Originally Posted by FourPutt

Good luck at your next airline but the grass isn't always greener. The bonus will be nice but you better hope you don't fail your interview at another major or LCC and you can pretty much cross AA off your list unless you are also a fighter pilot or have a relative in management. The more FOs that leave the sooner we get bonuses for everyone just like Endeavor.

Originally Posted by 4myfamily

Management has successfully divided a large part of our pilot group against each other. And for that what do they get - unhappy employees in the cockpit of their airplanes that are flying revenue passengers for AA. The first thing I would want to do as CEO as have the people that interact and are the face of my company to my customers unhappy and resentful toward the company. (sarcasm intended) Customer service will be at an all time high - NOT!!!

I am an FO and have been here about a year. I was already considering leaving because the promises made to me are no longer on the horizon at PSA. Quick upgrades - gone! line holder before training is over - gone! 700s from Envoy - gone!

Direct entry captains solved an immediate problem but it sent a message to those of us hired before them that our upgrade is not going to come quickly - it sent a bigger message to possible new hires to not come here because the quick upgrade was gone. Class sizes for FOs have not been what they were before the direct entry program.

I was already considering leaving PSA for a better managed airline with better pay and better opportunity to get to any mainline. Being at PSA pretty much prevents me from going to AA except through the flow - I know per the letter of the law you do not have to wait for flow, but be honest what are the odds of getting to AA outside of the flow if you are at a WO.

Would the bonus have kept me here? - most likely yes.

Does the bonus benefit everyone here? - yes. FOs get the cash but the airlines keeps its FOs and possibly attracts more FOs. Retaining FOs allows for planes to stay and more planes to come - which means possible increase in flow so the CAs get to AA where the money really gets better than PSA.

Does the new hire bonus help? I do not think so. In my opinion the company is giving money to FOs that would have joined PSA anyway because they wanted one of our bases. Why would a FO join PSA at this point except for a particular base when our pay is so far below the industry standard?

Not sure what business school Dion went to but he should ask for a refund. Every decision has a cause and affect and the impact of this decision will be felt for a long time.

What should he do to solve the problem? First and foremost create a pilot group that is promoting the company instead of telling people to stay away. I am not sure how many pilots would tell a candidate to come here - unless they lived in DAY, TYS or CVG - CLT is out of the question for a new hire for probably 2 years to hold a line. If Dion thinks that FO candidates do not take the time to read the forum and talk to a couple of line pilots before making their decision than I hope he is enjoying living in Disney Land.

How do you make the pilot group happy? FOLLOW the current contract for starters, stop manipulating the reserve grid, have scheduling treat FOs with respect, promote quality of life issues.

Ok, the rant is coming to an end. I am a pretty smart fellow and as I look back at how management has treated pilots at PSA over the last 4 years it becomes obvious to me that this place will not change and the time to leave is now.

This is one FO that will be looking to leave in the next month to go somewhere that treats pilots with respect, honors the contract and has industry leading pay. I know I am only one, but I hope that my departure gives the company a small glimpse of what is coming for them. Good to luck all the FOs that decide to stay. I would say if you are a commuter you should look to get out of this place and fast!

Originally Posted by MitchRapp

After all those things you listed and are passionate about it would only take an extra 500 bucks or so a month for you not to leave? Really? Endeavor is giving out 23k+ PER YEAR and you're this upset about not getting 20k OVER TWO YEARS? You think 20k over two years for current FO's solves the problem? If I were an FO I would be more upset with that lowball value placed on me more than I would be about the MEC telling them to pound sand.

Originally Posted by Waitingformins

Are you stupid, look at go-jets, look at PSA, look at SKW. The flying is NOT scoped to the carrier. You don't have half the leverage you think you do. ASA is dying on the vine because SKW is taking their work, same with Envoy, same with TSA and.
It is too easy for them re shuffle the deck. The MEC would have passed it if it applied to them and not the FO's.
You're confusing your wants with the reality your living in.

Originally Posted by gold

32K starting pay is not competitive in this current labor market and the market will only continue to tighten. Less than 5% of the pilot group moving to AA annually is not solid career progression.

50K starting pay is competitive (Endeavor). 10% of the group moving to AA every year is competitive (Piedmont).

The short upgrades did the trick 6-18 months ago. Now the company needs more to attract and retain in this competitive and tightening market.

American has the money to make us competitive. Our MEC understands our leverage and market conditions. I'd guess, three months or less and management's back with something better.

Originally Posted by IceManCRJ

They would have been back in three months or less anyhow. Only difference is we the bean counters would have fact that 20k isn't enough. FOs would be getting their first 2500 pay out and we all would have had free commuter hotels tell then. Endeavor didn't start with 23k yearly. This was a greedy move by our union.


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Originally Posted by IceManCRJ

They would have been back in three months or less anyhow. Only difference is we the bean counters would have fact that 20k isn't enough. FOs would be getting their first 2500 pay out and we all would have had free commuter hotels tell then. Endeavor didn't start with 23k yearly. This was a greedy move by our union.


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Originally Posted by IceManCRJ

They would have been back in three months or less anyhow. Only difference is we the bean counters would have fact that 20k isn't enough. FOs would be getting their first 2500 pay out and we all would have had free commuter hotels tell then. Endeavor didn't start with 23k yearly. This was a greedy move by our union.


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Originally Posted by YNWA1892

This is what I've been saying. We all know that's what they offered wasn't enough to bring in new hires so why didn't we take the money and then take more money when they have to offer more three months from now?