AirTran Pilots Fired!!!!!!!

[DH106]

This Happened To Me At Midwest, Too

This is nothing new. In 2001, Ken Kruger, director of operations at Midwest (you know, Midwest Express), fired our entire newhire class. ALPA stepped in and said, "no, you're going to put them on furlough status." I guess ALPA used some strong language, and Midwest then put us on furlough status. Regardless, Ken Kruger is a terrible person, and so is his boss, CEO Tim Hoeksema. If I ever meet them face to face again, I'll tell them what awful people they are.

 

[Colonel Savage]

...up until Christmas/New Year's 2006/2007 when they started screwing with people...It's an absolute travesty how much good will they have squandered in this pilot group.

Did this coincide with the arrival of a new investor, prehaps a private equity or capital investment firm?

 

[ron burgundy]

It says "(permanent)" in the actual notice? That is very strange language.

Nothing strange about the wording in our contract when it comes to getting rid of retirees before they touch line pilots. Strange is, how it's working out, or not working out is more like it.

 

[B727Driver]

Lear70...the infamous "Coach". What a winner he is along with his scab friends from Value-whore. The AirTran guys and gals, great group and wish them the best during this time.

Just wondering, did any of the furloughed USAirways or UAL leave AirTran and go back before this recent round of cuts at the legacy carriers?

 

[Colonel Savage]

...Just wondering, did any of the furloughed USAirways or UAL leave AirTran and go back before this recent round of cuts at the legacy carriers?

Why do you want to know?

 

[Ualexpress]

Just wondering, did any of the furloughed USAirways or UAL leave AirTran and go back before this recent round of cuts at the legacy carriers?

Yes for UAL, not sure about USAirways. I know of several USAir that didn't go back. There were also many UAL guys that didn't go back, especially those that had upgraded or were close to upgrading at AirTran. Those from United that went back were usually guys who had been at AirTran for less than a couple of years and had several years of seniority to go back to at United.

 

[B727Driver]

Thanks UALexpress. Good luck to all.

 

[BOOZENEWS]

This whole debacle ought to make it very clear that Obama is the best choice for president. At least compared to Mccain. At the very least he will appoint labor friendly judges and NMB members.

To those of you who believe he won't care I have to disagree. If you look at his voting record he has voted pro union every time. He also was a co-sponser of the "Protecting Employees And Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act Of 2007".

Also, assuming that the dems maintain control of both the house and senate w/Obama as POTUS, I see a golden opportunity to enact landmark legislation that would drastically ease the grip of the RLA on pilots of even eliminate it totally.


I sure as hell hope ALPA has they're ducks lined up as there is a good chance of having the dems in control the WH, House & Senate for at least 2 yrs.

Now that mgmt has declared war on you, why don't you organize a grassroots fly safe campagne. This has got to be as effective as a strike if done correctly, right? With the internet it can't be all that hard to organize, can it?

 

[another cfii]

It's interesting to note that the 177 furlough notices are pilots with a hire date of July, which is still a probie right now, but in Sept, they will be voting member of the NPA. Does the contract say anything different for probie put on furlough vs the rest of the pilot group?

Good luck to all, i learned a lot during my time there.

 

[stall022]

It's interesting to note that the 177 furlough notices are pilots with a hire date of July, which is still a probie right now, but in Sept, they will be voting member of the NPA. Does the contract say anything different for probie put on furlough vs the rest of the pilot group?

Good luck to all, i learned a lot during my time there.

the first one on the list is a 9/10/07 hire and the last is a 4/07/08 hire.

 

[j41driver]

It's interesting to note that the 177 furlough notices are pilots with a hire date of July, which is still a probie right now, but in Sept, they will be voting member of the NPA. Does the contract say anything different for probie put on furlough vs the rest of the pilot group?

Good luck to all, i learned a lot during my time there.

The most senior pilot on the furlough/termination list has a 9/10/07 hire date. Here's what the contract has to say about probation....

Section 2.H. Probation​

1. A pilot will be on probation for a period of twelve (12) calendar months (through the end of the 12th calendar month) from the pilot’s initial check-ride as a pilot with the Company, or successful completion of the pilot’s first annual/recurrent check-ride, whichever occurs first. A pilot’s probationary period will be extended by any period during the twelve (12) month probationary period in which the pilot is on furlough or extended leave of absence of thirty days or more.​

2. Termination, suspension, or discipline of a pilot during this probationary period will not be subject to the Grievance and Arbitration provisions of this Agreement. The Grievance and Arbitration provisions of this Agreement are applicable during a pilot’s probationary period for all other provisions of this Agreement. Except as specifically provided for in this Agreement, probationary pilots enjoy the same rights and privileges accorded non-probationary pilots.​

And here's what it says about furloughs:​

Section 17.B. Furlough:​

1. Procedure:​

a) First, at the Company’s discretion, the Company may make an offer for volunteers for Leaves of Absence, prior to involuntarily furloughing any pilot. The company may offer at least as many leaves of absence, of reasonable durations, as needed to prevent any involuntary furloughs.

b) Second, those employees that are employed by the company to perform flight duties other than line flying, such as training, maintenance ferry flights, ground school training, and simulator training will be discharged prior to any line pilot being furloughed.

c) Third, line pilots will be furloughed in reverse seniority.​

Pretty clear how a furlough is supposed to go, huh? Well, the company is using 2.H.2 to say they can terminate any probationary pilot for any reason...and then saying that they'll furlough them instead of terminating them if we waive 17.B.1.b and allow those guys to remain employed in the training center.

uke:​

​

 

[CKJET]

The scabs on your list have already shown you what they will do.


SCABS are cancer and should always be treated as such. All of those who aren't old enough to have been through a strike and have been giving them the benefit of doubt, pay attention. The next back stabbed could be yours.

Very wise words.... You guys need to remember a lot of these guys you have been giving the benefit of the doubt have already stabbed others in the back. Be very careful...

 

[another cfii]

Thx, J41.. It all makes sense now... Hope the LOA deadline will reduce that number. I can't even start to imagine how that poor soul on the bubble getting "f"ed, going to work with a brave face, knowing come Sept. may be the last time he/she wears the AirTran uniform...

Sadly, it seems only like the tip of the iceburg for the whole industry.

 

[400A]

If AirTran was in ALPA, they wouldn't be having any of these problems.

Sorry, I just spit my coffee all over the screen. That was funny. ALPA has wrecked more airlines than it has helped.

Best of luck guys.

 

[ultrarunner]

This is nothing new. In 2001, Ken Kruger, director of operations at Midwest (you know, Midwest Express), fired our entire newhire class. ALPA stepped in and said, "no, you're going to put them on furlough status."...

So you're one of the "MD-80 Seven"?