Envoy
02-18-2017 | 05:24 AM
#1001
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 0
Per FM1 you have to be in uniform for deadheads. I always wear the uniform but it's not uncommon to see deadheading crew members not in uniform. AA, Envoy, pilots, and FAs all somewhat break this rule.
02-18-2017 | 05:58 AM
#1003
2 days off
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 0
From: Embraer Systems Analyst
Ironically I think the 175 requires less knowledge than the 145. I heard just check the overhead panel is in auto. The 145 feels like it has a bunch of random logics and systems mixed together that somehow work.
02-18-2017 | 06:11 AM
#1004
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 0
You do not have to be in uniform for a deadhead. The only stipulation is if you are in uniform it has to be the complete uniform (i.e. if wearing any part of uniform while deadheading, all has to be worn per the outlined requirements). The wording in FM1 is a bit tricky but take a reread.
02-18-2017 | 06:38 AM
#1007
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: HUD cripple.
I don't care for the WSCOD (145 series), but that's probably because the only three real, I want to be on the ground now emergencies I've had in my career, were on that airplane.
Bid whatever airplane will give you better quality of life, don't worry about the bells and whistles.
If the 145 is a "beginners jet", what's the Super 80 then? With it's 80's tech? The Airbus is a lot less work, but the 80 was more fun to fly.
02-18-2017 | 06:46 AM
#1008
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I had someone just PM me with some great questions. I figured I would share my response with others who might find this information helpful. This info is primarily aimed at people who want to be based in DFW. The perspective I present below would be very different for someone looking to be based elsewhere.
I just recently started at Envoy as a FO, but I am happy to give as much info as I can; just know I have very limited experience. For young guys, while your age may seems like a negative for the bidding process, you are at a GREAT age to be able to start at Envoy, and should have a long career at American.
I wanted DFW as my base. It is one of the reasons I chose Envoy. I would have also been happy with ORD, but I did not want LGA. My perspective changed a little after talking with my friend. These are some details:
The first day, they will put the vacancies up on a board. You will choose a base/equipment combo; cannot choose each one independently. These are the possible options:
DFW 145: This is a great option. You will be based in DFW. You will get an extra $5000 sign on bonus. You have the option to change bases if you want. There is a lot of movement from the top, since the base is pretty senior. This means you should move up schedule wise with all the guys who are flowing or upgrading to captain. (Due to all of these, it has been a while since DFW 145 has been offered to new hires. You can see the list of openings from the previous classes just a couple pages back on this thread.) One down side is I have heard reserve is about one year. May not matter much if you are living in base though.
DFW 175: This is a good option. You get to DFW right away. This usually goes to the older guys in class (40+ y.o.). If you can get it, great plane, great base. Your relative seniority on the equipment is dependent on if they exercise the additional 90 options. Right now, because the equipment is new, many of the new guys have it, so there is not a lot of movement from the top. Your schedule will only get better if they continue to bring more 175s onto property. I have heard reserve is relatively short. No extra sign on bonus, but hey, you are in DFW.
LGA 145: At first, I thought this would be my last choice. NYC is expensive. My commute would be a terrible 2 leg. It was hard to see the good. However, I realized a couple of positives. The base is being reopened. Most guys don't want it, so the movement off the top is great. Many new hires will fill in the list below you. Your schedule should improve with each new month. Reserve should be very short as well. I don't know what the commute would look like from DFW. You get the extra $5000 sign on bonus. Also, this equipment will give you the chance to bid back to DFW when a vacancy comes out (if spots available). In the meantime, your schedule should be improving monthly.
ORD 145: This base appears to be shrinking due to all the flying that LGA will get. Your schedule may not be the best with the downsizing. The benefits of this option are an extra $5000 sign on bonus and the opportunity to change bases.
ORD CRJ: Avoid this at all costs. It is a shrinking fleet (and base) and it is possible you will never be off reserve until you are displaced. You won't get to DFW until that happens either since you can't bid other equipment. No one knows the time frame on the transition. (A lot of rumors or speculation, but no official word). You get the extra $5000 at least.
The next vacancy should happen around April 2017, again based on rumors. You could be awarded DFW (if the vacancy has spots for FOs or there are backfills) before training ends. Many of us experienced this on the last vacancy. The transfer may take a couple of months after training though. The sooner your class date, the better your seniority number, and the more likely you could get base transfer once a vacancy comes out with the base you want. You have to be on the 145 to transfer base as a FO though. Otherwise you will be stuck. If the next vacancy doesn't bring you to DFW, you may have to wait another 3 months and see what the next one after that brings as options.
