It happened at Piedmont as well. You can have a great contract and great pay but sometimes that doesn't mean crap. Piedmont had it but it still didn't keep people from leaving 7 years ago. Tons left for Republic and took pay cuts to leave. Why? They didn't see an upgrade anywhere in there future and we were still flying tired worn out equipment.

AWAC is senior top heavy and many of there pilots aren't going anywhere or they just can't and each have their reasons for staying. This when paired up with no new flying or growth means stagnation for anyone on the property right now.

Will a new higher paying contract help? I don't know because it seems right now nobody wants to go anywhere there's a 4-5 year upgrade.

Has AWAC management offered any early out packages for it's senior folks? I know Piedmont offered early retirement and we had Captains leave. Then again I don't know what kind of retirement plan AWAC has.

Two options for AWAC is either secure new flying with what they have and some type of pref. hiring or flow, or actually secure new flying that allows for growth. Seems this might be the only two options. I'd like to see American purchase them and offer them a flow also, or maybe come to a new agreement that will allow them to have a pref. interview with American. AWAC has a great product and I'd be shocked if they just fizzled away. Just can't see that happening.

 

Almost every regional has had something positive happen over the past year or so. Literally every other regional airline has added some sort of flying (including expressjet, though not a net gain). I think it's a matter of time until something good happens. I just can't see us going out of business just because our contract went up, everyone has finite contracts. But if we do, that's fine too, I for one wolnt be starting over again in the right seat at another regional.

One thing I've learned while observing this crazy industry over the years is that literally anything can happen. I mean, who would have ever thought Commutair would have pulled that rabbit out of their a** (good for those guys). I now have given up trying to predict what will happen and have surrendered myself to the fact that anything is possible.

 

I fully agree. I have always said I will not make a lateral move- this was before the $40 1st yr pay we are seeing now. Still, it is my last resort, and I mean LAST- I'd rather flight instruct back home, fly some Merlins and King Airs while updating my app and waiting for a LCC than play this BS shell game that is the regionals.

 

New contract survey ends Nov 20.

Take the 5 minutes to complete it.

Make your voice heard. This is your chance to tell the union what YOU want.

 

They didn't listen to me last time. I hope it changes this time.

 

My survey is in...I am one of the 25%.

 

Of what? Has no one completed it?

 

I think they need a certain percentage of the pilot group to respond before they can go back to the negotiating table. Until we get enough pilots to fill it out, we are dead in the water.

 

I think the NC was acting on direction they received when they began negotiations, 5 years ago. Circumstances have since changed.

 

Gotcha. Well people better make the time to do it! It doesn't take that long.