Does Southern Air Furlough often?
07-08-2008, 08:49 PM
#111
New Hire
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Originally Posted by Spongebob
OMFG...I haven't laughed that hard in years. You should go do a trip (actually, according to the OPSPECs you're required to) and ask the Capt to let you handle the nightly negotiations to get released for a meal.
I realize it's tough for crews as most have to commute long hauls anyways and then fly shortly after - and I also realize too there are plenty of times when flights are delayed, delayed, and delayed...and crews are not being paid for that time and meanwhile it taxes their body clock. Many people in operations work long days aswell... What I don't like though is this general notion that management is in the back room finding creative excuses to fire pilots so they can squeeze out some pennies. There are actually people in management who have been out on the line and are working to improve the situation.
Originally Posted by Spongebob
For the record, most sense of teamwork beyond the "select few" (they would be the ones that send flowers to the girls there) was taken by the management long ago.
Originally Posted by Spongebob
You should go do a trip (actually, according to the OPSPECs you're required to)
)
07-09-2008, 04:57 AM
#112
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: 747 Cap
Posts: 96
"Expectations"
Once upon a time:
Flt Ops calls and wakes up a CPT crewmember 6 hours into a rest period in a foreign city to let them know the crew will commercial DH to another foreign city (800 miles away) in 6 hours. Cpt has to get up, alert crew, then find transportation to airport, clean up and go. After arriving at the other city (10-11 hours after original phone call) and checking into airport hotel they are informed they need to immediately check out and return to the airport as they will commercial DH back to original airport. Upon arrival they will be "expected" to operate a revenue flight that will last 8-9 hours. Of course since they "haven't been on duty" all this time, they will be "expected" to operate immediately upon arrival. It's either that or "expect" to be fired.
Ahh. Life in the ACMI.
Flt Ops calls and wakes up a CPT crewmember 6 hours into a rest period in a foreign city to let them know the crew will commercial DH to another foreign city (800 miles away) in 6 hours. Cpt has to get up, alert crew, then find transportation to airport, clean up and go. After arriving at the other city (10-11 hours after original phone call) and checking into airport hotel they are informed they need to immediately check out and return to the airport as they will commercial DH back to original airport. Upon arrival they will be "expected" to operate a revenue flight that will last 8-9 hours. Of course since they "haven't been on duty" all this time, they will be "expected" to operate immediately upon arrival. It's either that or "expect" to be fired.
Ahh. Life in the ACMI.
07-09-2008, 09:38 AM
#113
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Posts: 208
To hijack the thread back on course, "Heading Pull, Nav Blue"
Despite some of the things I have said in the past, I enjoyed my time at Southern and appreciate the opportunity that they gave me to enhance my career past a 50,000 lbs RJ.
I have friends at all of the ACMI carriers and my sim partner at SAI was from Trade Winds. The fact that my sim partner had built up seniority and left TW for SAI is the best answer to your question.
Despite some of the things I have said in the past, I enjoyed my time at Southern and appreciate the opportunity that they gave me to enhance my career past a 50,000 lbs RJ.
I have friends at all of the ACMI carriers and my sim partner at SAI was from Trade Winds. The fact that my sim partner had built up seniority and left TW for SAI is the best answer to your question.
07-09-2008, 09:43 AM
#114
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2005
Posts: 208
Originally Posted by savannahceltic
Rough numbers from what I have been told is that the 777 freighter can carry 30% less freight than the 400 freighter at half the fuel burn. Essentially the same load as a MD-11 at lower fuel costs.
Do I really think SA is going to get the new aircraft type...? I'd put the chance at 75%, as much of it will depend upon the operation moving to a higher degree of reliability instead of just focusing on low costs. The top tier customers, willing and able to pay top dollar will demand nothing less.
IMO Southern is headed that way, but it has some work to do before becoming the operation it wants to become.
Do I really think SA is going to get the new aircraft type...? I'd put the chance at 75%, as much of it will depend upon the operation moving to a higher degree of reliability instead of just focusing on low costs. The top tier customers, willing and able to pay top dollar will demand nothing less.
