AirTran pilot conference call

[Max Powers]

Whats the scoop? More of the same or some new info?

 

[ngsp]

general theme was, we do not know anything yet, but we are working on it.

 

[Max Powers]

well no news is good news so far at least.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

-It is true that management has threatened the NPA with termination of pilots as opposed to furlough if something is not negotiated to keep training department as is. I would assume they would not even have to abide by seniority if they terminate which would allow them to just fire 737 or 717 guys thus reducing training costs. MB said they have no idea the legality or impact that would have.

The NPA will continue to negotiate with the company for other LOA's regardless of the fact that the last one is probably going to put more people on the street AND no progress is being made on our contract.

-Furloughs are a very good possibility and MB said anything from 70-over200 depending on how many planes we end up with and how low the block hours go. But nothing official from the company. The union is working on ways to try and mitigate the numbers.(except the LOA's which seem to continue to help the company and doom jr pilots.)

-The training department guy has pulled his request to return to the line.

I got disconnected after the first couple questions so I don't know what happened from there. I was pretty disgusted though.

 

[Critter717]

86 to 256 furloughs

Line values for Sept and Oct 70 hours

Company will seek voluntary leave of absence first

NPA will counter that Training guys go first, company will counter that probationary pilots are not "line pilots' therefore they can be terminated.

NPA obligated by mediator to continue negotiations despite economic state. Mike said if both parties willing we could have an agreement in August. Said company wants an agreement.

NPA now has a Training Commitee.

Constitution and Bylaw changes coming soon for vote.

Any pay cut/concessions will be put out for a vote.

Every effort being made to keep guys employed.

No new airplanes for thru 2009.

Lastly, for the love of god press 4 and the star button on your phone to mute it so the 150+ folks on the line dont have to listen to your dog bark or kid scream....actually, maybe it was not kids screaming

 

[Max Powers]

86 to 256 furloughs

Line values for Sept and Oct 70 hours

Company will seek voluntary leave of absence first

NPA will counter that Training guys go first, company will counter that probationary pilots are not "line pilots' therefore they can be terminated.

Were those number given as: "definitively stated by the company" or a best guess?

 

[Secret Squirrel]

He actually did not say the company will offer Leave of Absence. It is just one way that the union will try to convince the company to mitigate the number of involuntary. Our contract does not require the company to offer LOA's.

The training LOA did not go out for a vote so I disagree that ALL concessions will go out for a vote.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

Were those number given as: "definitively stated by the company" or a best guess?

He was just throwing out numbers based on projected planes on property/current pilots per plane.

 

[GuppyWN]

Wow. I can't believe the tone you guys are giving. I cannot fathom firing probies just because they can. That is complete BS. I just thought you guys were having morale "issues" before but I fully expect the company to drive you to the brink.

Good luck guys.
Gup

 

[27 driver]

General tone of the conference call was pretty somber. Looks like us probies will be on the street whether it be furloughed or terminated. The question is how many. I sincerely hope they can work it out so we can keep our seniority numbers and recall rights even if it is 2+ years down the road. Best of luck to us all during these tought times.

 

[Lear70]

Lastly, for the love of god press 4 and the star button on your phone to mute it so the 150+ folks on the line dont have to listen to your dog bark or kid scream....actually, maybe it was not kids screaming

No doubt...

Who's the mensa scholar that can make it this far in their career but can't figure out how to mute their phone or even think to try and make SURE their phone is muted after 3 people yell to mute your phone (not counting Mike saying it 5 or 6 times).

Like I said in the call, TOTALLY unconscionable what management is doing, and I would hope NOTHING gets agreed to that puts probationary pilots on the street without recall rights. :angryfire:

 

[27 driver]

I couldn't get my phone to unmute. I tried to hit 4* many times with no luck. Most my questions were answered anyway.

 

[RadioClash]

I couldn't get my phone to unmute. I tried to hit 4* many times with no luck. Most my questions were answered anyway.

I had the same issue. Although I hit 5* and it said "your hand is raised" I hit 5* again and it said "your hand is lowered". Guess that doesn't do anything. What are you using? I have a Palm Centro and it did the same thing on the last call.

 

[Ty Webb]

Aaaargghhhh Welcome Aboard, Sailor

Lastly, for the love of god press 4 and the star button on your phone to mute it so the 150+ folks on the line dont have to listen to your dog bark or kid scream....actually, maybe it was not kids screaming

Yeah, sounded like that un-muted mouth-breathin' clown was at the Zoo with his kids . . . but at least he was wearing his hat.

Seriously, I think we are lucky to have MB at the helm. He has gone to great lengths to educate himeslf on the issues, is much more organized than past NPA Presidents, and is not aiming for a Managememt position.

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

-It is true that management has threatened the NPA with termination of pilots as opposed to furlough if something is not negotiated to keep training department as is. I would assume they would not even have to abide by seniority if they terminate which would allow them to just fire 737 or 717 guys thus reducing training costs. MB said they have no idea the legality or impact that would have.

The NPA will continue to negotiate with the company for other LOA's regardless of the fact that the last one is probably going to put more people on the street AND no progress is being made on our contract.

-Furloughs are a very good possibility and MB said anything from 70-over200 depending on how many planes we end up with and how low the block hours go. But nothing official from the company. The union is working on ways to try and mitigate the numbers.(except the LOA's which seem to continue to help the company and doom jr pilots.)

-The training department guy has pulled his request to return to the line.

I got disconnected after the first couple questions so I don't know what happened from there. I was pretty disgusted though.

I think the Polar pilots had a taste of firing the probies during their strike. They were all hired back with retro but a $hitty thing to do regardless. I am not sure the Airtran management has the cojones to actually pull that one off.

They have spoiled every last drop of goodwill with this pilot group and a mass firing might be a door closer for this company. I just don't think the company is willing to risk so much to give a hundred probation pilots walking papers not knowing the ramification of it all.

Management is taking one straight from the ole playbook. FEAR. Plain and simple. The most powerful human emotion. I truly think this pilot group is like an old tired dog, that has an owner that comes out a couple of times a week and kicks him in the gut. Sooner or later (hopefully sooner) we will get tired of getting kicked around