then i'd skip it. while CHQ does operate the CRJ, the leases start expiring the latter half of this year, and Bedford has said we're not keeping the planes. they were a stopgap.

the entire rest of the fleet is 145 series and 170 series planes. while not completely different from the CRJ, it is enough to provide some headaches in training. i watched the CRJ guys struggle some with the 170's systems, while i (former 145 driver) didn't have near the problem as the airplanes are near identical in the cockpit layout and systems logic.

longwinded chatter short; you don't need the jet transition course.

 

It's nice to have, but I'll go out on a limb here and say that most Pilots in the last 50 years or so have gotten into their first Jet without any CFI Transition course

If it's free, however, and you are already planning to stay at ATP for 300 dual-given, it probably can't hurt.

 

Mrs. Davies just called me and told me that I would be awarded CL65 Class in march 4th. I f they are going to park these aircraft why would they train F/O or C/A upgrades? This doesn't make any sense!!!!! By the way my interview was 01/24

 

They still need people to fly them in the meantime. CRJ FOs are upgrading so they need to backfill. If the airplanes go away, you would be protected by the displacement articles of the contract.

 

Interviewed on the 21st. Got the CL-65 class in March as well. Saw a statement made by CO the otherday saying that they will be pulling 7 CRJs out. Wonder if that will change the crew manning requirements between now and march. If that in fact will happen, I hope the decision is made PRIOR to starting training so we can be reflowed to another class. Time will tell.

 

your situation will be more like this! You will be at the bottom of the seniority list of whatever base you get and you will sit there until they start transitioning all the pilots currently on the CRJ to other equipment! Then you will move up a little bit and possibly hold a very junior line for a while. Combined with the removal of some crj flying and about 200 pilots that are senior to you on the CRJ, you'll probably sit reserve until the demise of the CRJ program and then you will either transition to the 145 or the 170 in either the right or left seat depending on if your seniority can hold captain! Knowing the way this company operates and how they try to keep their training costs low. Like Cbire said, according to the "displacement articles" you'll probably be stuck on the crj if its flying or not, until you can hold captain on the 145 or 170, no reason to train an FO twice, thats why FOs can't change equipment.

You could basically say that all CRJ new hires are First Officer Backfills for the FOS that are going to be transitioning to captain on other equipment in the next year or so! No growth on the crj whatsover!

Or we might see a SAAB situation like back in 2001! Lets hope thats not the case. We'll see! Noone really knows whats going to happen to the CRJ, the leases start to expire in april! Welcome aboard!

 

How does the management have the upper hand?

 

Our union doesnt have any hands, so hence the company is the only negotiating party with hands, so they automatically have the upper hand! We do have a good pilot group though which will not bend on a subpar contract!

My only beef with negotiations thus far is that we have pilots doing our negotiating while the company will bring in lawyers wearing 5000 dollar suits! Dont get me wrong i think our guys can do a good job. I just know that when it comes to legal jargon, contracts and such..... i, as a line pilot, am not going to try and outwit some harvard law school grads! I can probably kick their @** in XBOX though!

 

Ok I'll ask the dumb question..,what kind of representation does the union bring to the table? I mean for all those dues we can't afford to fight fire with fire? Oh.., side question, you commented on the CRJ's being on a short term lease.., any idea how long? Continental anounced pulling 7 back vey soon but nobody seems to know. I'm getting the impression that management doesn't really share that kind of info with it's pilots.

 

I seem to remember 18-36 month leases on those crj's. They will be gone soon and the 145's replacing them will all have the new weight mod thanks to continental.