Fax your resume in, RAH needs YOU!
 

Dear Pilots:

We understand there are some deep concerns on behalf of the pilot group with regard to the Company filling 170 captain vacancies out of seniority order. The Union was approached by the Company one day before the vacancy bids were due and was informed that the Company had severe staffing shortages caused by high pilot attrition and lack of J for J pilots accepting Republic vacancies, coupled with limited SIM capacity. We were told that the alternatives were to 1) cancel flying on the 170 aircraft and risk possible repercussions from the code sharing partners; 2) cancel all annual vacations for the pilots; and 3) fill the 170 captain vacancies out of seniority order.

We informed the Company that the cancellation of vacation and the filling of vacancies out of seniority were both clear violations of the CBA and we expected the Company to do neither but to cancel planned flying. The Company informed us that they were either going to cancel vacations or fill the vacancies out of seniority, and which violation did we prefer. We told them in protest that we preferred neither, but, if they filled vacancies out of seniority order that the Pilots must be pay protected and it would have to be ratified by the pilot group since it would be an amendment to the Agreement. The Company sent a letter of understanding regarding the bypass issue and we have refused to sign it. We are still in discussions with the Company exploring any and all alternatives.

We are appalled at the audacity displayed by the Company's glib proclamation that the contract will be violated one way or another, then expecting us to choose which violation we prefer. Furthermore we are outraged at the preemptive announcement regarding the seniority bypass in the clear and unambiguous absence of any agreement. There is no support whatsoever for the Company's action under the CBA.

While the vacancy awards have been posted by the Company, there will be no activity with regard to them until April 9th. Until that time, we will continue discussions with the Company in an attempt to resolve this matter. If the issue is not resolved, we will take the appropriate legal action. The Company's action constitutes an unlawful alteration of the CBA.

It is imperative that the membership allow the established processes and procedures to continue until the issue is resolved in a satisfactory manner or until all avenues are exhausted. We are working the problem aggressively and ask for your patience in what is, by its nature, a complicated and time consuming process.

We will keep the membership apprised as the events unfold.

Fraternally,

E.E. Sowell
President, General Counsel
IBT Local 747

Thats nuts

Why are they going to have to fill out of seniority order?? Is there a minimum time requirement for the 170??

Yes, these jets have steep insurance requirements. This is going to be a huge problem for most regionals very soon. There will be a 1500 hr captain and an ab-initio FO with zero time.

so what is the FO / CA insurance minimum? 1500 FO / 3000 CA?

I don't know why we are all suprised? We should have all seen this coming. This is the precursor to higher wages down the line. We should rejoice!! Pilot supply and demand!

This sounds very interesting, hopefully the company will be able to survive without codeshare trouble, and at the same time, hopefully they won't be allowed to bypass the CBA.

It is interesting though, if they're having a hard time staffing the airplanes because the qualified pilots are leaving for other ventures, it would make sense that the best bet would be to find a way to retain those qualified pilots. Which tells me they'll be forced to up pay, or increase compensation somehow. This will probably end up being a problem across the board for people with the large RJ's, especially when demand for these aircraft is growing and qualified pilots isn't.

this is just the beginning my friends...........times are changing, My dear friend skyhigh I am sad for you.......you are going to miss the greatest comeback this industry has ever seen. Rejoice my good friends............rejoice

TT is not the issue here, RAH has not been hiring any 500 hour wonderkids. The issue is that they are so low on all 3 fleets, that when the issue a bid, they don't have any replacements when they send 40 E-170 FO's (example) to training.

So they want to backfill out of seniority only from fleets where they can take the hit.

It's an absolutely crazy time everywhere.....

Ok, I just woke up so I am a little slow. Let me get this straight. Republic is hiring off the street Embraer 170 captains?

No, PLENTY of qualified FO's.....

However, they can't afford to let FO's from the 170 fleet, or 145 Captains bid the left seat of the 170, because of the sheer amount of training events required.

i.e. a 145 Captain bids 170 Captan, now they have two training events, as opposed to one.

And they just can't afford ANY E-170 FO's to bid the left seat, because they need as many as they can get.

I don't even fully understand it.

Essentially they're applying and removing seat locks so they can chanage who gets awarded what.

Republic has a chance to change wages (for the better) of the entire regional airline industry here. They simply needs to raise their 1st and 2nd year FO rates to something like $30 and $38, respectivley. Pilots will flock from other regional airlines. Then the other regional airlines will have the same pilot staffing problems, and try to one up Republic.

Do not let them cancel your vacation. I know that would never happen, but don't even consider it.

Don't let them hire captains out of seniority order. The company wants to make it appear like this is your and their only solution, and it would be beneficial to both groups. However, you have to realize that if you guys stand firm on this issue, the only other option Republic has is to raise pay to attract more new hires. That can come in the form of hourly rates, signing bonuses, bonuses for current pilots who recommend a pilot candidate, etc...

