ASA Reserves

[shadowpuppet]

I was on the bus today and my captain was talking to another crew about the contract guy and how he wasn't willing to do anything for the reserves. I guess he is in charge of the new contract for the union and he said that they were not going to make changes to reserve rules that would hurt the guys who can now hold lines to make things better for the junior guys. has anybody else heard about this. being a reserve I don't like this kind of thinking, and I have heard in the past that there was some problem with the guy in charge of the contract commitee in regards to flight instructors and reserves? how senior is this guy, and how long has he been doing this

 

[Uncle Bunkle]

since 1984.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Call your union rep or better yet, call the Contract negotiatiors. Thy are very approachable and get the word straight from them, it will save you the aggravation or wondering fi they're going to do it or not.

Their numbers are in every email, on the roster in the crew lounge, and on the website. If you need then, PM me.

 

[CTS]

Unfortunately just as within any organization there is politics. If you are running for office you want to appeal to the largest base. In our world this would be line holders. The people negotiating and watching over our contract are far far removed from reserve. Many have never seen reserve at ASA. Alpa needs business people with people skills, not politicians. We have some good people over there, but there are a few that could go.

That being said the root cause is really the company. They have a philosophical problem in how they view reserves and the staffing of reserves. Alpa can not fix this, only ASA can. They fail to understand the effects of their actions and the fatigue that comes from being away from home, getting days off taken, flying every holiday and pushed to the brink of exhaustion. They seen to be mostly concerned that every pilot fly 75hrs rather than looking at reserves as a cost of doing business to keep the airline on time. You can see this in our on time numbers and rise in cancelations. This is where their spreadsheets do not match reality. Talking to Apla, they understand this and have made suggestions to the company, but no management is going to listen to labor.

Hopefully the conservation you heard was an exaggeration. I would go over to Alpa headquarters and talk to them about it (nicelyJ ). Remember they work for you.

BUT it is way better than how I was treated during my days at Colgan! In the end it it is all relative. Unfortunately reserve as an FO is harder becausee the compensation is so low.​

 

[777forever]

I think the best improvement the reserves will see is an upgrade to XJT reserve rules. Other than that it makes little sense to waste neg. capital on reserve rules especially to the detriment of line holders. Regional shortage is well on the way anyway and age 65 is almost up so pilots in the near future will be spending minimal time on reserve

 

[701EV]

I was on the bus today and my captain was talking to another crew about the contract guy and how he wasn't willing to do anything for the reserves. I guess he is in charge of the new contract for the union and he said that they were not going to make changes to reserve rules that would hurt the guys who can now hold lines to make things better for the junior guys. has anybody else heard about this. being a reserve I don't like this kind of thinking, and I have heard in the past that there was some problem with the guy in charge of the contract commitee in regards to flight instructors and reserves? how senior is this guy, and how long has he been doing this

Shadowpuppet, who was it?

I need some initials or name who said that to believe it. Or take it to the ALPA board and spill the beans.

On the last contract they improved the reserve section!

 

[Redan]

I was on the bus today and my captain was talking to another crew about the contract guy and how he wasn't willing to do anything for the reserves. I guess he is in charge of the new contract for the union and he said that they were not going to make changes to reserve rules that would hurt the guys who can now hold lines to make things better for the junior guys. has anybody else heard about this. being a reserve I don't like this kind of thinking, and I have heard in the past that there was some problem with the guy in charge of the contract commitee in regards to flight instructors and reserves? how senior is this guy, and how long has he been doing this

As someone who has been on reserve for almost six years at our fair company I can confirm for you that this is exactly the attitude of our representatives. The abysmal conditions our reserves have to deal with are largely the result of our union's archaic philosophies.

In my conversations with my Captain's Rep RV I've been told exactly the same thing: That they won't do anything for reserves that will impact the rights of the line holders. That reserve can't become something at all desirable, or more desirable than any regular line. I pointed out that at that time over 30% of our pilots were on reserve, most were former line holders and that this was a very significant block of our pilots. Also that frequently they were being driven to burn out and often spending years on reserve. I asked him what about my rights as a captain well into the top 50% of our seniority list? I pointed out that at many airlines the pain of reserve is mitigated by much more favorable reserve rules supported by their elected reps and the more senior pilots.

Pressing further the gentleman said that ASA was losing money and the improvements I suggested (which were not dramatic) would cost money. He asked what was I willing to give up to get the improvements? He even asked whether I would be willing to give up $1.50 per hour? He was dumbfounded as I replied "yes I would." My questions for him were: You say we're losing money. So obviously this means you've seen the books? Very interesting indeed. Secondly, you have quite a nerve looking at a man who's done almost 6 years of reserve under the antiquated work rules we have and asking what he's willing to give up. Why the hale should I be willing to give up anything? And frankly sir, who exactly do you work for? Lastly I stated that obviously reserve pilots were not represented and should clearly be exempted from union dues.

