ASA update?
05-23-2007 | 01:57 PM
#21
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 75
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ftrpilot,
Thanks for the explanation. My next question then is; if its voluntary and they pay you 1.5x why are people against it? Just because they have to go in on a day off? You have the choice right? Maybe I am missing something, but like stated before, I am a n00b, I just want to fly planes and be happy :-D
p1yan,
Sounds like people not paying attention in training? *shrugs* gives me something to think about when I am finally there.
Blackhawk,
It seems that there is always someone like that in the work place. *shakes his head* Who is the current CP? Do you think that maybe something in training could fix the problem?
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me..
~Mike
Thanks for the explanation. My next question then is; if its voluntary and they pay you 1.5x why are people against it? Just because they have to go in on a day off? You have the choice right? Maybe I am missing something, but like stated before, I am a n00b, I just want to fly planes and be happy :-D
p1yan,
Sounds like people not paying attention in training? *shrugs* gives me something to think about when I am finally there.
Blackhawk,
It seems that there is always someone like that in the work place. *shakes his head* Who is the current CP? Do you think that maybe something in training could fix the problem?
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me..
~Mike
05-23-2007 | 05:14 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Comair SOCC
ftrpilot,
Thanks for the explanation. My next question then is; if its voluntary and they pay you 1.5x why are people against it? Just because they have to go in on a day off? You have the choice right? Maybe I am missing something, but like stated before, I am a n00b, I just want to fly planes and be happy :-D
p1yan,
Sounds like people not paying attention in training? *shrugs* gives me something to think about when I am finally there.
Blackhawk,
It seems that there is always someone like that in the work place. *shakes his head* Who is the current CP? Do you think that maybe something in training could fix the problem?
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me..
~Mike
Thanks for the explanation. My next question then is; if its voluntary and they pay you 1.5x why are people against it? Just because they have to go in on a day off? You have the choice right? Maybe I am missing something, but like stated before, I am a n00b, I just want to fly planes and be happy :-D
p1yan,
Sounds like people not paying attention in training? *shrugs* gives me something to think about when I am finally there.
Blackhawk,
It seems that there is always someone like that in the work place. *shakes his head* Who is the current CP? Do you think that maybe something in training could fix the problem?
I really appreciate you taking the time to explain things to me..
~Mike
Fortunatly it doesent happen to often at comair. We seem to have several pilots call us daily wanting to pick up extra-fly.
Alot of pilots see us as evil people, well its are job to get flights covered any way possibe within the compounds of the contract. I take no pleasure sending a guy back out when he has been flying already for 4 days. Alot of people seem to think that i do. It sucks when your on reserve, im sure im going to hate every min of it. Always remember keep up on your contract and watch your own flying times. Alot of people seem to forget its a shared responsibility. Im human and im an inperfect being, we make mistakes. Im subject to the FAA fines too.
05-23-2007 | 09:09 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 0
Its not exactly a voluntary thing. You could have plans with your kids for you three soft days an have to send you out to work....
Fortunatly it doesent happen to often at comair. We seem to have several pilots call us daily wanting to pick up extra-fly.
Alot of pilots see us as evil people, well its are job to get flights covered any way possibe within the compounds of the contract. I take no pleasure sending a guy back out when he has been flying already for 4 days. Alot of people seem to think that i do. It sucks when your on reserve, im sure im going to hate every min of it. Always remember keep up on your contract and watch your own flying times. Alot of people seem to forget its a shared responsibility. Im human and im an inperfect being, we make mistakes. Im subject to the FAA fines too.
Fortunatly it doesent happen to often at comair. We seem to have several pilots call us daily wanting to pick up extra-fly.
Alot of pilots see us as evil people, well its are job to get flights covered any way possibe within the compounds of the contract. I take no pleasure sending a guy back out when he has been flying already for 4 days. Alot of people seem to think that i do. It sucks when your on reserve, im sure im going to hate every min of it. Always remember keep up on your contract and watch your own flying times. Alot of people seem to forget its a shared responsibility. Im human and im an inperfect being, we make mistakes. Im subject to the FAA fines too.
In addition, I have had scheduling not release me from flights that I could not legally do until I timed out; I have had them make me sit around until I timed out at a maintenance base for a test flight on a plane that maintenance said would not be ready for several days. I have had them JM me, make me DH to an outstation on an ATR to pick up a flight. The crew on the ATR that flew me up got out of the cockpit and sat in the back- they were called in off reserve to fly the airplane up. They could have flown it back, but my crew was JM'd to do it. Then I'm told at the outstation that I have to wait for an inbound crew. A EMB-120 comes in, and off gets another DH crew. The reserve crew that flew the ATR up is confused as this is the crew that flew the same ATR into ATL. The crew that came in on the ATR is confused because the ATR that I am preparing to fly back is the one from their trip, and THEY are supposed to fly it back. So we had three crews used for one flight. Wasted company money, and I did not make it home for dinner that night.
