We won the OLD RFP, which United changed around the length of the deal...as far as i knew, we were in the front running for the RE-OPENED RFP...CRJ do you have more info than the rest of us?

 

I thought Comair walked away from United's offer for a 1 year contract, because they were looking more for a 5 year contract.

A good question to ask during the conference would be, is the company willing to cut off the customer service (Not run the APU) to save fuel. It seems like that's what they want us to do. I will assure them though that if I walk out to an airplane when it's 85 degrees outside or warmer that I am not going to work in the flight deck up until 20 minutes before departure. Starting the APU 20 minutes before departure and starting the boarding process 20 minutes before departure will leave the cabin of a 50 seater at 100 degrees and sometimes warmer. We'll see what the company tells the press when some croaks from heat stroke.

Better yet, let's ask them how much money we could save if we ran an efficient schedule. Like CRJ said, deadheading a crewmember around to make a 13 hour duty day is uncalled for. That clearly shows me that either emeastro doesn't do what it should, or the schedulers need better training.

 

here is my addition to that. I am on a layover right now and ironically my FO told me his last Capt. would not start APU till Pax were boarded.
My theory and philosophy is this; I do NOT sweat, nor does my crew AND ESPECIALLY my passengers! I will crank the APU anytime the comfort level deems necessary...PERIOD! Using common sense of course for example, hot day, in a desent getting slammed down at idle with 50 pax, I will turn apu on for pax in back.
As an FO many years ago, I had a captain who would not budge on this issue. I literally did what you did, gathered stuff and worked from inside till 10 minutes out. Want to save money; run an efficient operation!

 

Is there a website that lists all of the daily departures out of CVG?

 

you can track them using FlightAware - Free Flight Tracker - IFR Flight Status, Tracking, History, Maps

 

PIT out and back tomorrow!!!! anyone????

 

In the past, I had gotten off the airplane because a Capt would not start the APU until 20 prior and it was 100 plus in the flight deck. Needless to say, about 3 minutes of him looking at me out the window on the air conditioned jetbridge brought him out to ask what I was doing. I explained that when it was cool enough for the passengers, it will be cool enough for me to come back in and work.

The APU was promptly started.

 

Or you can do what I do and just reach up and start the APU yourself.
That is absolutely absurd having to wait until boarding with the cabin temp at 100 degrees + and a full boat.

I'm all for saving the company money where I can, but not at the expense of passenger comfort. Plus, I don't feel that I can execute my abilities to their fullest and operate a safe flight while I am pouring sweat on the verge of a heat stroke.

 

Anyone out there care to hazard a guess as to when those of us swimming in the pool could expect a call for class (stop laughing all of you). I am guestamating approx 2010 sometime..

 

You should expect a call fairly soon, as we are not going to furlough any pilots. I heard we are just downgrading CAs to FOs, and FO's to Second Officers to act as relieve pilots on the longer CR9 routes, such as JFK-AUS.