I'm a new hire starting training in a few weeks. I've heard nothing but good things about AW (very excited to get started) and didn't even know there were contract negotiations until this thread.

Can anyone here give a rundown of the current state of things? How long have negotiations been taking place? What are the main points of contention? From the limited info I have seen (rigs, block or better, vacation, etc.) I thought the current contract was pretty solid. Obviously hourly pay is a major issue at every regional, but are there big issues with the contract besides hourly pay?

Also, what's the deal with upgrades? I gather there haven't been upgrades in a while but it doesn't seem possible to put upgrades off forever. Is the company short captains? Do you think the predicted 18-24 month upgrade is not realistic? Just trying to get a feel for what to expect moving forward.

Thank you

 

I think most people research a company before taking a job there.

 

Sometimes it's hard to tell what's just sour disgruntled employees and what're legitimate grievances.

 

I agree with you 100% I actually did a lot of research and have talked to former pilots. This thread is the first I've seen with recent discussion about the contract. Is there a place that has better info than this forum?

 

This says it best ^^^

 

Dude, I've followed this thread for months and still really don't have any clue what you guys are talking about. So it is nice to get a synopsis every once in a while. Unfortunately, this forum is about the only place you can get the ground truth. The only other sources out there is the company hire page which is all peaches and roses.

 

Ignore that dude, hes a waste of everyones time.

 

Understatement of the year!

billyho has no affiliation, past or present, to ZW except "friends" he's claimed to have there. All he is is an AA mainline troll that thinks he should have some semblance of input about a soon-to-be former AA non-wholly-owned carrier.

As advised above...ignore him completely.

Now...brace for the incoming gif...

 

Whoa, hold on. Billyho has an incredible gif game. Show some respect.

I'm waiting for him to set his talents loose on some of the Norwegian threads in the "Foreign" section.

Billyho, we need you. America needs you. Unleash hell in the foreign threads.

 

1. The current contract is a concessionary one that is about, oh ... 15 years old. The company is not even faking an attempt at good faith negotiation. The company is tighter than a frog's @55 and expects further concessions for more money and reasonable work rules. Yes, even in this market. The current contract reads more like a handshake deal and the company has exploited the naivete of the pilots who negotiated to the fullest, to the detriment of the current work force. Good on 'em, but it's time to tighten up the language.

2. There haven't been upgrades in 2 years because we don't have the FO's to upgrade. We don't have the FO's to fly the bid flying without using all of the reserves and then some. It's arguable that we don't even have the contract minimum number of captains, but I don't have a dog in that fight. I don't think 18 month upgrades are realistic, maybe 24 for the new guys? Who knows?

3. Operationally, AWA is great. I fly with a lot of different folks and I enjoy going to work every trip. The constant reroutes, extensions, junior-manning are a real drag. Line holders here are flying for a completely different airline than reserves (reference the contract above). It's a great place to learn and get experience and there are some great folks who work here, but once you can move up and out, do it.

Study. Work hard. Don't take anything for granted and have a positive attitude and you'll be on the line before you know it.

Cheers.