2013 L-CAL System Bid Out

[Flopgut]

By the way, it's funny how your opinion's changed since 2008:

Flopgut, I'm also confused by your statement that nothing good has happened for Continental pilots. Every time I hear an ex-Con say that, I ask if he's staying at better hotels since the merge. 'Yes'. Do I need to point out a myriad of other examples that you're also ignoring? Take two steps back and do an unbiased assessment of now vs three years ago.

I had a different impression of UAL back then. Seen it up close now and it looks a lot different. If you can point out a few more positives, then please do. I would love to be shown I'm wrong. I'd rather not argue. The reality for CAL pilots is this: SLI doesn't matter. We could do reasonably well and we are still going to see our opportunities to fly the Pacific and South America, or anything like that, diminish.

I realize I'm talking to a guy who was furloughed and there are worse things than doing boring flying. I beg your pardon.

 

[taxicabdriver]

I have not seen any better hotels since this merger and I don't like the 14 hr rule requiring a downtown hotel either, much rather it stay the same... I don't want to be spending an hour each way of my 15 hr layover in a van

 

[Andy]

I had a different impression of UAL back then. Seen it up close now and it looks a lot different. If you can point out a few more positives, then please do. I would love to be shown I'm wrong. I'd rather not argue. The reality for CAL pilots is this: SLI doesn't matter. We could do reasonably well and we are still going to see our opportunities to fly the Pacific and South America, or anything like that, diminish.

I realize I'm talking to a guy who was furloughed and there are worse things than doing boring flying. I beg your pardon.

For one, the reality of this business is that we're in a consolidation phase. Once it's completed, smaller carriers will disappear one by one - not by merging but through chap 7. CAL had a small enough footprint that it would be an endangered species within the decade. Parker knows that's the fate of USAirways if he doesn't merge.

And I suppose all of the pilots who are now based out of LAX and DEN have seen no benefits of the merge? I've flown with a couple that are VERY HAPPY to no longer have to commute.

I have not seen any better hotels since this merger and I don't like the 14 hr rule requiring a downtown hotel either, much rather it stay the same... I don't want to be spending an hour each way of my 15 hr layover in a van

There are always a few outliers who can find a cloud in every silver lining. You're one of those rare Best Western/Holiday Inn Express/Fairfield Inn fans.

 

[Flopgut]

And I suppose all of the pilots who are now based out of LAX and DEN have seen no benefits of the merge? I've flown with a couple that are VERY HAPPY to no longer have to commute.

I don't think you can credit LAX to the merger. DEN? Yeah maybe. Despite the move to consolidate, CAL was still a very organic situation. This merger is as though a Whole Foods got built on a superfund cleanup site.

I can tell you this: CAL had/has a lot of momentum and some great flying. Bids like this current one, were part of our recent past and our immediate future. You tell me what you think the next bid is going to look like? IMO any decent L-UAL BES isn't going to have a single vacancy for years.

 

[chppr5]

I don't think you can credit LAX to the merger. DEN? Yeah maybe. Despite the move to consolidate, CAL was still a very organic situation. This merger is as though a Whole Foods got built on a superfund cleanup site.

I can tell you this: CAL had/has a lot of momentum and some great flying. Bids like this current one, were part of our recent past and our immediate future. You tell me what you think the next bid is going to look like? IMO any decent L-UAL BES isn't going to have a single vacancy for years.

You seem to forget the main reasons for these bids. What were the staffing needs at s-CAL with the JCBA 2012?(trip rigs, duty rigs, 5 hr/min cal/day) What about staffing needs for FAR 117? How many more airframes does s-CAL have now than when the merger was announced? Don't equate growth with bids. With NO work rules s-CAL was under staffed by 500+ with s-UAL C2003 work rules. Now add in 1:4 (eventually 1:3.5), 5MD, 90 Hr cap, 2:1. JCBA staffing needs are in the 800 range once fully implemented, so hopefully we will both benefit from the bids soon.

 

[Flyforyou]

FWIW, I talked to the 8-Ball(most jr guy on property) yesterday and he's out of the '08 pool of guys who had class dates when CAL/UAL stopped hiring. Somebody from HR said last week they have unfilled slots in the late Feb class right now. Good luck to everyone.

 

[igneousy2]

I have not seen any better hotels since this merger and I don't like the 14 hr rule requiring a downtown hotel either, much rather it stay the same... I don't want to be spending an hour each way of my 15 hr layover in a van

So when you get a 24 hour layover, where do you want the hotel to be? Are you saying you NEVER want to be downtown if it's a long drive, or that you want to adjust the time that triggers a downtown hotel?

 

[taxicabdriver]

Yes, I like the trigger where it is now... I think it's 18 or maybe 20 hrs, but I really never do long layovers, I'd rather have my time at home

 

[Scrapdog]

Yes, I like the trigger where it is now... I think it's 18 or maybe 20 hrs, but I really never do long layovers, I'd rather have my time at home

+1.

Give me a good gym and good, healthy food. I could care less if I'm right by the biggest shopping mall in the county.

 

[eaglesview]

+1.

Give me a good gym and good, healthy food. I could care less if I'm right by the biggest shopping mall in the county.

That wouldn't qualify as downtown. I would have rather seen 16 as the trigger but we could nit pick all day, doesn't do any good.