Hey everyone,

Just wanted to say that it is a bit confusing to me how the current status of the company as well as the industry is considered "starved" by a supposed pilot shortage. This confusion is caused by the fact that I have been sitting here on reserve without a call for over a week now. I have called scheduling and they say they have nothing. I know of several reserve guys that are flying on a regular basis. Some say they have to call scheduling just to see if there is anything. All this and I bet you somewhere out there a pilot is being worked to fatique and hasn't had a day off in 4-5 days. I think the real problem lies within a combination of a very small pilot shortage and a major scheduling efficiency problem. Not trying to put down any schedulers as I know they are just doing their jobs but the system could really use some work. Anybody else feel this or is it just me?

 

well I know that from what we ve heard in Indoc training, and this came straight from schdeuling, is that they cut flights from like 450 flights a day in AUg to like 360-370 in Sept. only cause it is the slow season, but the lines will go back up in Nov for the holidays and Spring Break, then next summer they will be consistent at 400+ like they were this summer, thats what we were told and that s the only thing i can think of....good luck..

 

maybe you p***ed in someones cheerios jk. Rumors say you can go up to the schedulers with gifts (pizza ect) and they are usually nice to you.

My captain told me today, when I call them to tell them that "I don't want to fly" because thats when they use the heck out of you and if I dont want to fly then to tell them that "I want to fly a lot"

:-)

 

Yeah that's ridiculous there is still a 2 week backup between indoc and systems for some guys. They have cut the schedules way down for a couple of months which is giving them time to catch up with hiring. On another note they are trying to hire 20-24 every two weeks and the last class had 14. As soon as december comes they will be short again. The Union is even bringing picketing to job fairs which ASA goes and management has gone to the union asking for higher new hire pay to attract more guys. The union said no to this because that obviously wouldn't be fair to the entire pilot group. Lot's of Labor issues going on right now but when ASA gets a new contract life will be much better (as if you guys didn't know that).

One more thing, the average flight hours for the last class was more around 750-800, only a couple of 500 hour guys so they are still being somewhat selective and sending people home from the interviews. Take that how you will, could mean they are getting enough applicants but that's not my opinion.

 

I am gonna bid reserve next month.
Since all the lines are horrible.
Don't forget that the reason we no longer have 3 days trips
is because our VP of flight OPs asked crew planning not to build them anymore, he told them that he liked 4 days better.
Result: Most crew are spending 2 days on most 4 days, in a hotel doing nothing.
Efficiency, I don't think they are looking for it.
They just trying to put tressure on the senior line holder so they quit, and make life easy for new hires so they don't quit.
Now that make sense!!!!!

Propjet

 

yea Kangaroo, Im in that class w 14 people, great bunch of guys 4ATR, 10 CRJ, I mthe most Junior on the RJ and the 6 most Jr. in the class are all getting a week off starting tomorrow since they are backed up.... but i agree with you, it lll help them to catch up on things, however when the schedules come back with 400+ flights again im sure they will be utilizing everyone and maybe be possibly short again, who knows you can never tell in this industry, but I do like it here so far, just focusing on training and letting the guys and gals who ve been here a while to take care of labor agreements and contracts etc etc.....ps - yes the avg. hours for our class was like 800TT, I think i was one of the lowest in my clas w another guys we both have alitle over 500TT

 

So its ok to pay new hires poverty wages until everyone gets a raise? I'd think everyone would be for getting that initial pay up. I know I'd be ****ed at the senior guys if they decided that it wasn't fair to take first year pay from $20k to $28k or so. I think the union is being shortsighted on that one.

Now if the wages had a more linear relationship, I would agree with them completely. Giving the new guy another $5/hr makes a much bigger difference to him than the CA making $60+/hr.

 

The company has had 5 years to get a good new contract in which the new hires are adequately paid. The union is doing exactly what they should be doing. Everyone knows that new hires should be paid more. Not attracting new hire pilots gives the union leverage. If the company needs to fix the contract, then, for the love of all that's good, let them fix the ENTIRE contract. As a pilot, you should know that the union is working for YOU. Why don't you help them out by supporting them. Every ALPA airline union wants to pay new hires more. When the company also wants to do this, that is when the union and the company can work together to improve conditions for all pilots. If the company isn't willing to work with the union, then focus your anger on the company, where it belongs.

 

Cbire 880
You are the shortsighted one.
The reason the UNION didn't agree on this is because we have been in negotiations for 5 years and we are at impasse, not because they don't want new hires to make more money.
And yes it is unfair to all the guys who have been busting their ass for years with 1998 pay rates not to have a raise while new hires get it.
The new hire pay raise is a bargain chip for contract negotiations. Contract that will enhance life for everyone, new hires and line holders.
Propjet

 

Airlines are VERY seasonal...summer's over so business is starting to drop off. If you're not getting called now, you'll probably get OCT and early NOV off too.

But by late NOV, holiday travel will be on and all the pilots who timed out will be sitting home by the fire...you might just get your wish then

An airline could easily appear to be overstaffed right now, but actually be understaffed for the holidays. Since they can't just hire pilots seasonally, they have to stock up in advance, especially if they overwork us early in the year and get time-outs.