Does the new LOA force FO upgrades?

The advent of these types of "deals" coming back to the industry tells me there isn't the huge shortage of FO's there once was.... I'll stick with my prediction that the "pilot shortage" has about 5 years left in total, and the shortage currently will be at the regional captain level, not new FO level.


as it comes to an end, we can expect more of this type of thing, and a clawing back of pay and work rules to..... "remain competitive." You've heard it all before, you'll hear it again. Get out before the music stops and the hurt begins.

 

No, the union fought to keep it from what I understand. The contract they are making new hires sign on the other hand may have some stipulation of a financial penalty if you don't. Which still technically is not a forced upgrade because you can still refuse it, but you lose your bonus and there may be some other financial penalties. Teamsters should be taking the company to court over this if they already haven't.

In my opinion the Regionals will be hurting for Captains and as a side effect be fat on FOs until we get over this retirement wave, which will be near the end of the decade. Those people thinking things will get better later this year or next year for FO hiring have their heads in the sand. The current hiring environment for 1500 hour pilots (or any pilot who needs over 500 hours at the company before they are eligible for upgrade) is going to be the new reality for a while.

 

interesting.
my technical read is that only other regionals count. Nobody else is competing against republic to fly the mainline CPA which is generally block hours, not routes. Further, no regional competes for the flying public. They don’t even sell tickets, they aren’t competing against anybody except other regionals
I’d say this is aimed at bonus collectors, but worded to appear as most are taking it. If you dissect it line by line, I think it only applies to other regionals. They’d certainly have a hard time explaining how they compete against any LCC or Legacy for the flying public on any route, since they don’t own the route or even sell the tickets. YMMV

 

In this video an actual attorney discusses the new hire agreement:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU-kxjmIa9I

 

The sim instructors seem to think there are going to be 60-80 new hires a month coming through starting in June! Just ask one of them 😂 #keepthehope

 

Even Propel got involved and included in an email to its participants recommending that they don't fly for Republic.

 

I think that's what the sim instructor have been told by the higher ups, not sure if they actually believe that themselves.

 

In general opinion is it is not enforceable is the gist…. But don’t set yourself up to be the test case.

 

Crownie, wouldn’t logic and common sense prevail in this instance? What regional or ULCC/LCC is welcoming 60-80 new hires a month? It’s wishful thinking and holding out hope. Just my opinion, however the sim instructors and check airmen must soon face the reality that not many will be walking through the doors and that contract was a nail in the coffin to any potential new hires. Many of them are friends of mine and can’t accept the current state of bedford’s sinking ship. I wish them all the best and hope they run as quickly as they can!

 

You sure spend a lot of time floating around here, for someone who lost their mind about regional jets.