You hit the nail on the head! When I got hired a year and a half ago my goal was to fly as much as possible to get over 1,000 hours so I could be ready to get the upgrade, in the base I want. With the forced upgrades now I’m just above 800 hours only flying OT. I’ve flown exactly 0 hours in February so far and intend to keep it that way, which is really unfortunate because I really do enjoy flying the plane. It’s why I become a pilot in the first place.

 

I have the audio files of the conference call with Pedro saying if they hire 30 we send 25 if they hire 80 we send 40, and he'd park airplanes to honor the flow. Idk what is more clear than that.... It's what the union then went and sold.

 

Hopefully the union has a copy of the same audio files going into arbitration of their grievance?

 

At the same time though, wasn't there a quote from one of the higher ups at envoy (maybe director of flight ops or a vice president) saying they will plan on only sending at most 25 a month to aa indefinitely?

Edit: found it "The current group of flows can be metered to 25/month. Envoy, according to Ric Wilson (the man in charge), will never send more than this contractual minimum."

 

To address you more directly...as an RTP guy you are in a great position right now. You’ve got:

A job with a large, growing airline with lots of mobility (for base transfers and upgrades) due to the combination of growth and flow.

Envoy paying for your fixed-wing time-building so you can get your airline career off the ground.

$17-22k in bonus cash.

A flow option (sort of like an insurance policy) should you want a job at AA someday. You may not need it, but 25-ish people per month are currently pretty flipping excited to cash in their insurance.

If you commute, a few paid hotels per month and decent amount of commuter policies to use for making conmuting a bit easier.

You are entering this industry at a decent (not perfect) airline and at a really good time. They are throwing cash at you to increase the upfront value, growing the airline which provides you some QOL and flexibility options (vs. stagnation where you are simply stuck), and providing you with career insurance should the mainline call never come. If you didn’t finish college (which you may have) then you are getting even more value from the flow.

Be confident about your decision. Keep in mind that many here suffered through a bankruptcy, age 65 rule change, downsizing, Scott Kirby and the “world changing”, etc. You are getting a much better starting point than many before you. Stay the course, work hard during RTP, prep for Envoy training (helos are not jets...look into Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot and/or the Turbine Pilots Flight Manual), be humble, use your resources, enjoy the job, don’t sweat the small stuff, and don’t take on other people’s grievances as your own.

Look forward to flying with you!

 

When I first arrived at Envoy in 2016 I thought people were unjustified in their criticisms of the company. In fact I had words on this forum with some, not defending the company but trying to give a balance. Now, I understand and empathize with the criticism. After taxes and expenses it really is pathetic pay.

 

Letter 15-01 mentions neither "metering" nor "operational necessity." It is a violation of the contract.

 

Yes and yes and yes

 

Thanks for the positive outlook; your insight has been uplifting compared to many opinions on here about the company. I'm a realistic person, and sometimes I do need some sort of validation on my decision to leave a full time paycheck. I was confident in the beginning, but reading as many negative comments has had its toll. I am looking forward to the airlines, and it's certainly going to be an adjustment.

 

Blend the good with the bad mate. Know what your getting into before you get into it. I must say, reading about it is one thing living it is not that bad if you have the proper mindset. Military folks do have the mindset. This job and it’s mission is simple in comparison to military lifestyle, the discipline, and the overall expectations.

It’s a good job, I enjoy flying, it’s a solid pilot group with dexterity, knowledge, and highly experienced Captains who have done a lot for this company, and for its survival. Great people to work with. Solid pilot group again, I give it to Recruiting department for hiring some very positive people and also new FOs I’ve gotten to speak with.

It’s not all doom and gloom once ur acclimated to the operation. It’s a world class operation here. School house and its instructors have been top notch. I’m happy to be here not because of the “culture” (history btw Mgmt and pilots not so good, so scratch culture, needs rebuilding), but honestly the great Captains I’ve gotten the chance to fly with and learn from is the reason I’m most happy to be here. Glad to be here in my first 121 flying gig. This is an easy job, but we only complain because that’s what real pilots do. Just joking, it’s because of the direction we see our ship going. The Image of this ship is cracking, and looking ugly. Our competitors are shinning with guys at the helm steering them to sunny blue skies, fair tail winds, and calm seas. Just wish the decision makers causing instability for little to minor chump change, stop pointing this ship towards stormy skies, gusty winds, and rough seas.

Exhibit #1: Forced Upgrades

If this was a war zone I could understand forcefully promoting someone u need when you just lost one of higher ranking, and few want to taken that LT’s responsibilities in the assault to save Private Ryan. Or Private “growth bonus.”