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ALPA Leadership concerns....
I've had some concerns about ALPA's leadership at the national level but the letter I received from Joe DePete this afternoon tells me 2 things. 1. ALPA is literally tone deaf to what is going on day to day in the airline world, and 2. Regional airlines get noticed and press when they join ALPA or they do something that deserves a slap on the wrist.
OO should get slapped for trying to dump EAS routes after gobbling up our money to run them. However, stating there is not a staffing issue is an out and out lie. See below... ****** March 23, 2022 ALPA pilots, This week, ALPA hailed U.S. government action to swiftly block an attempt by SkyWest Airlines to drop service to dozens of small and rural U.S. communities. The airline accepted nearly $2 billion in federal aid over the past several years and now claims a false “pilot staffing imbalance” as the purported reason for the service cuts, all of which were Essential Air Service (EAS) routes. In a letter sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, ALPA pointed out that the United States has more than enough certificated pilots to meet current hiring demand. We also laid out how SkyWest Airlines tried to justify its effort to cut 29 EAS routes by claiming a pilot staffing issue, despite having taken federal Payroll Support Program relief that allowed it to maintain its workforce during the pandemic and even grow its pilot ranks by nearly 9 percent in the past two years. Moreover, SkyWest Airlines announced it would drop its EAS service to the 29 small and rural communities while at the same time applying to the government for other EAS flying. Such hypocrisy is an affront to ALPA pilots and all who sacrificed so that the airline industry could survive the pandemic. It is a shameless bid for profit fueled by a false narrative used by some in an attempt to roll back the pilot qualification and experience regulations that have helped make possible the current period of unprecedented domestic aviation safety. Even as the data leaves no doubt about the current adequate U.S. pilot supply, ALPA continues to do all we can to cultivate a robust pipeline of future aviators. Last week, I met with aspiring aviators at the 2022 International Women in Aviation Conference. Whether a new first officer, a 30-year captain, or a student considering joining the profession, there is a common focus among aviators when it comes to a safe and inclusive workplace, proworker collective agreements, and the opportunity to fulfill a vital role in the world’s economy and communities. In light of serious safety concerns, such as the more than 900 reports this year alone of unruly passengers on U.S. flights and the war in Ukraine, advancing ALPA’s multitiered policy solution to secure the flight deck remains a key initiative. During the recent In-Flight Security Symposium, I affirmed our union’s position that unruly passengers should be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. In a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Steve Dickson, our union also reinforced our call for regulators to mandate primary flight deck barriers on cargo aircraft and secondary flight deck barriers on passenger airliners. Right now, our number-one priority in this effort is to secure more cosponsors on ALPA-backed legislation—you can help by participating in our Calls to Action. In fulfilling our commitment to achieving collectively bargained agreements that reflect your contributions to your companies, our union’s MEC leaders are collaborating in all sectors and across the system. At the same time, ALPA’s national committees and staff are supporting MEC pilot leaders with their expertise and the Association’s vast resources. Our union pilots are performing informational picketing, conducting road shows, and enhancing communication among brand family pilot groups. Meanwhile, our union reinforces pilot groups’ individual efforts with strategic paid social media, economic analysis of market uncertainties like fuel costs, and data to help MECs make certain their members have access to robust voluntary safety reporting programs. As airline customers continue to return to the skies, ALPA members are not only contributing to the global economy but also to the global community. Now and always, ALPA pilots step forward whenever help is needed. We have reached out through the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations to offer our assistance in response to the recent China Eastern accident. In addition, our members are giving funds to support international disaster relief as well as transporting physicians, paramedics, and supplies to assist Ukrainian refugees. In our work together today, ALPA pilots are forging a stronger profession for tomorrow. In unity, Capt. Joe DePete President |
He's right. It's not a staffing issue. It's a pay and seniority issue. If we made mainline money in the regionals, and if we were accruing at least mainline longevity at the regionals, then regional staffing would be a much smaller issue.
Regardless of whether anyone thinks that either will happen or should happen, that is the truth. |
Definitely a pay issue. Very difficult to live on regional FO pay with a family of four or more. I know several people who have the certs but don't pursue it for that reason exactly.
I realize pay has gotten better over the years but where does the pay stand now in the face of ever rising flight training costs, inflation, housing costs and getting to 1500 hours at very low pay as well? In the early 2000s pay was around 19-25k for regional FOs (I realize they'd still be paying this much if they could), now it's about double but with the factors mentioned above I don't see how it's much more than what it was. It's interesting that these places would rather park planes and drop routes than raise pay. Not "bonuses" or "guaranteed interviews" but standard pay. At what point does parking planes \ turning down flying become more expensive than paying a higher base rate? Guess we aren't there yet. |
Originally Posted by planejoe
(Post 3393724)
It's interesting that these places would rather park planes and drop routes than raise pay. Not "bonuses" or "guaranteed interviews" but standard pay. At what point does parking planes \ turning down flying become more expensive than paying a higher base rate? Guess we aren't there yet.
Historically, this has made regional airline management be "cost effective" by suppressing wage rates and allowing them to win contracts. This is a totally different time in history than we've ever seen; will a legacy partner cough up the cash needed to pay for their regional lift? Who knows. Regionals are no longer competing for pilots against other regionals. They're now competing against LCCs and ULCCs. I guess what I'm saying here is that I don't think they want to park airplanes but, they also don't want to open their own wallet to accommodate the labor groups. They want the legacy partner to do that. |
The DOT should let Skywest find a replacement carrier at their own expense. Alpa would love to see Air Wisconsin put the meat to Skywest to cover EAS departures.