Republic will NOT cancel their EMB-170 flying (and loose contracts). Just like pilots will never let Republic cancel your vacation. It is just a bluff. Management, unlike pilots, makes a good portion of their money from company stock. Take a look at Republic's stock over the last 6 months (when they have been getting growth).
http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor...rm=1&CP=0&PT=5
It has gone up 50% in just 6 months. If you guys loose growth, that stock will go back down. Management is smart enough not to shoot themselves in the foot.


Tell Republic you will not accept any of their proposals, and the only reasonable and prudent thing to do is to raise pay to attract new hires (especially those at other regionals). Again, that can come in the form of hourly rates, signing bonuses, bonuses for current pilots who recommend a pilot candidate, etc...

I faxed my resume and applied online 2.5 weeks ago with no reply yet! Are they swamped with applications over there? Anything else i should be doing? I have 1200tt/110 multi and am getting excited about republic with all the hiring over there.

Probbaly back logged with a ton of apps, be patient, probbaly going for guys with more multi and 121 first, then the CFI's/part 135 next

Just started indoc last week, so I will give what little insight I have from being around the offices.

Right now they need pilots (heavy emphasis on the NEED!). However, they have not quite hired the HR people to cope with the massive amount of hiring they are trying to do. This is not bad, its just growing pains. I know Linda said they are trying to hire another pilot recruiter, and I am sure the situation is the same everywhere in HR. Training is going smoothly, but you can tell they are swamped on that side too. Altogether, people are making it work, and if HR/training growth can catch up to company growth, things will be great.

They are also definitely trying to pull guys from other regionals. Right now there are about 50 people in my CRJ/145 indoc class, and the estimated breakdown I would guess to be about 40% CFIs, 35% prior 121, 25% corporate/135. The 121 guys are a few mesas, a few TSAs, an XJT, and some other smaller ops. They are now offering $2500 signing bonuses for current-qualified CRJ or 145 pilots who come to CHQ for that airplane. They also recently upped the training pay to a reasonable $400/week tax-free "stipend". Unfortunately they cant up the hourly pay right now, but contract time is coming up in october this year, so we could see some good changes then if they are still having the problems filling seats. So all around, they are paying $$$ to bring people here, and not just lowering mins, as it should be! (they did lower them recently to 1000/100, but I dont know if they will do much lower)

To they guy who put in his app and hasnt been called, fax/email another resume! If you are qualified, they WANT you, but they just havent gotten to it yet due to the HR problems discussed earlier.

Other than living near a CHQ base, I am not sure why somebody from XJT would make a lateral move like that, he say why he left XJT?

he couldn't handle you anymore, monkey boy;)

Maybe it's been discussed but..

HMP...why (if you're a female) would you put a velupcuous woman as your avatar?

I like looking at it.

cause it's me. ;)

Damn!!!!!:D

Does anybody else suspect that HotMamaPilot's account has been taken over by her RAH pilot husband? With that avatar and all the good info on Republic...

I smell conspiracy. But if that is you, no frickin wonder you moved up so fast in this field. I'd hire you :D

Bottom line: They will not cancel flying; someone will fly the airplane.

This may mean changing insurance, violation of the contract or street captains if they can't afford the lower ins. or can't afford the training events. They will NOT raise pay. Management will just push the pilot group as far as they need to. This is typical, they know they won't strike over it. It's simple, the pilot group takes a stand and try to strike if it gets to that or just capitulate. My money is on capitulation, just like everyone else has in this industry.

That won't work, they will just violate the contract. If it goes to court the court won't let the pilots strike, that is the norm these days in labor decisions. Then it's either quit in protest or accept it. This is what the industry has become. It's unfortunate.

We are not in bankruptcy. A court cannot block a strike. The seniority bypass/vacation cancellation is being fought extremely heavily by the pilot group. It's having a pretty nice effect of getting everyone in line come contract negotiations which should start next month. We should have a pretty strong hand to play.

Yeah, until the President steps in. No airline will ever strike again!

Just to clarify, AGAIN

This is not a "low-time" FO problem like Pinnacle and other airlines experience every couple years. It's because of the training events required and the inadequate staffing. The 170 does not have excessive insurance minimums.

They are not hiring street capts for the 170. They are reducing 135 flying on the delta side and want to put those pilots where they need them the most. (which would be out of seniority.) The company still runs itself like they have 10 planes and 200 pilots. Some things never change. :mad: The problem is that the company will only pay protect on a one for one basis as opposed to every fo senior to the most junior capt gets bypass pay.

I agree. It's about time. The regional (nationals) are beginning to feel the PAIN. MESA ($5,000 sign on if have United Express experience), SKYW exeutive getting canned for operational inefficiencies, RJET pilots upgrading out of seniority order, BigSky Airlines not being able to fill their pilot position in the NE for their new code share with Delta, American Eagle relaxing their minimums and allowing domicle choice . . .

Source? Or is it just a rumor you heard from your earthworms?