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-   -   SkyBus FAs working for commsion. (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/major/12924-skybus-fas-working-commsion.html)

tomgoodman 05-23-2007 06:50 AM
Can of worms?
 
Originally Posted by SkyHigh (Post 169673)
For many aviation has become a working hobby. If the conditions were right and one could still fly while earning a real living outside of their flying job then why not do it? ..... I believe that in 20 years companies like Skybus will be the norm and in trade for huge salaries they will offer more flexibility and more control in ones life.
Delta used to (maybe still does) offer part-time work, but not to pilots. Almost all ground employees were initially hired as "temporary/part-time", getting low wages and no benefits. They worked a little or a lot, depending on the company's needs. Some liked it, but most longed to become full- timers. A limited number of senior F/As could go on "auxiliary" status, flying about half the normal schedule, and I think they kept their benefits, but no one was initially hired to be an auxiliary. I think the "fixed costs" of training, medical coverage, and pensions (if applicable), would deter airlines from hiring pilots as part-timers unless they were willing to accept minimum wage and sit permanent short-call reserve. Then you have the seniority issue, even at non-union carriers. Full-timers would resent having a part-timer snatch up a good trip that they wanted for themselves. It could become a "B-scale" in spades, with "hobbyists" who don't need the money driving wages down to the level which, as a family man, you rightly abhor.

rjcaptwife 05-23-2007 07:15 AM
Originally Posted by Airborne (Post 169356)
Polarfr8dog-
yes you are right- many FAs are highly skilled airline employees, that is why I said "Not all Fas." Times are also changing where airlines are no longer looking for skilled FAS but simply someone to fill the position at the cheapest rate. I apoplogize if I didnt stress enough that there are some out there whom are total professionals, but it does seem that many out there couldn't handle emergancy situations that well. Thats all. I have many FA friends that are true professionals but just like pilots their pay is being cut down and so the new recruits that want to work for little seem a little unqualified for the position.
Once again not all FAS are ditzy.
When I read your first opinion I was quite upset. I do agree that a small percentage of fa's are there for the free travel or to find a husband, but that is just a small percentage.
Lets see - On my first month off of IOE - I had a man have a die - then come back to life with CPR. In the 3 years I was there I remember 2 emergency landings, 1 de-pressurization and a landing gear problem to where I was advised it could be serious.

Now should FA's work for commission - NO!

captjns 05-24-2007 12:07 AM
Originally Posted by rjcaptwife (Post 169721)
Now should FA's work for commission - NO!
When one finds the working conditions at either a current or prospective employer, including to but no limited to pay or benefits issues, itolerable or unacceptable, alternatives are always available to such individuals.

IMHO salary based on commissions will have a effect on safety of operation. Poor, hungry, eager F/A’s will be more willing to push the envelope by keeping the galley carts out later than they should during normal and adverse weather operations. Someone is going to get hurt! Think about it… does the commission from the sale of perfume outweigh the expenses of a flight attendant defending their won law suit?

The base pay/commission concept has been proven and is still going strong with a number of carriers overseas.

Shame on those airlines with such compensation programs, and more over shame on those adults who accept work with any airline that sponsors such compensation program!

spitfire1500 05-24-2007 11:40 AM
Originally Posted by SkyHigh (Post 168803)
I wish a start up like Skybus would smarten up and offer lines with much lower min guarantees. I remember that ten years ago the legacies had something like 55 to 65 hours a month minimum hours.

A LCC could offer 35 to 45 hour min guarantee lines and they could then rope in a lot of experienced pilots who are sidelined and would enjoy the part time flying job. Who cares about the pay so long as you were still able to work your mortgage company or dentist office?

The rest of the guys would be able to pick up trips to build up to 100 if they wished. Everyone would be able to get what they wanted and the company could pay crap wages still.

The best part is that they would have a larger pilot group to fend off strikes or busy times. All management would have to do it to raise overtime pay temporarily.

I understand that Skybus doesn't pay wages through training so there is little to lose in training costs. Like it or not I think this kind of thing is in our future. If a company can not pay a living wage then they must offer something else to tempt workers.

SkyHigh
Bull$hit!! If a company cannot pay a livable wage pilots need to leave so the company will pay or go away!

Polarfr8dog 05-28-2007 07:54 AM
Originally Posted by SkyHigh (Post 169673)
90 hours a month is not fun. SkyHigh
That's why I like Polar. My highest month has been 40 or 50! Then when I do fly it's the whale for one leg and the very rare occasion of two.

Skyone 05-28-2007 02:22 PM
So what's the big deal about F/As working for commision. A lot of carriers pay their F/As a commision on the duty free they sell on board. A F/A here in the desert just won a new BMW for selling the most duty free this year. You don't think he was pushing the sale of perfume, watches, cosmetics, etc. to win the car? I know Delta gives commisions on duty free sales as well. But the wages that the pilots are making at SB, they should have a tip jar attached to the bulkhead by the cockpit door.:eek:

dash8301 05-30-2007 07:20 AM
In the event of an emergency do you have to pay a toll to get out of the airplane? You know an unplaned exit fee or something. It certainly seems like everything else is for sale so why not. ( I don't think this is a company that would mind paying a fine for breaking regs)

Ellen 06-26-2007 09:42 AM
SkyBus needs to take a history lesson.

Western Pacific tried to advertise on their planes. (They went Bust)

Western Pacific tried to fly out of "smaller" city no one wanted to fly out of. (They went bust)

ATA tried selling, booze, beach towels, hats, etc. on their flights, remember the ads? (With ATA we are on VaaaaaCaaaaation). ATA (bust) now deals on SWA side.

SkyBust should be their NEW name

captjns 06-26-2007 03:33 PM
Originally Posted by Ellen (Post 185396)
SkyBus needs to take a history lesson.
They did. Look at the European airlines that sell items ranging from booze to duty free. Not only have they not gone bust, but they are giving the European airlines ala BA, Aer Lingus, Air France a run for their money.

crewdawg 06-27-2007 08:19 PM
I was flipping through the Forbes and came across the title Nightmare at 30,000 feet. Made me laugh when I read and found out it was about Skybus! Even talks about how the pilots make 75K!

It's of topic but I found another interesting article titled Avoiding More are Travel Turbulence on page 33. Talks about we should write our senators and representatives to push for user fees! :eek:


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