Various Continental Questions

[EMBpilot]

Most of CAL problems will go away once we have a stronger union. Lets work on that, guys.

Otherwise nothing will change and thinking that "YOU are ok and going to upgrade in 2 years" will continue to separate out pilots group. We have to make it a good place for newhires too.

 

[minrest]

Well, I turned down the job offer after I was given a class date.

So that should tell you something.

Yes, it does tell us something.

 

[BigMeat]

Most of CAL problems will go away once we have a stronger union. Lets work on that, guys.

Otherwise nothing will change and thinking that "YOU are ok and going to upgrade in 2 years" will continue to separate out pilots group. We have to make it a good place for newhires too.

I fully agree with you. I was just comparing why it would be better here than a regional. I hope that the union can get its crap straight so we might get better than an "OK" contract. Its going to take alot for me to vote yes.

 

[EMBpilot]

Thanks much for all the info... greatly appreciated. I have a couple more for anyone willing to take a bite...

7) How are the work rules over there? What does everyone love / hate?

8) Also... how is the relationship with management? Does it look like some real gains will be made in contract negotiations when they come up?

9) Is the general attitude of the pilots good?

10) For those of you who have recently gone there... do you feel you made the right choice?

7. Bad, worse with PBS. People hate summers, like winters when flying slows down.

8. Relationship is good. Most people (that I am around) feel that we were sold by our previous union leaders into slavery. Hence the management feels that the relationship is great since we are the most abused Legacy pilot group and taking it. No cancelled flights=no problem with staffing.
I think the chance is good, but most of the pilots here will take coolaid and settle for humble improvements. There are strong folks trying to change things, but the inertia from scabs and their influence is just too strong. So it'll be an improvement, but not, for example a 50% pay increase (or more precisely - taking it back) so we can lead the industry.

9. For the most part good. People are pretty happy with all this hiring and they don't bother comparing CAL to other airlines to get the real picture.

10. Yes, by far better than the regionals. CAL needs pilots with determination and ability to stand up and it'll be much better.

 

[EMBpilot]

Its going to take alot for me to vote yes.

Good, Meat. Me too.

 

[Stump]

Pbs?

My bad for hijacking the thread here, but what is PBS and why doesn't anyone like it? Thanks in advance.

 

[EMBpilot]

PBS is a schedule bidding system. You put preferences and see what you get based on your seniority. The computer builds the combination of trips instead of prebuild lines giving to you by scheduling for bidding process. It's a great idea and is the future of the industry.

The PBS problems at CAL:
1. System provider. The company had no experience doing this and is trying to work out bugs as we go. I am sure they were very cheep though.
2. The parameters put in PBS are largely controlled by the company, where should be by the union. At some other airlines pilots enjoy PBS because the union say how things will work.

A lot of folks feel it largely disregards the seniority, covers up the understaffing etc.

Anyway, now the point is PBS improvements is a huge bargaining chip in management hands. They can say: "we'll fix it and give you 1.5% pay raise". (exaduration)
My biggest fear is that our pilot group will take it.


Next contract in the industry gets 45% pay increase (exaduration) and we will feel like complete idiots.

 

[Jmoney]

I don't care....

Well, I turned down the job offer after I was given a class date.

So that should tell you something. Also, I hear a lot of new hires leave in the first year.

Flack jacket on. LOL

I really don't care whether you are a female, GOD made female idiots as well. You are truly a toolette!

Find Hellonewman and make babies! We need more idiots in future generations!
-YOU SUCK!

 

[viper548]

What is the average lineholder credit per month?

Is there overtime available to pick up on days off?

Is there a limit on credit hours per month?

 

[XJTAv8r]

cheep...
...(exaduration)

http://www.spellcheck.net/

 

[Pocono Pilot]

Why are we comparing a legacy carrier with a regional?

Because a job at CAL is barely better than working at a regional maybe? LOL

Just a wild guess. hehe

 

[Daddy69]

Hey pocono, why don't you have some guts and tell all of us who you are? If you don't have the balls to do that why don't you just go sit quietly in your RJ or go home and cook your husband dinner! We are all TIRED of your CAL bashing. Get a life!