Disclaimer: Things can change rapidly in the regional airline industry. I am not management, and this is all based on observation, and probably some rumors. I make NO guarantees. I cannot make your decisions for you, and a decision you make today could drastically alter your quality of life. I don't want to carry that burden if you are unhappy, so please make the decision that is best for you (and your family). As a reminder, the notes above are to help people who want to be based in DFW only.
I just recently started at Envoy as a FO, but I am happy to give as much info as I can; just know I have very limited experience. For young guys, while your age may seems like a negative for the bidding process, you are at a GREAT age to be able to start at Envoy, and should have a long career at American.
I wanted DFW as my base. It is one of the reasons I chose Envoy. I would have also been happy with ORD, but I did not want LGA. My perspective changed a little after talking with my friend. These are some details:
The first day, they will put the vacancies up on a board. You will choose a base/equipment combo; cannot choose each one independently. These are the possible options:
DFW 145: This is a great option. You will be based in DFW. You will get an extra $5000 sign on bonus. You have the option to change bases if you want. There is a lot of movement from the top, since the base is pretty senior. This means you should move up schedule wise with all the guys who are flowing or upgrading to captain. (Due to all of these, it has been a while since DFW 145 has been offered to new hires. You can see the list of openings from the previous classes just a couple pages back on this thread.) One down side is I have heard reserve is about one year. May not matter much if you are living in base though.
DFW 175: This is a good option. You get to DFW right away. This usually goes to the older guys in class (40+ y.o.). If you can get it, great plane, great base. Your relative seniority on the equipment is dependent on if they exercise the additional 90 options. Right now, because the equipment is new, many of the new guys have it, so there is not a lot of movement from the top. Your schedule will only get better if they continue to bring more 175s onto property. I have heard reserve is relatively short. No extra sign on bonus, but hey, you are in DFW.
LGA 145: At first, I thought this would be my last choice. NYC is expensive. My commute would be a terrible 2 leg. It was hard to see the good. However, I realized a couple of positives. The base is being reopened. Most guys don't want it, so the movement off the top is great. Many new hires will fill in the list below you. Your schedule should improve with each new month. Reserve should be very short as well. I don't know what the commute would look like from DFW. You get the extra $5000 sign on bonus. Also, this equipment will give you the chance to bid back to DFW when a vacancy comes out (if spots available). In the meantime, your schedule should be improving monthly.
ORD 145: This base appears to be shrinking due to all the flying that LGA will get. Your schedule may not be the best with the downsizing. The benefits of this option are an extra $5000 sign on bonus and the opportunity to change bases.
ORD CRJ: Avoid this at all costs. It is a shrinking fleet (and base) and it is possible you will never be off reserve until you are displaced. You won't get to DFW until that happens either since you can't bid other equipment. No one knows the time frame on the transition. (A lot of rumors or speculation, but no official word). You get the extra $5000 at least.
The next vacancy should happen around April 2017, again based on rumors. You could be awarded DFW (if the vacancy has spots for FOs or there are backfills) before training ends. Many of us experienced this on the last vacancy. The transfer may take a couple of months after training though. The sooner your class date, the better your seniority number, and the more likely you could get base transfer once a vacancy comes out with the base you want. You have to be on the 145 to transfer base as a FO though. Otherwise you will be stuck. If the next vacancy doesn't bring you to DFW, you may have to wait another 3 months and see what the next one after that brings as options.
Disclaimer: Things can change rapidly in the regional airline industry. I am not management, and this is all based on observation, and probably some rumors. I make NO guarantees. I cannot make your decisions for you, and a decision you make today could drastically alter your quality of life. I don't want to carry that burden if you are unhappy, so please make the decision that is best for you (and your family). As a reminder, the notes above are to help people who want to be based in DFW only.
02-18-2017 | 07:34 AM
#1010
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: E175
Scheduling Committee Update - March Schedules & ORD
Yesterday, 03:54 PM
February 16, 2017
Greetings from a 3-hour sit in CVG!
Within this update we will discuss the March lines, the status of the flight file, and briefly address the Chicago domicile’s recent downsizing. As you read this update, keep in mind that there are three variables that affect the Crew Planners’ ability to produce quality lines:
Productivity (i.e., The Flight File) – measured in daily averages and average trip values.
