Hello, I'm a 1,100 hr CFI, working towards my ATP mins, and plan to start putting out my resume and start interviewing at the regionals some time early next year.

I want to make the most informed decision as possible as far as who I might ultimately end up working for. The one thing I am having the most difficult time understanding is how union contracts are negotiated, structured, and enforced. Anybody got a link to a basic overview of how regional airline unions/contracts are structured and how they work as an overview?

One of my main questions pertains to Republic, and their (lack of a) contract. What does this mean for pilots, not to have a current contract? Is the old contract still in effect? or does it essentially mean management can do as they please and pilots have no recourse?

Sorry if this seems like real n00b question, I'm just trying to get informed as much as possible before jumping in head first.

 

You're a very smart n00b for trying to figure this out, I work at SkyWest so I won't be much help in the contract and union department, but I wish more new guys would try to be more informed with what's going on in the industry like you are.

 

The old contract will be valid until a new one is signed.

 

Union contracts, or collective bargaining agreements (CBA) are covered under the Railway Labor Act (RLA). Under the RLA, a contract doesn't expire, it becomes amendable meaning the old agreement stays in force until a new agreement is signed.

Here's some more info: http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ai...labor-act.html

Happy Reading!

 

Good on ya for trying to be informed.

Yes, as others have said the old contract is still in effect until a new one is agreed upon. As for contract enforcement, there is usually a 'grievance' process by which complaints can be filed for the union to bring to the attention of the company.

Some things that are important to your pay and quality of life may be in some contracts but not others. Some of these would be cancellation pay, trip/duty rigs, any pay multipliers based on hours worked per bid, etc.

 

Not bad for your 16th post. let the flame war begin!

 

Read flying the line volume 1&2.....

 

Bingo.. You'll learn a lot about contract negotiations and the evolution of airline union labor.

All these clowns on here are gonna jump all over me for this statement, but I'm gonna recommend you only go to a ALPA carrier. I made my decision that way and compared contracts.. I was blessed with the choice of ASA or Air Wisconsin. I hope you can have even more good options than I did..

You wanna know about republic?.. An FO with the same longevity as me who flies an airplane much bigger than me over at Repub and Co, grosses ~20k less than I do a year.. God bless those guys for the stuff they put up with... Meanwhile, I block on average 15 hours less than I credit. Sometimes 20... Screw pay rates, it's all about the soft pay.. Go ahead and ask yourself, "What kind of QOL do I want?"