 

[EMBpilot]

http://www.spellcheck.net/

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. Typical of you Express pukes.

 

[XJTAv8r]

Thanks, I'll keep it in mind. Typical of you Express pukes.

No, just trying to help you with basic 5th grade spelling. How do you expect management to respect our message if we pilots come across as lacking basic skills? (and you know management types troll these boards)

BTW, if you took the time to read my signature line, you'd see I no longer work for Express, but thanks for the "mature" response

 

[Pocono Pilot]

I always new that CAL pilots couldn't spell. hehehe

Time for someone to buy a dictionary, or just use spell checker! LOL

 

[XJTAv8r]

I always new that CAL pilots coudn't spell. hehehe

Time for someone to buy a dictionary, or just use spell checker! LOL

Pocono, maybe you should follow your own advice before trying to be a smart ass.

 

[LJDRVR]

The XJT to CAL comparision is always good for a laugh.

Anybody who claims to have "done the math" and decided to stay at the regional is probably not telling the whole truth.

Go compare something as short as a twenty year career using the current pilot wages. Be conservative and figure on a five year upgrade and an entire career on the 737. Even then, you'll find the disparity is in the neighborhood of six figures and goes to CAL's favor in the middle of the fourth year. (This is not including the potential for widebody pay after probation, upgrade in two years, or the high liklehood that when the CPA comes up for renegotiation, an additional 25% percent of the current XJT lift is likely going away.)

Look, Express is a great airline. Good people, excellent labor relations and much better work rules than CAL's POS 02'. I enjoyed every single minute of my time there.

But if you really are using the justification that XJT is a better long-term career choice than an airline that flies to more countries on the planet than anyone, then it's time you took the rose-colored glasses off. (Unless your employee number starts with an "8", in that case, you're fine where you are.)

XJT is a really cool red wagon. It's shiny, fun to ride in, and the people inside are as good as anybody in this industry.

But at the end of the day and when the potholes start, do you want to be riding in the wagon, or the truck it's hitched to? Or some other truck for that matter?

Oh well, to each his or her own. I wish nothing but the best for my Brothers and Sisters at Express.

 

[SlapShot]

Am I the only that notices that Poc hijacks just about every CAL thread? Perhaps he/she whatever does it just to get people worked up.

Why does anyone care if he/she turned down CAL or got turned down? Is CAL a better airline without him/her? Obviously since one did not want the other.

Can we please move on????

 

[whatitdoing?]

Look, anyone that goes for the 2 year upgrade is STUPID!! You'll upgrade on your 2nd year and die your 3rd. That's why it's SO JUNIOR!!! But whatever, go for it so I can move up.

10 years to break even? I think you just stuck one thumb up your arse and used the other thumb to test which direction the wind was going and said...."yep, sounds like 10 years". What kind of bs statement is that?

 

[pkober]

Ignore Poc Pilot.

Like a child, if you ignore her/him he/she will go away.

As far as life at CAL goes. I've been here two years and have enjoyed it. This is my third major so I can make comparisons to other airlines.

I think with our young pilot group we will make a positive change in this new contract. I find that talking to scabs, and some non scabs, about contract issues is like banging your head against the wall. I hear allot of "it's always been that way" about shi++y rules like junior manning, RX days, trainingon days off, crapy reserve rules, bad commuter policy, etc... I think that the scabs will become even less relavent in the future and the normal pilots will prevail. We do have a scab on our negotiating committee which is worry some. Hopefully the normal pilots will keep him in check.

As far as working 20 days during a training month. That shouldn't happen, that's what sick calls are for. Drop a four day during training, end of story.

All of us junior guys need to push hard to get a good contract. Our voices need to be heard. Many older guys have always lived with strange work rules and appear content to live with them in the future. We need to educate them on what a good contracts look like.

If you have the choice I would come to CAL. Don't pass up the chance to come here because of what some one who failed an interview says about CAL. I'm an October 2005 hire and am only 50 numbers from holding a ERW captain. That's unbelievable. There are negatives here, just like any other major. But the positives outwiegh the negatives.