Staffing – Too few pilots limits the number of lines.
Total Block – needs to be an amount appropriate to our productivity for any chance at line quality. Too much flying done inefficiently = extra trips to cover said flying. Extra trips are then crammed into the same number of lines reducing days off, and causing 4-on-2-off events.
The ERJ schedules continue to improve, albeit slowly, posting daily averages in DFW and ORD with 4:32 and 4:36 respectively. LGA lines were built at a strong 4:45 per day. On the E145, the daily averages are climbing due to improvements in the flight file, but once again, staffing (or lack thereof) is again the limiting factor in March, at least for DFW and LGA. You may notice sequences in some of the bid packets that start with what appears to be a lost day on day one as indicated by a dash. Keep in mind that a "-" does not always mean a lost day. In these instances, it is indicating that one calendar day contains parts of 2 separate duty periods. For example, the first duty period of the trip, "Day 1," begins Sunday at 17:00 and ends Monday at 02:00. You'll get your legal rest and then begin the second duty period Monday evening.
ERJ DFW:
102 Regular lines, 6 CDO Lines, 2 2-Day lines
Just under half of the packet has 3 days off in between all sequences, the rest have 2 or fewer occurrences of 2 days off between sequences.
ERJ LGA:
61 Regular lines
5 2-Day lines with the rest 4-Day – 21 of the lines have 3 days off between all sequences, the other 40 have 2 or less instances of 2 day off events.
ERJ ORD:
65 Regular lines, 8 CDO Lines
2 2-Days, 4 3-Days
30 lines have 3 days off between sequences, the remaining have only one occurrence of 2 days off between sequences.
ORD ERJ March is a good example of what lines look like when a base is getting close to adequately staffed for the total block flown at the current level of productivity. It has some variety, and 2 day off occurrences are limited to once per line.
I'd like to take a moment to address the reduction of lines that ORD ERJ has seen in the last 3 months. That status is down from 139 lines in December and has seen a steady decline each month since to 73 lines in March.
I've been told that Ric Wilson is in the process of writing a communication to the pilots that we should see in the near future regarding these ORD reductions, and what we can expect to see in 2017. I do not know specific details of his communication, so we will see what he has to say, but I am happy to hear that management intends to communicate with the pilots on this.
What we do know, is that prior to the re-opening of LGA in January, a majority of the New York flying was covered by ORD crews, with some built into DFW lines as well. When the base re-opened, it logically follows that a large chunk of that flying would come out of the ORD bid packet. The evidence of this is in the total block numbers for the ERJ fleet.
From FEB to MAR, total block for the fleet was relatively the same, around 17,500 hours. However, as you can see below in the chart, LGA INCREASED ~ 2,500 hours over FEB's numbers while ORD DECREASED 1,700 hours and DFW dropped ~ 1000. In the same way, if MIA were to re-open tomorrow, DFW would likely see a significant reduction in line total and block hours, as a large portion of MIA flying is covered by DFW crews. Looking at it another way, ORD had 139 lines in December, and is now down to 73. LGA currently has 61. Adding the two together, you can see very clearly where most of the flying has come from.
You may notice that there are no scheduled E140 flights in March. Envoy has shared that the E140s are part of the fleet plan through May 2017, but for next month they will be primarily used as spares. The Company expects some quantity of E140s to remain in the fleet through at least 2018.
Envoy's original plan was for LGA to host 10-15 ERJs at the base, but it quickly became apparent through the flight file received from AAG that LGA would need to be larger, and the flying shifted quickly. LGA is currently at 20 ERJs and will grow to 27. Company planners have said that this means ORD will contract a little bit more and then will then stabilize once LGA has finished growing.
I know that the above may not answer all of your questions, or alleviate all of our ORD pilot’s concerns. I look forward to Captain Wilson providing us all with more specifics in his upcoming communication.
DFW 175
Now our largest Status with 112 lines. 2 1-Day lines, 5 3-Day lines.
For March the 175 line count to total block ratio was the lowest it has been yet, resulting in more 2 day offs than we usually see for that fleet.
The 175 has stagnated in 2017 at an unproductive 4:25 average.
ORD CRJ
108 regular lines, 7 for ASE. All 4-Days with roughly 27 lines with 3 days off in between sequences.
The CRJ continues to struggle with low daily average (4:17). It has a similar line count to total block ratio as the 175 for March, but a less productive daily average resulting in more 2 day off events.
