Alaska Update?

[AK737FO]

Good News

Good news and it's about time... I hope we can get through the summer without the Seattle papers dragging our name though the mud for all the cancelled flights due to lack of crews.

FLX 757, can we assume that after the pool is drained (spring 2005) that P.M. will open up the old silver bullet process for us?

AK737FO

 

[flx757]

Yeah...I hear that June has been particularly bad. July and August are looking a LITTLE better. That's what they are saying, anyway.

As far as the silver bullet, I have heard it will return. But, nothing official. I am hoping that will be the case.

 

[Rhino]

Thank you Flx757

Thanks again for keeping us up to date with all the latest. You are a great American!

One question... who is (BJ)?

 

[FL510GV]

Great rumor... most credible to date. Thanks 757.

 

[f28driver]

Information on Hiring!

From Paul Majer's newsletter today, June 25th, 2004

STAFFING AND HIRING

We are working on a staffing “white paper” which will be coming out hopefully in a week to explain our plans in this area. As far as hiring pilots, we expect to hire a small number, less than 10, close to the end of the year. These slots will be filled from the hiring pool. There will be no new interviews so don’t get excited about some of your candidates yet. The staffing paper will give you an idea of the numbers for next year but these will be to replace retiring pilots and unfortunately not for growth. I’ll keep you posted.



Thought I would pass this along to those of you in the pool.

 

[Z_Pilot]

That's it huh? Well, better than nothing. About how many retirements are coming in 2005? Dozens, or a hundred or two? I must give Paul M. some credit for keeping you informed.

Thanks,
Z_Pilot

From Paul Majer's newsletter today, June 25th, 2004

STAFFING AND HIRING

We are working on a staffing “white paper” which will be coming out hopefully in a week to explain our plans in this area. As far as hiring pilots, we expect to hire a small number, less than 10, close to the end of the year. These slots will be filled from the hiring pool. There will be no new interviews so don’t get excited about some of your candidates yet. The staffing paper will give you an idea of the numbers for next year but these will be to replace retiring pilots and unfortunately not for growth. I’ll keep you posted.



Thought I would pass this along to those of you in the pool.

 

[flx757]

Retirements for 2005 number around 60 or 70. Keep in mind the "10" number is for the end of 2004. There will be additional new hires in the first part of 2005 to be ready for the line by June.

You are right. It is better than nothing, which is what we have been told it would be all year up until now.

 

[av8instyle]

Retirements for 2005 number around 60 or 70. Keep in mind the "10" number is for the end of 2004. There will be additional new hires in the first part of 2005 to be ready for the line by June.


You are right. It is better than nothing, which is what we have been told it would be all year up until now.

Actually, the # of retirements next year is exactly 40. This does not include any guys that hang it up early.

 

[flx757]

Thanks for clearing that up. I was guessing, and using numbers that I had heard.

 

[FL717]

Sorry to change the subject for a minute... but hey Flx757, I forgot to ask you on the phone earlier today, what is that new guitar in your avatar? Is this one of the new ones you're getting?

 

[flx757]

FL717,

Yep....that's the one. Mine will have black hardware and no inlays, but other than that, it's identical. I just got an estimated completion date today of 7/27....so, I should have it around the first week of August.

 

[Rhino]

no news?

Any updates in the past couple of weeks? Things have got to be heating up soon, I hope!

 

[flx757]

No new updates. What was discussed earlier is what is pretty much it, for now. A class of about 10 new hires later this year, with the remainder in the pool to be in classes early next year. Nothing on additional interviews. Retirements for next year are about 40, with that number increasing to the 60-70 range for the next 3 years. As of now...and I will repeat that this is as of now...the hires are for attrition (retirees) only, and not for new growth. There is still a possiblility of SOME growth, but it will be minimal until and unless the company becomes profitable again. This is the latest word that comes from the top to the guys going through recurrent.

 

[Singlecoil]

I think some guys are going to suddenly retire this December. They will know then how much their lump sum retirement will drop under the 2005 rules, feel the threat of looming concessions, decide not to risk it and take the money and run. Probably not a whole lot will do that, maybe 20 or so. I've even heard of some guys that would rather do that even though they don't have 30 years in. They will take about an 8% per year (early) penalty but are going to do it anyway.

 

[flx757]

Yep. That is one thing I have been hearing that I forgot to mention. It DOES sound like some guys are going to take the early out before the next contract, with their retirement in it's current form, rather than risk seeing what it might look like with the next contract.