Effect of longevity at DCI's
11-06-2008, 09:03 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 226
Effect of longevity at DCI's
I think this is a very difficult topic to grapple with. The last thing anybody should do is blame the higher seniority end of the pilot group for the difficulties experienced by the entire group. The old timers should be honored for having helped to build the company and for mentoring and guiding the many newer pilot who join the ranks. Even managements want to shy away from discussing the effect of having more pilots at the higher end of the pay scales.
It really makes me sad when I read here comments from a junior pilot complaining that he/she is getting furloughed or can't upgrade because the senior pilots won't leave. Where are they supposed to go?
I don't know if there is any scientific data available but there does seem to be a correlation between growth at DCI airlines and juniority of the pilot group. I think it would be interesting if someone could really analyze the data to see if there is a relationship. It might make an interesting research project for someone in an aviation management college program or maybe an analyst at Herndon could study this. If it is an influencing factor, I think it should be out in the open.
I also wonder if ALPA has any way of getting information from Bornhorst about how the decisions are being made?
More questions than answers I guess.
It really makes me sad when I read here comments from a junior pilot complaining that he/she is getting furloughed or can't upgrade because the senior pilots won't leave. Where are they supposed to go?
I don't know if there is any scientific data available but there does seem to be a correlation between growth at DCI airlines and juniority of the pilot group. I think it would be interesting if someone could really analyze the data to see if there is a relationship. It might make an interesting research project for someone in an aviation management college program or maybe an analyst at Herndon could study this. If it is an influencing factor, I think it should be out in the open.
I also wonder if ALPA has any way of getting information from Bornhorst about how the decisions are being made?
More questions than answers I guess.
11-06-2008, 09:46 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Stage Left
Posts: 366
Originally Posted by laserman2431
I think this is a very difficult topic to grapple with. The last thing anybody should do is blame the higher seniority end of the pilot group for the difficulties experienced by the entire group. The old timers should be honored for having helped to build the company and for mentoring and guiding the many newer pilot who join the ranks. Even managements want to shy away from discussing the effect of having more pilots at the higher end of the pay scales.
It really makes me sad when I read here comments from a junior pilot complaining that he/she is getting furloughed or can't upgrade because the senior pilots won't leave. Where are they supposed to go?
I don't know if there is any scientific data available but there does seem to be a correlation between growth at DCI airlines and juniority of the pilot group. I think it would be interesting if someone could really analyze the data to see if there is a relationship. It might make an interesting research project for someone in an aviation management college program or maybe an analyst at Herndon could study this. If it is an influencing factor, I think it should be out in the open.
I also wonder if ALPA has any way of getting information from Bornhorst about how the decisions are being made?
More questions than answers I guess.
It really makes me sad when I read here comments from a junior pilot complaining that he/she is getting furloughed or can't upgrade because the senior pilots won't leave. Where are they supposed to go?
I don't know if there is any scientific data available but there does seem to be a correlation between growth at DCI airlines and juniority of the pilot group. I think it would be interesting if someone could really analyze the data to see if there is a relationship. It might make an interesting research project for someone in an aviation management college program or maybe an analyst at Herndon could study this. If it is an influencing factor, I think it should be out in the open.
I also wonder if ALPA has any way of getting information from Bornhorst about how the decisions are being made?
More questions than answers I guess.
Seriously, you bring a very good question but it has been simply answered with a resounding "YES".
"Juniority", as you put it, is one of the leading factors in a cost associated contract in this industry. It is no secret that we have seen, time and time again, airlines threaten furlough, closing bases, displacements and even shutting down completely, just to "re-tool" or re-invent themselves once they've run a signifcant amount of individuals with a mid-level longevity number out. It has happened in the distant past and happened very recently at Mesaba (IMO, at Comiar currently) and if you look now, half the seniority list is around 1.5 years to brand new out of the 1200 pilots (for now).
This has historically proven to be a very effective management procedure / tactic. Especially if they have monetary support from a larger entity (Mesaba / NWA or Comair / Delta) or a very elusive manner to trade assets to "other" entities, which makes it barely legal (and that needs changed too).
The trick is for ALPA, or the non-union employees, to find the point were they can get (or keep) as much as they can. Again, IMHO, with as many regionals that exist today, gaining much (or anything) is next to impossible. Ask the PNCL guys that have been trying to get a contract at the worst possible time in recent memory. Unfortunately, ALPA is more reactive than proactive by the rules of the RLA. They simply don't have all the information needed to fairly (Note: I said fairly, not legally) negotiate with a government protected management.
Unfortunately, we MUST see retraction in the regional market by a very significant number of jobs, airlines, individuals, (whatever the best term may be) before we see anything significant in gains. IMO, I think a lot will come with simple post bancruptcy / merger economics.
We all know there is enough blame from investors to employees for this but it is, in fact, were we stand today.
Last edited by DeltaPaySoon; 11-06-2008 at 10:31 PM.
11-06-2008, 10:16 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Upright and Locked
Posts: 969
Originally Posted by laserman2431
Those are good points. I just wonder what it is going to mean going forward. I think more and more pilots will be wanting to consider regionals as a destination rather than a stop over.
