If a pilot leaves one airline to work for another, does any of the senority go with him?
For example: Joe is a 6 year Capt for XYZ. XYZ does not pay as well as ABC. He wants to work for ABC. If Joe goes to ABC, does he revert to the year 1 rate?

Please forgive my ignorance.

thanks

 

Starting at the new airline resets seniority.

No matter what his or her age or experience is, they will be in the new-hire class.

 

In the US you start at the bottom with the new company. Not necessarily the case (though mostly the case) with foreign carriers.

 

The only exception to this rule are the airlines that have "flow through" agreements. IE Continental and Continental Express. It is possible in certain conditions for express pilots to move up to the "mother ship", however it still has an effect on seniority. The reverse holds different however as in certain circumstances, furloughees from the mainline carrier can "flow down" to the regional, and take positions above "new hire status".

 

The only exception to this rule are the airlines that have "flow through" agreements. IE Continental and Continental Express.




The flow through does not exist any longer between CO and COEX. I believe most majors and their regional partners have either terminated their flow throughs or are heading in that direction. So the answer to the question with respect to seniority is: If you leave company A and start at company B, you will start at company B at the bottom of their list. There may be some exceptions but I am not aware of any. That is the reason that pilots who have time and senioity at their present airline are so reluctant to leave because they know they will be starting at the bottom of the seniority list at their new airline. You can imagine how many pilots at Delta, NW, USAir, United and others are struggling with this very question. It's alot like gambling in Vegas!