Trans States
04-15-2015, 03:19 PM
#7621
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 2
Originally Posted by CBreezy
Right. This guy is not very smart.
"You're going to be a First Officer with a Captain qualification. but on the bottom of the senioirty list. You will be used where we neeed you but mostly as a Captain"
"Cool. So I get to only fly as a Captain with 18 days off a month? Sold."
"You're going to be a First Officer with a Captain qualification. but on the bottom of the senioirty list. You will be used where we neeed you but mostly as a Captain"
"Cool. So I get to only fly as a Captain with 18 days off a month? Sold."
I absolutely did not expect 14-16 days off or really any kind of QOL at all. My point was we were told we'd fly almost exclusively as captains, and thus make good money and gain valuable hours making the sacrifice in QOL worthwhile. Between flying almost exclusively from the right seat and payroll not honoring the pay structure we had been informed of we are not too happy.
My expectations of life as a CQFO at TSA were low to begin with, but it's been worse than I thought. They seem to live up to their crappiest reputations. As a veteran of RAH I thought I knew what a crappy regional was, but I have been proven wrong.
I hope this clears up any judgements that I'm a dingus with overwhelming unrealistic expectations.
04-15-2015, 03:35 PM
#7622
No idea whats going on
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 92
Originally Posted by CBreezy
To say that the management was woefully unprepared for this is an understatement. This has been embarrassing.
On the other hand, to say that you're the lowest paid Captains in the industry is false. With the exception of the mess the first month which should be addressed by the MOU waiting to be signed, you are not Captains. You are a first officer. You are paid a blended rate, a rate higher than any First Officer in the regionals, and when you fly as a Captain, you are paid as a captain. This was plainly laid out on here. There are many CQFO who have never seen the right seat.
On the other hand, to say that you're the lowest paid Captains in the industry is false. With the exception of the mess the first month which should be addressed by the MOU waiting to be signed, you are not Captains. You are a first officer. You are paid a blended rate, a rate higher than any First Officer in the regionals, and when you fly as a Captain, you are paid as a captain. This was plainly laid out on here. There are many CQFO who have never seen the right seat.
04-15-2015, 03:50 PM
#7623
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,067
Originally Posted by 3kids
Here we go again you trying to stick up for your crappy management group and how they are treating their employees or should I say how they are lying to their employees. Where is your buddy MavAvi8tr at to jump in and talk about how great TSA is and how great your new management group is. Oh were is your great ALPA union that is so strong? This place has been crappy and will always be crappy as I have stated before. Mark my words in 6 months this place will fall on its face over this new flying. Once again your airline is worse than mostly all regional as everyone has stated on multiple occasions. Stop trying to justify yourself and the crappy airline you work at and realize that TSA sucks. Your contract is weak and you have no one stepping up to represent these guys getting boned. Instead you jump on hear with your butt buddy MavAvi8tr and justify that sh%t hole place. I had many buddies at TSA years ago and they bailed because they finally realized all the things I stated above.
04-15-2015, 03:53 PM
#7624
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2014
Posts: 828
Hmm. Seems some of the warnings that several of us have warned about are coming to fruition. Transtates management is not to be trusted. This is from MANY former Transtates folks that have left there.
04-15-2015, 03:56 PM
#7625
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 10,067
Originally Posted by Hou757
Hmm. Seems some of the warnings that several of us have warned about are coming to fruition. Transtates management is not to be trusted. This is from MANY former Transtates folks that have left there.
04-15-2015, 05:22 PM
#7626
Banned
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 465
Originally Posted by GetOffMyCloud
First time posting here, and I felt compelled to share my experience at TSA since that's probably one of the purposes of this thread.
I left RAH and started at TSA in December as a CQFO. I was very excited to leave a stagnant airline and finally get my 4th stripe. Throughout my interview and while in training all I heard was that I'd probably never see the right seat, that the company has no grievances on file, and they are totally different now and want their pilots to be happy.
