Virgin America Cleared for Take-Off in 2010
01-08-2010, 08:01 PM
#11
Fore!
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: 756 F/O
Posts: 505
Originally Posted by Fred Flintstone
CA upgrades retain longevity. That was fixed over a year ago.
Pay is low. We are trying to fix that. Owning 16.7% of the company will help somewhat, but the hourly does need to improve. OTOH, with the job market being so dismal right now I can see this as an uphill fight. Maybe when the other airlines join us in hiring it will be better for all.
And hockeypilot44, the DOT just ruled on our ownership meeting the rules, with about a year of intense lawyer antics by our friends up north. If that type of proctoscopic exam isn't enough for you, you will just have to put fresh tin foil in your hat. It really doesn't matter, as the world will end in 2012 anyway.
Now about the black shirts... well, I like no tie!
Pay is low. We are trying to fix that. Owning 16.7% of the company will help somewhat, but the hourly does need to improve. OTOH, with the job market being so dismal right now I can see this as an uphill fight. Maybe when the other airlines join us in hiring it will be better for all.
And hockeypilot44, the DOT just ruled on our ownership meeting the rules, with about a year of intense lawyer antics by our friends up north. If that type of proctoscopic exam isn't enough for you, you will just have to put fresh tin foil in your hat. It really doesn't matter, as the world will end in 2012 anyway.
Now about the black shirts... well, I like no tie!
01-09-2010, 12:25 PM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 401
Originally Posted by johnso29
Well that is nice! 
And be glad you're flying A320's. Could you imagine a black uniform in the summer in a DC9! 
And be glad you're flying A320's. Could you imagine a black uniform in the summer in a DC9!
01-09-2010, 12:32 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 745
Originally Posted by shiznit
You should be very ashamed to work there. Nonexistent work rules, pay that lags peers by a long shot, and you don't keep "pay longevity" when you change from FO to CA so you take yet another hit. Companies run by Branson are notoriously anti-union and anti-labor, they rely on people wanting to work there for the "cool" factor, and once it wears off you are too senior to want to start over so you get stuck there as an indentured servant.
Buyer beware at VX.
Buyer beware at VX.
01-09-2010, 12:41 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 401
1flyguy, I am honored to be the target of your first post. Welcome to the forums!
Hopefully by now you have had the opportunity to read the DOT letter posted by tzskipper. It comes right from the feds, and describes what really is happening in gory detail. Instead of taking rumors at face value, you will find out one investor wanted to get the guaranteed 8% profit and leave the building as was allowed in the original show cause order. Now that the DOT has rendered their opinion they will be able to do so. The new investors coming in are in the letter as well.
Again, I highly recommend the read.
Hopefully by now you have had the opportunity to read the DOT letter posted by tzskipper. It comes right from the feds, and describes what really is happening in gory detail. Instead of taking rumors at face value, you will find out one investor wanted to get the guaranteed 8% profit and leave the building as was allowed in the original show cause order. Now that the DOT has rendered their opinion they will be able to do so. The new investors coming in are in the letter as well.
Again, I highly recommend the read.
01-10-2010, 01:44 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 401
How about something from Aviation Daily? Is that neutral enough for you guys?
The U.S. Transportation Dept. has ruled that Virgin America is still in compliance with U.S. ownership and control rules, and accepted Virgin's assurance that it will add other investors aside from the Virgin Group.
DOT said that “after conducting a thorough review it has found that Virgin America remains a U.S. citizen and remains under the actual control of U.S. citizens.”
DOT originally certified Virgin's citizenship status in August 2007, and the carrier “later notified the department of a significant potential shift in its shareholder makeup.” This action prompted the review, DOT said.
“Following discussions between DOT and the air carrier, Virgin America agreed to make a number of changes to ensure that the air carrier would remain under the ownership and actual control of U.S. citizens,” said DOT. Provisions will be made to ensure that new investments from entities other than the Virgin Group “can and will be obtained.”
Virgin America also will add an additional U.S. citizen to its board, resulting in seven U.S. citizen investor designees as voting members on the nine-member board.
DOT also rejected complaints about Virgin America by Alaska Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). Alaska has been calling for a review of Virgin's citizenship qualification, questioning whether the carrier met U.S. ownership and control rules. Alaska and AMFA had asked for a public hearing on the matter.
The U.S. Transportation Dept. has ruled that Virgin America is still in compliance with U.S. ownership and control rules, and accepted Virgin's assurance that it will add other investors aside from the Virgin Group.
DOT said that “after conducting a thorough review it has found that Virgin America remains a U.S. citizen and remains under the actual control of U.S. citizens.”
DOT originally certified Virgin's citizenship status in August 2007, and the carrier “later notified the department of a significant potential shift in its shareholder makeup.” This action prompted the review, DOT said.
“Following discussions between DOT and the air carrier, Virgin America agreed to make a number of changes to ensure that the air carrier would remain under the ownership and actual control of U.S. citizens,” said DOT. Provisions will be made to ensure that new investments from entities other than the Virgin Group “can and will be obtained.”
Virgin America also will add an additional U.S. citizen to its board, resulting in seven U.S. citizen investor designees as voting members on the nine-member board.
DOT also rejected complaints about Virgin America by Alaska Airlines and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA). Alaska has been calling for a review of Virgin's citizenship qualification, questioning whether the carrier met U.S. ownership and control rules. Alaska and AMFA had asked for a public hearing on the matter.
01-10-2010, 05:31 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 260
“Following discussions between DOT and the air carrier, Virgin America agreed to make a number of changes to ensure that the air carrier would remain under the ownership and actual control of U.S. citizens,” said DOT.
Sounds fishy to me. If they were in full compliance before, why would they have to change anything?
...of course I'm biased, but fire away Barney.
Sounds fishy to me. If they were in full compliance before, why would they have to change anything?
...of course I'm biased, but fire away Barney.
01-10-2010, 08:25 PM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: Le Bus
Posts: 382
Originally Posted by QCappy
“Following discussions between DOT and the air carrier, Virgin America agreed to make a number of changes to ensure that the air carrier would remain under the ownership and actual control of U.S. citizens,” said DOT.
Sounds fishy to me. If they were in full compliance before, why would they have to change anything?
...of course I'm biased, but fire away Barney.
Sounds fishy to me. If they were in full compliance before, why would they have to change anything?
...of course I'm biased, but fire away Barney.
01-11-2010, 07:24 AM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Posts: 216
Originally Posted by shiznit
You should be very ashamed to work there. Nonexistent work rules, pay that lags peers by a long shot, and you don't keep "pay longevity" when you change from FO to CA so you take yet another hit. Companies run by Branson are notoriously anti-union and anti-labor, they rely on people wanting to work there for the "cool" factor, and once it wears off you are too senior to want to start over so you get stuck there as an indentured servant.
Buyer beware at VX.
Buyer beware at VX.
Show some decency to your fellow pilots at Virgin America!
How about 'professionalism'?
Why is it that the 'union' pilots think they are 'better' than 'non-union' pilots? Even if you might have a better deal than a 'non-union' carrier, don't worry about others...worry about yourself and show respect to those who work in the same profession!
Max
(Employed by ALPA carrier!)
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