Must be a lot if the union is asking for exit interviews. They may have been before but they sure weren't advertising. It's the first I've seen them ask in the 2 years I've been here. I hope they get good info but I'm sure it's nothing the company doesn't already know and won't fix.

 

I honestly don't understand why PSA would want a pilot base in ORD. Do they think that they'll attract MORE pilots if they have an ORD base???

Why would anyone come to PSA in order to get an ORD base when they could just as easily go to Envoy, TSA, GoJet, SkyWest, ExpressJet, or Republic and get an ORD base? Oh, and by the way, most of those other options have quicker upgrade than PSA and ALL of those other options have BETTER PAY than PSA!!!

It seems to me that PSA would be better off to have pilot bases in places where they don't have to COMPETE (as much) for the few remaining pilots. They'd have a much easier time recruiting pilots if they put a base in Daytona Beach than they would if they put a pilot base in Chicago!

 

We'll probably see an uptick in attrition through the fall/winter. Everywhere needs more pilots than they can get through their training departments. Personally, I've decided I'm not going to allow myself to be comfortable. I've updated my logbook and resume and I'm going to start attending job fairs in the winter. I'll go to almost anywhere else that isn't another regional at this point. Aiming for Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant. Won't be earning TPIC quickly at any of them, but I'll make more than PSA senior CAs on 2nd and 3rd year FO pay. And I'd rather be in the right seat at an LCC than the right (or left) seat of a regional if the music stops.

 

Despite the undying rumors of a FL base, it isn't going to happen. AAG isn't going to pay for PSA to become certified for doing the flying that a FL base makes sense for (Caribbean etc). Geographically speaking, if you aren't also doing Carribean flying from a FL base, then you are severely limiting your market/income potential. And MIA isn't that desirable as a base unless you live in PR or south Florida. It's a tough commute and it's really expensive to live down there.

 

Care to share more details of this AAG spreadsheet? How far out did it profect to?

 

I'm not harping for a Florida base. I'm just offering the observation/opinion that putting a pilot base in ORD will NOT attract more pilots to PSA! If anything, it'll result in the LOSS of pilots. IMHO, PSA would attract more new hire pilots by putting a base in Nashville, Cleveland, or Charleston, SC than they will by putting a base in Chicago.

The bases in DAY, TYS, and CVG work really well for the pilots who live (near) there. If PSA closes any of those bases, you'll see a mass exodus of pilots who no longer have a reason to stay at PSA. Captains AND F/O's.

I live in one of those bases. And I have NO applications in at any other airline. If PSA closes my base and requires me to commute to another base, I'll have no reason to stay with PSA. Apps will be filed with every LCC, Major, and Cargo Airline the very same day that PSA announces the closure of my base. Why would I commute for PSA pay when I could just as easily commute for LCC/Major/Cargo pay?

 

I think they'll open Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, and Erie, in that order.

 

Whats up with the flow negotiation?

 

It projected out to next summer and it is updated weekly. The person who showed it to me isn't supposed to have it so I won't say much else. Needless to say, it did show that we are pretty much staffed for our current flying and hiring is keeping up with attrition (for now). That is probably why the company and AAG have zero interest in negotiating for improvements at this time.

 

I don't think anything? The company fulfilled their contractual requirement to meet with the NC.