Just have to reply to the above statement. My apologies to anyone this might offend.

10K signing bonus for Captains. FO/FE 5K - not saying thats a bad deal
Higher second year pay then SAI Pilots but then no pay raise for 2 years after being on at SAI - Now we were going to start profit sharing 2008.
3 to 1 stock purchase...Now not everyone went an purchased a boat load of stock As far as I know, since I started at C360 i only had one small window last march to purchase the stock. I didn't. Only a handful of guys benefited from the stock purchase.
The C360 training bond gets carried over to SAI if we go there - so how is this a benefit?
401K... OK, I'll give you that one.
Same medical...Why even bring it up?
1/2 Commercial travel....OK, but not a great selling point.
3.5 Daily rig after 20 days... I never was out more than 18 days a month, always logged around 85-95 hours.
Working contract at SAI blows - (Sorry for being rude)

The big reason C360 guys think it sucks is because:
1. We are no longer building our own airline. We are now working for SAI with SAI rules that we must follow. Most C360 Pilots are at C360 because they have a chance to shape the company. Now the rug has been pulled from underneath us.
2. As a general rule, SAI has never been a longterm place to work for most pilots. C360 actually was viewed by most as a long term gig.
3. SAI has a rep for not being very reliable. C360 was viewed as very reliable and great on time performance. This gave us pride.
4. Under the merging of seniority, C360's #1 Pilot falls to #37 on SAI's seniority list. The Chief FE at C360 will be just a line puke at #55 on SAI's seniority list.
5. No one in their right mind wants to fly down to S. America.
6. I was working 8 on, 6 off. At SAI I'll be bottom feeding working 20 or more on and spending a lot more idle time in hotels.

Nothing against SAI crews. I'm sure you guys are a party. Just totally feel screwed by this and wanted to explain why.

 

well stated Dutch.

 

How many of the Capts and F/Os at 360 are not Delta?

 

Funny but the number of ex Delta Capt's at 360 may quickly be exceeded by the number of ex 360 FO's at Delta.

 

We also do have a contract that is followed by the company however it's not officially posted. At Cargo 360 if a problem needs fixed and maagement agrees it gets fixed without going through the grief.



Do you really think that would continue if you would have grown beyond 5 or 6 aircraft. It is easy to schedule with only 3 airplanes. This is not a shot at C360 but IMHO with growth comes more problems. And as far as no C360 guys coming over if they can't hold the 400 slot, does that really matter if there is no pay differential? Just curious.

 

You will probably find out just how good scheduling can be. Our scheduler was used to having many more pilots and aircraft to deal with than both C360 and SA combined and then multiplied by say thirty. He too is former Delta for many many years.

 

I believe this was a shot at me. I know it is surprising to hear a pilot group talk up their management, but you have to understand our management did not consist of MBA bean counters. They consisted of Line check airman from Delta. They flew the line along our side and made appropriate changes. The line pilots and the management grew this together and there is great respect between the two. If they asked more from us then they got it and when things worked it's way through the problems they made improvements for us. The two sides knew we were assests not liabilities. It is soo refreshing to work here.

Also sharing the 400 in my opinion would show good faith between the groups and let's not kid ourselves it's a great type to have. I would also love to see the two groups bring up the first year rates at SA to our rates and then pick up the SA contract from there.

 

Yes, I do, because I believe that Cargo 360 has had the leaders and professionals in place to tackle those "problems" and treat them as the opportunities they are, to excel for the mutual benefit of the line holding crew, the customers, and the company as a whole, but fair and square, it doesn't always happen in that order, nor should it, every time.

Contrary to popular belief, it's not easy to schedule with only 3 airplanes, the fewer aircraft and crew you have, the more important each and every one becomes. Cargo 360's on time performance speaks for itself, it is and will continue to be a testament to the professionalism of everyone at the company.

As for the -400s, I don' think it is going to matter, because I don't believe at this point that those -400 airframes are going to be painted in SA livery anytime soon, and if they are, I'll buy dinner for the first crew that flies it. Just let me know the reciprocal side of the wager is. I've said it before, you're gonna get a new type A/C in about 100 days, no approved training program in place, not a single crew trained, no ground personnel trained, no maintenance program in place, no problem .... am I missing something here?

 

I am with you Sabre driver. I don't believe it until I see it with a big SA on the tail. I simply believe they have increased the size of the carrot. Maybe in hopes of retaining some folks for a while. I have to disagree with you about C360 being able to be so pilot friendly as they grow. I guess we will have to agree to disagree. That was not a shot at you or C360 management. I was just curious as to why the 400's were such a sticking point.
What is the latest news anyway. I have not been to ANC for several months and have not heard anything.

 

I have to agree with you that as an airline grows, management & employees tend to grow apart. It's all managements fault for not keeping a good line of communication flowing! This could be easily done too! Looking at SAI, one would believe that this has always been the case at SAI with lack of communication. And now that you are growing so rapidly, I'll bet things get worse before they get better. I'll bet SAI will have airplanes parked and a regime change before things get better.
As far as C360 management goes...definitely not without problems too! We have had some very interesting things happen in the year and a half we've had a certificate.

Now the -400's are owned by GAL and were agreed to be leased to C360. With the merger, this has to be re-negotiated (guessing) and since this past summer GAL bought World Airways, they have given them two -400's already. The rumor on the street is they are considering giving World the -400's that were earmarked for C360. Remember, thats the rumor.