It did happen, in 2009-2010, captains got used in the right seat quite a bit. If I remember this right, at the time of the PDT/ALG merger, ALG CA's were exempted from the right seat qual.

 

So.. It's volunteer only yet they are requiring any future upgrades to stay right seat qual'd? Sounds more like voluntold! So they can be forced to stay right seat qualified but they won't be forced to actually fly right seat? Am I missing something?

 

I was wondering the same. How can you force new upgrades to be CQFO's and not the ones that came before? Then again TSH craps on the contract when it seems to suit their needs so I think I just answered my own question. It's sad to watch this once good company do a slow Vmc roll towards the ground.

 

The company released a memo saying there is a potential for captains to volunteer to be right seat qualified, probably just for future planning as a plan B, and y'all are treating it (like every over thing) like the end of the world

Things around here are looking up

 

Yes.

Upgrading and putting people right seat ****s over a large portion of the pilot group.

It is not the individual pilots responsibility to "Assist" management in their poor decision making skills.

At the end of the day, they are asking for volunteers because they know their is not a lot of contract language to justify it.

I would be curious to see what the FSDO and POI think about all this?

 

I think that is referencing a situation where you are awarded upgrade but then they do not run a class before the month of your award not specifically allowing right seat qualified CA.

Example:

Pilot A is awarded a December upgrade class. The company gets a lot a volunteers to fly as right seat qualified Captains, so they delay the upgrade class a few months.


In the above example, the pilot would be flying as a FO in December, but would be paid as a CA due to the date of his award passing.

 

They're not doing anything illegal in the eyes of the FAA, which is why you have to go to MSP and get your right seat qualification. Them not honoring our CBA is not the FAA's business - it's our union leader's responsibility.

What is concerning to me is that the company continues to violate the contract, over and over again and nobody is being held accountable. What is being done to stop them from doing it further? What's the point of having a CBA otherwise? The list of grievances on file just keep piling up, yet I haven't seen anything done about it. I can sympathize with the tremendous and complex politics our union leaders have to deal with on a daily basis, but, I keep seeing hundreds of dollars being taken out of my paycheck in union fees every month and I don't see anything being done or rectified where it matters. I will always stand by our union leaders but I hope something gets done quick or else it's all smoke and mirrors.

 

You know the fact that our FO rate from year one to year two practically stays the same when you consider that ALPA percentage fee comes into effect after year one makes me realize how I may be getting the short end of the stick by both company and union. It would be nice to hear more in depth communications from ALPA rather than "we're working on it", it's almost as bad as BG responding "next question" on the employee calls. My point being if I can make an extra $800 a year without ALPA and still be f$&@ed over by the company then why not?

Edit: I still love you ALPA and I could never leave you baby.

 

Not necessarily true...I have a hard time believing that the FAA is onboard with this. Specifically because we don't have a training program for this right now, we only have a check airman training program but this wouldn't be covered in it, so the company is going to have to come up with some means of training for this and maintaining currency, which in the end will cost the company $$$ and sim time (more $$$). The company simply just can't say there going to do something without running it through the proper channels...and I'd be surprised if that process has begun yet. It would surprise me if this is even remotely ready to go within 6-12 months, manuals need to be rewritten (with FAA approval), the training needs to be taught to instructors, and new forms have to be made with FAA approval...while it may seem the company can flip a switch and make this fact, it's not anywhere close to being ready. The company is purely doing this because they are going through the contract and trying to find ways to not cancel flights...so far they came up with this.

On a another note this introduces some safety concerns, while captains may be sitting right seat, you start playing that who has authority card...sure there going to designate the guy in the left seat as the PIC but it creates an interesting dynamic up front with two captains, even one as voluntary...keep in mind sitting right seat isn't going to get you any PIC either...

P.S. on another note, I believe notices were sent out yesterday canceling some peoples vacations...

I agree the companies blatant disregard for contract provisions is concerning...it seems as though they are doing it because it's the only way they can keep the airline running...they'll eventually have to move on some things or pay a lot of money...but the clock is ticking

 

Hi folks, I have a class
Date at horizon for the 175 ar
The end of Oct. I am seriously considering by passing this and interviewing at Compass. I am curious as to what the training is like? Fire hose? Not bad? Etc. I am also curious as to what hotel they put you up at in Minnie? General feeling about the stability? Stability is why I am leaning towards not taking my QX date. Are people generally happy there? Thanks