IMO Southern is headed that way, but it has some work to do before becoming the operation it wants to become.
07-12-2008, 08:26 AM
#115
Bored
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Grumman Torture Device (weekends only)
Posts: 445
Nick,
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
07-12-2008, 06:16 PM
#116
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 390
Originally Posted by Spongebob
Nick,
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
07-12-2008, 10:56 PM
#117
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: G2 gear slammer
Posts: 308
Originally Posted by Spongebob
Nick,
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
Looks like Nike runs a "virtual" Airline.
ATA VIRTUAL
Not sure I believe much he says there.
07-13-2008, 12:54 AM
#118
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Position: C-172 FO
Posts: 468
Originally Posted by Spongebob
Nick,
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
You won't get much of a response from current SAI folks because almost all of the previous posters in this thread were terminated back in April, some even have restraining orders on them prohibiting them from discussing the company in public venues. "They" even went so far as to hire a private investigator to align screen names with the seniority list.
Take it for what it's worth.
Spongebob
I couldn't believe it. Childish.
07-13-2008, 04:12 AM
#120
Reserve Sucks
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 189
Originally Posted by NickBartolotta
It's hard to take crews seriously about this when they call up to delay a flight because there is only Diet Coke stocked and they want half Diet/half Regular. Come on...I'm completely with you that it is not right if you're catering is screwed up, but when I hear complaints like that it's just obnoxious.
I realize it's tough for crews as most have to commute long hauls anyways and then fly shortly after - and I also realize too there are plenty of times when flights are delayed, delayed, and delayed...and crews are not being paid for that time and meanwhile it taxes their body clock. Many people in operations work long days aswell... What I don't like though is this general notion that management is in the back room finding creative excuses to fire pilots so they can squeeze out some pennies. There are actually people in management who have been out on the line and are working to improve the situation.
For the record, I was there when some of those came (back in the days of Yolanda) and they were much appreciated! (no sarcasm, all seriousness, it made many of their days).
I'm not a flight dispatcher/ops controller so I'm not per the OpSpecs but I would love to eventually get the chance! I think it's also help for crews to visit operations, I know some have done this in the past and have found it very enlightening (I have yet to find out if they're using that in the positive or negative sense)
I realize it's tough for crews as most have to commute long hauls anyways and then fly shortly after - and I also realize too there are plenty of times when flights are delayed, delayed, and delayed...and crews are not being paid for that time and meanwhile it taxes their body clock. Many people in operations work long days aswell... What I don't like though is this general notion that management is in the back room finding creative excuses to fire pilots so they can squeeze out some pennies. There are actually people in management who have been out on the line and are working to improve the situation.
For the record, I was there when some of those came (back in the days of Yolanda) and they were much appreciated! (no sarcasm, all seriousness, it made many of their days).
I'm not a flight dispatcher/ops controller so I'm not per the OpSpecs but I would love to eventually get the chance! I think it's also help for crews to visit operations, I know some have done this in the past and have found it very enlightening (I have yet to find out if they're using that in the positive or negative sense
)Nick, I don't know where you found your rose colored glasses but you are way off. I no longer work for SAI but have to chime in on this one. I can't even count the times on both hands that I was forced be on duty for over 20 hours and sometimes over 30 hours. How about getting to a hotel and not getting a room for 8 hours or more after a 20+ hour day. What about going to the airport to only find out that the airplane is not even there and won't arive for at least 5 hours. Oh yeah, how about getting to the airplane and finding out that it is AOG and the parts are over 8 hours out + 2 hours of MX but scheduling won't let you go back to the hotel. What about spending 40 days on the road. What about getting to the end of your bid line and scheduling telling you that you have to stay out for several more days. What about no more pay for GDO days. What about reaching 60 hours and having trips taken from you so you don't get overtime. If you are not a pilot you have no idea what we go through. You go home every day to your own bed with your wife and kids. If you are getting the sense that that I don't have any sympathy for schedulers who might have to deal with an angry pilot from time to time I don't know why you might think that. (sarcasm) I'm not bitter though.
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