You can customize a GS or WS to cover almost any set of circumstances. Put in for what you actually want and then you don't have to worry about it. They system more then a day out is computerized. It would be impossible to have it I will fly it if I feel like it system. Simple example.

Pilot A wants 3 day trip with layovers in LAS.
Pilot B wants 3 day trip with layovers in LAS first then wants any 3 day trip.

7 am window is run. Pilot A gets LAS trip.
Pilot B gets 3 day to with double Jackson MS layovers.

At noon pilot A decides he does not want the LAS trip and declines it.
Pilot B files grievance ect....
In a large category you would have to rerun the WS awards every single time a pilot declined a trip. I can assure you the company is not going to go for that.

 

Just walked out of recurrent and our SLI gave us this tidbit to chew on. The company wants to get rid of the rest of the SLIs and replace them with Standards captains (line check airmen). So that will leave you with DGS, a couple of senior SLI guys and Standards guys. The rest of the SLIs would be forced back to the line. And, here is the real kicker, DALPA thinks that is a great idea! They (SLIs) have gotten the paternalistic "we know what is best for you" from the association. Not a good thing to hear (again) about how DALPA and the company work together. My two cents.
Burn Notice

PS- Not saying anything bad about instructors or line check airmen, just think we need to keep dedicated seniority list guys in the training house and less evidence that DALPA is TOO helpful to the company.

 

Burn,

I am trying to think how this is horrible. First officers get kicked back to the line so that LCA(Captains) can take their place. Therefore they will need more Captains throughout the company as more LCA's are needed to do sim work and line work. If that is not what you are stating correct me.

I prefer to see all training done by SLI one way or another. We have some great DGS guys, but we have been lifted by the early retirement group from the earlier part of last decade. Those guys are going to hang it up sooner or later, and who are they going to hire? Not the caliber of pilots we have working for DGS now.

 

ACL,
Sorry, I didn't say this part first. The LCA's remain on the line as well. So instead of having dedicated guys in here, who are not usually on the line, they will go back full time, and LCA types rotate through a few days a month. Major cost improvement for the company and the training guys are getting snubbed by the association.
Burn

 

I think that's just the problem... many never willingly go when it's time. And as things evolve, they just gradually fade further and further into the past. Consider that we're experiencing an extraordinary amount of change, and that there will be a wave of new changes once the N/S guys finally agree on Best Practices through mutual experience... And we'll be stuck with guys that are still talking about the autothrottles on the L-1011, or how surprising easy to land the 747-200 was.

I prefer to be taught by people that have to perform the same tasks on a routine basis.

 

And the biggest thing for me is how the union is once again appearing to do mgmt's bidding.

 

Burn;

I do know there are a few LCA's that do this already. I cannot imagine that with where the training requirements are going, that we would not see months and months of their schedules dropped, and or blanked out necessitating more Captains to fill the void. They are short on LCA's as is. Add hiring, and more movement, then working in the sim, something will give.

I used to work for a company that did it this way, and splitting the departments saved them money. The LCA's only got paid when they flew IOE not SOE. Prior to that they worked in the sim and had every third month on the line. I believe the intent is to get the instructors more in line with the way we do it on the line.

We can only work so much, so I see this is a net positive when it comes to A positions in the company. Yep, fo's got to be fo's, but some may upgrade. It will depend on how it is written and what the clauses are. I do not want to see more DGS than we have now. The rules do not need to change in regard to who can check, and who can be in the seat.

I would like to see the language for at least 10 days as the Policy Manual states for a comment period prior to the MEC voting on it, if or when it is LOAed.

On a side note, not sure how the LCA's from other bases are going to do sim work here in ATL and MSP when they are not based here. That will add a cost for hotels and travel as they are on company business.

 

This is just another form of outsourcing that is taking away mainline jobs. Quality of instruction aside, DALPA should be pushing for the return of line pilot instructors to the training centers.

This falls in the concessionary category of PBS, pay no credit vacation, RJ's, etc in that all negatively affect the # of pilots needed.

I think the above post hit the nail on the head. I had a great experience with a non SLI instructor who was RECENTLY RETIRED and still knew most of the procedures. However, you could already start to notice the IRU drift between where he was and where we were. In another few months/years this will become even more noticeable. I envision hearing "you'll get that on the line" more and more.

All around this is a bad idea, and we ought to be looking for ways to recapture this.

 

Burn;
Not defending anyone, but a PCP is going to be upset as it is their "gig" and they are getting pushed aside. If it a net positive in A positions in the company? I am sure that is what the MEC is looking at. I am guessing it is. The LCA's may not like this as they are going to be button pushers, and there may be some turnover there. There will be an inordinate amount of drip drops or blank lines as these guys do the sim work. That flying needs a butt in the seat. One butt cannot be in two seats at the same time. I am sure that is why ALPA is seeing this as a positive thing. More A's means more A's simple as that.

 

Agreed. I would like to see the DGS arm phased out. They cost about what an FO PCP does, so lets use them instead.