SEPfield

I’m not sure it’s in my best interest to give BS or RB any more heads up of my possible departure than necessary. They aren’t exactly known for their understanding and acceptance.

I also don’t think GoJet will be doing anything to encourage retention. GoJet is currently fully and a maybe even a little over staffed. I’ve also heard that GoJet will start recruiting street Captains again, which will help with recruitment.

Any potential new hire street captains reading this need to understand that although you are being hired as captains, you will be used as first officers. Probably a lot more than those of us hired previously.

I also mentioned the reduction in flying lines for GoJet in DTW over the holidays. I am concerned this will continue in DTW and extend to the other bases.

With this new TA, Endeavor has placed themselves in a very good position to attract a lot of new pilots, both new to the industry and from other companies. There is a real possibility that Deltas ultimate plan is to move all or most of their regional flying to Endeavor. I wouldn’t have thought that was even possible until they produced this new TA.

If GoJet intends to continue doing Delta flying then I agree, they will need to do something quickly and drastically to recruit and retain pilots.
If on the other hand G7 has already received notice that their contracts will not be renewed then they will not do anything. They are currently over staffed and will just let pilot attrition coincide with the reduction in flying.

I think the January bid package will provide the answer.

gojo

I love your optimism. But don’t you think they should’ve been working on this before now? And are you hearing anything from your union reps? I would start there rather than just cross your fingers and hope something good will happen. One other thing to consider is how much room do they have within the current ASA with Delta? They may not be able to do much without renegotiating the ASA with Delta. Sounds like Compass has the same concerns

SEPfield

That’s a good point as well.

I thought Delta wanted to purchase GoJet and Compass, but they were told no unless the deal included TSA. Delta doesn’t like 145s and the most definitely don’t like when their regionals try to dictate their terms. See comair after the strike.

It maybe Deltas plan to slowly move all of GoJets(Deltas) 700s to Endeavor. Another thought is that Delta wants Endeavor to steal all of GoJets pilots, so that GoJet can’t staff the flying and therefor defaults on the contract. That way Delta can take back all of their 700s and sue Transstates Holdings for an amount equal to the 5 900s that TSH actually owns.

Delta gets everything they want plus the opportunity to crush another regional that dare to defy them.

chrisreedrules

I’m not so sure that signing bonuses are going to cut it anymore. The real problem for regionals isn’t going to be attracting new hires. The real problem will become, “How do we retain senior FOs and Jr CAs?” Once F9, Spirit, JetBlue, etc raise pay in 2018 and not to mention the thousands to be hired at the legacies it will be everything regional management can do to hang on to their pilots.

Papa Bear

You would be nuts to leave...GoJet has flow to Spirit and the 20k signing bonus.

SEPfield

I’m not convinced GoJet wants to retain their pilots. Based on the way we are still being treated from Managment and scheduling it’s almost like they want us to leave.

I think Managment has figured out that G7 is dying and they don’t have deep enough pockets to prevent it, so the best they can do is try to make the senior pilots as comfortable as possible before their ultimate demise.

Once again, if you are thinking of coming to G7 as a street captain, be advised you are being hired as a FO reserve at captain pay. If you want to fly as a FO, you may as well go to 9E and get paid more than a G7 captain to do it.

SEPfield

Well so far it appears G7 is not planning to do anything to address the impending staffing issue. You would think they would at least send out a memo stating the issue is being discussed, but instead they are trying to recruit street captains again, apparently not realizing that Endeavor is actually a better option for current captains.

I am curious how many captains besides myself have applied to 9E.

The bigger question is why would any FO at G7 not apply at 9E.
Why would you risk a 50% chance of failure at G7s notoriously poor upgrade "training"?
Instead you could go to Endeavor, Envoy, Skywest and attend a full long course in the same airplane you are currently flying, get a full systems refresher and a full round of sims.
G7s upgrade program is not a training program, you are essentially showing up for a checkride.

Pokeysrider

SEP,
I believe that there is the expectation that someone at G7 that puts in for an upgrade has also put in the time learning for the upgrade while flying as an FO.

That is just my observation, but I do agree that three sim sessions and a five day class don’t seem very long..

We all have our reasons for selecting an employer - priorities, potential domicile, churn (read that as opportunities for advancement), etc. What works well for one may not work so well for another.

I hope that your plans to move to 9E go smoothly!
Gumby

StlLifer

But I thought we were now a kindler, gentler company? Didn't they get rid of the fool from Comair? Doesn't our management smile at people now when they fire them?

Aren't they going to have a christmas party that you won't be allowed to go to but they will show you the pictures?

Everyone is not going to go to 9E just because they pay 20 per hour more. Gojet people are above money and supporting a family! Gojet is a higher calling, like being a priest, devoted to God; we just seem devoted to the other guy.

SEPfield

Thanks. Interview is scheduled for January.

On the bright side, the pilots that stay at GoJet may see 300% again this summer.