Quote:
Originally Posted by CORE4
Well, it looks like United's great experiment to save a few pennies is going to bite them in the butt. CommutAir and GoJet are having trouble finding people foolish enough to start with each of them, even with the DEC bonuses, etc... CommutAir started the race to the bottom this time around with GoJet looking to squeak one out.
Where to begin with describing why? GoJet is a company who's reputation is well known as a bottom feeder outfit. C5, while a friendlier company on the surface, has recently been a lower tier choice as well. With the industry bouncing back much quicker than anyone thought was possible, there are many other choices to pick from now. Why would anyone pick one of these two places if they had other choices? Beats me! I can't speak much about GoJet other than their reputation and low pay, but I've learned a ton about C5 and what makes them a particularly unattractive option at this point. And to think, just a few months ago, they were the only one hiring!
Anyway, besides the low pay, the "contract" at C5 is pretty much worthless to the pilot group. Saying that it is below industry standard would be kind. Low pay, yes, but the work rules have go to be the worst out there. Especially for designated reserves. And I say "designated" because everyone is a reserve once checked in for a trip. Plan on sitting airport reserve every single day that you are on call. 8 hour sit for 4 hours of pay. Oh, and expect to do that both before and after assigned reserve trips. There is no long call reserve and the company does not consider reserve preferences, so in effect, there is no short call reserve. Scheduling is a complete mess! Most of the schedulers are brand new and don't know the contract. There are enough leadschedulers who do though, and they are skilled at exploiting the numerous loopholes and omissions in the contract. There is very little planning and everything is completely reactionary. It's hard to tell if the pitiful operational performance (6th place out of 6 UAX regionals) is from a lack of staffing, poor planning, or a combination of both. It will be interesting to see how many people bite on the DEC bonuses or choose to go to other places. My hunch is now that there are other places to go, the recruiting pool has or will soon dry up.
I doubt C5 would still be around without Covid! They were having trouble hiring people right up until Covid hit. Why? As was mentioned, just look at the pay and contract. United threw them a bone, but they won’t be able to capitalize on it if they can’t hire and retain pilots and other employees in sufficient numbers. Maybe they’d have had a chance if the recovery hadn’t happened so fast. But the reality now is that other places are hiring and those with choices are leaving and/or going elsewhere in the 1st place!
06-15-2023