I've been online for a month now, and I feel like I've been had. The vast of my majority of flying has been in the right seat, and scheduling has put me through a great deal of misery already. My very first day of flying ended with them not having a hotel reservation, and we didn't get to the hotel (that I found) until 4am. Apparently it's protocol here to make sure you have a reservation.
I will say to their credit that the DO and chief pilots are good guys overall, and if you keep your nose clean they will have your back; however, these guys don't have a direct impact on your QOL. The folks that do, such as payroll and scheduling, are not so nice. Apparently us CQFOs were hired without anything officially explaining our pay structure, so we've all been getting hosed while we wait for an elusive MOU to get signed. As far as schedule goes the reserve rules here are atrocious, and scheduling doesn't have any willingness to help you out at all. For example, on my last day of reserve I once asked to be released 50 min early to make my flight home, and they denied me that privilege.
TSA is growing like crazy, and it's probably a good place for a new regional FO since he/she will probably get a fast upgrade, but you might want to look into other places with a quick upgrade. I find a lot of TSA pilots like to say, "Well, it's better than it used to be" and talk about the cancellation pay and overtime compensation. That isn't good consolation for the fact that this is a crappy place to work. I know they aren't currently hiring CQFOs, but if they do again in the future, and you are thinking about it I would think long and hard (giggity) about it first because if you're like me and had 14-16 days off with a good line then QOL at TSA is going to be a rude awakening, and this CQFO is personally not sure if giving that up was worth the "upgrade".
Hey Bedford, if you're reading this PM about giving me my job and seniority back.
I left RAH and started at TSA in December as a CQFO. I was very excited to leave a stagnant airline and finally get my 4th stripe. Throughout my interview and while in training all I heard was that I'd probably never see the right seat, that the company has no grievances on file, and they are totally different now and want their pilots to be happy.
I've been online for a month now, and I feel like I've been had. The vast of my majority of flying has been in the right seat, and scheduling has put me through a great deal of misery already. My very first day of flying ended with them not having a hotel reservation, and we didn't get to the hotel (that I found) until 4am. Apparently it's protocol here to make sure you have a reservation.
I will say to their credit that the DO and chief pilots are good guys overall, and if you keep your nose clean they will have your back; however, these guys don't have a direct impact on your QOL. The folks that do, such as payroll and scheduling, are not so nice. Apparently us CQFOs were hired without anything officially explaining our pay structure, so we've all been getting hosed while we wait for an elusive MOU to get signed. As far as schedule goes the reserve rules here are atrocious, and scheduling doesn't have any willingness to help you out at all. For example, on my last day of reserve I once asked to be released 50 min early to make my flight home, and they denied me that privilege.
TSA is growing like crazy, and it's probably a good place for a new regional FO since he/she will probably get a fast upgrade, but you might want to look into other places with a quick upgrade. I find a lot of TSA pilots like to say, "Well, it's better than it used to be" and talk about the cancellation pay and overtime compensation. That isn't good consolation for the fact that this is a crappy place to work. I know they aren't currently hiring CQFOs, but if they do again in the future, and you are thinking about it I would think long and hard (giggity) about it first because if you're like me and had 14-16 days off with a good line then QOL at TSA is going to be a rude awakening, and this CQFO is personally not sure if giving that up was worth the "upgrade".
Hey Bedford, if you're reading this PM about giving me my job and seniority back.
Ya'll do you realize the lions share of growth isn't even here yet right? Give it time. As Breezy said… as we've all said… the implementation of everything has been lackluster to put it mildly. This whole thing has screwed a lot of current FO's too. We are making less than you do, and you're on first year pay. So I apologize if I really don't give two sh!ts about your problems with the payroll department.
Originally Posted by KyleMyers
Unfortunately, you're right. It feels like we've all been duped. Regarding pay, TSA management has found a way to completely circumvent the pilot contract with CQFO's, exploiting their current pilots right along with the CQFO's that signed up for the position. We were told in the interview that we would be paid CA rates any time we were used as a CA. That sounds great, until you come out of training and start being used as a reserve. Many, many times, we've been called to sit airport reserve and been told, verbatim, we're sitting airport reserve as a CA. The payroll department has refused extensively to compensate us for that time at CA rates, and only paying us for block time used as a CA.