Another problem with JMing at ASA. It is supposed to be based on seniority, but ALPA has not had access to crew scheduling for years, so we have to take the company at their word.
05-23-2007 | 10:52 PM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Comair SOCC
There is one hugh advantage at comair we do have a cheif pilot in scheduling every day from 6am - 10pm. It helps the pilots and myself included. The cheif pilot knows whats going on and when it does have to come to JM. They will talk to the crews and say hey there not pulling your chain this is whats going on. It also made are sick call decrease drastically. So now if we can get staffed things will hopefully get better.
05-24-2007 | 02:54 PM
#26
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 379
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From: Part 121, 135 & Military background
stickwiggler
You bring up some interesting points. I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain a bit. Let me give you a little background on me. I am defiantly low time (850 and 80 with the twin time all in a C421) graduated from UND went to a little flight school far from ND so I could enjoy my flying. Loved it for about six months then they started bouncing my pay checks... It sucks to have to call mom and dad to ask for money when you have it... its just a rubber check. lol sometimes I wish flight schools had unions. So you can imagine why I am ready for a change of pace. First a bit of good news, 850/80 is not all that low, you're close so hang in there as long as you can. Flight instructing is an excellent enviroment to make you a better future FO. it's more the 200 hour products of the flight academies that i see the most problem with.
Do the captains have trouble with the low time guys? What would the CA want to see most from the new hires? No trouble with the person but their ability level- yes. Also some of the really low time guys get here and make it through the first 500 hours and start to get cocky and want to start telling 10,000 hour captains how it's done. Probably a type A thing.
I think I am confused people can't fly a Visual approach? I can see why that would be a problem but why are they unable? Visual approach can be a little misleading especially taking it from a CFI point of view. you're probably thinking traffic pattern work. In the 121 world think planning a descent from 20,000 ft and speed reduction from 450 knots to 140knots. As P1ayn notes it can be a problem.
I take it your a CA? Is that why you are still at ASA?
Is there nothing you like about ASA? Yes, I'm a captain upgraded to EMB 120 captain in early 99 and RJ captain in late 99. My personal reason for being at ASA is a little different then some.( I got a violation years ago) and with my seniority and pay rate 290 out of 1700 something and $81 an hour) finding a better job is not that easy. My goal is Fed Ex. Yes, there are some things I like about ASA; our training department (bar RH) is exceptional and our pilot group has a good rep in the industry. Right now, our travel benefits on Delta are good, but subject to change. The list of reason I don't like it is much longer. only one domicile to chose from, perpetual bad management, scheduling that is among the worst in the business, etc.
My train of thought is this, I love flying just as much as the next guy, so if I love what I am doing I will enjoy ASA or any other regional (mesa excluded).For some "the love of flying" never goes away. For many, this is work. After flying Blackhawks in my youth, RJ's with their advanced cockpits and airline rules are a little boring.
Now some questions on the Union matters.
Obviously I am new to all of this stuff so can you shed some light on what they are trying to do to the scope? Why would managment NOT want to keep flying and lose A/C to SKYWST?Two part question;
1. the scope language we are asking for is unclear to a lot of the pilot group. One thing I've heard is that we are looking for "if a plane goes to Skywest then 5 pilots go with it and keep their seniority.
2. I'm sure ASA management wants to keep the aircraft, but these managers are pretty much puppets to Delta. If it is in the best interest of Delta or Skywest Inc. that takes priority. ASA management desires are much lower on the scale.
How much of a pay raise does the pilot group want (Just curious)?It's not so much of the pay raise we are looking for. Management first came at us with a 13% pay CUT, but that has been saved by our union negotiators, now the company is up to Skywest rates on the 50 seater. The problem is on the 70 seater (and most people feel that we will shrink the 50 fleet and grow the 70 fleet, so pay on that is important) the company offer a one time 1% raise, with no cost of living raises.
Is the back pay for the guys that worked with no contract while in negotiations? (makes sense)Another 2 part answer:
1. Retro pay (back pay) is the difference between old rate and new rate times the number of months between the last contract expiring and the new one signing.
2. Signing Bonus is a one time pay out divided up among the pilot group by a formula.
Does ASA currently not have Rigs? My only exposure to them have been what was on this site ( http://<span style="color:blue">No w...070311214.html )?
And lastly since you actually post about ASA on this site (I think everyone else just lurks lol) Do you think they will finish negotiations soon. I guess soon is a relative term but before the next 5 years lol. Honestly though, like by the end of the year?I, and no one else on the planet has a straight answer for that. Our union leader told me a year ago that we would have something with in a month.
As for the lurking comment, I fear that is optomistic. There have been several people on here that aren't even a pilot let alone and airline pilot. Plus, many are very jr. FO's who although bright young men and women, lack the years at a carrier to know all the ends and outs and management tricks. I'm still learning.
