PotatoChip

They have begun instituting forced Captain Qualified First Officers. Not voluntary.

hslightnin

That was to be expected though. The bottoms 10% of the ERJ hasn't moved since Nov and the majority are out on the line now.
It sucks for those guys that don't want it, but it will help get things back on track.
We are pretty close to having reserve coverage. Almost 10 captains are doing fed rides this coming week. I'm not sure how the FO side is looking.

PotatoChip

I don't think mandatory CQFO was to be expected. Not when an airline is supposedly gaining aircraft....
The FO side is looking very badly, hence the need for CQFOs. With few new hires I would anticipate CQFOs lasting at least six months. It's not out of the realm of possibility to see downgrades on the ERJ if the CQFOs aren't enough.

Flyhayes

Are they doing it within the confines of the contract or is the union allowing relief from that particular clause?

PotatoChip

The contract allows for the company to force the bottom 5% of captains into a CQF role for a maximum of 12 months.

backtoregionals

If they think hiring is tough now, wait until they downgrade if they actually do. Nobody will want to come here, especially pilots who live in the northeast and on the east coast. There are lots of options for regionals. The days of C5 being attractive are over. Pilots know the CPP is a joke. I want to barf when people call it a flow.

hslightnin

It's 10%, per the LOA.

Downgrades I don't see happening. We are adding hours. The bottom 10% guys won't likely see any movement for a while though as the dash guys transition.

The company seems to refuse to admit we are in a post growth period and need to compete with the other regionals in strictly QOL and pay. Yes we have a quick upgrade on the dash but their future is uncertain as the dash ramps up in retirement.
We probably need to get our act together before we can go to UAL and ask for more $ to help recruiting.

HercDiver

lol I remember my first regional too. A new hire can have a line in less than a year and upgrade in 18 months or less (from zero time.) There are only a couple of regionals that can boast that. Those that think C5 isn't a freaking incredible opportunity either haven't been in aviation long enough to understand that a regional is a regional or would be the ones to complain about QOL and work rules at a major.

I will agree that management must take action by increasing pay in order to keep growing. I will also agree that it's been a rough winter here. The sky isn't falling though, don't be so emo.

CPP a joke? Ask our 20 pilots that have gone to UAL via the CPP how much of a joke they think it is.

PotatoChip

Well, let's see, I spent six months at $2000/month, have been at the company eight months and haven't even finished IOE yet, and now I am being forced into CQFO. The chief pilot told us in new hire class, "You're all senior pilots already, you just don't know it yet." When in fact the company has suspended hiring, I've actually LOST seniority, and the union allowed an LOA for more CQFOs. Pilots are routinely being extended 3-4 times a month because we have a useless contract. People say some things are gettin better, maybe they are, but I have only seen worse each month. I honestly hope for improvement.

So, after 15 years in this industry, yeah, I can say this place is looking not so stellar. You can sell it any way you want. There is little to attract anyone to come here right now. If I was 25 I'd HAPPILY choose a better regional and wait an additional two - three years for upgrade and I readily urge people to do so. I understand why people came here in 2016, but 2017 is a whole new ballgame, and it's already looking worse.

A lot of the people are awesome, and I've made some great friends, but that's not paying the bills. This place has a LOT to do before it's better. As far as the CPP, it's a good opportunity, nothing more. There are other (see better) airlines that are also now offering it. That said, the AA wholly-owned option may be even better. Choose wisely.

backtoregionals

I'll flat out say if I knew back in December what I know now, I would have NOT come here. Period. There has yet to be anything great happen that I can stand back and say "I made a great choice by coming here".