Latest on UAL recalls

[GuppyPuppy]

I've been leaning towards staying at JB rather than going back to United for a few reasons:

1. Age 65- It is coming and will further keep me in a lower paying seat for up to five more years.

2. Commute- Right now all of my trips are commutable on both sides. At UA, I'd more than likely get trips that are commutable only on one end.

3. Days off- At JB I'm easily getting 15 days off per month with 82 hours. At United, 12 days off and I'll be commuting on days off.

4. Pay- At 82 hours (JB), vs. 85 hours (UA) I'd be making $35,000 more in total compensation over the next three years. Because I'm contributing 10% to my 401k, about half of that 35k will go directly into my retirement accounts. My paycheck would be $700, $500, and $400 per month more at JB vs UA over the next three years respectively. The gap widens dramatically if I increase my hours at JB fractionally.

* #'s 2, 3 and 4 are considering B737 F/O vs. E190 Capt.

The pros of going back to United over JB include ALPA aeromedical and legal, upgrading into larger equipment, better choice of domiciles (in the long run as my wife and I would like to move out west eventually), sixteen percent into retirement from company with NO pilot contribution.

If I go back to United, my PIC turbine time comes to a screeching halt. However, I would have my 1000 TPIC (just barely) if I go back in July. I'd also be near the bottom of the seniority list at UA and suffer from any setback (furlough) due to the economy, terrorism, merger or buyout (Tilton seems to be an advocate of the latter two). At JB, while I'm still subject to a buyout or merger, I'm more than halfway up the seniority list.

I'd like to get on with UPS eventually (I know their app. window is now closed) and move to ANC.

I have six days left to decide to give up or keep what was once my dream job. Wish the UA contract gave me six years like they do some folks.

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

GP

 

[Huggyu2]

If you plan to go to UPS in the long run, it seems you might be doing the right thing. Best of luck in your choice.

Wish the UA contract gave me six years like they do some folks.
Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
GP

Just to clarify: Federal Law (not UAL) gives folks on military leave up to 5 years.
However, UAL & ALPA did agree to add a year, making it 6 years. Kind of an "in for a dime, in for a dollar" mentality, I think (I mean that in a positive way).

 

[GuppyPuppy]

If you plan to go to UPS in the long run, it seems you might be doing the right thing. Best of luck in your choice.



Just to clarify: Federal Law (not UAL) gives folks on military leave up to 5 years.
However, UAL & ALPA did agree to add a year, making it 6 years. Kind of an "in for a dime, in for a dollar" mentality, I think (I mean that in a positive way).

My apologies. Didn't know that. Still, quite a pi$$er!

GP

 

[Dano]

Gup Pup,

You and me are in a very similar spot (although I haven't got the final letter yet). And I am thinking the same things. In addition to your comments consider your age. I am 40 and the numbers I come up with to be a 320 reserve CA at United put me over 50 or 55 with the new law (seniority at Blue is mid 700's, at U is 7500 and change). 16% is great but does not seem like it would make up for lost income as a blue CA over that many years.

The one thing about United is I am quite confident that they will be around when we retire, Blue maybe, maybe not.

I was hired onto shuttle and loved it, and guess what, that is exactly what Blue feels like to me. I bid off shuttle when it was getting ugly and I did not like mainline near as much (except the $$ and retirement).

I must admit the new Blue management has swayed me to probably stay, either way the decision must be made without looking back.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I heard that JetBlue was un-commutable. I'd have to go GRB-somewhere-NYC. I would reconsider if I knew I could commute practically speaking. What is the commute situation at JetBlue???

I will also probably apply at UAL as the ORD base is not too bad of a commute.

cliff
YIP

 

[Powda5]

I decided to resign UAL seniority........agh that was one of the toughest things I have had to do...

It felt like all my 'hope' of a west coast base and the whole 'dream job' thing I thought about for 6 years just disappeared with that decision. Up until the minute I made the decision, I could've made either decision--I never came to a solid conclusion, even though I researched ad-nauseum.

The merger possibility and juniority were negative on the UAL side, and I'm 34. If my current company wasn't doing so well and I wasn't moving up the list into the 'safety zone' so fast, I would've taken UAL. I also would've taken UAL if I had been awarded DEN. I did not want to get stuck in ORD commuting on RSV should something happen, or if no more DEN vacancies came up. I am 6555, so I don't think I would have held DEN very soon.

