Alaska Bid

[FarginDooshbahg]

I have a friend, who has a friend, who robbed someone, who flew with Major...

You would think that if this were REALLY a friend, who had a friend, who robbed someone, and flew with Majer, he would know his name.

 

[SneakyJake]

I'm sorry, I will ask him to type slower next time as to not upset you.

 

[FarginDooshbahg]

I'm not upset. I'm just pointing out that if you're asking a man for a job, you ought to know what is name is. Kind of common sense, wouldn't yoy think?

 

[LAXSaabdude]

I'm not upset. I'm just pointing out that if you're asking a man for a job, you ought to know what is name is. Kind of common sense, wouldn't yoy think?

Yoy would think so!

LAXSaabdude.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

Sure would be nice to see some movement - have one CA at my company who should be in the pool.

 

[Kool]

The word I received out of Majers' office was that this bid opened 34 slots for newhires, and oh by the way, there are exactly 34 people in the pool. Good news for the poolies, however, the other part of the news was that at last talks hiring again would start maybe early Spring '05, but is now being talked about in late '05...bummer for the rest of us.

I'll get back to practicing...."Welcome to Walmart, may I help you?"

Fly safe.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

I head AS canceled around 20 flights in August due to the lack of crews? Can anybody confirm this?

 

[flx757]

I head AS canceled around 20 flights in August due to the lack of crews? Can anybody confirm this?

August was actually a fairly good month compared to June and July.

On another note...yes, the number of vacancies created by the new bid corresponds approximately to the number of pilots in the pool. I think there are actually a FEW more positions than poolies. Plus, I have heard talk that there are at least a couple of people in the pool that will not be accepting the position for one reason or another. What this all means in the big picture, I'm not sure. (We are only shown the very lower right hand corner of the big picture)....but in all likelihood, it probably means at least a minimal amount of additonal hiring next year.

Also, for what it's worth, the higher ups seem to think that the new hires will go mostly into the MD, since that has proven to be the junior aircraft in the most recent shuffle bids...I suppose we'll see how it all shakes out.

 

[dogg]

What will actually happen with this bid is a bid cancellation. The company will not want to be training pilots for every seat in every airplane so they will cancel the bid and the hiring for now. Then they will tweak the bid so as to reduce the training events and put it back out..... Normal ops

 

[mach none]

That is what everyone said about the last two bids. I think they will go ahead with it. Management has already proven they don't care about training costs. Besides, management hopes it will agitate the pilot group during negotiations.

What will actually happen with this bid is a bid cancellation. The company will not want to be training pilots for every seat in every airplane so they will cancel the bid and the hiring for now. Then they will tweak the bid so as to reduce the training events and put it back out..... Normal ops

 

[flx757]

While you're on the subject of "management"....It seems the "agitation" might extend across the board. However, my first reaction is this is just another card to play in the negotiations game.


Alaska to reduce management ranks

Voluntary severance incentive program
looks to trim up to 150 people
Posted August 20, 2004

Citing the need to restructure management as another step to cut costs, CEO Bill Ayer today announced a voluntary severance incentive (VSI) program to reduce Alaska’s management corps.

“The reasons for the reorganization are to speed decision-making and to improve communication and accountability,” Ayer wrote in a memo to all management employees. “The aim is to improve execution by eliminating some of the layers of management that served us well in a different era, but unfortunately don’t meet the needs of today’s tough environment.”

Ayer estimated that between 100 and 150 people would depart once the program is completed. He estimated the savings at between $5 million and $10 million a year.

“Since announcing our Alaska 2010 plan last year, our focus on reducing costs excluded reductions in employees,” Ayer said. “Now we are changing that. We’re paring management people in a way that tries to respect the contributions they have made.”

Ayer replied “yes” when asked if layoffs might follow should not enough managers volunteer to accept the severance package now open to them. According to Dennis Hamel, vice president, employee services, there are 1,674 active management employees at Alaska.

Dubbed “VSI” by Employee Services, the program is a one-time only offer that will close September 7. Key features of the VSI program are two weeks of pay for each year of service; a bonus of between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on length of service; one year of company paid healthcare; and, travel benefits for the employee and eligible dependents.

“We recognize the key role that employees have played over the years and, for those who leave, we want to make the transition as smooth as possible,” Ayer said.

Ayer’s memo included this sobering assessment: “Alaska is not immune from the impacts that are redefining our industry. We’ve been unprofitable for four consecutive years. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, fare levels remain stagnant and competition is intensifying.

