Hey Don,

As I said on the "other forum", there was no ill intent, at least that I know off, when this deal was being initiated. At the time COMAIR (as well as everybody else) was having difficulty hiring people and I guess this sounded good to "management". It became quite obvious that the pilots did not like that idea at all. And in order to stop the rumors I got an answer from a "reliable source" and he told me that the deal was off... and please, no more "my hero" jokes OK? I am just trying to help...

 

Planedive, this is not a personal attack on you, but people in general.. so disregard.

But this kind of statement is what is wrong with our industry. Gee... let's think.. why would pilots who put in hard work and did things the right way mind if someone who plunks down $90 grand or so and works for 400 hours gets more seniority. Nobody thinks anymore.

Sorry to anyone from the Cincitucky area, but this is why most of the Comair crew's morale is so low. Too many locals who can't think outside the box and get the job done right the first time... the easy, smart way.

 

There's a good reason Comair pilots don't want someone that "plunks down $90 grand or so and works for 400 hours" to get more seniority. They are not on the property and working for the airline like every single other person that is on our seniority list is. Seniority is a sacred thing to every airline pilot. To have someone jump in front of anyone because of some deal that management worked out because they are hard up for pilots is not a reason to violate the thing held most dear by each pilot - their seniority number.

Comair's morale is not low because of our inability to think outside the box. We are down at the bottom of the 10 year swing with low wages and poor schedules. That would make anyone unhappy.

 

Planedive, you see things from the POV of DCA management, not as the airline pilot you're about to be.

Any airline pilot would look at what you were trying to do and see the obvious seniority problem it would create and how it goes against the status quo. You can say you had no ill intent, but that only shows a lack of education on how things work in the airline biz.

 

Well DUUUHHHH!!!

 

This program is on "hold" while Comair works through details with ALPA - this from a Comair HR rep I spoke with this week.

I wouldn't get wrapped around the axle on this until final language is available as it seems all affected parties are now at the table.


My own view (ie from a non-affected party) is that if CFIs are given a [pilot line] seniority number they should reasonably expect to be represented by ALPA when negotiating a contract. This would mean that CFIs should have work rules etc, if they are given a seniority number. Unions have a responsibility to represent and CFIs should be expected to pay dues and be covered under a unified agreement. The premise that the union "owns" pilot seniority numbers is accepted, so for a union to ignore a labor category or class of covered workers it could result in abrogation of the duty of fair representation lawsuits. There are a range of structural problems aside from a pilot "cutting" in line with respect to line seniority, though they can be solved.

The other option is to give the CFI a company seniority number (not a pilot seniority number) in which case it needs to be disclosed what value if any, the program offers a CFI.

The well is drying up for quality flight instructors and CFIs may be VERY difficult to come by in the future. If I were a union, I would jump on any opportunity to control what could evolve into true ab initio training.

 

Don,

You are right, every friend and alumni that is flying for the airlines has told me the same thing...the problem is that I had nothing to do with it, you are sort of shooting the messenger on this one...

On the other hand, show me one flight school in this forum that would not jump at the opportunity to market a deal like this though... being part of "middle management at DCA" off course I have that POV, however I can see that this agreement can be more trouble than it's worth...and I cannot see the Union allowing this to happen...

 

The union can't, and won't ever approve a spot on the pilot seniority list. There would be a legitimate pitchfork and burning torch mob down the street kind of revolt..wouldn't be pretty

hopefully ALPA doesn't prove me wrong.

 

I don't think you need to worry Andy...