RAC,

How many guys do you think will return to the line out of the Flex positions with the new TA? I remember you pointed out some of the problems with the new TA--especially in regards to off station stuff. What is the mood right now in the schoolhouse? Did the new TA improve anything for you guys in your opinion?

 

MHA is the wheels will fall off in about six months,under the TA you must give three months notice to leave, and they can keep you three months after that. If they try to run the 72 track without paying passover like they told us was their plan,You will see some very junior instructors, and of course some very senior SO flexes. Anybody remember when they tried this in the past? Can you spell LOA?

 

I've done several sims and flown several trips with a fairly senior flex I respect a lot, initials TT. He described an event like that a few years back that got an LOA for the guys. Without going into the pros/cons of the current TA, I hope you guys can make that happen again. We want GOOD guys in the job, and to get the best it needs to be a bit competitive. To get someone off the line (doing IMHO the best job in the world) and doing the BOX training over and over you need to be able to throw some rewards their way. Otherwise--we are going to end up with guys who just don't like to fly. I don't think that is the case right now--at least with the flex dudes I've flown with.

 

Nothing wrong with a junior S/O being a instructor in my opinion. What is his back ground? LCA at another airline or military instructor, equals plenty of experience in my mind. These guys would still be "GOOD" guys, and it will probably still be competitive.

Maybe it will be a junior guy living in MEM trying to make his QOL a little better.

Could you not respect these guys also?

 

USNFDX,

I do respect (and like) about everyone I've met in the program. My point is I hope they get taken care of--most work pretty long months and (at least in my experience) most have been pretty good folks to work with. I think one of the reason they attract good folks is the extra coin. I hope that didn't come off as me being "down" on anyone...I'm not.

I have no interest in flexing...I've been a schoolhouse IP in the military since 98 and quite frankly could go the rest of my life without giving another brief or debrief. LCA requires you pretty much FLY YOUR ASSIGNED LINE so the schedulers can match you with students...and part of the joy of my job is being able to "adjust" my calendar on a whim for personal or family reasons--so that is also out. Again--I've got no dog in this fight--other than the fact I have some good buddies that flex and have enjoyed getting to know some of the 727 LCAs. They do a good job, and I hope they get what they want out of working there...

 

Albie,

Shame on you! USN is another dude who copied me, I know him, I am USMC. Don't let it happen again or I will make you say "Head" out loud in front of your friends.

I too have no interest in flexing, 2.5 years of teaching was enough for me. Just pointing out that nothing wrong with a junior dude teaching. We all have different amounts of experience from many different sources. Just because someone has a low employee number does not mean they are not qualified.

Many work long months because they choose to at 150%. How hard is it to sit in the box for 4 hours doing support, no brief or debrief, sleep in your own bed, and get paid time and a half?

I have met a few instructors that it would do some good to actually fly the line for a month or two and get out of the box. Their reality is is not quite the same, too much of sleeping in their own bed in MEM and all the overtime me thinks.

Don't get me wrong it is not a job I currently want, and thank you to those who do it, someone has to. It is just I think the biggest complainers are those who are riding the gravy train and don't want to give it up.

 

Attention to Detail Albie!

Remember to look for the Duck!