AMR/LCC Merger and Furlough Question...

[weasel_lips]

I'm starting class soon with US Airways. I know it's a gamble, as with anything I guess. I'm leaving a Captain seat at a good regional to go, mind you I have plenty of TPIC. I know this is a vague question with a million different opinions, but if the merger happens, is furlough right off the bat a real possibility?

First of all there is no such thing as a good regional. Even US East in its current (temporary) state is 1,000 times better. You will like it here despite what all the morons (none of which actually work at the US east side) will tell you on this disinformation board.

Of all times to get hired this is the lowest chance of furlough in history. If you are going to leave the regional now is the time to do it.

AMR/US have little overlap. Huge retirement wave just getting started now. (You could not have better timing). A new contract at US is going to result in a lot of hiring on its own. (more vacation for one). The new rest rules will result in more hiring as well. If there is no merger, you are fine too. We are at min fleet and block hours, so there will be no more shrinking.

I don't believe the last big mergers resulted in furloughs. (DAL/NWA, UAL/CAL, SWA/AIRTRAN) And that will be the case here as well.

You have made a good move, congratulations, enjoy it, and don't look back.

 

[The Drizzle]

What he said. I left a senior, well enough paid regional captain position to come here. If I eat a furlough, I'll do so without regret.

 

[Bringupthebird]

Even US East in its current (temporary) state is 1,000 times better.

Temporary. 7 years is temporary? It's about 20% of the average pilots career.

You will like it here despite what all the morons (none of which actually work at the US east side) will tell you on this disinformation board.

Unless a Southwest pilot buys a rental property next to your house and comes over to chat.

Of all times to get hired this is the lowest chance of furlough in history.That is the same thing that most furloughed pilots heard when they hired on. Except that the one telling them that didn't have furlough/downbid protection.

If you are going to leave the regional now is the time to do it.

Or when the dust settles on the merger. If the boom is as big as they claim, what's the harm in waiting. If it's not...

AMR/US have little overlap. Huge retirement wave just getting started now. (You could not have better timing).

What magic wand does Doug Parker have to generate profits that Horton didn't have? Oh, yeah, losing the fleet minimums in the current TA and a permanent injunction against it's most divisive labor group.

A new contract at US is going to result in a lot of hiring on its own. (more vacation for one). The new rest rules will result in more hiring as well. If there is no merger, you are fine too. We are at min fleet and block hours, so there will be no more shrinking.

USAPA will need to get a contract with PArker if there is no merger. The biggest chip they have to bargain with is elimination of any protections in exchange for conspiring to use DOH.

I don't believe the last big mergers resulted in furloughs. (DAL/NWA, UAL/CAL, SWA/AIRTRAN) And that will be the case here as well.

When were the AWA pilots furloughed? This will be the biggest, weakest airline merger yet, facing a fiscal cliff and anemic recovery. The airline must be fed a steady stream of cash and any interruption to that flow (global unrest, stock market dive) will result in these guys dumping whatever is necessary to survive until the full integration is complete.

Everyone has to make their own choices, but there is a significant risk that will be reduced once the merger either comes or not. Additionally, the toxic relationship east and west will not vaporize just because the APA becomes the sheriff. The memories of how much damage USAPA did will linger and it will be hard for many folks who had to spend thousands of their own dollars to fight an out-of-control union to move on. Eventually those people will have to share crew rooms and hotel vans and cockpits. Choosing to hitch your future to that environment is not a decision to be made lightly or hastily. The return on investment in your career should be more than just bitter regrets for suffering the actions of others.

 

[General Lee]

The toxic mess between the East and the West will be resolved legally, and that will be that. The APA will not put up with USAPA's shananigans. After the SLI is finally taken care of and the Easties cannot back out of it, the Easties will mostly all retire, and then all will be good again. Moving to US before the merger is a GOOD idea for any Regional pilot. Both AA and US will have HUGE retirements over the next few years, and that will help with QOL, and a new contract will bring up the pay, especially for the US guys that have been stuck due to the Easties intransigence. I would say it's a good move.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Bringupthebird]

The toxic mess between the East and the West will be resolved legally, and that will be that. The APA will not put up with USAPA's shananigans. After the SLI is finally taken care of and the Easties cannot back out of it, the Easties will mostly all retire, and then all will be good again. Moving to US before the merger is a GOOD idea for any Regional pilot. Both AA and US will have HUGE retirements over the next few years, and that will help with QOL, and a new contract will bring up the pay, especially for the US guys that have been stuck due to the Easties intransigence. I would say it's a good move.


Bye Bye---General Lee

I wish I could share your optimism. USAPA will likely accept Nic with enough fences around CLT/DCA/PHL/PHX to nullify the effects, thus indemnifying APA and placating the east. You really don't think the east is that much older than the west, do you? And the APA has no experience in playing the role of white knight to other pilot groups, so I expect they'll have a hard time catching on.

Usually you have fairly good insight on thses sort of things, but here I see you getting caught up in the fantasy of a fairy godunion coming to make things right. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[weasel_lips]

Leave it to bird brain to drag this thread back into the crapper

 

[filejw]

No. But if you are on voluntary furlough or haven't come back from furlough on your own, and somebody below you has come back, he will not be placed in front of you on the list. Nobody can hopscotch above you on your own list.


Bye Bye---General Lee

Err. Yes Republic / Air West......People on the street took up to 18 months to be recalled.List was based on length of service as I recall.

 

[SWA/FO]

Exactly. Even in arbitration, everyone hired after the merger announcement gets stapled.

Thats not fair!!!

 

[johnsonrod]

You'll probably see many of the older Easties proactively retire after the NIC award is finally implemented - as it should be. So, there should be space for you.

Merry Christmas!

 

[thruthemurk]

How many pilots does AA have on furlough? I would think that would eat up quite a few years of retirement.