Originally Posted by
Diver Driver
I believe that the language in the contract stipulates a minimum number of airframes that we have, not block hours. So even though we still have the aircraft... (some of you may have seen the Comair graveyard next to the trailers), they are not flying.. for the most part. A big oversight if you ask me.... if the contract had a min number of block hours to support the min fleet size... well, I'd be working right now.
Don't forget that these are rather unprecedented times, historically the company has tried to keep the planes flying and productive. I don't necessarily blame anyone for not predicting these cuts. We're caught in another 'perfect storm'. This time it was fuel prices/recession/etc. Last time it was recession/9-11. Who knows what it will be next time.
I have come to realize there is only so much a CONTRACT can guarantee you. The company is always going to do pretty much whatever they want. No matter how air tight you think you have it.
No furlough clause? No problem, we'll call it "force majeure", or get those suckers to negotiate it away later.
Min fleet size? No problem, we'll keep the planes but park 'em.
Min days off? Move soft days (multiple times)? No problem, we'll make them fly it now and grieve it later.
Insufficient staffing? No problem, junior man. Let 'em grieve it later. Never mind that the 'life events' we will force them to miss are irreplaceable.
It comes down to the quality of the organization and this one is sorely lacking.