So even though all of us the first month were put on the CA reserve list every day, used only as CA's, and sat reserve all month as CA's, they will not pay us as CA's. This hoses current and fully upgraded CA's the most, and undermines the entire industry. Not only are we now being put on the FO list and not included in CA reserve coverage (allowing trip trades/drops and better schedules for current CA's), but they are circumventing the min day reserve pay section of the contract and having CQFO's sit CA reserve schedules at $43 / hr, making us officially the lowest paid CA's in the industry. This whole thing has been one heck of a mess, but it's made all of us want to move on even more so. Good luck to everybody.
So even though all of us the first month were put on the CA reserve list every day, used only as CA's, and sat reserve all month as CA's, they will not pay us as CA's. This hoses current and fully upgraded CA's the most, and undermines the entire industry. Not only are we now being put on the FO list and not included in CA reserve coverage (allowing trip trades/drops and better schedules for current CA's), but they are circumventing the min day reserve pay section of the contract and having CQFO's sit CA reserve schedules at $43 / hr, making us officially the lowest paid CA's in the industry. This whole thing has been one heck of a mess, but it's made all of us want to move on even more so. Good luck to everybody.
Also, as Breezy said, the company is working on an MOU. I apologize that there are more important things going on in the STC than dealing with your issue. Have you been in there recently? It's a sh!t show. I'm not defending them at all on the pay issue, but give it some time to see how it all plays out. Just because you've been on line for 15 minutes and you flew 10 of them as an FO doesn't mean you won't be used primarily as a Captain. The major growth spurt is just beginning.
Ya'll will be compensated accordingly when the MOU is out.
Originally Posted by CBreezy
To say that the management was woefully unprepared for this is an understatement. This has been embarrassing.
On the other hand, to say that you're the lowest paid Captains in the industry is false. With the exception of the mess the first month which should be addressed by the MOU waiting to be signed, you are not Captains. You are a first officer. You are paid a blended rate, a rate higher than any First Officer in the regionals, and when you fly as a Captain, you are paid as a captain. This was plainly laid out on here. There are many CQFO who have never seen the right seat.
On the other hand, to say that you're the lowest paid Captains in the industry is false. With the exception of the mess the first month which should be addressed by the MOU waiting to be signed, you are not Captains. You are a first officer. You are paid a blended rate, a rate higher than any First Officer in the regionals, and when you fly as a Captain, you are paid as a captain. This was plainly laid out on here. There are many CQFO who have never seen the right seat.
Originally Posted by 3kids
Here we go again you trying to stick up for your crappy management group and how they are treating their employees or should I say how they are lying to their employees. Where is your buddy MavAvi8tr at to jump in and talk about how great TSA is and how great your new management group is. Oh were is your great ALPA union that is so strong? This place has been crappy and will always be crappy as I have stated before. Mark my words in 6 months this place will fall on its face over this new flying. Once again your airline is worse than mostly all regional as everyone has stated on multiple occasions. Stop trying to justify yourself and the crappy airline you work at and realize that TSA sucks. Your contract is weak and you have no one stepping up to represent these guys getting boned. Instead you jump on hear with your butt buddy MavAvi8tr and justify that sh%t hole place. I had many buddies at TSA years ago and they bailed because they finally realized all the things I stated above.
Well outside of a few CQFO's whining that they aren't Street Captains how many guys from TSA do you see on here ****ing and moaning 24/7? Not very many. It's growing pains, and there will be plenty more. Take the opportunity and suck it up. I have buddies at Compass that say the operation up there is being run close to the same way. I also have buddies at XJet watching bases close, and their airplanes dis appear. I'll take my sh!t hole job at my sh!t hole company and my quick upgrade on move on.
I wouldn't hold your breath on this deal not working out. We are still pumping plenty through training with plenty more awaiting training. Time will tell, but my guess is this place will be just fine.