“Since 9/11,” he continued, “and especially since we formed the Alaska 2010 plan, we’ve looked—and will continue to look—at every possible way to strengthen this airline to survive this unprecedented period. Because the major carriers are restructuring and low-cost carriers are operating opportunistically and aggressively, we would be irresponsible not to take strong action.”

Ayer ended the memo citing the changes as “a window of opportunity to shape our own future” by meeting the goals set forth in the Alaska 2010 plan. “We owe nothing less to our employees, our customers and our shareholders,” he said.

 

[mach none]

About time. We have something like 6.5 employees for every manager.

Also, this bid will not get cancelled because it is a grevience settlement for the Dutch Harbor flying.

While you're on the subject of "management"....It seems the "agitation" might extend across the board. However, my first reaction is this is just another card to play in the negotiations game.


Alaska to reduce management ranks

Voluntary severance incentive program
looks to trim up to 150 people
Posted August 20, 2004

Citing the need to restructure management as another step to cut costs, CEO Bill Ayer today announced a voluntary severance incentive (VSI) program to reduce Alaska’s management corps.

“The reasons for the reorganization are to speed decision-making and to improve communication and accountability,” Ayer wrote in a memo to all management employees. “The aim is to improve execution by eliminating some of the layers of management that served us well in a different era, but unfortunately don’t meet the needs of today’s tough environment.”

Ayer estimated that between 100 and 150 people would depart once the program is completed. He estimated the savings at between $5 million and $10 million a year.

“Since announcing our Alaska 2010 plan last year, our focus on reducing costs excluded reductions in employees,” Ayer said. “Now we are changing that. We’re paring management people in a way that tries to respect the contributions they have made.”

Ayer replied “yes” when asked if layoffs might follow should not enough managers volunteer to accept the severance package now open to them. According to Dennis Hamel, vice president, employee services, there are 1,674 active management employees at Alaska.

Dubbed “VSI” by Employee Services, the program is a one-time only offer that will close September 7. Key features of the VSI program are two weeks of pay for each year of service; a bonus of between $3,000 and $15,000 depending on length of service; one year of company paid healthcare; and, travel benefits for the employee and eligible dependents.

“We recognize the key role that employees have played over the years and, for those who leave, we want to make the transition as smooth as possible,” Ayer said.

Ayer’s memo included this sobering assessment: “Alaska is not immune from the impacts that are redefining our industry. We’ve been unprofitable for four consecutive years. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, fare levels remain stagnant and competition is intensifying.

“Since 9/11,” he continued, “and especially since we formed the Alaska 2010 plan, we’ve looked—and will continue to look—at every possible way to strengthen this airline to survive this unprecedented period. Because the major carriers are restructuring and low-cost carriers are operating opportunistically and aggressively, we would be irresponsible not to take strong action.”

Ayer ended the memo citing the changes as “a window of opportunity to shape our own future” by meeting the goals set forth in the Alaska 2010 plan. “We owe nothing less to our employees, our customers and our shareholders,” he said.

 

[sf340flyer]

any info on the final bid award?? Will the bid show where the new openings will be??

 

[Singlecoil]

Its not due out until September 10th. It should have all the awards as well as where new hires will be going. I'm guessing 15 to ANC and the other 19 to SEA, though there might be a couple going to LA.

 

[Fox2]

Is there an accurate count on the number of folks in the pool, and how many and when calls will go out for interviews?

Thanx

 

[Rhino]

Pool numbers

As a longtime "swimmer" in the Pool, my best guess is that there are 27 of us. There may be a couple more, but I've also heard that some have chosen other "opportunities".

As for hiring, with 34 vacancies in this recent bid, some hiring has to occur before the spring if the training dept. wants to fill all these positions by June 1st.

Per Flx757, Mach None, et al; there should be a class in the fall. I'm guessing perhaps another in the winter and another in the spring to get all 34 vacancies filled. This assumes historical class size of 10-12 new hires.

Using June 1st as a deadline and working backwards, March 1st would be the last opportunity to start a class and get a pilot ready for June's schedule. Hire that same pilot in February and interview him/her in January. So, it is very safe to say that there may not be any interviewing/hiring done until 2005.

We'll all know more after Sept 10th, and we give the training dept. some time to crunch the numbers and see what classes need to be scheduled, and when. I can't believe there is anyone in the pool more ready to start that me. I've been floating since December 2002.

Dreaming of a White Christmas...