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Sailor 02-11-2009 09:12 AM

Spirit of NKS
 
So, I guess nothing for APR or MAY, maybe 15-20 pilots for JUN.

A buddy of mine went to the ALPo meeting yesterday. He is furlough just like me, and wanted to get an update on things...

HAHAHAHA, he said that the Tab was running strong, thx to ALPo...also that people were just making small groups, chatting, drinking, checking out Blackberry's.

He said, no mention of:

Arbitrator, 4-5 day off, Company Status, Airplanes, Destinations, Recalls, Schedules...
...but good drinks and great company.

I am confused.:confused:

captscott26 02-11-2009 09:19 AM


Originally Posted by Sailor (Post 556752)
So, I guess nothing for APR or MAY, maybe 15-20 pilots for JUN.

A buddy of mine went to the ALPo meeting yesterday. He is furlough just like me, and wanted to get an update on things...

HAHAHAHA, he said that the Tab was running strong, thx to ALPo...also that people were just making small groups, chatting, drinking, checking out Blackberry's.

He said, no mention of:

Arbitrator, 4-5 day off, Company Status, Airplanes, Destinations, Recalls, Schedules...
...but good drinks and great company.

I am confused.:confused:

Definately nothing for April, but I am expecting a recall for May. I believe the company was planning on recalling for March but instead decided on closing SJU and LGA, which resulted in more efficiency with the schedules....enough to cover the March increase. We have a similar, if not bigger, increase May 1st. FLL-LAS, FLL-LAX, FLL-SJU, MCO-SJU, ACY-BOS all will start or expand service in May. Looking at the bid packet for March, there are 30 reserves in FLL, 7 in ACY, and 9 in DTW. Im not saying we should expect a big recall, and this is just my opinion, but I do believe we will need more crew on line for May 1st.

FDXCapt 02-11-2009 10:27 AM


Originally Posted by Sailor (Post 556752)
He said, no mention of:

Arbitrator, 4-5 day off, Company Status, Airplanes, Destinations, Recalls, Schedules...
...but good drinks and great company.

I am confused.:confused:

Sailor,
Many of us have been in your shoes - more than once. It stinks. You are correct, accurate information will help through the tough times. Your pilot group's furlough coordinator should have the answers to your questions. The list of names/emails of each airlines coordinator, along with additional furlough information, can be found on the ALPA Furloughed Pilots Support Program website.

BoredwLife 02-11-2009 11:23 AM


Originally Posted by FDXCapt (Post 556835)
Sailor,
Many of us have been in your shoes - more than once. It stinks. You are correct, accurate information will help through the tough times. Your pilot group's furlough coordinator should have the answers to your questions. The list of names/emails of each airlines coordinator, along with additional furlough information, can be found on the ALPA Furloughed Pilots Support Program website.


First I have to chuckle at the thought of us actually haveing someone who cares about those of us on the street. Or union representation, from what I can tell, is basicly suciding our pilot group for their own egos.

The new rumor is all DTW flying going away and the planes and pilots moving down to FLL. This has been going around for a bit (talks of RAH doing what they do best). If this was to happen it would be pretty easy to cover all of the new flying.

I used to be hopeful but now its time to move on. I suggest you do the same.

taylorjets 02-11-2009 05:14 PM

I agree
 

Originally Posted by BoredwLife (Post 556868)
First I have to chuckle at the thought of us actually haveing someone who cares about those of us on the street. Or union representation, from what I can tell, is basicly suciding our pilot group for their own egos.

The new rumor is all DTW flying going away and the planes and pilots moving down to FLL. This has been going around for a bit (talks of RAH doing what they do best). If this was to happen it would be pretty easy to cover all of the new flying.

I used to be hopeful but now its time to move on. I suggest you do the same.



Too many FO's picking up open time.

Sailor 02-12-2009 05:28 AM

Expected!!

Merlyn 02-12-2009 07:42 AM


Originally Posted by Sailor (Post 556752)
So, I guess nothing for APR or MAY, maybe 15-20 pilots for JUN.

He said, no mention of:

Arbitrator, 4-5 day off, Company Status, Airplanes, Destinations, Recalls, Schedules...
...but good drinks and great company.