What matters to me is not commuting, stability, days off, and life at home. I have 15 days off now with commutability. I could have more off if I figured out the dang bidding. The only real bad thing at my current company is the commuting, which isn't bad--I'm just a big baby and hate it more than most people do.

In the end, I know I would be happy at UAL, but don't want to be in that position again in the midst of a particularly unstable time. So--it's risky...

I have a lot of possibility at my current company, lots below me, but commute. I think I just need to get over the commute; as I gain seniority, it will be less of a factor.

I don't work there, but I think if I were at JB or AirTran, I would have left, even with seniority. That's just me--I do like choices of planes and what I think is stability.

Hopefully, GuppyPuppy, this helps sort out some ideas. I think that you are in the same spot I was. It's pure torture, I know. I am not sure I made the right decison--guess you'll have to ask me when I retire at 70 by then

One thing that I did is told people I was going back to UAL. That night, I was really worried about stability, rsv, pay, mergers, etc, and didn't sleep so well. The next day I told people I was staying at my current company. I felt way more stable but a little sad to lose the UAL option and DEN. I think that is what made my decision; I felt a little better about not going back.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

We all have to live with our decisions good luck

 

[GuppyPuppy]

Regarding the contractual raises in 1/08, 5/08 and 5/09.......

What are the rates? Is there a straight percentage increase across the board? I only recieved the rates for 5/07 in my recall package.

Is the company going to be issuing more stock to the pilots in the future?

Thanks for all the encouragement. I still don't know what to do, though. My wife and I will be having a long talk this weekend.

GP

 

[GoodTimes]

Good luck Powda. I'm expecting my last recall here in the next few months and will turn it down. I was a late '99 hire and after two years at my latest company have better relative seniority than I ever had at UAL. I am, however, looking at commuting for the next 30 years. Domiciles come and go though. And who knows, crew bases may eventually be replaced by this virtual domicile thing we keep hearing about.

GoodTimes

 

[Plunder Hound]

Latest update

To all furloughees,

United has announced recall classes for 4 June and 9 July 2007 and has mailed to date a total of 250 “Final Recall Offers” to fill training positions in these two classes. There are an additional 15 Furloughees “voluntarily” coming off of bypass for these two classes and another 8 Furloughees returning from LOA who will be attending these two recall classes as well. United has communicated their intent to increase recalls to 40 a month starting in July 2007. Their tentative plan is to have two recall classes per month of twenty pilots each until the recall bypass list has been exhausted. The actual recall class dates for late July, August, September and early October have yet to be determined. Based on the current resignation rate ALL pilots on the recall bypass list will most likely have received their “Final Recall Offer” by the end of August 2007.

The following are the recall statistics as of 30 May 2007:

As of the 7 May 2007 recall class:
Recalled - Active Status 809 Total in 2007 195
Recalled – LOA 532
On Bypass 648
Resigned (coming up the list) 159
Resigned (going down the list) 31
Retired (over age 60) 2
Deceased 3

Including the 4 June and 9 July 2007 recall classes:
Total Offered “Initial Recall” 2172
Total Offered “Final Recall” 404
Totals to date:
Recalled - Active or Accepted 844 38.9%
Recalled - LOA or LOA upon return 557 25.6%
Remain on Bypass List 398 18.3%
Resigned, Retired or Deceased 274 12.6%

 

[Plunder Hound]

I've got fifty people between me and a class. Hopefully there isn't a second July class. Not interested in training during the summer.

 

[Powda5]

Yeah, the commit to commute really kills me. I also am hoping that satellite bases or phantom basing is in the future...I can't live at any of the bases we have....more because DEN is too good than because the bases we have are that bad.

I would have loved to teach at TK, but again, I wanted a guarantee....

 

[Andy]

I've got fifty people between me and a class. Hopefully there isn't a second July class. Not interested in training during the summer.

Bad news. They will send out more recall letters for the 9 July class. I can guarantee you that the 9 July class won't be filled with those that have been notified thus far. Expect a letter within the next two weeks. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[Plunder Hound]

Bummer, thanks for the info Andy. Getting back and forth to TK this summer will not be a good time.

 

[Andy]

Bummer, thanks for the info Andy. Getting back and forth to TK this summer will not be a good time.

Dude, I hope that I'm wrong. But prepare yourself mentally for it. All the best.