Originally Posted by
Riddler
Disclaimer: I'm one of CAL's 147.
It was more than disheartening to sit on the sidelines because the company couldn't afford to pay me $30/hr to sit in the right seat of a 737... at the same time that the company happily paid scabtains $250/hr to fly in the right seat because they didn't have enough pilots.
Some of those right seat wonders had no choice, as they were junior Captains (capital C) on reserve. Others scabtains were those from '83 who happily took the bonus pay and pointed out that they were acting within their contractual rights.
Now, the manpower is a mute point, and future orders are irrelevant. The limiting factor seems to be how fast CAL can get Q-400s over at Colgan. Any aircraft orders at CAL must be offset by the fact that CAL still has 43 737-500s that they want to get rid of.
I went from a line holder to reserve 737 FO EWR a couple months ago, so I watch open time a lot. As much as I hate the scabs and the captains picking up open time it is not just them. I watch as trips get picked up by B# guys, C#guys, 85# guys, and yes even M# guys who got furlough notices the last time around. One thing I have learned is pilots are out for themselves. Is there anything wrong with that, that is debatable.
Everyone walks around blaming the scabs at CAL when it is every part of the seniority group. It is very disappointing, but it is how it is.
I don't pickup open time and I don't work on my days off. I am hoping all of the 147 will be back soon and we won't be adding to it after the dreaded summer season.