I am confused.:confused:

I was at that meeting and all those things were discussed. All the reps were there including one man from ALPA national. I moved around and talked to most of them or listened in to the discussions going on in small groups.

captscott26 02-12-2009 09:55 AM


Originally Posted by Merlyn (Post 557550)
I was at that meeting and all those things were discussed. All the reps were there including one man from ALPA national. I moved around and talked to most of them or listened in to the discussions going on in small groups.

Care to share anything that you learned, or what specifically was discussed about those topics.

Sailor 02-12-2009 10:03 AM

Thx Merlyn, feel much better now that you found the meeting very constructive. I was not able to go, money and such, but glad to hear that my buddy was wrong about the meeting.

Respectfully
Furlough pilot.

Balder 02-14-2009 07:26 AM

Found the meeting contructive, as well, regarding our strategy towards managements antics. But not much solid information out there about Spirits plans and intentions these days. Not from our union reps, not from our management.
Wait and see.... Hope to have all you furloughees back soon.

Sailor 02-14-2009 08:08 AM

Maybe we'll hear something around May!!

bubi352 02-14-2009 11:57 AM

Are there any other clues other than an increase in trips that would point out to a recall? I am a little out of the loop.

Sailor 02-14-2009 01:04 PM

You, Me, our Union and the company seems to be out of the loop, nobody knows, what the hell is going on, rumors run high as always, like I said..we''ll have to wait for news around May.

bubi352 02-14-2009 03:23 PM

I hear you. I was expecting a little more from our beloved company but I guess I was being naive.

Sailor 02-16-2009 08:09 AM

I've learn that the only love around one is your immediate family, there are, I think, one or two Co. in our country that truly love their employees. If I only knew who they were!!!

The pilot group at NK with the ALPO rep. are talking about a possible Strike. We as furlough pilots just want to earn a check to live our lives. The majority of us hired at NK last year gave up some serious seniority to come here. Better pay, AC, Schedules, Upgrades, ETC.

But none of us came here because they showed us how much they love their employees.

You are not naive Bubi, just like me and others, we made the right career choices at the wrong time, you can call it, unlucky!!

Keep you chin up, help out at home anyway you can, stay the Fuk away from NEWS MEDIA and THE MSG BOARDS since they will drive you to a complete Jack "the Shinning" Nicholson very quick.

And remember that good times will come back.

Cheers Mate, and rent Blazing Saddles, it will put a smile on you, we all need some laughter.

bubi352 02-17-2009 10:41 AM

Just curious, what is the attrition rate? Have some of our pilots gone to better things? I remember Etihad came in November in Miami to interview some of our FOs and CAs.

Short Bus Drive 02-17-2009 11:00 AM

Also heard some are going back to AA (American Airlines, not Alcohol. Anon.:p)

skybolt 02-17-2009 12:31 PM


Originally Posted by bubi352 (Post 561022)
Just curious, what is the attrition rate? Have some of our pilots gone to better things? I remember Etihad came in November in Miami to interview some of our FOs and CAs.

Attrition among those Spirit pilots who do not have a recall position at other airlines is almost Zero.

A few like the lawman left before the furloughs because they thought that age 60 going away gave them a window of opportunity to use their airbus rating to move into widebody equipment. Some of the pilots on or near the bottom took voluntary leaves/furloughs because doing so offered them a way to explore other options while maintaining a seniority number. Most of us had/have nowhere to go unless we are willing to go to the bottom of some very large list. Being on the bottom of any list in tough economic times is ulcer inducing, especially if you had to sacrific seniority elsewhere to get that low number. Some of the members on this board did just that, but they were pursuing a long time dream as well as looking for better. For someone like me who never had a major of choice (not even SWA when I got started, I just wanted to make a good living flying airplanes), leaving the left seat at Spirit just doesn't make any sense.

skybolt 02-17-2009 12:32 PM


Originally Posted by Short Bus Drive (Post 561042)
Also heard some are going back to AA (American Airlines, not Alcohol. Anon.:p)

I hear the same. Three who had previously bypassed the AA recall have now accepted.

bubi352 02-17-2009 02:56 PM

Skybolt you are right. It does not make sense now but there are some good opportunities abroad. Or at least it appears. I met several FOs and CAs from Spirit (don't know them personally) who said they had interviews lined up with Etihad, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways. In view of the current economic situation, it's far from being a bad choice.

A320Flyer 02-18-2009 01:37 PM


Originally Posted by bubi352 (Post 561214)
Skybolt you are right. It does not make sense now but there are some good opportunities abroad. Or at least it appears. I met several FOs and CAs from Spirit (don't know them personally) who said they had interviews lined up with Etihad, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways. In view of the current economic situation, it's far from being a bad choice.