Sorry to have to break it to you as to what we're dealing with. If you can talk to anyone who was on the "Reserve Focus Group" last year. I've spoken directly to three of them who all confirm company was willing to make reserve rule improvements but our representatives shot them down. Additionally, I've spoken to other of our reps who are no longer in office who said our union made only a token effort to improve reserve during negotiations for the PBS LOA. About the only significant improvement I'm aware of from the LOA was the reduction of extension beyond the end of the 8 hour Ready Reserve period from two hours to one. It should be zero, and frankly an 8 hour RR period (with only 4 hours pay) is quite generous to company. On speaking to one of our JCBA negotiators I was told the most significant thing which would affect my reserve conditions was growth getting me off reserve. I could go on and on and I've posted before regarding reserve. Hope this helps clarify the position of your elected reps.

 

[johnpeace]

Here's the email I got from John Wood XJTNC in response to my email with a bunch of improvements I want to see in our reserve language:

The JNC will work to achieve that best possible contract for the pilot group as a whole. Pilots at XJT have had similar experience with being on reserve for several years, and improving reserve QOL will be a priority. However, it will not be done at the expense of the rest of the pilot group - just like improving a senior pilot's QOL will not be done at the expense of reserves.

It's probably BS to make me shut up and leave him alone while he throws me under the bus...but he makes it sound like they have gotten a lot of requests for improvements to ASA's current reserve language.

The email address to submit your own request for improvements and suggestions is: JNC <[email protected]>

 

[701EV]

If it is true that ALPA does not want to improve life while on Reserve?

It might be time for the Reserves to RISE UP!

There is an ALPA Meeting on April 6, at 0930 in ATL

 

[ASA_Aviator]

If it is true that ALPA does not want to improve life while on Reserve?

It might be time for the Reserves to RISE UP!

There is an ALPA Meeting on April 6, at 0930 in ATL

At some airlines, reserve can actually go senior. We could make it more attractive.

 

[johnpeace]

If it is true that ALPA does not want to improve life while on Reserve?

It might be time for the Reserves to RISE UP!

There is an ALPA Meeting on April 6, at 0930 in ATL

The week of spring break...when I'll be at the beach with my kids.

Perfect.

 

[mxaviator]

I recently contacted a rep with some concerns and suggestions about the reserve system. I was told capital would not be wasted to work out issues with the reserve system and not to "worry about it because I'd be a line holder soon." I agree that the system is much better than it was but why not fix some weak areas? Oh well..

 

[johnpeace]

I was told capital would not be wasted to work out issues with the reserve system and not to "worry about it because I'd be a line holder soon."

Did you tell that rep to go get F*** and that your single purposed goal for next elections is to get him thrown out?

 

[Abernathy]

I recently contacted a rep with some concerns and suggestions about the reserve system. I was told capital would not be wasted to work out issues with the reserve system and not to "worry about it because I'd be a line holder soon." I agree that the system is much better than it was but why not fix some weak areas? Oh well..

We're in deep sh...

 

[Jackie Moon]

I don't understand this attitude. Every FO will be back on reserve some day if they don't want to wait forever to ugrade. How many captains are on reserve? I'm not sure but lets say around 15%. Maybe my math is off but that seems to work out to about 65% of pilots at asa will deal or are dealing with reserve. For me it's just a few little things that should be fixed. No calling after a trip. Check sked plus and go home. Can't be put on RR on the pm shift before days off and no more than 3 conversions from long call to short call (or maybe we put a quarterly limit in so they don't run it up to the limit for no reason every month). Conversions from long call to short call need to come with credit. It's long call for a reason and if they want to change it pay us the same you do a RR.

 

[Redan]

At some airlines, reserve can actually go senior. We could make it more attractive.

Exactly. But of course, as long as our representative's viewpoints are anchored in the tired archaic perspectives of the past, this is not likely to happen. I think peeps are starting to understand how the reserve situation is largely determined by our union and how it is up to us to assist them in seeing the light.

 

[Redan]

I've mentioned this on here a number of times but I hardly ever hear anyone else talk about it: that would be PAY PROTECTION for RESERVES. Once a trip is assigned, you are guaranteed that trip's credit or the credit of the new assignment if reassigned, whichever is higher. This is utilized by many carriers (I believe including ExpressJet) and tightens up reserve tremendously. It introduces logic and efficiency into a system rife with slop. I would be quite pleased to hear a few more voices promoting this concept...

 

[Dannone]

Good news for all you who thought it was a great idea to have the most hated pilot at ASA on the merger committee. He just told me the other day that he has already gone to CT and told him that the Expressjet pilots were asking for too much!!! Way to split ranks already. This is not a reserve problem at ASA it is an attitude that employees and their families don't mean anything. That needs to be addressed for line pilots and reserves both. It needs to be addressed in the JCBA and we need to stick together, both groups!!!

 

[johnpeace]

Please bring this to John Wood's attention: JNC <[email protected]>

 

[asayankee]

Any days off moved need be be compensated, not just replaced. Automatic min day + credit earned on said day. If under 75 this needs to go on top of guarantee...AND an RDO. Having days off moved last minute is a HUGE inconvenience. Why do we get nothing for it?????