People will get their money, but I can guarantee you a few CQFO's complaints is no where near the top of the priority list in the STC. Call it sticking up for the company, I really don't care. The fact is I've been here awhile as well, have been screwed on this CQFO deal, and I'm not on here crying like a 4 year old. It's life, act like a big boy… oh wait it's the interwebz
BTW, how in the hell do I get flagged for inappropriate language and flame bait, when this tool is spewing garbage too?
04-15-2015, 06:12 PM
#7627
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,137
Looks like TSA will be at sun-n-fun this year recruiting for CQFO. I thought the program was over?
Captain Qualified First Officers
-
Must have ATP with at least one type
rating. 3,500 total time. 1,000 hours FAR 121.436 Part 121/ 135/ 91 time.
1,000 hours turbine time.
First Officers
-
must have R-ATP mins and a valid first class medical. We
will pay for the CPT
-
ATP if needed.
Captain Qualified First Officers
-
Must have ATP with at least one type
rating. 3,500 total time. 1,000 hours FAR 121.436 Part 121/ 135/ 91 time.
1,000 hours turbine time.
First Officers
-
must have R-ATP mins and a valid first class medical. We
will pay for the CPT
-
ATP if needed.
04-15-2015, 06:13 PM
#7628
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Posts: 47
@mav
None of us CQFO's are complaining that we aren't street CA's. In fact, we all knew very well coming in to this just exactly what it meant to come in on the bottom on the seniority list. None of us expected to have 18 days off and by any means. What we DID expect was for the things that were told to us in the interview and training process to be honored. What was told to us (and weighed heavily in the hard decisions we had to make leaving other airlines) and what has actually happened have been two separate things. So yes, we do have a right to complain.
I also understand that a few FO's that do have the time to upgrade have been bypassed. They are receiving bypass pay meanwhile holding a great schedule. I fail to understand how any CQFO is screwing anyone over. In fact, when the FO's senior to us get the time to upgrade, they likely will do so and go straight into a line. We are sitting reserve for THEM, right now. They won't have to. I would be ecstatic if I were in their situation. Also, CQFO's are absolutely needed to support the growth currently scheduled, so it's been somewhat surprising how poorly we've been treated.
And lastly, when you say you are sick of hearing about CQFO's complaining, I'll just leave you with this. Please understand the reason we ARE complaining is why we are qualified to be Captains, and you are not. For ALL of us, this absolutely is not our first rodeo. Most of us have extensive time at other airlines. A lot of us have extensive (read 4-5000 hours) in the EMB-145. We are older for the most part, and have spent many years in the industry. As you get older you are just less likely to put up with bull hit. Thats where we are. We are all grateful to have the opportunity we've gotten, but we just expect the things that we were told leading to the reasons we decided to come here, to be honored. I hope you can understand that.
None of us CQFO's are complaining that we aren't street CA's. In fact, we all knew very well coming in to this just exactly what it meant to come in on the bottom on the seniority list. None of us expected to have 18 days off and by any means. What we DID expect was for the things that were told to us in the interview and training process to be honored. What was told to us (and weighed heavily in the hard decisions we had to make leaving other airlines) and what has actually happened have been two separate things. So yes, we do have a right to complain.
I also understand that a few FO's that do have the time to upgrade have been bypassed. They are receiving bypass pay meanwhile holding a great schedule. I fail to understand how any CQFO is screwing anyone over. In fact, when the FO's senior to us get the time to upgrade, they likely will do so and go straight into a line. We are sitting reserve for THEM, right now. They won't have to. I would be ecstatic if I were in their situation. Also, CQFO's are absolutely needed to support the growth currently scheduled, so it's been somewhat surprising how poorly we've been treated.