Let me re-post after being censored for an alleged "profane" word...

Tell you what. I had to go out there to check it out. I interviewed with two of the three airlines you listed and canceled the other one. Myself and most of the Americans that were out there did not like what they saw. On the A320's: 8 days off a month, mostly red-eyes, no bidding system, no true criteria for upgrade or fleet transfer (it's partly merit based), hat and suit patrol, if you're single don't plan on finding a girlfriend... and many other cultural shock issues (killer traffic, living in compound, listening to the 5-times-a-day prayers on loud speakers, etc). Now, I understand that having a job beats not having one. Personally, I'd rather fly checks for Flight Express here in the States, then fly A320's for any one of those airlines. Europeans take the job because they are WAY closer to home than we are. Even so, I met several brits, that had jobs in Europe (Easyjet, RyanAir, etc.) that said screw this ...

Blue skies!

johnso29 02-18-2009 01:41 PM


Originally Posted by A320Flyer (Post 562074)
Let me re-post after being censored for alleged "profane" language. Welcome to the Socialist States of America... Anyway...


Tell you what. I had to go out there to check it out. I interviewed with two of the three airlines you listed and canceled the other one. Myself and most of the Americans that were out there did not like what they saw. On the A320's: 8 days off a month, mostly red-eyes, no bidding system, no true criteria for upgrade or fleet transfer (it's partly merit based), hat and suit patrol, if you're single don't plan on finding a girlfriend... and many other cultural shock issues (killer traffic, living in compound, listening to the 5-times-a-day prayers on loud speakers, etc). Now, I understand that having a job beats not having one. Personally, I'd rather fly checks for Flight Express here in the States, then fly A320's for any one of those airlines. Europeans take the job because they are WAY closer to home than we are. Even so, I met several brits, that had jobs in Europe (Easyjet, RyanAir, etc.) that said screw this ...

Blue skies!


Good Luck! My guess is even they are not hiring.:(:(

A320Flyer 02-18-2009 01:54 PM


Originally Posted by johnso29 (Post 562078)
Good Luck! My guess is even they are not hiring.:(:(

Actually, I think they might be...

Employment at Flight Express, Inc.

bubi352 02-21-2009 06:38 PM

Nothing new?

Sailor 02-22-2009 06:26 AM

Yeah, there is a MEC letter out talking about CN's cumming to a Halt after something like 30 yrs or shi#, and to be ready for PREPARE...I just don't know, I had and "idea" of what we wanted to accomplish, now I am absolutely lost, Contract, Company, 4-5 day off shi#, lines. work rules, buying a/c, returning a/c, new cities, cxlng cities....

Who that fuk knows who wants what.

captscott26 02-22-2009 07:48 AM


Originally Posted by Sailor (Post 564620)
Yeah, there is a MEC letter out talking about CN's cumming to a Halt after something like 30 yrs or shi#, and to be ready for PREPARE...I just don't know, I had and "idea" of what we wanted to accomplish, now I am absolutely lost, Contract, Company, 4-5 day off shi#, lines. work rules, buying a/c, returning a/c, new cities, cxlng cities....

Who that fuk knows who wants what.

Its really not that complicated...

We want a contract with a fair pay raise without giving away the farm. We want our 4 days off returned to us as our contract allows. The company and pilots want new airplanes.

The last negotiating update said the mediator now refuses to meet again until the company "stops the B.S.". Now things get interesting!

Sailor 02-22-2009 08:08 AM

Don't we all want something?, I agree with you is not that complicated, and thx for that clarification....

But when things stop been complicated between Co's and Unions...

bubi352 02-22-2009 09:17 AM

Educate me. Our company has used every trick possible to stall negotiations. Now the mediator says he will get back to us when the company stop the b.s. What prevents the company from stopping? Could they just continue with their tactics and not be affected? Our we finally going to get somewhere?

A320Flyer 02-22-2009 10:19 AM

www.spiritmadness.com

captscott26 02-22-2009 12:40 PM


Originally Posted by bubi352 (Post 564720)
Educate me. Our company has used every trick possible to stall negotiations. Now the mediator says he will get back to us when the company stop the b.s. What prevents the company from stopping? Could they just continue with their tactics and not be affected? Our we finally going to get somewhere?

