Word directly from PP, the rest of the training dept, and everyone at payroll I've spoke to at both Colgan and Pinnacle is that the per diem clock starts rolling as soon as you're assigned a base and you leave Memphis. For my class, that meant round the clock per diem after the first two weeks of indoc, for the entirety of systems and sims. The kicker here is we've yet to be paid that amount (a shade over $1500 dollars). Word from the training department as of 5 days ago was that they had a couple hundred people to catch up on, and my class was towards the bottom of the list, so be patient and it IS coming.

This is what I've deduced from talking to several people in both the company and the union. Originally, the per diem situation worked exactly as you described (from the start of OE). For whatever reason, and I'm certainly not complaining, someone at the top decided to start paying new hires per diem sooner. This decision was made sometime around mid to late May. As a result, there were several months of classes that were owed back per diem. It took a long time to get the ball rolling and then to go back and calculate the hourly for these classes. As a result, those of us most recently hired are still waiting. I've spoken to someone from the class two before mine who was recently paid per diem for the entirety of training after leaving Memphis so this theory checks. I think the disconnect is that after this decision was made in May, no one told the guys on the MEC which is why you all are going by the previous information. Thanks for all your help though, if you're who I was conversing with via email.

 

Well as the contract states, Any pay discrepancies over $100 will be paid, at the request of the pilot, within 5 days by live check.

Sounds like they are in violation of this and should be grieved. Hopefully you get some compounded interest on this...

 

How were you guys assigned a base? I mean here on the XJ side from day 1 we have known our base is going to be LGA so does that mean we should be getting per diem like you did?

 

Believe me I'm plenty familiar with that line in the contract, which is why I originally contacted the union. The problem is (and I don't fault them because I'm sure they're doing their best with the information they have) is since the they say we're not even supposed to be getting this money in light of what the company says, there's really no recourse to grieve it. The union guys I've spoke with have been really friendly and helpful, but I understand their position if they're getting a different line than us. I also don't wanna be that guy who makes a huge stink over something while I'm still on probation and not yet paying dues. It's a lot of money, I know, and if I had worked here for awhile I might be a little more aggressive in demanding payment. As it is, I'm just thankful they're paying us at all (or claiming they will) because according to the union, there's no specific language in the contract regarding new hire per diem (though, depending on how you read it, I think it's open to interpretation).

We were assigned aircraft on day 2 of indoc (but that changed around a bit for some of us throughout the first two weeks). On the second to last day before the end of indoc they assigned us our domicile. We left Memphis the next day and were told that was when our clock started.

 

What have the recent new hire base assignments been for 9E? I'm assuming it's a whole lot of DTW and JFK.

 

You assume correct sir.

 

If you came PRIOR to the integrated seniority list, which unless you came in the last week you did, then you WILL get per diem 24/7 and hotel until you get moving days. It's in Letter of Agreement 2 section D of the new contract.. here's the language
"Pinnacle pilots who are awarded a vacancy or who are displaced shall receive moving benefits, including continuous per diem and hotel buy-out, under the terms of the prior CBA until the first Notice and Award following the implementation of the Integrated Seniority List "
Seems to me like that's pretty cut and dried. Don't let the compnay tell you what you are and aren't entitled to, they will ALWAYS make it work in their favor. Now if you WERE one of the guys who came last week then you are still entitled to moving days but the benefit is much reduced. And if you tell them that you're still entitled to it and they won't give it to you, call the contract duty officer, that's what they're there for.

 

Is the company following this blueskies?

 

Does anyone know if Mesaba has started interviewing again for future class dates?

 

By Mesaba you're meaning 9L and XJ right? If so, rumor is we're getting more Q's on site by late summer early fall. However, I would suspect that those slots will be filled with Saab transitions thus leaving a hole for new Saab FO hires.