ASA Staffing problem

[Abernathy]

Already started cancelling flights out of ATL for lack of crews, Junior Manning is in full swing, and out of IAD, equal number of crews per lines.

I hear it's too late to recall furloughs to help us out this summer. If they called them back today, I don't see how that is "too late." How many months to get people back on line?

Oh and rumors going around the cockpit the past few weeks of DL doing some hiring.

NICE GOING crew planning.

 

[Tom_Bodett]

Already started cancelling flights out of ATL for lack of crews, Junior Manning is in full swing, and out of IAD, equal number of crews per lines.

I hear it's too late to recall furloughs to help us out this summer. If they called them back today, I don't see how that is "too late." How many months to get people back on line?

Oh and rumors going around the cockpit the past few weeks of DL doing some hiring.

NICE GOING crew planning.

We haven't had to cancel due to crews yet to the best of my knowledge because we have had enough takers on the premium pick ups.

 

[Plainsman]

If we are understaffed why are lines block so low? I know I could stand for about 15 to 20 more hours.

 

[79%N1]

Exactly! Most line holder want (need, expect, etc..) 80-85 hrs. If all 300+ lines were increased 10 hrs, that is 3000 block hours right there. They will do that first.

 

[777forever]

Already started cancelling flights out of ATL for lack of crews, Junior Manning is in full swing, and out of IAD, equal number of crews per lines.

I hear it's too late to recall furloughs to help us out this summer. If they called them back today, I don't see how that is "too late." How many months to get people back on line?

Oh and rumors going around the cockpit the past few weeks of DL doing some hiring.

NICE GOING crew planning.

Wish this were all true but it looks like we are still well staffed. Line values are low. 45 lines for 55 FOs in IAD for May. Capt is different because there are several Capts that missed the bidding deadline because they were still in training but Scheduling will build them a nice pretty line once they get out.

Reserve usage in IAD is a little better but still boring. 37hrs credit is highest for IAD based reserves. TDYs are banking with around 55hrs credit halfway thru April.

I will be jumping for joy if they decide to match lines with crewmembers and just deadhead reserves. A lineholder position is at least a $1000 per month raise over reserve. Not to mention the reduction of money spent on gas.

 

[Data]

Hmmm, 0 cancels today, 1 yesterday, 1 the day before that. Line values at 75-80, reserves flying 75-80. No, doesn't look like we're short, it just looks like the company is running the operation as efficiently as possible.

 

[ASACRJFlyer]

Hmmm, 0 cancels today, 1 yesterday, 1 the day before that. Line values at 75-80, reserves flying 75-80. No, doesn't look like we're short, it just looks like the company is running the operation as efficiently as possible.

Which is all fine and good for April... I can't wait to see what June, July and August are like. Could make for an interesting Summer, but we'll just have to wait and see.

All I know is the weekend is almost here and the weather is great, time for a cold one!

:beer:

 

[777forever]

Which is all fine and good for April... I can't wait to see what June, July and August are like. Could make for an interesting Summer, but we'll just have to wait and see.

All I know is the weekend is almost here and the weather is great, time for a cold one!

:beer:

Increase the line values. Staffing problem solved. Our block values go up in the summer, but not to a point where a 10 to 15 hr increase in line value won't be enough.

 

[asayankee]

I had to have a 20-year captain pulled off another flight that had already blocked out just to cover 1 round trip because we ran out of 700 Cpt's. Blocked out over 1.5 hrs late because of it.

We're definitely not properly staffed over here on the 700/900

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Wish this were all true but it looks like we are still well staffed. Line values are low. 45 lines for 55 FOs in IAD for May. Capt is different because there are several Capts that missed the bidding deadline because they were still in training but Scheduling will build them a nice pretty line once they get out.

Reserve usage in IAD is a little better but still boring. 37hrs credit is highest for IAD based reserves. TDYs are banking with around 55hrs credit halfway thru April.

I will be jumping for joy if they decide to match lines with crewmembers and just deadhead reserves. A lineholder position is at least a $1000 per month raise over reserve. Not to mention the reduction of money spent on gas.

How are they well staffed when they're buying hotel rooms to have people come up and sit reserve? How? Tell me. They need more people up there if they're deadheading them to sit TDY. There is Jr. Manning going on in ATL, there isn't (or at least as much) in IAD because of the amount of TDY-ed captains and first officers up there.

They won't just have it as a lineholder base, that makes absolutely no sense. They need more people up there, and if that means pushing you farther away from holding a line 777, then that's just a part of the job.

