Just get it over with.

Each day they don't announce anything is another day that I don't know when I can start employment somewhere else (flying or non-flying positions).

I've enjoyed my time at this company and do not neccessarily blame management (at ASA) for the overall economy and slowing of aviation travellers.

I will say this.

Mike McClaine (not sure if I spelled his last name right, but *** ever), came into a RGT class a few weeks ago and "let the cat" out of the bag saying the company would furlough on Jan 1st - but that it wouldn't matter to any of the guys in the RGT class because they were all ATR guys training for the jet. Little did he know two junior FO's were in the class.

The dude always rubbed me the wrong way, just seemed very shady. Now as far as everyone else (BH and CT at least), I would expect them to have a bit more class and tact when it comes to making the announcement - if one is made.

But whatever. . .furlough me. . .i'll go do something else. Recall me, I'll return. Building longevity while furlough, so whatever. . .just let us move on if your going to furlough us.

 

No I didn't, with things sounding like they may get worst, I can't take another month pay cut. LOAs had been a pain also, they want it 2 weeks ahead and not a day late. I had to call the cheif and get 3 days off because I want to buy a house and had to go to the bank and see my agent in the middle of the week. He ended up getting around it by giving me the 3 days off non-LOA. CPU. I may put in for LOAs next month once I see my award. A few days off w/o pay wont kill me. I think ALPA needs to look into who is awarding these COMAs and see if he/she is really awarding them to desired staffing levels. I know there are many people not getting them and yet they scream FAT.

 

I heard about that... Then someone at managment found out and made him go back and take it back right? hahaha once she shoot the gun you can't stop the bullet.

 

Where did the ATRs go to? Word is that Eagle may get them. Anyone know if they already found a home?

 

They've been doing some LOAs for me on far less than 2 weeks notice. All I do is fax it into the CPO then call WM the LOA administrator a couple of days out if it's not on my schedule yet.

 

It depends on how long they think these people will be out on the street.
Do the math.
-Initial training on a CRJ in house with FO guarantee is what 25K?
-FO pay for a year 20K for first year pilots
-Heath care for a single first year pilot 9K (Company portion)
-recurrent costs 5K
There are other costs, but the fact is that a furlough of 13 months is break even for an operator like ASA. It is very possible that you will see some furloughs. DAL should be firming up their March 09 capacity cuts and have those out in the first few weeks of Jan at the latest. (Officially!!)
Point is that DAL's own personal numbers crunchers see the traffic and demand for lift returning in Q1 2011. That is more than enough time for them to break even
This is an ASA deal, so if they could offer enough COMA lines I am sure that they will.

The OH furloughs are a different issue all together.

 

We at SKW are overstaffed by around 200-300 pilots as well. Will OO furlough? Who knows but Mgmnt/SAPA is now telling us that they are extended VLOA’s from 1 month to 7 months and we should have part time pilot lines by February. I know that 100’s of pilots will bid on the part time position and it should go extremely senior. Which is what the company wants (& I agree), get the expensive pilots to work less and the cheaper pilots will pick up the slack. Also the part time position means that the company won’t have to pay full time benefits for those pilots.

As for the ASA furlough language, forgive me seeing that I am not that familiar with its intricate details but others have stated it contains protection form energy cost, company health, etc. Now if mainline cuts capacity then this has nothing to do with the company overstaffing, their inability to remain healthy or energy cost (oil’s at $37/barrel today). Its mainline that has caused the overstaffing which was interned caused by the economy, this is and was completely out of Mgmnt’s control. Surely a TA can’t protect against this?

 

I see what you are saying but the company isn't just going to furlough because they have "too many pilots". That isn't the problem. The problem is lost revenue due to reductions in flying from Delta. If Delta was paying for all this lost block, then the company could care less because they have the money to pay all the pilots, so let them sit around and do nothing. But Delta just cuts and therefore ASA looses revenue resulting in a poor financial status within the company. Well the no-furlough clause states that reasons in which the company has no control does not include the "Financial Status of The Company". Another good job on ALPA's part.

So they are going to have to look at other non-contractual employees to let go like they said they were going to do in the first place. Like a few other guys said and something I did notice is that if they wanted to furlough, why wouldn't they approve ALL of the COMA lines (zero block hour lines)? I know of several CR7 pilots that put in requests for them and weren't awarded them. For Jan they approved something like 3 pilots on the CR7 to take a COMA line. COMA's are they same thing as a leave but you are able to keep your flight benefits and you have to pay for your health insurance. It's got me confused.

 

No furlough clause specifically mentions state of the economy as a reason NOT to furlough.

 

I could not agree more. The writing has been on the wall sometime now and obviously the company knows our feelings by reference to all the negative comments recently on BH's kool aid messages. I know some will take issue with this, but at this point, I agree with the above and would rather be furloughed so I could try and do something else. Whats the sense in keeping people about for an entire 1+ yr with more cuts on the way from DL. Im call 1st (that it really matters at this point) and I have flown 1 stand up since the middle of november. Enough already. Have some balls already and pull the trigger or come out and say specifically we will not furlough.