No More MD80 SIM for CAL Interviews

[CAL EWR B737]

FYI

Just finished my Maneuvers Validation for the B756/B767 tonight in IAH. My instructor participates in the board interview. The MD-80 Sim bay is empty just grease stains where the sim used to be, I saw it myself. I was told all future new hire sim evaluations will now be in the B737 Round Dial (non EFIS sim).

Also rumors of increased hiring over the 8 a month for the summer. A class of 8 started the other day.

 

[jeroom]

YOUPIE!!!

I am so glad!

 

[pkober]

According to my instructor in the school house yesterday.

We are increasing our hiring again and want to hire 500 by March 2008. No reason was given. Usually we slowdown to 8/mt in June, July and August. To make 500 by March we need to hire 55/mt startuing in July.

 

[ACWild]

We must have crossed paths. I just wrapped up training yesterday too.
There's a rumor that the open bay may house the 787 sim.

 

[EMBpilot]

Did anyone hear 700 by March 08?

 

[acbarney]

Maybe we're keeping those 15 737-300's slated to be returned next year? I guess we'll find out for sure in August.

 

[Jonny Sacko]

Oh no the "MOTHER OF ALL BIDS" IS COMING?

 

[COpilot]

Jonny,

i've been waiting for that thing for 19yrs.

 

[airksk]

Oh no the "MOTHER OF ALL BIDS" IS COMING?

You know you can't wait for that "MOTHER OF ALL BIDS" to come out.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

According to my instructor in the school house yesterday.

We are increasing our hiring again and want to hire 500 by March 2008. No reason was given. Usually we slowdown to 8/mt in June, July and August. To make 500 by March we need to hire 55/mt starting in July.

I ran into Dave Lynn the head of flight standards (he is above the manager of pilot recruitment) and training last month. We talked for thirty minutes and he told me then even with the slow down over the summer the total new hires between May 07 - May 08 was 500. He also said 787 will be in same sub base as 777. Total 787 total orders/options 60 and we are not getting rid of 767-200's as the 787's come which was original plan.

The former MD-80 sim bay I was told is for the new B737-800 sim that is coming. The 787 is going into the old DC-10 bay that is currently vacant.

The mother of all bids? I haven't seen one in twenty years except the furlough down size bid after 9/11 that was latter reduced and the 88-1R that never came to fruition.

Instructor also said initial acceptance rate for those invited to interview and offered jobs was 81% now it is down to 65%. He said that is related to pilot market drying up. Anyway that is all the info he said last night.

 

[Furloughed80]

60 787's!! When will that make that announcement official? Any idea what the breakdown of firm orders to options will be? Or the breakdown of 787-800s to 900s. This is definitely good news.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

60 787's!! When will that make that announcement official? Any idea what the breakdown of firm orders to options will be? Or the breakdown of 787-800s to 900s. This is definitely good news.

I haven't seen it in riding but both Fred Abbott Vice President of Flight Operations and Dave Lynn VP of Flight Standards and Training (Dave told me personally) have said the 787 total orders/options are up to 60. I believe we have 25 firm orders so would make 35 options.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

From this weeks CAL ALPA Wrap Sheet Blast mail:

Membership committee update
The Membership committee would like to welcome the eight CAL new hire pilots who started on Tuesday. They were treated to pizza at the CAL MEC office where numerous MEC and committee members talked with them about upcoming negotiations and current events effecting our union pilots. This is the only class that will be held in June.

The company has decided to increase its hiring and training of pilots starting in July. For July, 24 pilots will now be hired and we expect the same numbers for August.

 

[AA717driver]

I heard they're going to bump up the hiring to cover for all the furloughed AA guys getting recalled there... TC

P.S.--Nice to see all the hiring going on at CAL!

 

[AeroDork]

Instructor also said initial acceptance rate for those invited to interview and offered jobs was 81% now it is down to 65%. He said that is related to pilot market drying up.

Is "pilot market drying up" secret code for "$26,000 a year and no health insurance for 6 months"?

 

[CAL EWR B737]

I don't know. I will tell you as the CAL ALPA Strike Preparedness Chairman that new hire pay and benefits are going to be fixed unfortunately the fix will be in Contract 08. There has been alot of talk within our MEC that the current pay and lack of benefits is totally unacceptable.

 

[Captain Overs]

What percent increase in pay is acceptable?

 

[CAL EWR B737]

Rule number one of negotiations and public forums:

Never ever discuss what is acceptable and or what you will settle for period! Lets just say that the current rate of pay and lack of medical benefits is woefully inadequate and the new contract will require significant and substantiative improvements to new hire pay and benefits. Enough said!

 

[pkober]

I don't know. I will tell you as the CAL ALPA Strike Preparedness Chairman that new hire pay and benefits are going to be fixed unfortunately the fix will be in Contract 08. There has been alot of talk within our MEC that the current pay and lack of benefits is totally unacceptable.

I hate to say it, but most senior guys (all airlines) usually forget about first year pay once they get their first second year paycheck. They definitely forget about it by the time they make captain.

I hope your right and we fight for a change.

 

[whatitdoing?]

Well, I just can't believe that I'm at a major with no health insurance for 6 months and a FA at a regional makes more money than me. Uhhh.....I did get hired at a major right?