pete2800

We don't know. The union executive counsel is asking for pilot info on whether or not they should even negotiate. The airplanes come off lease in 2017, if I remember right. So that's the time frame. All else is conjecture at this point, but this place doesn't have a history of it going well for pilots when there's uncertainty.

I don't know what their long term plan is, but if they're concerned about future staffing, this certainly seems incongruous.

Then again, if the plan for the future doesn't involve staffing then they certainly wouldn't need to worry about it, would they?

cactusflyer

There's no official timeline yet, but I believe the leases on about 20% of our fleet expire in 2017 or '18 and since it would take some time to get new airplanes ordered and online, I'd guess Alaska will want a vote on concessions in the next 12-18 months.

Looking at Skywest's profile on APC, if we brought our pay in line with theirs for something like an E-175, that would be between a $4-7/hr pay cut for FO's, and an $11-13/hr cut for captains from the turbojet scales in our current CBA. Those numbers would be an increase from our curent turboprop rates (a couple bucks an hour for FO's, about $10/hr for captains), which is probably how management will try and sell them to the pilot group.

That's not counting the likely cuts to benefits Alaska would probably also demand, so this has a potential to get pretty ugly, especially since we have a lot of senior guys who are still ****ed about losing the CRJ's to Skywest.

flyinpigg

QX They put the HO in Horizon!

cactusflyer

"I am Alaska('s unloved stepchild)!"

ChristheCFI

Thanks Pete and Cactus, appreciate the info.

Droptopspyder

Well that isn't the best news for a new hire...

OnMyWay

Nothing to add here except I too would suggest looking in to Compass, instead of Horizon, if you are looking for a Seattle base. They'll likely be the ones replacing us anyways. That and flying 5-6 legs a day gets old real quick.

cactusflyer

Why on earth would you want things like "decent pay", "benefits", and "bases that don't close every couple of years", when we have company provided iPads and flight cases, and our airplanes have HUD's and RNP capability!

I'm really curious how they're going to spin this to new hires or interview candidates, since the one thing this airline had going to set it apart from the regionals with jets and quick upgrades (not to mention flow) was the pay and benefits, and Alaska seems to have made it quite clear that contract is not acceptable any more.

Cruz5350

I'm disgusted by the fact that SkyWest has a big part in the downfall of Horizon and that's coming from someone who loved working at QX and went to SKW as a necessity. My hope is we vote this crap pay package down at SKW and that forces QX's hand in keeping/improving your guys' pay. Your one of the only decent places to work at in the regional sector.

R3360

Strong words from Pete! One of the more respected and informative dudes on here.

It would seem too that there is a disproportionate number of Skywest pilots being hired at Alk. The 30% QX thing seems long forgotten. Pete any Intel?!

Just saying to all if you wanna work at alaska your better off fishing from a different boat.

Sorry you guys have to deal with this crap! Lovely industry.