ATR - We have no traditional trip and duty rig you are correct. We do have a 4 hr min day, which actually works better than a rig for our typical schedules. That 4 hr min day actually adds more to the paycheck (3-7%). We also have the rest of the creature comforts in the contract, like full cancelation pay, block or better and other work rules that support the pay. You can't realistically compare the new ASA contract to a 2004 Mesaba contract that has a bankruptcy LOA sitting in it.

As for only having 1/2 DH pay. In the grand scheme of things, we should be paid 100%, I agree. But when the majority of DH's occur on reserve lines, it doesn't matter what a DH pays... reserves are always on guarantee. Further - you can't win them all in contract negotiations. I'd much rather accept 1/2 DH pay if it means gaining in other areas. Especially since this contract was signed in 2004 with the Big Sky gun held to our head... at the time scope was priority #1.

No... not putting up a good fight in 2004 and not fighting even harder during bankruptcy to save most of our contract would have been allowing ourselves to be taken advantage of. Tell me... given the circumstances, what should we have done? It almost seems as if you know nothing about our contract and how we got here today. But given you're a JR ASA pilot, that a furlough might affect, I wouldn't expect you to know what was going on between 2001-2007 at Mesaba. Best of luck to you at ASA and I hope they really don't furlough.

 

Ramen Noodles and food stamps

 

Its better than Cape Air Captain or Great Lakes FO!

 

I beg to differ. I bet I can make more money as a Cape Air Captain flying a C402 than you flying a 76 seat regional jet!

 

I agree that long term the pay equals out at Comair and Mesaba, but as a single guy with no kids, no house, an 8 year old Dodge, and no money in the bank; I just can't go and squeeze dollars out of pennies to not be home 20 days of the month. I'm not throwing any blame out there, but I just can't survive on a Mesaba contract and pretend to be happy. I survived Comair's first year pay and schedule by losing my girlfriend and filing for bankruptcy to only get furloughed after being on 2nd year pay for 4 months.

I havent' given up the dream yet.... but if living life as a pilot doesn't get better within the next couple of years I'm done!

 

Paywise: You make due and hope for lots of TAFB.
MEMwise: It's not too bad here, bought a nice house for dirt cheap on the FO salary ... and people are moved around all the time there is always a chance to change domiciles.

 

Can someone tell me how long are the projected upgrades for a higher time guy that gets into a February or March class?

 

higher time doesn't equal quicker upgrade at this stage of the game....This is one industry where it DOES NOT MATTER how good you are, just if you get in at the right time, your attitude, flying ability, and/or general demeanor on life don't MEAN SQUAT

 

Based on what he said he probably understands the above point.

He may be trying to indicate that he will without doubt have ATP minimums and company/contract mandated mins by the time his number is up for the upgrade...

...So I think he means to ask:

All other things being equal, what are the projected upgrade times for someone hired into a January or March class?

 

I think he means to ask:

All other things being equal, what are the projected upgrade times for someone hired into a *February* or March class?


Pardon the double post; I messed up.