US Airways Final Recalls: Take it, or Leave it?

[waazzuuuup!!]

Ok. Just checking.

As a may 99 date of hire, I had the good furtune of flying with his dad Capt John Murphy on my Frankfurt IOE which was my first North Atlantic crossing.

A true gentleman!

I too have decided not to go back. It was nice while it lasted. NOT LOOKING BACK!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AV80R]

That was without a doubt the best narrative ever written on this board. My hope is the best for you and your family and the rest of the USAir family as they are faced with a similar decision.

Agree 100%

Furloughed, maybe you should look into writing some aviation related articles as a second career? You seem to be very talented with the written word…

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Thanks. As a matter of fact, shortly after the furlough I wrote a series of articles (2 about furlough-planning, 1 about how to be a good Captain) for Career Pilot Magazine (Kit Darby's rag).

I'm always looking for other opportunities to write, but they're tough to come by.

 

[cactusboy53]

MCDU;
I don't know about discrace, but I do know this:
1. AAA MC and MEC had lots of opportunity to NEGOTIATE a merged list, but they stuck with DOH and LOS.
2. AAA MC and MEC were instructed by the mediator/arbitrator (that they had a 50% share is selection) that DOH was NOT a tenable position.
3. During the arbitration phase, the mediator strongly suggested AGAIN that DOH was a non-starter.

My MC and MEC fought long and hard in a fair arbitration process to protect the AWA pilots relative seniority. They largely suceeded. The first 517 slots went to AAA pilots - DOH & LOS. Good for you. Our number one pilot got slot 518, resulting in a hefty loss of relative seniority.

In the past two years of debate the East has grown, upgraded and recalled pilots while all growth has ceased as a result of this business move. Again, good for you.

I would say the windfall goes both ways.

 

[MCDU]

No growth, just attrition. USair had more planes at the time of merger. I do not believe the 517 should have gotten those first slots. They should have just fenced of all widebodies.

Take into account that the East is cancelling flights due to a lack of recalls that should have happened years ago. They are severly understaffed.

AWA had guys on furlough in early 2002, they all expected to return due to the projected retirements, people leaving, growth. So did the EAST furloughees. (my wife) But that was all put on hold and they are paying the price. 280 cancelled flights last Thurs alone. Wait til the summer hits.

Good luck USAIR

Marty

 

[nwaredtail]

AWA had guys on furlough in early 2002, they all expected to return due to the projected retirements, people leaving, growth. So did the EAST furloughees. (my wife) But that was all put on hold and they are paying the price. 280 cancelled flights last Thurs alone. Wait til the summer hits.

Good luck USAIR

Let us ponder,

AWA - didn't give away all their scope to save their pensions (didnt really have one), thus returning their fellow pilots to work.

USAIR - gave away scope, established a c scale (Mid-Atlantic), sold it, screwed their junior guys in order to save their pension (didn't seem to work), wouldn't work with AWA's Merger committee, or arbitrator, etc. Parked dozens, if not 100's of Narrowbodies. THAT IS WHY YOUR WIFE IS NOT BACK AT WORK. AWA HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

Pondering done. Don't feel bad, the NWA guys did the same thing, except the pension was saved.

 

[AV80R]

Thanks. As a matter of fact, shortly after the furlough I wrote a series of articles (2 about furlough-planning, 1 about how to be a good Captain) for Career Pilot Magazine (Kit Darby's rag).

I'm always looking for other opportunities to write, but they're tough to come by.

Well, keep writing and eventually I'm sure you'll find a venue for your second talent (flying being the first one)

 

[Swaayze]

Man, I had hoped I wouldn't be forced to make this decision this year. I have about 600 below me on the APL but apparently they're already on the way back up the list with 82 slots left to fill and now projecting another 50-100 recalls this year as well as hiring off the street for the 190 in the next couple of months. With the pilots being held at J4J carriers it would not surprise me in the least to have to decide very soon.

Anyone else think this could be deja vu all over again for U furloughees? Seems like a new wave of merger talk is in the air and if LCC is a participant then wouldn't everyone accepting recall now just be furlough fodder again? Hate to be paranoid and/or speculative but it is something to consider I think.

