ULCC Model in the U.S.
#101
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Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,603
I see a lot of butt hurt ULCC pilots chiming in. If you are in the right seat at a ULCC a legacy is a by far better job. No comparison. All things being equal like where you live etc. even half way up the CA list it’s money even or more to start over at a legacy if you are 35 or younger. It would be a qol hit for some time and seniority risk though. Some need to actually know the legacy contracts before they start saying a ULCC is a better option. We have done better this cycle but still far behind and years out of negotiations with the big four in negotiations now.
#102
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Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
This is why i hate pilots. We are all on the same team.
Spirit was dead last a couple years ago. Things change. And 99% of guys would take AA over any ulcc.
#103
The Legacy airlines, my personal opinion, will overreach in these new contracts. That leads to unsustainable pay and benefits should (when) the next economic downturn comes. So while yes I want to see huge gains for all of us as pilots, who gets hurt in a down turn? We do. We get furloughed and our contracts cut. The CEOs and others on the top get to keep what they have. I guess long story short, the ULCCs might not be in a bad place should the economy go into a recession over the next few years.
#104
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2016
Position: 6th place
Posts: 1,826
The Legacy airlines, my personal opinion, will overreach in these new contracts. That leads to unsustainable pay and benefits should (when) the next economic downturn comes. So while yes I want to see huge gains for all of us as pilots, who gets hurt in a down turn? We do. We get furloughed and our contracts cut. The CEOs and others on the top get to keep what they have. I guess long story short, the ULCCs might not be in a bad place should the economy go into a recession over the next few years.
That’s exactly what your management wants you to think.
#105
I’m 50% COMPANY seniority after 3.5 years at F9. Where in spades can that be beat at any legacy?
I don’t think finding pilots at F9 or NK will ever be a problem. Also, I don’t think 99% of captains would be willing to give up 170k, likely more, in lost wages. As well as losing seniority to go fly for a legacy, even if they did some sort of selective hiring. Unless, the next round of legacy contracts bring 30-40% pay raises.
I don’t think finding pilots at F9 or NK will ever be a problem. Also, I don’t think 99% of captains would be willing to give up 170k, likely more, in lost wages. As well as losing seniority to go fly for a legacy, even if they did some sort of selective hiring. Unless, the next round of legacy contracts bring 30-40% pay raises.
#106
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 4,603
The Legacy airlines, my personal opinion, will overreach in these new contracts. That leads to unsustainable pay and benefits should (when) the next economic downturn comes. So while yes I want to see huge gains for all of us as pilots, who gets hurt in a down turn? We do. We get furloughed and our contracts cut. The CEOs and others on the top get to keep what they have. I guess long story short, the ULCCs might not be in a bad place should the economy go into a recession over the next few years.
#107
The Legacy airlines, my personal opinion, will overreach in these new contracts. That leads to unsustainable pay and benefits should (when) the next economic downturn comes. So while yes I want to see huge gains for all of us as pilots, who gets hurt in a down turn? We do. We get furloughed and our contracts cut. The CEOs and others on the top get to keep what they have. I guess long story short, the ULCCs might not be in a bad place should the economy go into a recession over the next few years.
The trick for the unions is to find just the right balance for givebacks when the time comes.
Furloughs are gonna happen, it's hopeless to try to prevent that, and counter-productive.
What the unions need to avoid is BK filings this time around... if you give some *temporary* voluntary concessions with automatic snapback dates (snapback can be voluntarily extended if needed down the road) then you can avoid a BK which would gut your hard-earned contract (which as we know is a deep hole that takes a long time to climb out of).
By doing it in a voluntary manner you stay in the driver's seat for how much, how long, and whether to extend it.
Also worth noting that BK laws have changed since the last round... it's MUCH harder to do a "bankruptcy of convenience" today. Any management team that files will be in serious risk of losing their jobs and their company to the whims of the creditors so management is more likely to try to work a deal with labor to avoid BK. But pilot groups also need to work to avoid BK, because THEIR jobs and careers would be in the same jeopardy. Liquidation is far more likely today than in 2007.
Bottom line... no need to work for ULCC cut-rates today on the premise that legacy rates *might* not be sustainable in some future economy. But be prepared to work with management on TEMPORARY concessions if the day comes when BK is a real threat.
#108
#109
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Joined APC: May 2017
Position: 175 CA
Posts: 1,285
#110
Inflation-adjusted pilot pay is not that high by historical standards. Oil (inflation adjusted) took a big jump in the 1970's and, on average, never came back down.
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