Thanks for any info,
Mike
You bring up some interesting points. I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain a bit. Let me give you a little background on me. I am defiantly low time (850 and 80 with the twin time all in a C421) graduated from UND went to a little flight school far from ND so I could enjoy my flying. Loved it for about six months then they started bouncing my pay checks... It sucks to have to call mom and dad to ask for money when you have it... its just a rubber check. lol sometimes I wish flight schools had unions. So you can imagine why I am ready for a change of pace. First a bit of good news, 850/80 is not all that low, you're close so hang in there as long as you can. Flight instructing is an excellent enviroment to make you a better future FO. it's more the 200 hour products of the flight academies that i see the most problem with.
Do the captains have trouble with the low time guys? What would the CA want to see most from the new hires? No trouble with the person but their ability level- yes. Also some of the really low time guys get here and make it through the first 500 hours and start to get cocky and want to start telling 10,000 hour captains how it's done. Probably a type A thing.
I think I am confused people can't fly a Visual approach? I can see why that would be a problem but why are they unable? Visual approach can be a little misleading especially taking it from a CFI point of view. you're probably thinking traffic pattern work. In the 121 world think planning a descent from 20,000 ft and speed reduction from 450 knots to 140knots. As P1ayn notes it can be a problem.
I take it your a CA? Is that why you are still at ASA?
Is there nothing you like about ASA? Yes, I'm a captain upgraded to EMB 120 captain in early 99 and RJ captain in late 99. My personal reason for being at ASA is a little different then some.( I got a violation years ago) and with my seniority and pay rate 290 out of 1700 something and $81 an hour) finding a better job is not that easy. My goal is Fed Ex. Yes, there are some things I like about ASA; our training department (bar RH) is exceptional and our pilot group has a good rep in the industry. Right now, our travel benefits on Delta are good, but subject to change. The list of reason I don't like it is much longer. only one domicile to chose from, perpetual bad management, scheduling that is among the worst in the business, etc.
My train of thought is this, I love flying just as much as the next guy, so if I love what I am doing I will enjoy ASA or any other regional (mesa excluded).For some "the love of flying" never goes away. For many, this is work. After flying Blackhawks in my youth, RJ's with their advanced cockpits and airline rules are a little boring.
Now some questions on the Union matters.
Obviously I am new to all of this stuff so can you shed some light on what they are trying to do to the scope? Why would managment NOT want to keep flying and lose A/C to SKYWST?Two part question;
1. the scope language we are asking for is unclear to a lot of the pilot group. One thing I've heard is that we are looking for "if a plane goes to Skywest then 5 pilots go with it and keep their seniority.
2. I'm sure ASA management wants to keep the aircraft, but these managers are pretty much puppets to Delta. If it is in the best interest of Delta or Skywest Inc. that takes priority. ASA management desires are much lower on the scale.
How much of a pay raise does the pilot group want (Just curious)?It's not so much of the pay raise we are looking for. Management first came at us with a 13% pay CUT, but that has been saved by our union negotiators, now the company is up to Skywest rates on the 50 seater. The problem is on the 70 seater (and most people feel that we will shrink the 50 fleet and grow the 70 fleet, so pay on that is important) the company offer a one time 1% raise, with no cost of living raises.
Is the back pay for the guys that worked with no contract while in negotiations? (makes sense)Another 2 part answer:
1. Retro pay (back pay) is the difference between old rate and new rate times the number of months between the last contract expiring and the new one signing.
2. Signing Bonus is a one time pay out divided up among the pilot group by a formula.
Does ASA currently not have Rigs? My only exposure to them have been what was on this site ( http://<span style="color:blue">No w...070311214.html )?
And lastly since you actually post about ASA on this site (I think everyone else just lurks lol) Do you think they will finish negotiations soon. I guess soon is a relative term but before the next 5 years lol. Honestly though, like by the end of the year?I, and no one else on the planet has a straight answer for that. Our union leader told me a year ago that we would have something with in a month.
As for the lurking comment, I fear that is optomistic. There have been several people on here that aren't even a pilot let alone and airline pilot. Plus, many are very jr. FO's who although bright young men and women, lack the years at a carrier to know all the ends and outs and management tricks. I'm still learning.
Thanks for any info,
Mike
Stick
05-24-2007 | 07:51 PM
#27
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Stick wow man thanks, great post, I am gonna copy it into word so I can digest it again. I don't think I made it clear but I did get the job at ASA in fact I start on the 6/4 class.
Its a relief to hear that the training is great because thats what I want. Not that I am worried that I can't hack but because I like to learn (sound cheesy but I have some funny stories about the flight school where I work and the 172n PIM...)
I look forward to seeing you on the line; I am sure I will have more questions for you after I re-read this post.
THANKS AGAIN!!!
**APC... look for more great posters like stick, they help the nOOb's like me :-D
~mike
Its a relief to hear that the training is great because thats what I want. Not that I am worried that I can't hack but because I like to learn (sound cheesy but I have some funny stories about the flight school where I work and the 172n PIM...)
I look forward to seeing you on the line; I am sure I will have more questions for you after I re-read this post.
THANKS AGAIN!!!
**APC... look for more great posters like stick, they help the nOOb's like me :-D
~mike
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