Originally Posted by
T28driver
I’m a little surprised nobody has really discussed the “same 5,000 resumes at all the majors” nugget from the OP.
Friends of mine at WN and UA in the hiring/training departments told me 2 years ago that their projections showed the “pilot shortage” finally starting to hit the majors around the fourth quarter of 2018. When I saw it happening at the regional level (and the corresponding increase in compensation it forced), I dusted off my logbook and started looking for a 121 job.
I’m currently a RJ pilot flying in the United Express system, and I’ve been really impressed with the mainline United pilots I have met. Thankfully, everyone I have visited with seems to fully grasp the implications of scope, and I’m comforted by the fact that your group appears to be unified in not offering any relaxations.
That being said, United is in trouble in terms of staffing on the Express side. The proof of this is pretty simple: a pilot that meets ATP minimums can have an interview immediately and a class date soon after at any of the United Express carriers. Endeavor is slammed with resumes and their classes are booked out through June. The lack of a wholly owned regional means that the independent carriers can’t really compete with the AA/DL regionals in terms of flow/compensation.
I think that United will be the first major to bring RJ’s in house, not necessarily because they want to but because they have no other choice. I also think that the first major to do this will be at a huge advantage in terms of being able to staff their flying over the next decade.
Sincerely,
A 50 seat RJ pilot that doesn’t want to fly a bigger jet with “United” on the side unless the word “express” is gone.
I can tell you that I have communicated with our MEC Chairman directly on several recent occasions, and he is confident that our pilots will be pleased with what is coming in terms of Scope. I, for one, am optimistic that the company and ALPA will find a new and better way forward.
Originally Posted by
Flytolive
Our flights are not the only ones with mom and pop in the back of the plane. As Attarian admits United had and still has systemic problems. These problems don't get fixed by flying the junk and putting bandaids on the problem. If it is safe, an exception, everyone is comfortable with the plan and it won't screw crews and customers downline then sure.
What is disturbing is how quick some are to question other Captains' motives and authority based on hearsay and management BS.
I realize much was said in between my original posts and this last sentiment, but I want to elaborate slightly as I feel the intent is not what folks here think. I do not believe Howard's comments in any way shape or form were meant to diminish Captain's Authority. In fact, every speaker and every lesson, that we heard from or watched during the 4 days emphasized over and over the importance of being a "Captain" and being proactive. I think Howard was speaking to a very simple cultural tendency that a handful of pilots still have who are quick to reject a plane without any reason other than "it's broke and I ain't takin' it". Now we did not discuss and I wholeheartedly agree that there are another handful of pilots who are taking broken planes when it's NOT appropriate, but we simply didn't discuss that.
Again, it was not my impression that anyone, not Howard nor anyone else, was implying captains shouldn't be allowed to use their own judgement and authority when deciding whether an MEL is safe or not. They were just asking us to do so logically and not emotionally.