CAL Update II
04-02-2008 | 07:21 AM
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From: Bigfoot
CAL Update II
Since the old thread was locked due to forum rules regarding how we treat each other on here, I'll start a new one in the hopes we can avoid low blows for a while. There's a lot of info. and rumors floating around on the line and calforums but here's what ALPA says this week, as I have been told many guys got phone calls regarding class dates and interviews being canceled or delayed.
The CAL MEC would like to address the rumors concerning new hire classes for the rest of the year and speculation regarding the potential for furloughs occurring this fall. Fuel costs in excess of those anticipated in Continental’s business plan and a general downturn in the overall economy has resulted in some uncertainty as to our ability to continue to expand and grow as anticipated. First addressing new hire classes, we have been advised by Flight Operations that there are currently two classes remaining for the calendar year, one scheduled for April and the second for May, with four new hires in each. Management has advised us that all prospective pilots are being fully informed of the status of hiring at Continental and are being offered the ability to bypass these classes if they so choose. Further, all pilots who have been accepted but do not have a class date have been told that they will be offered a future class date when hiring resumes. We feel, and have proactively advised management that giving these prospective Continental Pilots as much accurate information as is available is the only fair thing to do.
As for furloughs, we have been told that management is not anticipating or in favor of furloughing pilots at this time or in the future. The current plan calls for a strategic approach involving reevaluating aircraft utilization along with other revenue generation and cost savings steps to actively avoid the need for furloughs. The Union strongly advises against initiating long term, extreme measures to what may be a short term economic trough. Inevitably furloughs create a host of issues that, in the long term, may be more problematic than the issues they initially are designed to correct. The value of pilots to the continued success of the Company is vital and we strongly believe being properly and fully staffed will better protect our operation and therefore our revenue as we enter the peak flying months of summer. We will continue to provide additional information on these topics as warranted or when new information becomes available. If you have questions concerning these issues, we encourage you to contact your elected representatives for accurate, factual answers.
*********
On a side note, my personal opinion of the month is more of us should be discouraging our peers from picking up open time. This is a lean operation already but it would be nice to preserve some of the junior guys jobs for a greater period of time if it comes down to it. This will send a very clear message, especially going into the summer season.
Secondly, I continue to be amazed that despite communication from the union and the uniform police from the CPO - I keep seeing guys walking around with bad shoes, the wrong color belt, unbuttoned jackets, dragging their hat, and generally looking like we get paid horribly (which we do). Please guys, dress for the job you want. I do believe looking unified makes a difference. Take a look at the photo from the rally and tell me I'm wrong.
Anyway, brief rant over. Time for the highlight of my day: my bowl of Lucky Charms. My thoughts are with the families from Aloha and Champion. Reminds me of my Indy Air days.
The CAL MEC would like to address the rumors concerning new hire classes for the rest of the year and speculation regarding the potential for furloughs occurring this fall. Fuel costs in excess of those anticipated in Continental’s business plan and a general downturn in the overall economy has resulted in some uncertainty as to our ability to continue to expand and grow as anticipated. First addressing new hire classes, we have been advised by Flight Operations that there are currently two classes remaining for the calendar year, one scheduled for April and the second for May, with four new hires in each. Management has advised us that all prospective pilots are being fully informed of the status of hiring at Continental and are being offered the ability to bypass these classes if they so choose. Further, all pilots who have been accepted but do not have a class date have been told that they will be offered a future class date when hiring resumes. We feel, and have proactively advised management that giving these prospective Continental Pilots as much accurate information as is available is the only fair thing to do.
As for furloughs, we have been told that management is not anticipating or in favor of furloughing pilots at this time or in the future. The current plan calls for a strategic approach involving reevaluating aircraft utilization along with other revenue generation and cost savings steps to actively avoid the need for furloughs. The Union strongly advises against initiating long term, extreme measures to what may be a short term economic trough. Inevitably furloughs create a host of issues that, in the long term, may be more problematic than the issues they initially are designed to correct. The value of pilots to the continued success of the Company is vital and we strongly believe being properly and fully staffed will better protect our operation and therefore our revenue as we enter the peak flying months of summer. We will continue to provide additional information on these topics as warranted or when new information becomes available. If you have questions concerning these issues, we encourage you to contact your elected representatives for accurate, factual answers.
*********
On a side note, my personal opinion of the month is more of us should be discouraging our peers from picking up open time. This is a lean operation already but it would be nice to preserve some of the junior guys jobs for a greater period of time if it comes down to it. This will send a very clear message, especially going into the summer season.
Secondly, I continue to be amazed that despite communication from the union and the uniform police from the CPO - I keep seeing guys walking around with bad shoes, the wrong color belt, unbuttoned jackets, dragging their hat, and generally looking like we get paid horribly (which we do). Please guys, dress for the job you want. I do believe looking unified makes a difference. Take a look at the photo from the rally and tell me I'm wrong.
Anyway, brief rant over. Time for the highlight of my day: my bowl of Lucky Charms. My thoughts are with the families from Aloha and Champion. Reminds me of my Indy Air days.
04-02-2008 | 07:38 AM
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I keep seeing guys walking around with bad shoes, the wrong color belt, unbuttoned jackets, dragging their hat, and generally looking like we get paid horribly (which we do). Please guys, dress for the job you want. I do believe looking unified makes a difference. Take a look at the photo from the rally and tell me I'm wrong.
Anyway, brief rant over. Time for the highlight of my day: my bowl of Lucky Charms. My thoughts are with the families from Aloha and Champion. Reminds me of my Indy Air days.
[/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
Anyway, brief rant over. Time for the highlight of my day: my bowl of Lucky Charms. My thoughts are with the families from Aloha and Champion. Reminds me of my Indy Air days.
[/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
looking unified or dressing unified? if it's dressing, what does it really matter if you have your jacket buttoned or unbuttoned, wear your hat or don't? during the summer when you don't have to wear your hat or jacket do the wheels come off the bus as well...
04-02-2008 | 08:34 AM
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From: Bigfoot
you sound like you're the uniform police.
looking unified or dressing unified? if it's dressing, what does it really matter if you have your jacket buttoned or unbuttoned, wear your hat or don't? during the summer when you don't have to wear your hat or jacket do the wheels come off the bus as well...
looking unified or dressing unified? if it's dressing, what does it really matter if you have your jacket buttoned or unbuttoned, wear your hat or don't? during the summer when you don't have to wear your hat or jacket do the wheels come off the bus as well...
04-02-2008 | 08:43 AM
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From: Bigfoot
I guess my point falls on deaf ears. But if only you and Stratton have beef with it, I can certainly live with that.
04-02-2008 | 08:45 AM
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From: A-320
And if you educated yourself a little more, you would know that it is illegal for the Union to "discourage your peers" to pick up open time......
04-02-2008 | 08:50 AM
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From: Bigfoot
Finally. Someone gets it. Though every airline has their unique corporate culture and strengths - I usually do get the impression the DAL guys give a rat's ass on how they are perceived. The PERCEPTION of a unified group goes a long way. Thanks for backing me up.
04-02-2008 | 08:55 AM
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From: Bigfoot
I'm quite sure you're not in any position to teach me about ALPA. And I'm 100% certain I didn't say anywhere or ever that ALPA or CAL MEC needed to advise cessation of open time pickup. I clearly stated that pilots needed to educate each other on the matter so that doing more with less discontinues asap. Of all people, someone in your shoes should support that notion, or would you prefer for no new jobs to be created at the major level?
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