Spoke personally with G.F., the IAH CP this week......

Stating the obvious, he said the publishing of the bid is busting at the seam. ALPA & the Company still meet to work on the details of new basing as this is a variable in the bid (Yes, No....TDY to start, NO TDY to start???). According to G.F., Man-Power Plannings head, Chip Benton has about hit the trigger point on having to do something with this impending bid as it's beyond due & the training coupled with the aircraft deliveries needs to be in place on paper as of "yesterday". Still looking for about 160-200 vacancies depending on what the talks between the ALPA v Mgt produces....

Coming from his mouth, he stated that 'about' 850 UA Furloughs have been contacted with offers, and that number brought about ONLY 176 takers. They anticipate running through the remaining list 'sooner rather than later'. When they do, and all offers have been made, then 'off the street will happen' per G.F.'s talk. He did say that the L-UA's side of the house 'expects' some form of recalls (small, big, or otherwise) no earlier than this summer-late.

FWIW......Info shed this week.

 

Assuming that LCAL continues training through the summer (after reviewing CAL's seniority list, I saw that there were classes through the summer 2005-2008), the bottom LUAL pilot should be in class by late July.



If they sent out another 125 letters, they sure haven't mentioned it to the recipients of those letters. I'd be in that group - Jun 2000 hire - and I've gotten zero indication that a letter's coming. The last group got a phone call letting them know an offer was on the way. That phone call was outside of the data verification call.
All of the Bayliner's numbers also appear to be off by a bit - on the order of one saying that 'a 747 has a takeoff weight of 1 million pounds'.
I'll post when I receive an offer letter but I'm expecting a phone call prior to the letter being mailed based on past practice.

 

Could this be the reason UCH went through the whole list and verified contact information? Maybe they will just notify you via FedEx since they now have the accurate contact information...I agree on the courtesy Call prior to the official job offer...

 

GF is a good man. Doesn't BS you, just states the facts as they are presented to him.

 

No, the last group had their information verified prior to getting a call for a job offer. I expect a letter/offer shortly but since the last group has until this afternoon (2 Feb) to respond, I don't think another round of letters has gone out yet. I expect LCAL to continue hiring through most of the summer and to go through the entire LUAL furlough list. I just think that the Bayliner has information that's not completely accurate - I don't think it's intentional but I have followed the numbers VERY closely and they don't match up.

 

Spoken with the stick of truth.

He's a no B.S. man who tells it how it is, and makes NO apologies on certain topics even when it concerns Flt Ops Mgt "S.N.A.F.U.'s".....Calls a Spade a Spade (ie Fred). Being a line guy, I appreciate that as well. He did say that it looks like he will be "out" come May.....If that's true, it will be a sad/uncertain day in IAH for the "pilot advocate" stance he holds.

Andy....
Notice that I said "about" 850? Safe to say, with the info I heard within the last 24 hrs.....I think we can agree 825-850 is pretty da*n close when dealing in "UCH speak".

As far as summer staffing/training.....GF did say that he pointed out that staffing is still NOT up to par for the summer time flying on the LCAL side (althought 'better', loose term, than last year). He shed light that he told Fred that in NO uncertain terms about the staffing inadequacy, and Fred expressed "we'll have to make due".....GF's comment to us in dead certain terms, DO NOT fly fatigued, call-in so when it occurs & no questions asked. Refreshing to hear a CP say that especially after last years debaucle.

 

After the Colgan accident this is the only legal thing he could possibly say. But when your pay is summarily docked and you have to pay claim to get it back like you're a criminal, their corporate actions do not match their words.

GF may be sympathetic to pilot issues but he doesn't make policy. And the policy is wrong. If they think a fatigue call is abused then they should investigate and dock the pay. But to dock our pay first and then we have to go get it back is wrong.

 

Where did I say ANYTHING about supporting the policy???

Since you brought it up, I agree with you on the Fatigue Policy. It's by far miles south of the steammer that resides on your front lawn compliments of your neighbor's K-9.

All I was alluding too, as was mentioned earlier by others.....GF is the last of the "good" guys. Was Chester before your time?? If so, GF was of the same breed.....that of the dying. If you've been dealing with the "Stank" in the NE, I can see where your distain could simmer That's a Jack-Wagon that can take his show elsewhere.

Drifting.....and correcting.

 

Please accept my apology. My comment is directed not at you but the policy. I was responding to GF's comment not yours.

 

SoCalGuy, I'm not sure if you thought that I was referring to you; that was out of The Bayliner, UALALPA Council 34 SFO. The Bayliner is their magazine.

I tried calling Andy Chen today for updated information but got his answering machine. So I called the person who took over CN's pilot hiring duties at IAH, CV. CN has gone back to her normal duties. Here's the 'latest and greatest':
Responses to the last batch of letters is due today, 2 Feb.
The next batch of letters will go out ~8 Feb via FedEx so they should be in furloughees' hands on 10 Feb.
A bit more than 125 will go out. The offer on this round will go from 4 June 00 hires to the 8 ball hired 6 Aug 00.
There will be two April classes and then shut down for the summer.

All of the above information is subject to change.