And lastly, when you say you are sick of hearing about CQFO's complaining, I'll just leave you with this. Please understand the reason we ARE complaining is why we are qualified to be Captains, and you are not. For ALL of us, this absolutely is not our first rodeo. Most of us have extensive time at other airlines. A lot of us have extensive (read 4-5000 hours) in the EMB-145. We are older for the most part, and have spent many years in the industry. As you get older you are just less likely to put up with bull hit. Thats where we are. We are all grateful to have the opportunity we've gotten, but we just expect the things that we were told leading to the reasons we decided to come here, to be honored. I hope you can understand that.
04-15-2015, 06:43 PM
#7629
Banned
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 465
Originally Posted by KyleMyers
@mav
None of us CQFO's are complaining that we aren't street CA's. In fact, we all knew very well coming in to this just exactly what it meant to come in on the bottom on the seniority list. None of us expected to have 18 days off and by any means. What we DID expect was for the things that were told to us in the interview and training process to be honored. What was told to us (and weighed heavily in the hard decisions we had to make leaving other airlines) and what has actually happened have been two separate things. So yes, we do have a right to complain.
I also understand that a few FO's that do have the time to upgrade have been bypassed. They are receiving bypass pay meanwhile holding a great schedule. I fail to understand how any CQFO is screwing anyone over. In fact, when the FO's senior to us get the time to upgrade, they likely will do so and go straight into a line. We are sitting reserve for THEM, right now. They won't have to. I would be ecstatic if I were in their situation. Also, CQFO's are absolutely needed to support the growth currently scheduled, so it's been somewhat surprising how poorly we've been treated.
And lastly, when you say you are sick of hearing about CQFO's complaining, I'll just leave you with this. Please understand the reason we ARE complaining is why we are qualified to be Captains, and you are not. For ALL of us, this absolutely is not our first rodeo. Most of us have extensive time at other airlines. A lot of us have extensive (read 4-5000 hours) in the EMB-145. We are older for the most part, and have spent many years in the industry. As you get older you are just less likely to put up with bull hit. Thats where we are. We are all grateful to have the opportunity we've gotten, but we just expect the things that we were told leading to the reasons we decided to come here, to be honored. I hope you can understand that.
None of us CQFO's are complaining that we aren't street CA's. In fact, we all knew very well coming in to this just exactly what it meant to come in on the bottom on the seniority list. None of us expected to have 18 days off and by any means. What we DID expect was for the things that were told to us in the interview and training process to be honored. What was told to us (and weighed heavily in the hard decisions we had to make leaving other airlines) and what has actually happened have been two separate things. So yes, we do have a right to complain.
I also understand that a few FO's that do have the time to upgrade have been bypassed. They are receiving bypass pay meanwhile holding a great schedule. I fail to understand how any CQFO is screwing anyone over. In fact, when the FO's senior to us get the time to upgrade, they likely will do so and go straight into a line. We are sitting reserve for THEM, right now. They won't have to. I would be ecstatic if I were in their situation. Also, CQFO's are absolutely needed to support the growth currently scheduled, so it's been somewhat surprising how poorly we've been treated.
And lastly, when you say you are sick of hearing about CQFO's complaining, I'll just leave you with this. Please understand the reason we ARE complaining is why we are qualified to be Captains, and you are not. For ALL of us, this absolutely is not our first rodeo. Most of us have extensive time at other airlines. A lot of us have extensive (read 4-5000 hours) in the EMB-145. We are older for the most part, and have spent many years in the industry. As you get older you are just less likely to put up with bull hit. Thats where we are. We are all grateful to have the opportunity we've gotten, but we just expect the things that we were told leading to the reasons we decided to come here, to be honored. I hope you can understand that.
04-15-2015, 06:49 PM
#7630
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 558
The 2 major complaints seem to be scheduling and payroll. Both are a problem and need to be addressed. For what it's worth, these are not just limited to CQFO's. There are some flat out nasty people who work in scheduling, while some are just new and have no idea what they are doing. The payroll department (one person) has been atrocious. I have had to file greivances the past 2 months for cancellation pay. She doesn't even respond to emails anymore. Yea, I'm frustrated with this as well. With this being said, I'm confident KS will right the ship and get things running smoothly.
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