The company's goal is to keep the current contract in tact for as long as possible, while trying every union busting trick in the book to get us to agree to a huge concessionary contract. We will not agree to such a contract, and the company is now coming to the end of their little game....the mediator is fed up with the company, and the NMB is now in the unions favor. If Indigo doesn't want to lose every dime of their investment, they will have to negotiate a fair contract with the pilots in the next few months.

We need to make sure, now more than ever, that the Spirit Pilots speak together, with one voice, and show Indigo we are serious about this.

bubi352 02-22-2009 01:49 PM

Thanks guys. This is what I thought but with everything the company has done so far I was expecting to see more of the same. I can't wait to see this unfold. :D

skybolt 02-22-2009 08:23 PM


Originally Posted by captscott26 (Post 564849)
We will not agree to such a contract, and the company is now coming to the end of their little game....the mediator is fed up with the company, and the NMB is now in the unions favor.



Mediators mediate. Mediators do not dicate, if they did they would be called dictators.

The mediator has failed if the negotiations break down. What makes you think that the mediator has any interest in anything other than perpetuating the NMB bureaucracy?

Mediators tell each side what that side want's to hear.

Don't be so gullible.


Yes, the NMB is in, or will soon be in labors favor. So I have to ask why we would want to ask for a release at the time when we might be able to use the newly labor friendly system board arbitrators to our advantage in the arbitration process.

The biggest reason most Spirit pilots are mad is that the company is running roughshod over the current contract. Once Obama changes the makeup of the NMB, we will be able to stop them from running over our contract. That will give us the true advantage, and advantage that we should be able to take to the bank.

BoredwLife 02-22-2009 09:15 PM


Originally Posted by skybolt (Post 565134)
Once Obama changes the makeup of the NMB, we will be able to stop them from running over our contract. That will give us the true advantage, and advantage that we should be able to take to the bank.


I expect that to happen sometime around year 3...





IN HIS SECOND TERM!!!!:eek: Don't hold your breath for anything to change.

flyingtigermco 02-23-2009 06:43 AM

I would agree with Bored. I'm sure that is about number 239 on his list of top 10 priorities.

Sailor 02-23-2009 08:36 AM

We have turned into a nation of official DOOM and GLOOM...I love IT:D:D:D

Balder 02-24-2009 04:56 PM


Originally Posted by skybolt (Post 565134)
Mediators mediate. Mediators do not dicate, if they did they would be called dictators.

The mediator has failed if the negotiations break down. What makes you think that the mediator has any interest in anything other than perpetuating the NMB bureaucracy?

Mediators tell each side what that side want's to hear.

Don't be so gullible.


Yes, the NMB is in, or will soon be in labors favor. So I have to ask why we would want to ask for a release at the time when we might be able to use the newly labor friendly system board arbitrators to our advantage in the arbitration process.

The biggest reason most Spirit pilots are mad is that the company is running roughshod over the current contract. Once Obama changes the makeup of the NMB, we will be able to stop them from running over our contract. That will give us the true advantage, and advantage that we should be able to take to the bank.

Skybolt, I thing you are contradicting yourself somewhat. Correct, the mediator cannot dictate much, the makeup of the NMB is irrelevant.
Our true advantage will be our own fortitude. Do we have the smarts and the guts to stand together to take this down to the wire? Can we put our petty differences a side?
It's up to us...

Sailor 02-25-2009 08:35 AM

4-5 days off won by pilots, now the waiting game for the amount of crews needed to cover the flying, some say 12 more pilots, I guess we will have to wait and see.
It'll be interesting to know when will this take effect, my guess is for APR flying. Since MAR lines are done.

Never the less, good news are always welcome.

captscott26 02-25-2009 08:48 AM


Originally Posted by Sailor (Post 566837)
4-5 days off won by pilots, now the waiting game for the amount of crews needed to cover the flying, some say 12 more pilots, I guess we will have to wait and see.
It'll be interesting to know when will this take effect, my guess is for APR flying. Since MAR lines are done.

Never the less, good news are always welcome.

Is it official, I haven't seen anything in writing yet.

BoredwLife 02-25-2009 09:00 AM

It is being reported as official on the spirit pilot board.

captscott26 02-25-2009 09:09 AM

Oh, well that does it......it MUST be true!!! :)

...jk, I hope it results in some recalls!


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