Any hope out there?
 

I don't check the board as often as I once did, but is there any encouraging news out there for regional airlines? If this topic has been discussed quite a bit, my apologies. I was just curious if there were any rumors of hiring by the end of the year. Thanks.

Management at SkyWest finally came up with a decent (and only status-quo) VLA policy. Demand for it seems strong, and it looks as though furloughs come fall may indeed be avoided...

I'd say there's hope out there, so don't lose your's. If this is where you want to be, you'll get there, the keys, be as marketable as you can, and bide your time. There are a lot of pilots on the streets and not many people hiring, if you've got a stable CFI job, you might want to hold onto it. As the recalls begin, people will once again move towards their old airlines and their seniority, once they're back on property, hiring will resume, and besides the guys who have previous 121 experience, other experienced aviators will be in demand, whether that be 135, corporate, CFI, etc....As turbulent as the airlines are right now, a "worst" case scenario would be to leave the stable CFI job for a jump @ the airlines, only to find yourself furloughed a month or two into the biz, then have to seek out another CFI gig, only hoping your old place will take you back in. Take your time, be patient, and keep your ear to the ground, you'll hear stampede of people applying soon enough...hopefully.

The Union and Management at Mesaba came up with half-time lines last Friday but we have yet to see any details about it. That being said there is hope that it will help our staffing problem.

..and drop your pay from 24k a year to 12k. you might as well be furloughed and collect UI..atleast you'd have every weekend off.

Unless senior people take it.;) It does happen, I've seen it before.

This business is feast or famine. Right now it's famine. That can turn around real fast.

It isn't mandatory and you still keep your health and flight benefits. If you are a commuter and have a second job why not you get 21+ days off during the summer months.

You can keep the negative attitude but I am glad to see a pilot group helping out the junior guys trying to do everything they can to keep as many people employed as possible.

Skyboy you are right and I hope you are. With some stuff like that however some people benefit and some lose. If dont correctly however I dont think that the losses will be that great to seniors or juniors.

I think when we did it the people that were affected most were the junior guys who commuted. Basically youcommuted in and flew out in the morning and came back and commuted home the same day or you commute for a two day (unproductive 2 day) and then commute back home. Great for some guys to get off reserve but sucked for those who got juniormaned when they had to pick up the slack.

Yeah I hear ya there is a good and a bad way to do everything!! We will see what happens with it but right now it's worth a try. This is what the union was talking about going into the meeting don't know if this is the deal that was reached on Friday.

Bidding would occur at the same time that TOWOP bidding occurs
· Could be offered in 1, 3, 6, 9, or 12-month increments
· Pilot would bid for ½ of each month (line) to be free from duty (first half or second half)
· HTL pilot will still be eligible to bid for same lines as all other pilots in his position

Compensation/Days Off
· Minimum Monthly Guarantee = XX.X credit hours, or credits accrued, whichever is greater
· No change to accrual of seniority or longevity
· No change in benefits (pilot will still be eligible for all FT benefits)
· Minimum days off = 21 per month

Anyways this thread got hijacked thats my bad sorry!! I think there is hope for the future give it a few years and the age 65 guys will be retiring which could mean growth.

FAA just announced last week a predicted 9% decrease in passenger travel for 2009 and Airlines to decrease service by 5%- 10% to react to the decrease.
My opinion looking forward is that the positive effects on the airlines of the predicted economy turn around the and the ending effects of the age 65 rule will accrue close to the same time and only supplement each other. The result will be an explosion of growth for those of us still around at the time. Hang in there if it's worth it to you to wiat it out. It won't always be this s*itty.