Does anyone know what is up with all of the red arrow days on Sked plus? You can't move a single off day anymore....Looks like something that needs too be addressed during the new contract negotiations.

 

Didn't you guys just finish contract negotiations about a year ago?

 

Nov 20, 2007, Expires Nov 20, 2010, I think ALPA and ASA starts it's negotiations a year before it expires so in a few months.

 

Why did we furlough if we're so short on pilots? This pilot group needs to demand answers. I think the good times are about to end.

 

22 red arrow days in September, including a stretch from the 4th-21st. Where is the union on this?? Also, are there any new rumors these days?

 

"We are not canceling anything due to lack of crews. We are simply below the minimum level. There is also no need to staff for you to trade trips. You get what you get."

That is what MGMT answer will be.

Do I like it. No. Do I understand it, yes.

 

Yeah I don't know what the deal is with that. The good times are definitely over though, we simply can't compete cost wise with the cheaper regionals like Pinnacle. It's worth it though to have a better contract, I'd rather stay out on the street an extra year or two than wait 5 years to make what I can make in my 2nd year at ASA.

Good luck to the 56 joining us on the curb tomorrow.

 

I recently heard the company is being taken to court over the whole ‘red arrow day’ issue. Apparently it’s in violation of our contract, which states only a certain number (?) of days per month can be restricted (red arrow). Not the entire month, which seems to have been the norm over the last six months. If anybody has confirmation on this, please tell. And where exactly is this written in our contract, I have yet to find it, if anyone knows the reference, please share.

More water cooler talk – I’m told our DCI contract with big-D is up for renewal/negotiation sometime in 2010. The renewal supposedly stipulates that we will be the 2nd lowest cost DCI under big-D. If we should fall short on this, it could possibly jeopardize our 80% of ATL flying. Again, this is all second hand, so if anyone can elaborate, please do.

As for cost, all of our fuel saving efforts (minimizing APU, indexing, single engine taxi, etc…) is a noble effort, but I think it’s only a pinch in the bucket compared to what really eats at our bottom line, which is our high labor cost. Perhaps letting go of all the out station personnel has helped, but when it’s all said and done, apparently we have a high percentage of pilots (compared to other DCI’s) who max out on the high end of the pay scale.

I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, for who can blame them, many have come here and decided life was good, why move on. But unfortunately, the bean counters have based our model on a system where most folks move on in 7 to 10 years, not grow moss. But this is just my speculation, I’d be curious to see some actual numbers on the industries fuel cost vs. labor, perhaps someone out there can provide some perspective on this.

And for the record, I think it’s wrong to make the pax sweat on our idle descents from 10K, or the long taxi inns from the south runway, because were waiting for the hook up on C-concourse. The pax pay for a comfortable ride, lets ensure they get one.

OK, off my soap box, that's my 2c.

 

I don't have enough info about your first two points, but on the fuel, ASA does not pay for fuel costs so it doesn't affect the company. All fuel costs are passed on to Delta. You better believe I start the APU at 10,000 on a hot day with a full load. We can shut the APU down at the gate once we're plugged in. I refuse to make passengers miserable to save a dollar.

 

You must be very new.

First, the "red arrow days" are NOT in the contract. The contract says they can only designate (4?) "restricted days". According to the company "red arrow days" are NOT "restricted days". they are correct. It may seem like semantics, but arbitrators live that kind of stuff. The union screwed the pooch by leaving a huge loophole here. ALPA is fighting this to save face, but they WILL lose.

Second, the DCI contract. What you were "told" is fact. I was in the union when that came to pass. (SkyWest bought us). Also management has been very vocal about it, throwing it in the pilot's faces at every opportunity. The real question is if DAL will actually drop us. I say 0% chance of that, but 90% chance of DAL and SKW renegotiating the SKW profit margin to something much lower. 10% chance of DAL buying ASA back.

Third... fuel savings/labor costs. YA THINK? Cleared for take off Captain Obvious!

Your last point, I flt the fiddy and start the APU on descent as soon as it starts to get hot. Crew and pax comfort come before saving DAL fuel. We seem to forget where our paychecks come from... the passengers.