Money is really the only draw for me to go back. It would mean decades of commuting but a much nicer bank account. I think I'm simply in the wrong line of work now that I have a family I enjoy, as I'm not very willing to do what it takes anymore to grab at the very tarnished brass ring. I will probably not return to LCC, instead likely becoming an "Eagle lifer loser". Most everyone cannot seem to fathom this decision, but it seems strangely clear to me (as clear as passing up my supposed dreams can be anyway). It's very hard to consider not going back; I guess we'll see when the call comes if I can stick to my guns.

Good luck to all in your decisions!

 

[BeCareful!]

Good luck with it, Swaayze.

There's just no rational explanation for all you've been through in the past six years. Who'da thought ASA was going to pull out of DFW? Who'da thought AirWisky would divorce United and throw a monkey wrench in the scope machine? Who'da thought GPAir would go out of business? Just kidding, we all knew that was going to tank!

But I'll tell ya, you won't hear any advice from me on going back. The stakes are very high for you with a young family. You can never get these years back if you give them away to the airlines, and we both know you won't even receive a "thank you" from management for your sacrifice.

Be at peace, Brother!

 

[sonny320]

MCDU;
I don't know about discrace, but I do know this:
1. AAA MC and MEC had lots of opportunity to NEGOTIATE a merged list, but they stuck with DOH and LOS.
2. AAA MC and MEC were instructed by the mediator/arbitrator (that they had a 50% share is selection) that DOH was NOT a tenable position.
3. During the arbitration phase, the mediator strongly suggested AGAIN that DOH was a non-starter.

My MC and MEC fought long and hard in a fair arbitration process to protect the AWA pilots relative seniority. They largely suceeded. The first 517 slots went to AAA pilots - DOH & LOS. Good for you. Our number one pilot got slot 518, resulting in a hefty loss of relative seniority.

In the past two years of debate the East has grown, upgraded and recalled pilots while all growth has ceased as a result of this business move. Again, good for you.

I would say the windfall goes both ways.

FYI:

The first 517 did go to the East but all those guys will be out (retire in 3 years or less). So the # 1 AWA (#518 on the list) will be sitting pretty in 3 years!!

 

[vetrider]

FYI:

The first 517 did go to the East but all those guys will be out (retire in 3 years or less). So the # 1 AWA (#518 on the list) will be sitting pretty in 3 years!!

Thats not entirely accurate, a good many of the east 517 were born from the early to the late 50s, a few as late as 58 and 59. Meanwhile, west number 1 retires this month.

For that matter, we have west fos who are older than many of the 517, and some who will never upgrade. Somehow that never seems to get much press.

 

[Green]

FYI:

The first 517 did go to the East but all those guys will be out (retire in 3 years or less). So the # 1 AWA (#518 on the list) will be sitting pretty in 3 years!!

You have no idea what you are talking about.....The #1 AWA pilot has already retired. Get your facts straight. The rabid blather from the east has completely overshadowed the facts. AWA pilots are not that much younger on average than AAA. Sure we have a few young guys at the bottom but we have many more at the bottom who have worked for 3 or 4+ airlines before coming here. The east BS is getting old...

 

[Green]

I will probably not return to LCC, instead likely becoming an "Eagle lifer loser". Most everyone cannot seem to fathom this decision, but it seems strangely clear to me (as clear as passing up my supposed dreams can be anyway). It's very hard to consider not going back; I guess we'll see when the call comes if I can stick to my guns.

Good luck to all in your decisions!

What??? That there is crazy talk...

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Is it? He lives in Dallas. He could hang on to relative seniority at Eagle, bid short trips, spend time at home with family or....

... commute to Philly, spend his life in a crashpad, never see his family.

Doesn't sound so crazy to me.

 

[Green]

Is it? He lives in Dallas. He could hang on to relative seniority at Eagle, bid short trips, spend time at home with family or....

... commute to Philly, spend his life in a crashpad, never see his family.

Doesn't sound so crazy to me.

maybe ....who knows? If it was me and I was looking for quality of life I would pass on the narrowbodies and accept the 190. He/she could get real senior real quick and commute with 17-19 days off per month and 21 days of vacation per year (assuming new contract with AWA vac). It would be a huge payraise from Eagle FO pay plus he/she would be looking at a better 401k and more future advancement as seniority permits. But.....to each his own and Us Airways has generally been a bad call over the years so I would understand any reluctance to ever return...