but we are "simply the best".... lol...




I work for peanuckle and we need a contract- beyond that the pilot group is great, the upgrade is quick, I don't commute (from MEM), and its a good fleet. All other complaints can be reverted back to the contract.....

 

Asking about which regional is better is like trying to find out which STD you'd rather have. They all suck in varying degrees...the better one's are crabs, the worst are HIV. Most are herpes. Hopefully someday there will be a cure for SJS.

 

The analogies that some of you come up with for the regionals are just great.

 

What are CDO's? I'm still trying to learn the lingo. Thanks

 

CDO = Continuos Duty Overnight aka. highspeed, standup etc. A CDO entails a "rest" period between duty periods that is too short to be legal. Thus, you are technically on duty for the entire period and it is counted as one duty period.

Most of the CDOs I've done here at Pinnacle give me about 5 to 6 hours of sleep and far less actual block time compared to credit time (less work for more money). Some people bid for CDO lines especially if they have kids at home or run a business on the side because it means that they are home during the day. If you can get by on 5 to 6 hours of sleep or you can get a nap in during the day CDOs are not bad. I personally don't bid for them because a pure CDO line will not break monthly guarantee and on FO pay I need to get as close to 100 hours credit as I can!

As far as being here at Pinnacle, I am happy with my choice. First year FO pay is pretty standard, second year FO pay is below average. When our new contract is finally signed, this issue as well as many others should be addressed. If this happens, Pinnacle will be a very good place to work as far as regionals go. The pilot group overall is a great group of people to work with and will not be pushed into signing a substandard contract. This is only MY OPINION but I think the future is looking good here at 9E.

 

Thanks Wolf for the explanation. Are you typically able to get 90-100 credit hours? How long to guys usually sit reserve with Pinnacle? Thanks again.

 

Any company, Airline or otherwise, that expects college educated, professionally schooled employees to "EXIST" on 20 to 24K a year, IS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME TO APPLY TO.

The excuse that this is all is available or is a stepping stone is not an excuse.

20 to 24K a year is disrespectful for a company to pay anyone of your skill level, guys. I don't care if you have 300 hours or 3000 hours.

 

I agree it sucks but what are the options if someone really wants to be a pilot? With how I feel right now about my office job I think the pay cut would be worth getting out of here and on my way to better things down the road as a pilot.

 

Yes, most line holders (except CDO lines) can get 90 - 100 hours credit. As far as reserve times, it depends on base. I'm not sure about right now but towards the beginning of the year MEM had the longest reserve times followed by MSP and DTW. Some guys I know in DTW and MSP were on reserve for less than two months.

Hope that helps. Some new hire guys at 9E might be able to help you out more on current reserve times for each base.

 

Reserve changes during the year. It's gonna be a bit longer when they slowed hiring after you (around thanksgiving and x'mas), and it's gonna be shorter when you have couple classes right after you're hired. As simple as that.

If you think reserve is bad, just wait till you get extended couple times a month, and they refuse your comp. day. With that said, we have a great bunch of folks flying the line, just a bunch of morons down in MEM that run the show keeps screwing things up. Our latest and brightest invention upcoming is, Pref. Bid. Just wait until it comes online in August, and you'll feel your lifestyle just go down a notch lower than you have now.