I feel for you as I'm in the same pay boat. However during the interview, they must have brought up first year pay/no hotel in training/training contract about 11 times. Even after the job offer was made, it was brought up again before I signed anything to make sure I knew what I was getting in to.

I can't say I'm excited about that stuff, but at least they were straightforward about it.

 

As long as candidates continue to show, nothing will change. It's just that simple.

I truly wish people would stop applying. But I realize that there are a lot worse jobs out there. So I don't blame them for coming to this dump, but I can dream.

 

Great post, AirBUZ. Good look at life on first-year pay here.

 

Be all annoyed you want. That's straight from an LEC rep's lips. It's the company's responsibility to pay for hotels. The union isn't going to spend negotiating capital on "new guys".

Also, I'm a union volunteer myself. I'm doing all I can with what I have to work with.

 

Great post...NO HATING brother! It's imperative for the guys looking to make the jump to F9 to be well informed. Like you say, it's not just the pay. Morale and overall employment enjoyment, both in the crap hole.

 

The contract addresses first year pay, doesn't it? Of course thy care about new guys!! Shortsighted and not a fair post PB.

 

I'm not [no profanity please] about the pay, that we all knew coming in the door. Nor am I upset with our union in any way. I think they are doing a good job so far.

First year sucks, period. I'm just venting.

 

P.B.,
If you know this to be fact, that they aren't addressing the no hotels for new hires during training, then I stand corrected. Your post sounded like an assumption, and I reacted to that. Many people post unsubstantiated options on here, without bothering to even try to look up the facts, and it irks me. I will have to look into this. I will read the TA (whenever we get one), in its entirety in order to assess how close we are to something aggreable, but there are many issues that will garner an instant no vote from me. Not adequately addressing first year compensation is one of them. If we aren't asking for paid hotels during new hire training, then first year pay needs to be at least equal to Delta's. $70/hr won't cut it! $70/hr is already below industry standard, but no hotel during new hire training on top of that isn't even in the same ballpark!

 

I'm on first year pay. I have a family of 5. I knew full well what I was getting into financially. Do my sub $1000 checks suck? Absolutely. But I'm not complaining about it, because it is what it is. I was asked multiple times by multiple people if I knew and understand how low 1st year pay is. The interviewers, the runners, JP, Stephanie, the whole interview gang had mentioned it at one point or another. There was zero hiding that fact.
I am not disappointed in F9 in the least bit. It was exactly what I expected. I had low expectations for the pay and high expectations for the pilot group. That's what I've gotten so far.
The low pay will be fixed in the new contract. It absolutely has to in order for F9 to survive in the future. The well of applicants is running dry. $$ will be the only way to fix it. Any pilot with half a brain should realize that if they are not hired in 2017, upgrade will simply not happen at F9. If you are going to be a career FO, the pay rates and work rules had better be outstanding. If not, good luck filling those seats in this hiring boom.
For those new hires that are disappointed, chillax. It'll get better. It always does.

 

Why do you say that? Is it just based on the projected new aircraft deliveries? What's to say, they don't order more new aircraft in the coming years? The ULCC market still may have room to grow. There aren't many US carriers doing international flying in the ULCC model. This is one way the company could continue to grow. I'm not saying it will happen, but I don't know if I would say you'd never upgrade at F9 if you don't get hired in 2017...