Virgin America hangs as its hedge fund owners get antsy

[StarChecker]

I think you're wasting your time. And I think you told me that once, too, when I was going 'round and 'round with the "our low wages don't/won't bring other airlines' wages" Allegiant guy

I've learned from flightinfo.com that's it's OK to massively undercut the prevailing wage as long as it is for the following reasons:

1) It's OK because we're a new airline
2) It's OK because ALPA sucks/it's ALPA's fault I lost my pension/job or insert other anti-ALPA sentiment
3) It's OK because I get to be home every night
4) It's OK because we have a great relationship with management
5) It's OK because it's a quick upgrade
6) It's OK because we don't fly to the places your airline flies to

I might have missed a couple.

That about sums up 80% of the Captains I fly with...

and you missed one...

"I got mine....$crew anyone junior to me."

 

[Bavarian Chef]

I think you're wasting your time. And I think you told me that once, too, when I was going 'round and 'round with the "our low wages don't/won't bring other airlines' wages" Allegiant guy

I've learned from flightinfo.com that's it's OK to massively undercut the prevailing wage as long as it is for the following reasons:

1) It's OK because we're a new airline
2) It's OK because ALPA sucks/it's ALPA's fault I lost my pension/job or insert other anti-ALPA sentiment
3) It's OK because I get to be home every night
4) It's OK because we have a great relationship with management
5) It's OK because it's a quick upgrade
6) It's OK because we don't fly to the places your airline flies to

I might have missed a couple.

Excellent post.

How about this one?:

7) It's OK because I got 6,000 stock options.

 

[ualdriver]

Excellent post.

How about this one?:

7) It's OK because I got 6,000 stock options.

Oh yes, thanks Chef. I forgot about that guy from Skybus who kept saying that.

 

[clickclickboom]

I got my 6000 stock options from Blue at $12 a share so screw you guys I'm rich just look at todays quote !!

 

[Fubijaakr]

I think you're wasting your time. And I think you told me that once, too, when I was going 'round and 'round with the "our low wages don't/won't bring other airlines' wages" Allegiant guy

I've learned from flightinfo.com that's it's OK to massively undercut the prevailing wage as long as it is for the following reasons:

1) It's OK because we're a new airline
2) It's OK because ALPA sucks/it's ALPA's fault I lost my pension/job or insert other anti-ALPA sentiment
3) It's OK because I get to be home every night
4) It's OK because we have a great relationship with management
5) It's OK because it's a quick upgrade
6) It's OK because we don't fly to the places your airline flies to

I might have missed a couple.

I know, I know. What was I thinking?

Never try to teach a pig to sing. Its a waste of your time and it irritates the pig.

 

[Fubijaakr]

I'm not following your logic here.

Obviously.

Until then your argument is about 4 years too early IMHO.

Then let me make it perfectly clear for you.

1. Your highest paid Captain TODAY makes $100 an hour.

2. That rate is 35% below what our highest paid Captain makes TODAY.

3. We're negotiating a new contract TODAY.

4. Our managment says, "TODAY our biggest competitor is Virgin America. TODAY they have a 30% labor cost advantage. In order to compete with that labor cost advantage TODAY we want you to either take pay cuts OR reduce the cost of your benefits. That way we can compete with Virgin America TODAY on an equal playing field."

Its all about TODAY, Ace. You and your buddies are undercutting my contract TODAY.

Thanks for nothing.

 

[Laboule]

Do you guys have anything else in life to do besides post in-the-dark opinions polluted with bad grammar? Have you thought about getting a woman or a non-aviation hobby? Dare to dream, enroll at your local junior college and work on that "I'll do it someday" degree or even graduate degree? Wow! Perhaps volunteer, stare at the wall, anything?

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Oh yes, thanks Chef. I forgot about that guy from Skybus who kept saying that.

Yeah, JB did the same thing. It was officially part of our "retirement" plan, that is until the stock dropped off a f-ing cliff. On our last pay and benefits review, they said that stock options were not considered or reviewed because they stopped giving them to pilots a year or so ago.

Poof! There went a part of our "retirement plan".

I have 9,000 at 12.74 -- hahahahaha.

Let me guess, many VA pilots went there thinking there was fortune and glory in those stock options.