Block Hours DFW 145 DFW 175 ORD 145 LGA 145 CRJ ASE System Totals
Mar.
2017 7430 9181 5004 4889 8122 562 35188
Feb.
2017 8429 8535 6699 2423 8138 502 34726
Net Change -999 +646 -1695 +2466 -16 +60 +462
Mar. Lines Hard Lines RSV, COMP.
STBY. Avg. Credit Avg. Days Off Avg. Block Per Day
DFW EMJ 102
(-17) 28
(-1) 78.15
(+2.02) 14.00
(+1) 4.32
(+.10)
DFW 175 113
(+18) 20
(+7) 75.54
(-0.63) 13.1
(even) 4.25
(+.03)
LGA 145 61
(+29) 13
(+2) 78.45
(+0.42) 13.4
(-.2) 4.45
(+0.27)
ORD EMJ 73
(-66) 24
(-2) 77.37
(-0.81) 13.60
(+.60) 4.36
(+.08)
ORD CRJ 100
(-4) 14
(even) 76.19
(-1.03) 12.69
(+.36) 4.17
(-.01)
ASE 7
even 4
(even) 81.17
(+9.46) 13
(-.28) (included in above number)
(+/- from last month)
Company Crew planners and the Scheduling Committee continue to seek improvements to the flight file to get our productivity up, there is progress, but it is slow. We all look forward to our influx of new hires in recent months and welcome their arrival on the line. Time will tell if our hiring numbers are sustainable and will outpace attrition.
The total block is what it is, the amount of flying that the company takes on directly impacts our lines and thus, our quality of life. Right now, the amount of flying we are undertaking at the current productivity is resulting in the majority of our lines containing multiple 2 day off events between our 4-day sequences.
Your Scheduling Committee will continue to do the best that we can to continue the improvements we have been slowly seeing.
Speaking of productivity, my 3-hour sit at an outstation has just about concluded, time head back to DFW. We’ll talk to you again next month.
Aaron Shields
Chairman
Scheduling Committee
Yesterday, 03:54 PM
February 16, 2017
Greetings from a 3-hour sit in CVG!
Within this update we will discuss the March lines, the status of the flight file, and briefly address the Chicago domicile’s recent downsizing. As you read this update, keep in mind that there are three variables that affect the Crew Planners’ ability to produce quality lines:
Productivity (i.e., The Flight File) – measured in daily averages and average trip values.
Staffing – Too few pilots limits the number of lines.
Total Block – needs to be an amount appropriate to our productivity for any chance at line quality. Too much flying done inefficiently = extra trips to cover said flying. Extra trips are then crammed into the same number of lines reducing days off, and causing 4-on-2-off events.
The ERJ schedules continue to improve, albeit slowly, posting daily averages in DFW and ORD with 4:32 and 4:36 respectively. LGA lines were built at a strong 4:45 per day. On the E145, the daily averages are climbing due to improvements in the flight file, but once again, staffing (or lack thereof) is again the limiting factor in March, at least for DFW and LGA. You may notice sequences in some of the bid packets that start with what appears to be a lost day on day one as indicated by a dash. Keep in mind that a "-" does not always mean a lost day. In these instances, it is indicating that one calendar day contains parts of 2 separate duty periods. For example, the first duty period of the trip, "Day 1," begins Sunday at 17:00 and ends Monday at 02:00. You'll get your legal rest and then begin the second duty period Monday evening.
ERJ DFW:
102 Regular lines, 6 CDO Lines, 2 2-Day lines
Just under half of the packet has 3 days off in between all sequences, the rest have 2 or fewer occurrences of 2 days off between sequences.
ERJ LGA:
61 Regular lines
5 2-Day lines with the rest 4-Day – 21 of the lines have 3 days off between all sequences, the other 40 have 2 or less instances of 2 day off events.
ERJ ORD:
65 Regular lines, 8 CDO Lines
2 2-Days, 4 3-Days
30 lines have 3 days off between sequences, the remaining have only one occurrence of 2 days off between sequences.
ORD ERJ March is a good example of what lines look like when a base is getting close to adequately staffed for the total block flown at the current level of productivity. It has some variety, and 2 day off occurrences are limited to once per line.
I'd like to take a moment to address the reduction of lines that ORD ERJ has seen in the last 3 months. That status is down from 139 lines in December and has seen a steady decline each month since to 73 lines in March.
