanted to communicate directly with you.

You can find the full text of the update by going to the September 16, 2016 UpFront News, or by going to Flying Together – Flight Operations – Staffing – Crew Resources Update September 2016 (in the top left column)

756 – The Bad News:

As I alluded to in the normal monthly update, there is a significant shift in 764 flying. Due to reliability issues, the 763 is being consolidated to only EWR, IAH, and ORD – similar to how they moved the 747 to only one base in an attempt to improve reliability.

Unfortunately for us, this means that the routes that were being flown by the 763 in IAD will now be flown by “our” 764s, and the 763s will come to Newark.

If you look at the Winter Peak Aircraft Allocations included in the update, there is only ONE 764 route out of Newark – Brussels. Everything else is on the 763, including HNL.

I am hoping that this will prove to be a short term exercise, similar to how the 747 went back to its original bases – but the company has not provided any indication as to if or when that may happen. All initial indications are that this is not just seasonal adjustment and will continue towards and into next summer.

Staffing wise, they currently feel that we are slightly overstaffed, but they intend to rely on natural movement to correct this.

777 – Good News:

If you saw the news this week, the company announced daily 777 service from Newark to San Juan starting in December. They also have still not announced the routing plan for the 773s, which begin arriving very rapidly starting in December.

They currently anticipate adding an additional 30 positions in each seat in EWR.

320 – Good News:

As I mentioned in the normal update, I pushed Director Lavenant last month on the inaccurate guidance we’ve received over the last 6 months to a year on the 320 in Newark – size, LGA mix, etc.

The good news is that in spite of all this, and in spite of the fleet concentration, they currently anticipate in excess of 25 vacancies in each seat to staff Summer 2017 flying. I continue to work to get you the best and most accurate information regarding this fleet – I know all the changes can be frustrating.

737 – Not Bad, but want to see more:

Not much significant, I continue to push for better trip mix, and we are looking to supply the company with some better information specifically in regards to Newark as to the desires of our pilot group. I have stressed to the SSC that this base and fleet in particular doesn’t necessarily work with a data driven approach – we have people who drive that don’t want day trips, and we have some commutes that bid for productive day trips.

They anticipate a few more captain vacancies, with many new-hire first officers.

I want to strongly encourage crews to contact anyone of us below regarding any scheduling issues you may come across. Collectively, we will try every effort to resolve these matters as quickly as possible.

Fraternally,

Michael Kulbacki

LEC 5 LSC Chairman