AirTran recalls some furloughees

[PCL_128]

Very good news!



December 3, 2008

To: AirTran Pilots
From: Jim Tabor – VP Operations
Subject: Cancellation of Reduction Notice RN 08-12

The Reduction Award RN 08-12 is hereby cancelled.
The Company will be recalling some pilots from furlough to satisfy Vacancy Notice (VN 08-12)
which remains in effect. The reason for this change in staffing is the revised fleet and utilization
plan for 2009. The original plan called for 136 aircraft shrinking to 132 by year’s end with a
lowered utilization rate throughout the year due to the then projected cost of fuel above $105 per
barrel. Current projections are still for a reduced fleet of 132 aircraft, but with significant
increases in aircraft utilization, especially on the B717. The net result will be an increased need
for pilots on both aircraft types by summer 2009 and so the “rebalancing” of pilots from B737 to
B717 is no longer a beneficial move.

Recall notices are being distributed and the vacancies will be filled by recalled pilots.

Jim Tabor

 

[BigEasy]

Good news always!

Bigeasy:beer:

 

[maxblast72]

35 Recalls and 20 717 Captains that will not have to back to the right seat Jan 1. Also, no transition training for 20 737 Captains and 35 737 First Officers. 717 First Officer understaffing problems should get better as the 35 recalls start flying again.

Hopefully just the beginning of the good news for Airtran for 2009. I guess Fornaro is feeling comfortable about cranking back up the utilization rates of our aircraft. I doubt he would do that unless he felt pretty comfortable about profitability for 2009.

 

[islandhoper]

DUDE!!!!!!

I was just getting my leave of absence letter ready!!!!! Can't believe this.

I guess I won't be seeing that right seat this time around....

(Thnx big guy...)

 

[scarlet]

wonder how many recall letters they send out?? Some people have moved on, or under training contracts at other places??

 

[Deadmus]

I for one am extremely greatful. Being unable to find a flying job. I hope we start back soon!!

 

[Linedriver]

Congrats!!

Very good news!

 

[KNOTS]

Cool__

 

[JA'd]

Congrats

I hope they keep coming back for you guys.
JA'D

 

[717capt]

35 Recalls and 20 717 Captains that will not have to back to the right seat Jan 1. Also, no transition training for 20 737 Captains and 35 737 First Officers. 717 First Officer understaffing problems should get better as the 35 recalls start flying again.

quote]

You guys are forgetting something aren't you. Read section 6 of our contract very carefully.

 

[Ticker]

You guys are forgetting something aren't you. Read section 6 of our contract very carefully.

Huh? I'm on the road for my new job and don't have my contract handy. Do tell???

 

[CitationLover]

Good news for you guys.

 

[scarlet]

What is in Section 6 about recalls?

They need 35 right now just to fix todays problems...they call people I know everyday to pick up trips "for Christmas money"...the one voicemail said..

 

[T3700]

How do we know the number of recalls is 35? The letter from Tabor states that the reduction of 35 positions on the 737 has been cancelled. I'm thinking that the number of recalled pilots could be more or less than 35. Hopefully more!

 

[Lear70]

How do we know the number of recalls is 35? The letter from Tabor states that the reduction of 35 positions on the 737 has been cancelled. I'm thinking that the number of recalled pilots could be more or less than 35. Hopefully more!

Scarlet probably knows because Scarlet is still buddy-buddy with the training department people.

Still looking for that eventual training department / check airman / PAB / management position someday, Scarlet?

 

[maxblast72]

How do we know the number of recalls is 35? The letter from Tabor states that the reduction of 35 positions on the 737 has been cancelled. I'm thinking that the number of recalled pilots could be more or less than 35. Hopefully more!

Actually, it is pretty simple. We had a vacancy bid for 35 positions in the December bid pack. Originally, the 35 vacancies were going to be filled using the 35 displaced 737 pilots (after a bump through the 717 CA position). Now that the reduction notice has been cancelled and everyone on the property is staying in their current seat, we need 35 recalls to fill the vacancy notice in the December bid pack.

 

[75M]

The Company will be recalling some pilots from furlough to satisfy Vacancy Notice (VN 08-12)
which remains in effect.

It might not be an exact 1 for 1 correlation, but VN 08-12 should get you in the right ballpark.

Add to that the fact that some guys and gals are on MLOA and others are leary about coming back to be at the bottom of the list, and its conceivable that more than 35 will get the opportunity.

Lets hope so...

 

[Cardinal]

Glad to hear it guys.

 

[Lear70]

It'll be interesting to see what happens. Quite a few of the people who were furloughed signed training contracts at other carriers.

The language is kind of vague, but implies that if there is a recall within 6 months, you don't have the option to bypass, even if junior people are on furlough...

Would be a double whammy if the company chose to interpret it that way. Furloughed for the holidays then a $10,000 - $20,000 training contract to break to come back here.

 

[Secret Squirrel]

I am sure the union will be johnny on the spot and have all our questions answered in no time.

 

[scarlet]

still waiting for email from NPA?

 

[scarlet]

17. C. 3. A pilot who has been furloughed for greater than six months may decline recall ONCE if a junior pilot remains on furlough.

So I too read that if you have not been gone for more than 6 months, you can not bypass recall..Tough decisions for people..

Companies are going to be enforcing those training contracts because they want their money !

 

[PCL_128]

In most states, training contracts are unenforceable. Talk to a labor attorney from the state your company is based in. You can probably break the contract with no chance of being sued. Just make sure you talk to a labor attorney first!

 

[scarlet]

They are enforceable..MOST of the time...The companies know the law, and have their own attorneys. I know several people that owe over 20,000. We have several capt. at AT in that positions.

 

[gt1900]

Yes they are enforcable, but then again, not when you pay to sit in the right seat....

 

[Lear70]

They are enforceable..MOST of the time...The companies know the law, and have their own attorneys. I know several people that owe over 20,000. We have several capt. at AT in that positions.

Training contracts are NOT enforceable, in almost every state.

I have first-hand experience with this with a company that went out of business, THEN tried to collect on a "training contract" when they had put everyone on the street by closing the doors.

What IS enforceable is a "Training promissory note" or "Training bond". BIG difference. HUGE.

Those latter are loans, where you are borrowing the money from the company to, in effect, pay for your training (even though you're paying the very company you borrowed from). Your months (or years) of service repay the loan in increments.

Those you can't get out of, in almost every state. Most companies have wisened up about this and are doing the latter.

It all depends on what you've signed.

 

[scarlet]

My Friend in (FL) was sued for over 20k went to court and lost, not once but twice!!! So in that court of law it was enforceable.

JUST BE CAREFUL...Find out the FACTS first, is what I believe we all are saying to the ones that it may affect..

LOOKs like NPA playing hardball finally...

 

[Colonel Savage]

LOOKs like NPA playing hardball finally...

Sometimes playing hardball pays off!

 

[mrvmo]

They are enforcable down in FL. I to know of two guys who where forced to pay up on a training CONTRACT.

 

[instructordude]

LOOKs like NPA playing hardball finally...

I would not f#ck with the NPA.