Originally Posted by
atpmax
Greetings,
Wondering how things may have changed for instructors at TK with the new contract changes. Will openings stil go fairley junior as in the past or now that instructors can hold NB Captain pay will it become a home for "lifers"?
Have there been any changes that effect QOL for instructors at DENTK with the new contract language? Do openings happen often now or becoming few and far between?
Well, in complete honesty, it's tough to say.
The juniority of things is probably a thing of the past. Infact, the old management team at TK went a little aggressive on hiring for all of the fleets, probably because the line item cost of an instructor was lower before the new UPA.
Currently, the 756, 320, and 787 fleets are overstaffed and management is currently tangled with the union on how to address the over staffing of instructors. If job share doesn't help trim the fat, or moving instructors to other fleets to reduce the overages; then management will elect to surplus instructors back to the line. In addition, there is a hiring freeze on 737 instructors since the last Max debacle, apparently upper management has lost confidence in Boeing's timetable for deliveries which is going to have a trickledown impact on hiring and training capacity requirements. The remaining 777 "vacancies" will likely be used to try and shift overstaffed instructors to the fleet. Not looking great for people outside of TK to get an opportunity in the near term future.
In additon to the new UPA causing some staffing issues (Cost, job shares, etc) we are also facing the implementation of PBS which will probably reduce staffing requirements further. From a QOL standpoint, junior instructors are now receiving the maximum amount of reserve per month which at this time can be 10 work days. The remaining work scheduled will be period 1 or 5. Additionally, under the old scheduling system most everyone got the days off they wanted, which led to a reserve shortage on the weekends meaning overtime was more accessible. With PBS implimentation starting next month, the reserve coverage will be spread more effectively causing a reduction in OT.
Widebody fleets will probably be on the more junior end of the spectrum, as you have to have the seniority to hold CA on your fleet to instruct as a Captain. Therefore, the majority of WB instructors will be FO's for the foreseable future. The pay is difference is nil (WB FO still = NB CA pay), but from my experience being a CA on the fleet you instruct is proving popular. For those hoping for job share opportunities, the high WB CA seniority means when you fly the line as a WB FO, you are paid WB FO, whereas in the building you receive NB CA pay. Contrast that to a NB instructor, they receive CA pay wheil flying (if they can hold it), and then NB CA in the building. Much less disruptive for pay.
Hope this helps.