From what I'm told, the previous acceptance rate has been about 20%, and it is anticipated that most, if not all, of the people that accept will fit into those two classes. Houston is apparently in dire straits vis à vis staffing, and somehow this pilot shortage is a surprise. Personally, I don't understand how staffing could unintentionally get to be so bad. It's not like the number of flights or size of the roster wasn't known months ago. Anyway, the story I get is that additional classes will be added. If a large number accept, and somebody doesn't get a class, they essentially go into a pool. First year pay will suck, but that's not news. Most of my classmates are bypassing, but I think I've had enough globetrotting.

 

From what list? Seniority?

 

I know there's UAL recall rights etc...but are you saying there is a pool for UAL new hires, that bypass the L-CAL offer?

 

He's just saying that if there isn't room for the most junior pilots in the first two classes, they will be put in the next available class(s).

 

"Don't understand how staffing could unintentionally get to be so bad", I hope this enlightens you......

Bottom line, this is NOTHING new. All one has to do it look at how UCH Mgt attempted to run CAL's staffing for 2011. They once again have chosen to tempt fate by cutting staffing to razor-thin margins for 2012. Even more so than than last summer, 2012 has proven to burn the company left and right as evidence of the "constant" VJM offers, and regular cancelations.

Following the summer of 2011 (that barely limped by), the Union explicted 'reminded' the company flat out that they WOULD NOT be able to staff the company's anticipated flying numbers for Summer Flying of 2012. Even as early as this Spring, Capt Fox would make his weekly visit to GS-Recurrents to deliver the "state of the union". In doing so, he informed the ranks that Company imposed Summer Staffing Plans would fall short of flying requirements. I heard this myself back in February, 2012. On their own accord (Capt Freddy Abbott, along with Manpower Planning's, Chip Benton), the company STILL elected to once again "push the limits" on staffing as they did in 2011, thus the utter failure that we are seeing now in 2012. Some things never change, and lessons are never learned......."20lbs of flying in a 5lbs bag is just not working".

Bottom line.....Capt Abbott's repeated inability to plan/staff his workforce properly in which to operate it's day-to-day ops falls squarely on his OWN shoulders. The current "lack of staffing" is NOT a surprise, and one that he himself chose to foster.

Honestly/sadly, this is all no surprise.

 

Does anybody know how many times we can bypass? Letter went to my parents house and I'm on the road and haven't seen it.

 

U bypass once, then you are responsible for informing ual when u want to come back and they will fit u in when they can

 

Thanks. Is that stated in the letter?

 

yes........

 

Yes... long story....