Horizon Air Pilots Petition NMB After Nearly Four Years of Contract Talks


Experienced Pilots Want Just Compensation and Fair Work Rules

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Brotherhood of Teamsters petitioned the National Mediation Board (NMB) today for their assistance in concluding negotiations between Horizon Air pilots, Horizon and parent holding company Alaska Air Group.


The pilots have been engaged in direct negotiations since the company served a Section 6 notice on the Teamsters nearly four years ago.
"Four years of negotiations is more than enough time to reach an agreement that provides just compensation and fair work rules for the most experienced and talented pilots in the regional airline industry," said Teamsters Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne.
"We are asking the NMB to help us reach an agreement that recognizes the high level of service and commitment these pilots provide," Bourne said.


Horizon Air captains average 17 years of experience with the carrier and their average age is 47. First officers average five years of experience with Horizon Air and their average age is 32. They fly aircraft that are on the leading edge of technology compared with other regional carriers. They are regularly qualified on that equipment during recurrent and proficiency evaluations mandated and closely monitored by the Federal Aviation Administration.



"While the Alaska Air Group enjoys record profits, it has adamantly refused to share even a modest portion of those profits with the professional pilots that provide dependable daily service to the customers of Horizon Air and its sister carrier, Alaska Airlines," Bourne said. "Instead, the carrier seeks concessions from its pilots, which devalues the flight deck experience and talent that allows the company to make its profits.



"The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is committed to helping the Horizon pilots achieve a contract that fully recognizes their contribution to their carrier's success. We will fully support the Horizon pilots as they negotiate for a just contract that recognizes their career expectations, respects the commitment of their families, and makes their passengers' travel experience the best possible."



The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Eagle ALPA essentially used that mantra a year or so ago with bag stickers to boot.

So much for orginality.

I believe Horizon TP guys are certified to hand fly SE ILS CAT III approaches using their HUDS. No offense to any RJ guys intended, but that seems a little more demanding then the SE RJ approach.

Edit-Or an A320 SE approach!

I've flown a CAT III approach in a sim before using a HUD and IMO, it was easier then CAT II without.

For the record, Eagle experience levels meet or exceed Horizons and we'll be flying Cat II's soon without HUDS. That notwithstanding, Horizon has a fine group of pilots that deserve better and I hope they get it.

I just thought the IBT could be a little more imaginative then following ALPA, as following ALPA nowadays usually gets you nowhere except poorer.

Perhaps it is easier. I don't know, because I've never done it. I have done a CAT II in a DC9 and EMB-145, both while 1200 RVR was being reported. Neither had a HUD, but then again the only glass the DC9 has is the windscreen in front of us!

In regards to ALPA, you are correct.

Wasn't trying to offend anyone, hope I didn't eaglyfly.

BTW eaglefly, are you in the CRJ700? Are you saying current ops specs require the HUD for CAT II's? Or are you in the EMB145? Do they do CAT II's? It's all curiousity on my part. At XE we were approved CAT II down to 1200 RVR in the E145, where as Pinnacle is only 1800 RVR in the CRJ-200.

How exactly are the highest paid regional pilots, at supposedly the best regional to work for, asking to get just compensation and fair work rules? No offense to Horizon.

We are trying to move the regional pilot forward.

I do not believe any regional pilots are fairly compensated.

It is always the grass is greener. But, from the inside of Horizon all is not well. We are short staffed to an extreme and not able to get time off. Though our pay rate is highest our work rules are bad. And because of the work rules our actual pay does not pencil out much higher than other top-tier regionals.

When I first started here I was very open to listening to our managers and thought the current pilots were just overly whiny. But, since being here a few years, wholly crap! Whole different perspective.

I do not necessarily wish for higher pay rates. However, when people keep saying industry average and that we should lower to it; isn't this just lowering the bar. A bar that says as an FO I should be getting paid poverty wages. Also, every other labor group at Alaska Air Group that has negotiated a contract in the last two years has had a pay raise. But, they apparently want the Horizon pilots to subsidize all this. And they are asking for a paycut when the air group is making a great deal of money, and in a downturn.

My wish is for improving and tightening the work rules. Mostly so that the majority of us in the Q400 aren't just getting the minimum 13 days off in a 35 day bid period. And so that we are actually able to drop legs or days every so often so that we can actually have a home life. And so that our reserve pilots aren't held hostage into their days off.

We'll be doing CAT II's soon without HUD's. We can do 1800 RVR now in most circumstances as a normal CAT I. I wish we had a full blown HUD, but the company is too stingy. For now we have to make do with VFR-only HUD's made by Rosen.

+1...I always hated having PM Reserve and then Crew Scheduling changing it to AM Reserve with a 4.30 showtime instead. Then you have 8/9 leg and 14/15 hour duty days...4 day trips that had 23/24 credit hours...deadheads in the middle of a trip for no reason...4/5 hour sits during the middle of the day...2 late arrivals with a reduced rest and then 2 early mornings...

Horizon's work rules need a lot of work, and there needs to be a house cleaning in the Chief Pilot's office. GS in Seattle is awesome, the others...I'll just hold my tongue there.

The pilot's at Horizon are a great group of guys and I miss flying with them.