Furlough Letters Being Sent out at CAL

[NavinRJohnson]

From the Union:

07-21-09

Earlier today Continental management announced that they would be reducing jobs at the airline by an additional 1700 employees. Although there was no mention of pilot positions in the announcement, ALPA was notified late this afternoon that the company will be sending out as many as 308 letters to pilots notifying them of a possible furlough. These letters are required by New Jersey state law.

Make no mistake about it; your Union feels that job cuts among the pilot ranks are not necessary, nor are they prudent. While scheduling struggles to staff flights each day as evidenced by their continued manipulation of our work rules, there can be little doubt that we are far from over-staffed, or even well-staffed. Cutting pilot jobs at this time, as the FAA is in the midst of rewriting the flight time and duty regulations which could have a significant effect on our staffing needs simply makes no sense. Given that crew fatigue was the impetus for the rulemaking, there is little doubt that the rest rules will likely generate the need for more pilots not less.

Further, we will be joining the Star alliance this fall as an immunized partner. The anticipated growth from this move alone would be indicative of maintaining or even increasing our pilot ranks.

Keep in mind that during the last furlough event, CAL sent out 500 letters to pilots warning of possible furlough, but in the end only furloughed 148. The notices being sent out are a state requirement that carries stiff penalties if underestimated. While CAL has notified us that 308 letters will be sent this time to meet the legal requirements, we have not been informed of the actual number of pilots to be furloughed. However, we expect that shoe to drop soon; when it does, you can be assured that our voice will be heard loud and clear: pilot furloughs are not the way to go. We will continue to fight for your jobs.

​

We will keep you informed during the days to come as events unfold.

​

That Sucks the Big One. And I thought we were lean already....

Navin

 

[NavinRJohnson]

Unless CAL offers another early out package, I would assume they're serious about 308 more. That ALPA spin about only 148 out of 500 on the last set of letters really is a moot point unless we grease up the exit doors for the senior folk.

 

[HHH]

Unless CAL offers another early out package, I would assume they're serious about 308 more. That ALPA spin about only 148 out of 500 on the last set of letters really is a moot point unless we grease up the exit doors for the senior folk.

I am as disgusted as you. Keep in mind that the company is expecting to "save" $100 million in with these cutbacks. Larry Kellner will be paid $20 million by the end of this year ($10 million salary plus another $10 million severance). ONE unit is being paid 20% of cuts gained from the backs of 1700 human beings. This is criminal.

 

[mynameisjim]

Fly that opentime!

 

[COpilot]

I expect very few over age 60 will take any early out, regardless what might be in said package.

Every one of them I have heard talk in crew rooms, cockpits, see NO reason to leave before 65, or older if "they" can get it higher.

Thanks to Leo... "SB"

 

[luckytohaveajob]

CAL even allowed the over 60 instructors prior to Dec. 2007 to remain on the seniority list in violation of the law but since the law isn't clear they just make it up as they go.

Even when the pilot turns 65, the real company men will get put into the training department. The sim building probably looks like a nursing home already. That alone will make an extra 300 furloughs.

 

[Flopgut]

Unless CAL offers another early out package, I would assume they're serious about 308 more. That ALPA spin about only 148 out of 500 on the last set of letters really is a moot point unless we grease up the exit doors for the senior folk.

CAL would have doubled the last early out money if they thought it would have doubled the participation. Problem is the screwballs that make up our over 60 pilot coworkers don't have their sh_t together. They don't know whether they can retire or not. I swear, if CALALPA would have a road show about how to balance a checkbook half our falsely senior bretheren would suddenly realize they don't have to work. It's about that simple. All they know is, their working is hurting others, so it must be good for them?! We need to have a little come to Jesus moment with the 400+ on our list who are working past 60. If they're going to work, it's time to scuttle their lump sum.

 

[proptojet]

The worst part of it all is that we have a lot of jackarses picking up open time like it's going out of style. And it's not only the senior guys. Junior guys picking up is ridiculous. Work yourself right out of a job you idiots.

 

[instructordude]

The forluogh sucks for now but these guys will be able to make up for it with the extra 5 years.

 

[airlinepilot]

What dates of hire are we talking about if the go to 300

 

[Yuppyguppy]

M E R G E r

 

[lookin4better]

Seems like a merger is all but announced. I really didn't think it would happen.... CEOs don't jump ship for no reason.... I wonder when they will announce it?

 

[MINIME]

It's unforutunate, but I think it's becoming clear why Larry decided to persue other goals at this time. Merger or not, me thinks forecasts are turning out to be worse than expected.

Even LUV can't predict what their financial outcome will be for the near term.

 

[contrail67]

Seems like a merger is all but announced. I really didn't think it would happen.... CEOs don't jump ship for no reason.... I wonder when they will announce it?

And in a merger...we MUST put language in the combined contract that ALL furloughed UAL and CAL pilots are returned to the property before anything is signed....and credit is given for time out on furlough.

 

[jonjuan]

And in a merger...we MUST put language in the combined contract that ALL furloughed UAL and CAL pilots are returned to the property before anything is signed....and credit is given for time out on furlough.

Who is WE in your example? Didn't the USAIR east guys try to do this?

 

[Skippy]

1. it's a shot over the bow at alpa - since thats where the head alpa guy works

2. unlike UAL they at least wont publish a numebr and go beyond that

3. when a ceo leaves a job that pays a crapload of money there's a reason they leave-- at that point int heir life-- they really only care about self worth-- not venturing out and seeing if they still got it and try to bring along a new company

4. ive read the articles talking about the debt and other figures that say cal will have to declare bankruptcy unless they can renegotiate their agreements-- much like united the credit card companies run that and they will agree to it b/c both airlines are their cash cows.

