cal system bid out w/pilot reduction

[tie1on]

system bid is out with less pilots on it than the last bid. The incredible shrinking airline. don't get pbs. they have more retirements than new hires

 

[Hutchman]

The min. # was the same. 392 vacancies. Why would the Staffing go up? The only airplanes we are getting were accounted for in the last bid.

 

[Uniform Shop]

Don't let the title fool you. They are still hiring a lot. They just aren't adding more pilots to the seniority list on this bid. We only have 2 777's coming this year but we have a ton of 737's coming next year. This was to be expected.

I can't figure out how to cut and paste the bid but it has a total of 392 vacancies for both CA and FO in all bases.

142 CA openings
250 F/O openings

 

[tie1on]

where is the 6-7% growth if a reduction is happening?

 

[Uniform Shop]

I think it's from better utilization of crew's (PBS) and aircraft. They say CAL is still going to grow about 3-5% this year but not through additional aircraft.

I agree that PBS did eliminate the need for some pilots but it wasn't as drastic as we originally thought. Although, I would love to change the PBS system and go with one that has proven itself (Like TWA's old system) instead of this piece of crap.

 

[JohnQ]

I think it's from better utilization of crew's (PBS) and aircraft. They say CAL is still going to grow about 3-5% this year but not through additional aircraft.

I agree that PBS did eliminate the need for some pilots but it wasn't as drastic as we originally thought. Although, I would love to change the PBS system and go with one that has proven itself (Like TWA's old system) instead of this piece of crap.

At DAL we have the follow on to TWA's old system (the old AirWare product, not AdOpt)--NavTech's CLASSbid. I have worked on various PBS issues at DAL for over a year, and while nothing is perfect, most guys are pretty happy with it. And usually when there are problems, it stems more from company crew planning (or lack of it) rather than the software itself.

I was trading emails a few weeks ago with another guy who has REALLY worked a lot on PBS. In fact he actually was one of the ALPA guys who interviewed the various vendors, etc. He told me that CAL was not very happy with the product they went with. "We tried to warn them" was his note to me. I think if you could convince your union and company to at least try the Navtech product, that you might be happier.

 

[thor2j]

I think the pilots of CAL would prefer to throw darts at for their sequences then put up with this PBS system!!!

 

[MCDU]

CAL is getting ready to merge with United. I think their might be furloughs or some stagnation. Where would a 1993 DOH put me at CAL.

Marty

 

[Plug]

CAL is getting ready to merge with United. I think their might be furloughs or some stagnation. Where would a 1993 DOH put me at CAL.

Marty

Gosh, talk about flame bait!

 

[General Lee]

Seriously, why would CAL want to negotiate early with you guys or extend the current contract? Any reasons you can think of? You all know already that airlines are supposed to be more profitiable in the upcoming years. Why would they want to negotiate now, including pay raises etc.?


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Jonny Sacko]

I think it's absoultely to settle all issues for any type of merger. If the US/DAL happens, the dance has officially begun. Any pausing could create disaster in the long run, being left out. This is my opinion, which puts it in the completely useless to worthless catagory, but it seems kind of logical in that view.

 

[EWR_FO]

Seriously, why would CAL want to negotiate early with you guys or extend the current contract? Any reasons you can think of?

To avoid giving out raises for as long as possible?

 

[General Lee]

I think it's absoultely to settle all issues for any type of merger. If the US/DAL happens, the dance has officially begun. Any pausing could create disaster in the long run, being left out. This is my opinion, which puts it in the completely useless to worthless catagory, but it seems kind of logical in that view.

Well, the US/DL takeover very likely will not happen, but NWA/DL could. To be able to merge with UAL, wouldn't CAL need approval from NWA? Maybe CAL could do the buying and get away with it, but I see NWA starting it with a merge with DAL, and then CAL and UAL probably getting together. US/DL would take years to get through the DOJ, and DL would fight it with help from the politicians along the way.

It will be interesting regardless, but I think a lot of us are trying to figure out why CAL management asked for an extension, along with raises and iritant items, NOW.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[General Lee]

To avoid giving out raises for as long as possible?

But, the cat is out of the bag now. Projected profits (unless Iran unleashes a nuke, etc...) are out there. ALPA, along with Pratter, knows this.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Truckdriver]

To be able to merge with UAL, wouldn't CAL need approval from NWA? Bye Bye--General Lee

If NWA is in on a deal itself, the golden share clause does not allow NWA to stop a CAL merger. Now if NWA is not in on any mergers itself, then they could stop a potential merger. I'm sure there is lots more to how that deal works, but that is my understanding of the "golden share" that NWA holds.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Gosh, talk about flame bait!

Looks like "Marty" can't get hired anywhere worth working.

 

[bearcat]

Back to the original thread.....we don't have a reduction in pilots. I think there were 2 BES that had a reduction of a couple of pilots. That is TOTAL staffing numbers. The attrition will be covered with retirements. There are 392 vacancies. This people have to come from somewhere.....ie hiring. Then next bid will be out late summer and should account for new aircraft in 2008. There are a ton of them coming in 2008-2009 to include 787. Pending age 65 and merger, this would possibly be the smallest bid for a long time.

 

[d.fitz]

CAL is getting ready to merge with United. I think their might be furloughs or some stagnation. Where would a 1993 DOH put me at CAL.

Marty

If they buy you, Swingline...