I am in the severe minority (at JB) when I say that my own company (and pilot group) is part of the problem, and that now is the time (better late than never) to take charge of our careers and demand a better compensation package from management. Others are more inclined to invoke that snazzy "It's OK" list of yours.

 

[Bavarian Chef]

Do you guys have anything else in life to do besides post in-the-dark opinions polluted with bad grammar? Have you thought about getting a woman or a non-aviation hobby? Dare to dream, enroll at your local junior college and work on that "I'll do it someday" degree or even graduate degree? Wow! Perhaps volunteer, stare at the wall, anything?

Yep, perfect grammar.

 

[ualdriver]

Do you guys have anything else in life to do besides post in-the-dark opinions polluted with bad grammar?

Isn't that what internet forums are for?

Have you thought about getting a woman

Women scare me.

or a non-aviation hobby?

I only like airplanes. Right now I'm memorizing the maximum certified take-off gross weights of all Douglas aircraft build between 1921 and 1967 before McDonnell polluted the company. I'm hoping that knowledge will help me with the "Have you thought about getting a woman" statement above. Chicks dig that kind of stuff, right?

Dare to dream, enroll at your local junior college and work on that "I'll do it someday" degree or even graduate degree? Wow!

I can't get accepted to a junior college or a graduate degree program because my grammar is bad and when I have assignments to write, they tend to be in the dark, overly opinionated, and therefore graded poorly.

Perhaps volunteer, stare at the wall, anything?

I'm staring at a flat screen monitor. It's kind like a wall. But with pretty colors.

Oh crap. Wait a minute. Was that a serious post Laboule? Because if it was, I'm going to have to change my answers. Except the part about being scared of women. That part is serious.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Its all about TODAY, Ace. You and your buddies are undercutting my contract TODAY.

Your contract is your problem. I see a lot of "Me Me Me" in all your comments. You are the very image of what you are accusing others of, but you can't see it.

Thanks for nothing.

Certainly, you are welcome.

It's called competition. Happens all over the place. Have you ever comparison shopped for an item?

 

[mvedepo]

EXACTLY! DO SOMETHING ELSE! I guess you think you aren't capable or smart enough to find other work. Perhaps you know yourselves better than we do.

If your job and pay suck so bad then maybe it's YOU that should find another job. That's if you are capable or smart enough of course.

Its sad that you are a really bitter person. I pity you really. Must be rough getting up every morning and looking at Mr. Sourpuss in the mirror. Well if you ever want to actually enjoy coming to work PM me. I'd love to walk in your resume. Don't worry my friend. We can take that frown and turn it upside down ! We may not be the highest paid group in the land. But I can tell you no one enjoys their job more than we do. Just let me know when you are ready to leave the dark side!

 

[vixin]

It's called competition. Happens all over the place. Have you ever comparison shopped for an item?

Then one cant get upset when the competition wants to put the other out of business by anymeans. Like saying they need to follow the rules.

 

[front9]

Obviously.



Then let me make it perfectly clear for you.

1. Your highest paid Captain TODAY makes $100 an hour.

Wrong

2. That rate is 35% below what our highest paid Captain makes TODAY.

What year are you comparing?

3. We're negotiating a new contract TODAY.

Good luck with that one.

4. Our managment says, "TODAY our biggest competitor is Virgin America. TODAY they have a 30% labor cost advantage. In order to compete with that labor cost advantage TODAY we want you to either take pay cuts OR reduce the cost of your benefits. That way we can compete with Virgin America TODAY on an equal playing field."

So vote with your feet, stand up to management and strike and be a real tough guy, not just an internet tough guy.

Its all about TODAY, Ace. You and your buddies are undercutting my contract TODAY.

Me me me, its all about you.

Thanks for nothing.

And thank you for the same...enjoy your day

 

[LoveGun]

You guys can go round and round all you want. Face it, if VA works and you got hired on at VA early it's a great spot to be in. Where else can you make $100/hour and log airbus PIC in your second year. Not to mention you'd be sitting at the top of the seniority list for the rest of your career. Management knows this and that's why they offer the crap pay. For many pilots this is a better deal (although a gamble, but what isn't these days) than waiting to get hired at a major. It's the free market. For better or worse this is what we're stuck with and guys have to make decisions based on their own needs. It is extremely selfish to argue that someone give up an opportunity at a better life when you have nothing to offer other than wait your turn or go away and do something else.