Raise the bar!
 

Furthermore, the argument over the relative inexperience of a new-hire is faulty. I understand that brand new guys aren't really pulling their full weight right out of IOE. However:

1) Does the Captain, who is picking up the slack, get a pay bump to compensate?

2) Is there a 3 yr. FO sitting in the jumpseat, to help out, 'cause we all know that the newbie is not "really" qualified?

No, because the newbie is qualified, and is the only FO sitting in that airplane that requires an FO, so he d@mn well should be paid full FO pay.

Additionally, most guys get into the swing of things in a few months. If you're flying, and not just warming up the crashpad on reserve, it does not take a full year to come up to speed. I believe Champion gives newbies a big raise at 6 months (several dollars/hr) Why not try something like that? It is absurd to justify a huge year long pay-cut (longer at PCL, 'cause you start the 1-ry clock after IOE, right?) just to make up for the federally mandated non-transferable training. It's not the new guys fault, is it?

If we're going to raise the bar, it should be for the whole seniority list, across the board.

Besides, it would be a real coup to get regional first year pay above the cr@p-@ss first year pay on offer at NWA. This would help them out, too.

.......(Had to eat breakfast....sorry about the rant...)

@ PCL, the clock starts at the checkride...close enough...

Right now, that would be flight instructing at a factory school. The one I used to teach at is paying $29 an hour. I flew about 1500 hours a year there, not sure if things have changed, but I have seen a couple places offering $40k for full time instructors.

Mountain Air Cargo starts Caravan captains at $34k. Great company by the way.

If you have enough hours, look at some 135 jobs. Different kind of flying (piloting rather than programing), but fantastic experience.

Wish you all well with the negotiations. PNCL is where my first app is going after graduation in the spring and it would be great to have the first and second year pay livable.

don't count on the first year being livable... maybe the second.. they are in negotiations now and will be till wed night. we will be having a confrence call on friday so we will see what happens.

Is the info for the call on our ALPA site? Where do I find it?

Make sure your email is registered on airlinkpilots.. you will get both email reminders with info and a phone call reminder. Its an easy process- plus you get all the MEC updates and payday hotline.

I tried to register for it last week but it said something like crew planning had to send over my information or whatever. My guess is that will not happen until I am done with OE. Thanks for the reply!

As far as getting on airlinkpilots, you don't need to wait til OE is done. I was able to get on the site while i was in ground school.