 

[Data]

I had to have a 20-year captain pulled off another flight that had already blocked out just to cover 1 round trip because we ran out of 700 Cpt's. Blocked out over 1.5 hrs late because of it.

We're definitely not properly staffed over here on the 700/900

I think most of the 50 guys that are coming over started differences this week. I know the number for the May CA 700/900 bid reflected that (the May 700 bid had something like 208 spots, it's supposed to have 225 or so). I'm not saying I like what's happening, but the short of it is that we're not understaffed, we're being properly/over utilized. It's the efficient way to run the company, it isn't fun, but this is the new world order. The regional market is very competitive, gone are the days of running fat and sloppy (like our FAs). I think we should all get used to it, and like you say, wait until summer. But if you think about it, and like 777forever said, if they increase line values by 10 hours, say for 175 lines that 10 hours equates to 1750 hours. Divided by 85 and you can absorb another 20 or so captains. It's not the difficult to see how they'll do it. Here's the formula for recalls, 90-95 hour lines, reserves to 90 hours, junior mans all over the place + prolonged period of time = recall of furloughs.

 

[Abernathy]

I think most of the 50 guys that are coming over started differences this week. I know the number for the May CA 700/900 bid reflected that (the May 700 bid had something like 208 spots, it's supposed to have 225 or so). I'm not saying I like what's happening, but the short of it is that we're not understaffed, we're being properly/over utilized. It's the efficient way to run the company, it isn't fun, but this is the new world order. The regional market is very competitive, gone are the days of running fat and sloppy (like our FAs). I think we should all get used to it, and like you say, wait until summer. But if you think about it, and like 777forever said, if they increase line values by 10 hours, say for 175 lines that 10 hours equates to 1750 hours. Divided by 85 and you can absorb another 20 or so captains. It's not the difficult to see how they'll do it. Here's the formula for recalls, 90-95 hour lines, reserves to 90 hours, junior mans all over the place + prolonged period of time = recall of furloughs.

One level of safety my a##.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

That sounds like an asinine formula. We'll have an accident or incident if they do that to us.

 

[Data]

That sounds like an asinine formula. We'll have an accident or incident if they do that to us.

We'll have accidents? What are you talking about? I've been thru several periods here where we had 90 hour lines and junior manning. I don't remember any accidents then...

 

[777forever]

That sounds like an asinine formula. We'll have an accident or incident if they do that to us.

90-95 credit hr lines are dangerous? Air Wisconsin is an example of an understaffed airline. A reserve Capt over there credited 145hrs last month! Thats why they're hiring

 

[Stifler's Mom]

OK, MAYBE we will. It's an assinine recipe if they ever followed that. Take a look at the ASAP reports that we get. We're about to get dropped from the RNAV Departures becasue we are having a problem turning in the right direction. Start over extending the group as a whole, and it would just be a matter of time IMO.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

...my point was, instead of working every last one of us to the breaking point in the name of the all mighty dollar, recall the furloughs and upgrade some more Capts.

 

[777forever]

How are they well staffed when they're buying hotel rooms to have people come up and sit reserve? How? Tell me. They need more people up there if they're deadheading them to sit TDY. There is Jr. Manning going on in ATL, there isn't (or at least as much) in IAD because of the amount of TDY-ed captains and first officers up there.
They won't just have it as a lineholder base, that makes absolutely no sense. They need more people up there, and if that means pushing you farther away from holding a line 777, then that's just a part of the job.

What the IAD TDY situation tells me is that the company making sure that the United operation gets off to a smooth start. What its also telling me is if they can afford to send ATL reserves to IAD with it negatively affecting the ATL operation then we are adequately staffed. I cant think of why an airline would recall with line values under 90 and the open time pretty empty. What was the line values like when ASA was hiring?

 

[Data]

...my point was, instead of working every last one of us to the breaking point in the name of the all mighty dollar, recall the furloughs and upgrade some more Capts.

Because it is about the almighty dollar! And about the ability of the airline to remain competitive. Again, I didn't say I like it or agree with it, but it's the reality of the business, and, my guess is, it is going to get worse.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I am sure it will get worse. We'll probably see more Premium Trips available, hoping that the pilot group bails out the company and their poor planning.

The poor reserves are going to take the brunt of it too. To get close to 90-hours on reserve, you are probably flying everyday you are available. Getting called in at 4am, and then at some point flip-flopping to a night schedule and vice versa. No wonder these guys are calling in fatigued.

I'd rather see the company run fat on pilots and sacrifice some $$$ for everybody's sanity.