I've been told that Ric Wilson is in the process of writing a communication to the pilots that we should see in the near future regarding these ORD reductions, and what we can expect to see in 2017. I do not know specific details of his communication, so we will see what he has to say, but I am happy to hear that management intends to communicate with the pilots on this.
What we do know, is that prior to the re-opening of LGA in January, a majority of the New York flying was covered by ORD crews, with some built into DFW lines as well. When the base re-opened, it logically follows that a large chunk of that flying would come out of the ORD bid packet. The evidence of this is in the total block numbers for the ERJ fleet.
From FEB to MAR, total block for the fleet was relatively the same, around 17,500 hours. However, as you can see below in the chart, LGA INCREASED ~ 2,500 hours over FEB's numbers while ORD DECREASED 1,700 hours and DFW dropped ~ 1000. In the same way, if MIA were to re-open tomorrow, DFW would likely see a significant reduction in line total and block hours, as a large portion of MIA flying is covered by DFW crews. Looking at it another way, ORD had 139 lines in December, and is now down to 73. LGA currently has 61. Adding the two together, you can see very clearly where most of the flying has come from.
You may notice that there are no scheduled E140 flights in March. Envoy has shared that the E140s are part of the fleet plan through May 2017, but for next month they will be primarily used as spares. The Company expects some quantity of E140s to remain in the fleet through at least 2018.
Envoy's original plan was for LGA to host 10-15 ERJs at the base, but it quickly became apparent through the flight file received from AAG that LGA would need to be larger, and the flying shifted quickly. LGA is currently at 20 ERJs and will grow to 27. Company planners have said that this means ORD will contract a little bit more and then will then stabilize once LGA has finished growing.
I know that the above may not answer all of your questions, or alleviate all of our ORD pilot’s concerns. I look forward to Captain Wilson providing us all with more specifics in his upcoming communication.
DFW 175
Now our largest Status with 112 lines. 2 1-Day lines, 5 3-Day lines.
For March the 175 line count to total block ratio was the lowest it has been yet, resulting in more 2 day offs than we usually see for that fleet.
The 175 has stagnated in 2017 at an unproductive 4:25 average.
ORD CRJ
108 regular lines, 7 for ASE. All 4-Days with roughly 27 lines with 3 days off in between sequences.
The CRJ continues to struggle with low daily average (4:17). It has a similar line count to total block ratio as the 175 for March, but a less productive daily average resulting in more 2 day off events.
Block Hours DFW 145 DFW 175 ORD 145 LGA 145 CRJ ASE System Totals
Mar.
2017 7430 9181 5004 4889 8122 562 35188
Feb.
2017 8429 8535 6699 2423 8138 502 34726
Net Change -999 +646 -1695 +2466 -16 +60 +462
Mar. Lines Hard Lines RSV, COMP.
STBY. Avg. Credit Avg. Days Off Avg. Block Per Day
DFW EMJ 102
(-17) 28
(-1) 78.15
(+2.02) 14.00
(+1) 4.32
(+.10)
DFW 175 113
(+18) 20
(+7) 75.54
(-0.63) 13.1
(even) 4.25
(+.03)
LGA 145 61
(+29) 13
(+2) 78.45
(+0.42) 13.4
(-.2) 4.45
(+0.27)
ORD EMJ 73
(-66) 24
(-2) 77.37
(-0.81) 13.60
(+.60) 4.36
(+.08)
ORD CRJ 100
(-4) 14
(even) 76.19
(-1.03) 12.69
(+.36) 4.17
(-.01)
ASE 7
even 4
(even) 81.17
(+9.46) 13
(-.28) (included in above number)
(+/- from last month)
Company Crew planners and the Scheduling Committee continue to seek improvements to the flight file to get our productivity up, there is progress, but it is slow. We all look forward to our influx of new hires in recent months and welcome their arrival on the line. Time will tell if our hiring numbers are sustainable and will outpace attrition.
The total block is what it is, the amount of flying that the company takes on directly impacts our lines and thus, our quality of life. Right now, the amount of flying we are undertaking at the current productivity is resulting in the majority of our lines containing multiple 2 day off events between our 4-day sequences.
Your Scheduling Committee will continue to do the best that we can to continue the improvements we have been slowly seeing.
Speaking of productivity, my 3-hour sit at an outstation has just about concluded, time head back to DFW. We’ll talk to you again next month.
Aaron Shields
Chairman
Scheduling Committee
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