ugh, this is us, below, we're kind of the same, we turn a screw on a damn assembly line:
Want proof, don't turn that screw like they told you and see what happens.
The nature of what we do as pilots is that we promise to take that plane fly it to the place you told us to fly it and be within these tolerances and to operate it based on these proven and safe procedures. Then we hand it off and the next two guys do the same, then they hand it off, and the next two guys do it the same. There may be some variation in PA's, attitude, consistency of landing, overall smoothness, etc, but if everyone does their job then you should not be able to tell them apart. That's the goal.
So if you're not supposed to tell people apart, how do you reward them based on merit? You don't. What you do, however, is not hire those who you deem not to meet your requirements and you don't pass those who do not meet your requirements.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PBSG
I gotta disagree on the elimination of the seniority system. Yeah, it sucks if your company goes TU with no fault of your own, however this industry was, is and always be who you know to get with a good major or company. The senority allows a continuous movement up (albeit it slowly), from reserve to line-holder FO, from FO to CA, weekends off, etc. Having management cherrypick who upgrades, who gets what equipment, who is a lineholder vs. reserve would be a disaster. So I'm gonna work for a company for say 15 years, finally upgrade, then have the CP friend who just lost his job go ahead of me because "he a good ol' boy."? Am I gonna have HR plug in someone ahead of me because "We need more black/female/gay/whatever Captains, so your gonna have to wait to upgrade". No thanks. Senority lists has it's problems, but the alternative is much worse.
^^^ 100% agree
Quote:
Originally Posted by GlobeTreker
What would stop you from taking your skill and experience as a captain to another airline then? The only thing holding people back from leaving crappy companies now is the prospect of starting all over again at year 1 pay.
It blows my mind so many supposedly intelligent and educated pilots ignore the world outside of aviation. Do you think most professionals who voluntarily leave one company for another automatically take a pay cut? Take your blinders off friend. Our seniority system IS holding us all back.
^^^ It blows my mind that any supposedly intelligent and educated pilot couldn't understand why seniority exists.
Do you know most companys hire middle management from within only?
And do they do it on merit? Not always. Sometimes its because someone has been there longer. Sometimes its sexist or racist or another -ist. Want that open ended loosey-goosey system to manage 12,000 pilots at Delta alone? Not to mention 68 categories of schedule bidding every month and daily trip assignments and reassignments?!?
What about vacation? I want Christmas and July 4th, where do I go lobby for that? Who do I pay? Who should I send gift cards too?
And what happens when its time to furlough? Hmm? Sounds like a fun place to be. Sure those lawsuits would be flying.
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I think the NSL is a nonstarter. I mean a Captain at CAL decides he wants to be an AMR Captain, AMR is about to have a bid with 737 openings, CAL Captain applies, he gets an interview, whats the guy got to say?
CAL Pilot: I'm a great Captain! I've got 20 years of accident free flying! I'm typed! I know how to be an airline pilot. I never call in sick unless I'm sick. I'll be committed to you. I'd love to be based in Dallas!
AMR HR: Well, we have thousands of great Captains and thousands of great FO's who'd like to be a Captain. 20 years accident free, 99.99% of our pilots are accident free too. And whether your typed or not doesn't matter, we've still got to send you through our training. And yes, all of our pilots are airline pilots too and they know how to do it. We have lots of people who never call in sick. If you were committed, where were you 20 years ago? Or 18, or 14, or 10? You'd love to be in Dallas? So would a lot of our Miami, San Juan, New York, etc. pilots.
Nonstarter unless you think an airline views their FO's as incomptent and poor hire choices. Then I concede an NSL might have a purpose.