Originally Posted by
sigep_nm
I think at Mesaba we may employ a similar policy for people upgrading prior to being off probation. In that case the union can do nothing for you, but after you are off probation, you just go back to your previous position. I believe you do have the option to attempt it one more time rather than go back to the other position, with a failure that time resulting in termination.
SkyWest Crewmember Policy Manual Revision 9
TRAINING
STANDARD PRACTICE 315
8) Training Failures
a) A maximum total combination of three (3) failures in the ground
school, oral, FTD, simulator, flight training, or rating rides will be
allowed.
b) Pilots who successfully pass ground training but fail FTD training
will be given additional training to proficiency prior to commencing
simulator training.
c) Pilots who fail an oral examination (either FAA or Company) will be
trained to proficiency and given another oral.
Ok, this is interesting. It specifically says that I will be trained and given another oral. That, my friends, did not happen.
11) Pilots, who are unable to satisfactorily complete the additional training or
pass a third simulator/flight check, or are not recommended for a flight
check after the additional training is complete, will be treated as follows:
a) Pilots who are undergoing upgrade training for a captain position
will be terminated.
(<<<<That's me)
b) New hire pilots who are undergoing initial first officer training will
be terminated.
c) Pilots, who are undergoing transition training for a captain or first
officer position, may elect to return to their previous position for
which he/she was qualified and be frozen for a period of twelve (12)
months.
(This is the logical answer to upgrades, also. But, as has been pointed out, probably half the captains at SkyWest disagree. And, as is the case with SAPA, I believe any union would be largely... well, almost exclusively run by captains. Doesn't matter if 75% of the bargaining unit is all over this. They don't negotiate the contracts.
In the event that the pilot cannot pass the required flight training for their previous position, employment will be terminated.
12) The Company will freeze pilots who fail to qualify, after entering a
transition program for the second time,
(I love this... protect the good 'ole boys! Fail TWICE and still keep your job.)
in status and equipment for as long as the equipment remains in operation. If such equipment is phased out, the pilot’s employment will be terminated.