United has stated to all pilots shortly after furlough mitigation TA last summer that they will NOT contest any voluntary furloughed pilots application for unemployment benefits.

$2000-2400 a month? Depends on the state. Good ol MI pays $362 week, (wait $387 now).
And we moved to NJ where it's more expensive, but I started collecting before the combined states thing was signed, so I can't get what NJ pays.

Pretty much the lowest paid (excpet for the senior wide body guys) that's true. However, we are the least productive in terms of block hours flown per month except for American. They eke us out as the least productive.

You need to take a look at the MIT study/analysis on airline productivity and costs. Very telling!

Check out Global Airline Industry Program

While there are many truths in your post, Ill remind you to also remember that there are many measurements of efficiency. For instance, revenue generated per pilot. Try Airline Analysis which also uses BTS and SEC filings for the info.

I'll also remind you the company schedules you within the confines of the contract you voted for. IMO, if you want to measue efficiency, then equate CR time as a ratio of TAFB. Personally, time on the road doing the job but not getting paid is an issue. You want efficiecy, get real rigs back that slap the company for not using you efficiently. Remember the company makes your IDs.

Frats
Lee

Noted. However, the BEST measure of productivity remains total block hours flown. SWA wins the distinction of most productive - HANDS DOWN!! The times they are a changin' and ALPA had better wake up or be left behind. Some of the ALPA MECs have seen a bit of light but the UAL MEC members are dinosaurs. They're going into the age of productivity kicking and screaming. Know why? Because it means fewer pilots (albeit only initially) and they can't even see that. "Short sided" is a generous description of them.

Best,

JET

Oh BTW, You use the term efficiency. I am talking about productivity. Big difference! If you are productive, the efficiency will follow. That is a smart business model. The company would capitulate on efficiency in a heart beat if they were given SWA's productivity numbers!!!

pro⋅duc⋅tive (dictionary.com)
1. having the power of producing; generative; creative: a productive effort.
2. producing readily or abundantly; fertile: a productive vineyard.
4. Economics. producing or tending to produce goods and services having exchange value.

Last I checked the product we sell is airline seats. The best measure of airline seats is ASM's. A pilot flying a larger aircraft is more productive than a pilot flying a smaller aircraft, just as a laborer mowing a lawn with a commercial zero turn mower is more productive than one with a push mower. Hence the reason for pay rates based on aircraft size and speed.

Pilot's of larger aircraft average more ASM's per employee than smaller aircraft. If you look at airlinefinancials.com stats, LCC pilots average less ASM's per employee than their mainline counterparts. If you don't by that, also realize that Southwest employees are compensated the highest percentage of operating revenue.

When looking at block hours flown, realize that total block hours and staffing are controlled by management. Employees should not be penalized because mangement has chosen a business model that results in lower utilization of resources (including human resources).

The hub and spoke model results in less block hours per day, mangement expects employees to work more days for the same pay to match their LCC counterparts. Although I recognize certain contractual requirements reduce the ability of management to improve employee scheduling, much of the problem rests with the business model.

WJI

Sir, you make some excellent points. ALPA's leadership (if you can call it that) has said to the pilots, "GT is a bad man so let's show him that we can be bad, too!" most UAL pilots look like slobs out there in the terminal. I actually saw a UAL pilot in LAX wearing a "Beatles" hat with his uniform. How juvenile can you be? Professional pilot? Not in my book!

This is exactly the kind of attitude that ALPA fosters. I have to go back to the characterization that ALPA is a spoiled little brat that cries 'til he gets his way! I have had it with that organization!

They want United Pilots to follow marching orders by using a LIGHT SWITCH? It may as well be a DOOR KNOB!! How many blind little lemmings will follow this sorry excuse for leadership?

JD

Ain't gonna take WHAT no more? What are you going to do about it? ...and, in your opinion, what is "furlough mitigation" and how do you get it?

......this should be good!

JD

BTW, Lambourne knows what the hell he's talking about! "Symbolism over Substance" is ALPA's modus operendi

How often do you come to work and fly airplanes? THAT is productivity! PERIOD! That is what you get paid to do! Understand? Let's get this straight: you don't get paid to do flight planning, walk thru the terminal, drink coffee or fly empty or full seats. You get paid to fly the airplane from here to there, and NOBODY does more of that per month than SWA Pilots. NOBODY!! My Hats off to them (no pun intended).

Actually, I like to wear my hat now and again just to **** off the ALPA goons!