There will be an AE this month though, and expect a 12 month conversion window.

come one now. You can't say that and not tell us the details!

Heyas,

Exactly how does that work? Do they have up to 12 months for you to finish training? When does your pay rate change for your new equipment?

Personally, I like the NWA monthly bids better. The all-at-once-couple-times-a-year seems retarded.

But I'll settle for some info.

Nu

They have up to 12 months to start your training. New pay starts when you are qualified on the new equipment.

The NW way may be better, but it's NIH, so welcome to "Retarded Training Ways."

Wow, that IS retarded.

The current NWA book is that we bid for positions 3.5 months in advance. There are a minimum number of bids per year, but since my time at NWA, there has always been one per month. Bids close on the 5th, and are due out on the 20th. The effective date of the bid is 3.5 months out.

Your pay goes to your new equipment when you pass your checkride or the effective date of the bid, whichever comes first. If for some reason your training is delayed until after the effective date or your current qualification expires while waiting, you are "benched", and are %100 pay protected.

Monthly bids are great for watching the ebb and flow of awards, as well as sharpshooting as to when you'll be going to training. Don't want to go during the holidays or the summer? No problemo, just put your bid in after the period in question (eg put your bid in the December bid to avoid the holidays). No reason to panic because there are awards every month, instead of who knows when.

Sigh....another example of being "brought up" to DALs contract. I don't know how much more of this "windfall" I can stand:rolleyes:.

Nu

I've never seen a 12 month conversion window here before. Makes me kind of wonder what the crap these guys have planned. We should be moving and taking advantage of our deliveries even with the BA delays. I've also heard the rumor this will be a 12 month window with no or very minimum backfill. What good does a 12 month conversion window do for these guys when network's plans change daily?

What does backfill mean, and how do they predict whether there will be any or not?

Carl

Like I said, most of the plans are just that.
Let see what comes out.

Nu,

I don't think we are benched anymore since the BK contract. I think you stay on the old equipment but at the higher pay rate. In fact, if they train you but can't use you yet, I think you still go back to your old equipment at the higher rate. Carl?

Ferd

PS I've ranted about their award system before and was told to quiet down and go color :)

This is the second one I can remember since Dec '06. They are allowed one 12-month AE a year. All others are 6 months.

Carl,
Backfill is when they know that the AE will cause openings on other aircraft and those openings are included. Otherwise, they post an AE with say just 777 positions, wait til it closes, count how many openings are created, and then post a clean up bid a month or so later.