5. ual sucks -- another 7% and the furlough just keeps getting longer and longer

6. i dont think ill agree with the rest rules requiring that many more pilots- if the airlines keep cutting capacity that in combination with the winter months coming means.... more furloughs and less jobs--- they appear not to see beyond 1-3 quarters for staffing.

 

[NavinRJohnson]

It hasn't been a shot across the bow, more like through the hull over the years. Like the UAW or other unions, there's very little that can be done during difficult financial conditions. It's all about mitigation at this point until quarter to quarter profitability returns.

Unlike UAL, CAL is required to report how many they're letting go due to NJ state law, otherwise, I don't think we'd be hearing about this until the absolute last moment. The bottom line is we know it will be 308 or something less than that number. Any more the company is fined.

This industry is like running from a grizzly. We don't have to be the fastest (ie most liquidity), we just have to be faster than the slowest company to survive (USAIR, UAL). Our market cap is about a third of Delta's, yet we have over 2 bil in cash (rough figures, don't lambast me if they're off a tad). I don't think bankruptcy is in the cards for a while.

I think we'll consolidate in some shape or form with UAL, but I think we're waiting until UAL completely self destructs and we pick up the pieces. It's cheaper that way.

Bottom line is CAL will run us down to the absolute minimum because they can, and it will preserve cash. Too bad mgt won't share the pain in that aspect.

 

[Kugelblitz]

Time to Rant

I am as disgusted as you. Keep in mind that the company is expecting to "save" $100 million in with these cutbacks. Larry Kellner will be paid $20 million by the end of this year ($10 million salary plus another $10 million severance). ONE unit is being paid 20% of cuts gained from the backs of 1700 human beings. This is criminal.

Welcome to America!! Remember, Larry is the venture capitalist, the entrepreneur, the "management asset" and not the "labor liability". This is what American business is all about, making a few 'risk takers' wealthy at the expense of the many cowardly dummies and then listen to the TV hacks and the $150K-$175K feaux rich wannabe's make excuses for the status quo.

This is the beauty of laissez faire capitalism with it's unrestricted markets and lack of regulation. Why we all know a bunch of clean cut, white boys who go to church every Sunday (and the right church at that) would never do anything wrong. This is the way it is supposed to be, there are those meant to serve and those meant to lead. We have to reward our management 'talent' or we will lose them.

Can anyone else think of an excuse I left out? Oh, one more thing, if you don't like it, you don't have to live here ( this I heard for the last 8+ years. Of course many of those people who mindlessly parroted that crap don't like Obama but they still live here.)

I won't be getting a furlough letter this time but I am out of hope. I am prepared to clean up the cockpit one last time so I can hand it over nice and clean to the United pilot that will soon occupy the space I have been in the last 5 years. What's the big deal, I handed over my space at TWA after 7 years there.

I have been accused by my fellow pilots of being part of an entitlement generation. We felt entitled to not sit reserve for 10 years, to upgrade to captain before we turned 57, to make more than a McDonalds employee as a newhire. If I ever complained about these issues I was firmly rebuked by my older colleagues that I knew the rules when I got on with CAL.

Interestingly enough, many of these colleagues are now flying at ages 61, 62, and soon 63 years of age, even though they knew the rules when they hired on with the airlines 20+ years ago. Apparently having a 'right' to a part-time job that pays upwards of 200K a year isn't some sort of entitlement sense. More cannibalism by those who have already had their share (who decides who's share is enough?-says the Limbaughs of the country) at the expense of those waiting in the wings and struggling.

Who has any hope left out there? Not only about this profession, but about any profession in this world that is rapidly evolving. What are my kids supposed to do to get by? We don't want to provide them something like healthcare, fine, but we don't care if they are provided employment opportunities to obtain healthcare either, especially if we can help out our own 401K's returns. Where do we think all this is going to lead? I have seen the gates on the gated communities that many of the Kellner's of the world live in, and I don't imagine those partitions could hold back an angry mob of the hopeless.

Sorry this is so off message with the furlough thread. The post by HHH tripped a switch inside me. I suppose my somewhat liberal underlinings are showing through and I accept all the criticism such displays entail in what is a predominantly conservative profession which necessarily promotes the status quo. This status quo is killing all of us, not just these 308 latest victims.

To my friends and colleagues at CAL who got the letter, my most sincere sympathies and best wishes. I will be joining you shortly I am sure.

 

[contrail67]

1. it's a shot over the bow at alpa - since thats where the head alpa guy works

2. unlike UAL they at least wont publish a numebr and go beyond that

3. when a ceo leaves a job that pays a crapload of money there's a reason they leave-- at that point int heir life-- they really only care about self worth-- not venturing out and seeing if they still got it and try to bring along a new company

4. ive read the articles talking about the debt and other figures that say cal will have to declare bankruptcy unless they can renegotiate their agreements-- much like united the credit card companies run that and they will agree to it b/c both airlines are their cash cows.

5. ual sucks -- another 7% and the furlough just keeps getting longer and longer

6. i dont think ill agree with the rest rules requiring that many more pilots- if the airlines keep cutting capacity that in combination with the winter months coming means.... more furloughs and less jobs--- they appear not to see beyond 1-3 quarters for staffing.

So United announced a decrease of 7% international flying for the last quarter...did they tack on a number of pilots that will be furloughed? I did not see any.

 

[GogglesPisano]

Another spot-on post, Kugelblitz.