tiredofjrm

We have had several Check Airman quit lately due to the quality of our new hires. They don’t want the responsibility of signing these guys off.
The company recently put out an offer for several new check airman to help with 40-50 new pilots coming on line.
No one should accept this position until we get a contract!

acebaxter

Your argument makes no sense. The quality of the new hires is not a reflection of your contract status. Everybody, even the majors to some extent, is challenged by the current pool of pilots to pick from.

Jim

point432

Maybe...maybe not.

Lower pay, growth, etc = “Why would I go there?”

I think people do put value still into zero growth, poor working conditions, lower pay than competitors. People also might be holding out at their current job because they are senior and/or their company has presented pay raises are keeping them there.

Everyone new hire hired pre-strike is more than qualified to be at a major. Sure 50% have left, but not all have left for majors. Some people have gotten interviews or know people at other airlines...its not as easy as some think. Majors will continue to fill classes. Their “extent,” is in a whole other dimension compared to what other companies have had or are currently going through.

As for the check airmen...it has to be a challenge to some degree getting guys in that have the bare mins. At what point is it not worth your time, money or having a stroke trying to get guys through training. I’m sure guys are thinking, “i’m not touching that.”

It makes sense. With a contract comes better pay and helps people on the fence choose to come here. Better candidates applying, less stress for the training dept, then people might start applying again. For check airmen that is.

Its the circle of life






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No Land 3

If you pay them, they will come.

SilentLurker

Risks vs rewards. Makes very good sense! Some job positions, duties & responsibilities exposes certain individuals to greater risks, paper trail, and investigations.

Is stated climate and working conditions, and increased risks “worth” the position, scrutiny, stresses, and potential Fed comb through which the pilot group think is pending at current trajectory.

In life, everything has a price.

maxjet

You could not be more wrong. The quality of new hire is directly effected by your contract. I know this for a fact as I was involved in the mess prior to our new contract. One of the biggest reasons we returned to serious negotiations was our inability to hire experienced airmen. I have learned all to well that 1500 is just a number and is by no means a way to establish qualified verses unqualified. Good luck ABX and stick to your guns. The only leverage you have is an inability to hire.

tiredofjrm

If they can’t get anyone to accept the check airman positions, then they can’t get anyone through IOE. This is the type pressure we need to put on ABX management.

nitefr8dog

Why? Past practice has been to adjust the amount of flying to fit the amount of pilots we have/hire/train. What makes you think that mindset will change? They seem to be content with the direction things are going. Also I do not think any potential Ck Airman are going to make their decisions based on a message board any more than believing the company will make contract decisions using it. In fact if they read it at all its probably for their morning laugh. Knowing the pilots are not happy has always been the goal.

abxflyr

Definitely some accuracy in contract vs. quality of people. If ABX, or any other ACMI carrier, had a FDX/UPS/DAL/UAL contract they would be attracting a much higher quality of individual. Two of those carriers still require college degrees although they may end up changing that soon as well. Regardless of what the written requirements are, look at their actual class averages....still well above what ACMI's will get.

For check airmen,....I have to admit I considered it myself but then hypoxia deprivation dissipated and my senses returned to their normal state of abby-normal. I know of at least 8 others at ABX who did place their name in the hat.

Contractually, ABX pays a $55/hr premium for check pilot (based on flight time). My local FBO is getting $59/hr for dual-multi in Senecas and Duchess. IMHO 767 and 121 work it should pay more....ergo contract issue again. Just not worth a thousand a month for that level of jeopardy. For the record, check airmen should (and most are) be in it for the love of the job and not the money as a first priority; makes a better check pilot as well!

nitefr8dog

Being a Check Airman has never been about the money....unfortunately now it's all about the risk.