Originally Posted by OnCenterline (Post 1768793)

Kat keeps trying to defend the TSA contract. It is not very good. The work rules are okay, and are essentially 117 now anyway. The reserve system is awful--unlimited airport reserve at 10 hours a sit with no virtual or pay credit; and the aforementioned long/short call issues, combined with giving the company the ability to totally hose you on the first and last day of reserve so that you have to commute on days off.

The sick accrual rate is really low, something like 2.5 hours or so a month. That's criminal, along with not being able to use it the first year, though Stamper is trying to address that.

The 401(k) is a joke. The funds aren't great and the matching is abysmal.

However, TS does operate on the lean, and that's why they got the planes. Overhead growth will be controlled, and much of the growth will be directly tied to the arrival of the planes, i.e., pilots, FA's, dispatchers, schedulers, etc. will only be added as the fleet grows, and those costs will be covered by the FFD.

It should indeed be noted and praised that no pay-cuts and/or concessions were taken to get this flying. For those that want to harp on PSA, they didn't take the concessions until AFTER Envoy turned them down.

Envoy pilots knew the risk they were taking, and the company could not make a threat to shut it down and then not follow through on it. I'm sure they did not expect to have to do so, but they were prepared. AMR is also counting on Envoy pilots recycling through to the TSA's and PSA's of the world, which will further reduce costs.

Originally Posted by OnCenterline (Post 1768871)

I've been gone about 18 months, so I don't what has or has not changed regarding work rules since then. If it's better than it was when I was there, that's great. But the problem (with regionals in general, not just TSA) is that it doesn't take much to improve QOL, especially for reserves, without having a huge impact on the bottom line. In fact, it could even improve the bottom line.

But, I do know this: the insurance is (for an airline) expensive, and 401(k) leaves a lot to be desired. There are ways to address the 401(k) in the CBA down the road, but as it stands, it's awful. It shouldn't be enough to say that it is on par with that of other regionals.

One thing you will not truly appreciate is the difference between what you have, and what could be, until you get what to experience even a modest step up. Then you'll look back and say, "How did I put up with that for so long?"

Originally Posted by TeamRamRod (Post 1768877)

Shut. Up. Do you not have anything better to do on a Saturday morning than waste 15 minutes typing this garbage? I type pretty quickly, so it took 3 minutes, not 15. People are specifically requesting to table this contract measuring contest that has plagued this thread for the past month. I'm not involved in any contest. I no longer work for a regional.

Are you bitter towards TSA because maybe they screwed you over in the past? Nope. If so, get over it. I haven't loved every place I've flown for either but you don't see me, and countless others, on other threads bashing those places and puffing our chests out. Actually, there are. But I'm not one of them. Move on. I did. I'm at United. Is that "moved on" enough for you?

YOU'RE LIVING IN THE PAST MAN. LIVE IN THE NOW!!!!!!!! I live in the now every day. Especially with my 2- and 3-day Hawaii layovers. Would you like me to send you a postcard? :D

How about we move on to some juicy rumors about when this new Delta flying announcement is coming? Maybe the one in the STC the other day that we're only hiring hooters waitresses for this new flying? I wouldn't put a lot of stock in DL flying, but that's just me. Stranger things have happened. But I wouldn't hold my breath.

Originally Posted by OnCenterline (Post 1768903)

Your beef isn't with me...I didn't start the contractual comparisons. I merely commented on them, which anyone is free to do. Further, I simply pointed out that certain aspects of the TS contract are not as great as some like to believe. FAR 117 covers the basic work rules, but other sections need serious improvement. I'll point out that I also stand up for TS and TS management when such a position is appropriate. In fact, I promote TSA to pilots looking for a good "first" place to work, because it is that.

The obvious question you'll ask next is why am I on here. Two reasons: I once worked there, and still have friends there, so I like to stay aware of what their future is/isn't, and two, because this industry is so intertwined, I believe that we all have an interest in what is going on around us at both the regional and mainline levels.

Originally Posted by Timma (Post 1768910)

I agree with you. The reserve rules are pretty awful.. Airport reserve is the worst.. As a whole the company is a good place to work at but reserve definitely needs to be fixed next contract.

Originally Posted by OnCenterline (Post 1768793)

Kat keeps trying to defend the TSA contract. It is not very good. The work rules are okay, and are essentially 117 now anyway. The reserve system is awful--unlimited airport reserve at 10 hours a sit with no virtual or pay credit; and the aforementioned long/short call issues, combined with giving the company the ability to totally hose you on the first and last day of reserve so that you have to commute on days off.

The sick accrual rate is really low, something like 2.5 hours or so a month. That's criminal, along with not being able to use it the first year, though Stamper is trying to address that.

The 401(k) is a joke. The funds aren't great and the matching is abysmal.

However, TS does operate on the lean, and that's why they got the planes. Overhead growth will be controlled, and much of the growth will be directly tied to the arrival of the planes, i.e., pilots, FA's, dispatchers, schedulers, etc. will only be added as the fleet grows, and those costs will be covered by the FFD.

It should indeed be noted and praised that no pay-cuts and/or concessions were taken to get this flying. For those that want to harp on PSA, they didn't take the concessions until AFTER Envoy turned them down.

Envoy pilots knew the risk they were taking, and the company could not make a threat to shut it down and then not follow through on it. I'm sure they did not expect to have to do so, but they were prepared. AMR is also counting on Envoy pilots recycling through to the TSA's and PSA's of the world, which will further reduce costs.

Originally Posted by OnCenterline (Post 1768903)

Your beef isn't with me...I didn't start the contractual comparisons. I merely commented on them, which anyone is free to do. Further, I simply pointed out that certain aspects of the TS contract are not as great as some like to believe. FAR 117 covers the basic work rules, but other sections need serious improvement. I'll point out that I also stand up for TS and TS management when such a position is appropriate. In fact, I promote TSA to pilots looking for a good "first" place to work, because it is that.

The obvious question you'll ask next is why am I on here. Two reasons: I once worked there, and still have friends there, so I like to stay aware of what their future is/isn't, and two, because this industry is so intertwined, I believe that we all have an interest in what is going on around us at both the regional and mainline levels.

Originally Posted by TeamRamRod (Post 1768957)

I get excited for Grand Rapids and Peoria overnights.

Originally Posted by Riverside (Post 1768974)

Been here a year and a half now and not once have I've ever been excited for a layover at grr or pia