ALOHA airlines

[fly4surf]

No FD, Not interviewing at AQ. Probably a good idea but ? It amazes me things just keep chugging along there like it always has. But with the losses due to Go! there as well now. But a class here and there is great. Not speeding up the seniority list but not going backwards either. That is good for the long term I would think, and maybe I should look into trying. Still a dreamer. I do like to keep up to date on the news and rumors of big announcements though. Thinking of what could have been.
Are many Capts there going to be flying past 60? Two upgrades is good news, when was the last time someone switched seats?

Yes CA already, and yes that was fast. I thought it would be longer myself, but nope. Lots of movement, both in growth and people moving on.

 

[Freight Dog]

Actually, classes have been picking up. I think they ran 3 classes so far this year, and they're running another class in April or late March either 8 or 10. I know they'll be interviewing, so if you're interested, I'd get your stuff in ASAP.

Upgrades have been moving too. We've really blown our wad on retirements before the rule changed. As it stood at the date of change, we only had like 5 retirements in the next 3 years with Age 60... so with respect to retirement, there won't be much movement although some of these guys might medical out... who knows.

I agree, things have been the same here for quite a while because of Mesa flying 50-seat RJ's here charging $19 fares... I'm pretty sure they'll be on their way out fairly soon either because of a deal, or because of our lawsuit that'll most likely bankrupt them.

I agree, we can't stay like this - something has to change. But things are good. Our Leap Forward agreement is absolutely phenomenal. If our management could only seal the deal to offset our interisland market by expanding ETOPS, we REALLY couldn't grumble about anything.

 

[RJP]

maybe I should look into trying

Just remember that you'd be years junior to almost everyone you taught how to land! :nuts:

There's got to be a big announcement around the corner for everyone in HI. At least that's what the rumors have been for at least a year.

 

[Freight Dog]

RJP, you should contribute $5 to the Big Announcement Pool. Who knows... you might hit it big and get the whole thing.

 

[bruddahgoose]

Hiring in this industry is always a good sign. But hiring without knowing what the company plans are could also be a gamble for those making the jump to Aloha. Who knows who the company has been talking to? ATA?Hawaiian?Mesa(hope not)? Burkle has an airline that he can use to fly anywhere in the world. With the right contacts, I'm sure he's got them, and deep pockets we could be flying bigger airplanes who knows where! With fuel price soaring higher, who knows what could happen? Consolidation, contract renegotiation, getting more fuel efficient birds (boy these -200s definitely need to go).

 

[RJP]

RJP, you should contribute $5 to the Big Announcement Pool. Who knows... you might hit it big and get the whole thing.

So, how much have you collected so far? Can I pick a date in, oh, 2011 or so?

The way things worked down the ramp, the CEO would actually say "You can expect a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT in June" and nothing would ever happen except some head-scratching later. "Weren't we supposed to have a big announcement?" Smoke and mirrors to throw you off the trail of what's really going on.

But, I'm in if I can figure out how to throw $5 your way. You putting a box in the red brick building?

 

[AlohaFlyer]

I hope AQ's bankruptcy is going to help the law suit that can put Mesa out of the state... this really sucks.

 

[RJP]

I guess this is the "big announcement". It sucks. How about some positive news for once in Hawaii. It's been way too long.

 

[fly4surf]

Yup, I think this qualifies as THE announcement.

I thought it was supposed to be good news? Maybe it is good news hidden in there somewhere, hopefully!

 

[AlohaFlyer]

ALPA Furlough Protection

Guys... I think it is time that we as professional airline pilots work with ALPA to create a national policy for when we have to change careers. We should have a furlough protection policy that allows us to return to our previous ALPA carrier at our previous seniority level if we are furloughed shortly after taking a new job with another ALPA carrier, minus accrued seniority from the time separated.

It is just too risky to change jobs these days and I am afraid that so many good people are getting the raw end of the deal just because management keeps on hiring right up to the day that they declare bankruptcy and start the furloughs... is it just me that sees this? Management takes no risk, they put it completely on our shoulders.

It frustrates me to no end to watch my pilot brethren walk away from a Captain slot at a regional to further their career just to have Aloha declare bankruptcy while they are in training... now many of those guys can't go back to their old jobs as Captains... they have to start as new hire FO's. And management had a pretty good idea only two weeks ago that things were bleak.. It's insulting to the profession.

I am so grateful that I passed on the March 3rd class and still have my jet CA job... I feel terrible for the guys that got left behind in all of this.

Before you all go and say that they knew the risks.... what other professional line of work would you have to start your career over completely if your company went under... its insulting to all of us as pilots that AQ kept hiring into the bankruptcy...

 

[Freight Dog]

Island Air had something like that when I was there, though it was Aloha-specific since Island Air was owned by AQ back then.

Basically, you'd get an LOA until you were finished with training and on the line. If you washed out for some reason, or if something like this happened, you'd have your captain gig back at Island Air at your old seniority.

ALPA furlough protection? 10% off of Air Inc seminar...

 

[AlohaFlyer]

ALPA Furlough Protection

Its up to us... email your ALPA rep and ask for this furlough protection at the ALPA national level...

We need to bring come level of career protection into this profession.

 

[RJP]

Before you all go and say that they knew the risks.... what other professional line of work would you have to start your career over completely if your company went under... its insulting to all of us as pilots that AQ kept hiring into the bankruptcy...

Not to say that I don't agree with you, but EVERYONE knows the risks. It's a ridiculous position that we're all put in. If you want to try to further your career, you have no option but to risk exactly what is happening at Aloha....for the second time in 3 years. This is not the first time they've done this at AQ with a brand new class in GS. You know it, and so does everyone that went there since they came out of Ch.11. It's a risk that I'll assume, those who went, thought was worth taking.

You have the same option when you move on. Give up your seniority if you want to go somewhere else. There is probably not another "professional" career that forces you to the bottom when you go to another company. However, we all know this when we start and can only hope that our timing will be lucky when we move on.

It's complete bull******************** that we can't all go to another carrier at our same level, but it just won't work. You can't change the rules in the middle of the game.

Best of luck to everyone at AQ!

 

[RJP]

sjs.......

my jet CA job...

uke: Couldn't you have just said "my job"?

 

[fly4surf]

Yea FD, that was only back in the day. That nice LOA deal went out the dooe the day WP was sold and everyone since then took the risk of "starting over" should they be furloughed, or not make it through training.
At least it isn't a week before Christmas this time. Not that there is ever a good time to go through somethig like that.
They are pushing their luck pulling this crap again though.