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For those that say it's a pay issue and not a staffing issue, do you believe that those regional pilots would stay right where they're at if the pay was higher and NOT go to a legacy, cargo, or ULCC/LCC?
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk |
Originally Posted by iceman21
(Post 3393822)
For those that say it's a pay issue and not a staffing issue, do you believe that those regional pilots would stay right where they're at if the pay was higher and NOT go to a legacy, cargo, or ULCC/LCC?
Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk |
It’s all about return on investment. Spirit and JetBlue, are $115-$125 12 months after day1 indoc.
That’s like year 15 CA pay on an RJ, plenty would stay if RJ CA scale=LCC FO scale. You’d get the PIC and not loose out on what you could be earning. It really wasn’t that long ago RJ CA rates were higher than LCC FO rates. When many CAs upgraded at $75ish, Spirit/ JB paid less for at least the first 4 years. Now days a year 2-3 RJ CA upgrades at $90ish, and Spirit is a raise in 12 months. Spirit 2017 contract was a game changer. |
Originally Posted by OpieTaylor
(Post 3393831)
It’s all about return on investment. Spirit and JetBlue, are $115-$125 12 months after day1 indoc.
That’s like year 15 CA pay on an RJ, plenty would stay if RJ CA scale=LCC FO scale. You’d get the PIC and not loose out on what you could be earning. |
Originally Posted by iceman21
(Post 3393595)
I've had some concerns about ALPA's leadership at the national level but the letter I received from Joe DePete this afternoon tells me 2 things. 1. ALPA is literally tone deaf to what is going on day to day in the airline world, and 2. Regional airlines get noticed and press when they join ALPA or they do something that deserves a slap on the wrist.
OO should get slapped for trying to dump EAS routes after gobbling up our money to run them. However, stating there is not a staffing issue is an out and out lie. See below... ****** March 23, 2022 ALPA pilots, This week, ALPA hailed U.S. government action to swiftly block an attempt by SkyWest Airlines to drop service to dozens of small and rural U.S. communities. The airline accepted nearly $2 billion in federal aid over the past several years and now claims a false “pilot staffing imbalance” as the purported reason for the service cuts, all of which were Essential Air Service (EAS) routes. In a letter sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, ALPA pointed out that the United States has more than enough certificated pilots to meet current hiring demand. We also laid out how SkyWest Airlines tried to justify its effort to cut 29 EAS routes by claiming a pilot staffing issue, despite having taken federal Payroll Support Program relief that allowed it to maintain its workforce during the pandemic and even grow its pilot ranks by nearly 9 percent in the past two years. Moreover, SkyWest Airlines announced it would drop its EAS service to the 29 small and rural communities while at the same time applying to the government for other EAS flying. Such hypocrisy is an affront to ALPA pilots and all who sacrificed so that the airline industry could survive the pandemic. It is a shameless bid for profit fueled by a false narrative used by some in an attempt to roll back the pilot qualification and experience regulations that have helped make possible the current period of unprecedented domestic aviation safety. Even as the data leaves no doubt about the current adequate U.S. pilot supply, ALPA continues to do all we can to cultivate a robust pipeline of future aviators. Last week, I met with aspiring aviators at the 2022 International Women in Aviation Conference. Whether a new first officer, a 30-year captain, or a student considering joining the profession, there is a common focus among aviators when it comes to a safe and inclusive workplace, proworker collective agreements, and the opportunity to fulfill a vital role in the world’s economy and communities. In light of serious safety concerns, such as the more than 900 reports this year alone of unruly passengers on U.S. flights and the war in Ukraine, advancing ALPA’s multitiered policy solution to secure the flight deck remains a key initiative. During the recent In-Flight Security Symposium, I affirmed our union’s position that unruly passengers should be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. In a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Steve Dickson, our union also reinforced our call for regulators to mandate primary flight deck barriers on cargo aircraft and secondary flight deck barriers on passenger airliners. Right now, our number-one priority in this effort is to secure more cosponsors on ALPA-backed legislation—you can help by participating in our Calls to Action. In fulfilling our commitment to achieving collectively bargained agreements that reflect your contributions to your companies, our union’s MEC leaders are collaborating in all sectors and across the system. At the same time, ALPA’s national committees and staff are supporting MEC pilot leaders with their expertise and the Association’s vast resources. Our union pilots are performing informational picketing, conducting road shows, and enhancing communication among brand family pilot groups. Meanwhile, our union reinforces pilot groups’ individual efforts with strategic paid social media, economic analysis of market uncertainties like fuel costs, and data to help MECs make certain their members have access to robust voluntary safety reporting programs. As airline customers continue to return to the skies, ALPA members are not only contributing to the global economy but also to the global community. Now and always, ALPA pilots step forward whenever help is needed. We have reached out through the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations to offer our assistance in response to the recent China Eastern accident. In addition, our members are giving funds to support international disaster relief as well as transporting physicians, paramedics, and supplies to assist Ukrainian refugees. In our work together today, ALPA pilots are forging a stronger profession for tomorrow. In unity, Capt. Joe DePete President |
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