Any Aloha info??

[got_jumpseat?]

That did kind of suprise me. I thought I had read somewhere that you were from the islands. So you're in the RJ at Mesa. Tell me you're based in PHX...I have a great friend out there that flies the RJ out of there as a Capt. And I do think having the 'local' connection helps, obviously, but it sure isn't a requirement! Good luck getting on. We are gonna be doing some serious hiring from what I've been told....

Yah, PHX based. I hope Aloha picks me. Things could go real bad this year if we strike and I dont have a flying job. New keiki on the way compounds the stress. Good thing my wife stresses enough for the both of us so I am worry-free.

 

[Sleepyhead]

"We are gonna be doing some serious hiring from what I've been told...."

AQ pilot,

What exactly have you heard?
From my info, there are only 11 pilots in the pool and all
of those will be in a new hire class in Jan.
So if they are planning on some major hiring, shouldn't they be having interviews?

 

[Freight Dog]

From what I've observed in the past, Aloha hires enough people for the next class and puts them in the pool. When they run a class and empty the pool, they interview and replenish it if they plan to continue hiring.

 

[AQ PILOT]

AQ

HAL-
Hey man, I just heard from one of your guys today about the cuts. 43... That is so not right. He also mentioned that there were supposed to be a lot more to follow? I truly am sorry about that. I hope this is just a seasonal thing and you're up and flying again in no time. Keep the faith man. What was your class date?

Hog-

My informal understanding of our hiring plans is this. We are going to be running either an upgrade class or a new hire class every month for the near to mid term future, i.e. 2-6 months. Where are you flying now? Our training department is pretty small, and we've been growing like mad for the past few years. It is tough for us to have a large pool and be interviewing all of the time.

I agree with freight dog, for the most part anyway. Aloha is famous for calling the same week of the interview, hiring a day or two after, and putting you in a class the following Monday. Happened to me and a bunch of the guys I know. Latest rumor is 5 more airplanes next year. We are already short staffed, even though the interisland reduction took place, we are still hitting the minimums for reserves. Personally, I see a doubling in the size of our fleet in the 2 years....so another 5 aircraft in '04. That is only my guess..and that with $5 will get you a cup of coffee downtown. Most of what I hear is only rumors, although from time to time I do swing into ops and ask a few questions....

Freight Dog-

You're in the pool aren't ya?

Got Jumpseat-

PM me with your name, I'd like to ask my buddy if he knows ya!

 

[Freight Dog]

Re: AQ

Personally, I see a doubling in the size of our fleet in the 2 years....so another 5 aircraft in '04. That is only my guess..and that with $5 will get you a cup of coffee downtown. Most of what I hear is only rumors, although from time to time I do swing into ops and ask a few questions....

Freight Dog-

You're in the pool aren't ya?

Man, that better be some GOOD pure Kona coffee
Yep, I'm in the pool.

 

[Slim Dusty]

Re: AQ

We are already short staffed, even though the interisland reduction took place, we are still hitting
the minimums for reserves.

700 base is full with qual'd FOs (me) pushed back to 200s. Heard 28 -200 reserves for Dec, nearly 100% coverage with the new reduced sked. (Haven't checked my box yet.) And that doesn't include all of the new hires who haven't completed IOE so can't bid but will be flying the line. Sounds overstaffed to me, yet still hearing about a possible Jan class. Crazy. I did 2 trips in Nov and will probably have Dec - Jan off. Something is up, but who knows what. How do those flows go again?

 

[CARVEMASTER]

Default Flow:

Forward = Fast
Back = Slow

 

[HAL]

AQ Pilot:
I was hired in mid '99, and have about 100 below me. Management says 100+ on the furloughs though, so I just don't know where I'll be by next summer. Hopefully still flying the 767. They say they're trying to make a more efficient airline - but furloughing more than 20% of the pilots? We may have been a little overstaffed with the DC-10's gone, but no way that much. Best guess is that it is also a negotiating tactic for the 2004 contract. We'll just see.

HAL

 

[AQ PILOT]

HAL-
Well I sure hope things work out for you. I agree, I don't see how they can cut back 20%. Makes no sense. Especially with the local papers talking about you starting new routes. (Yeah, I know the Vegas route wont really be a 'new' one, but still...) One of your guys was telling me that this is real common around Xmas? Is that true? There are gonna be tons of changes in the near future in this industry....its all kind of a crapshoot right now!

Freight Dog-
That was just MY feelings on the fleet size. I also have a feeling that the Seahawks are gonna win the Superbowl. Hope that tells ya something. Nah, we are gonna grow, we have to, I just like to think it will be faster rather than slower!

Rodgers-
Read your PM, you'll be back in the -700 directly!

 

[captain]

sorry to break in on this, but I was interviewed in sept. got shot down, I think it was the sim. I was not ready for that frasca. haven't flown a recip in four years. that thing does not carry momentum like I am used to. anyhow my fault I should have gotten some sime time b4.

have any of you heard that they have hired any that have been turned down in the past? or is it a one shot deal?

there were many on interview day that had more quals than I.

if at first you don't succede...

 

[AQ PILOT]

Hey Capt-
One of my closest friends interviewed in May. 6500 hour RJ captain. Same thing, he jumped in the sim and saw all those round dials and couldn't make it work smooth. He was so used to glass. I've been trying to get him another interview, but they like to take a break for a bit if you don't get through the first time. I'm not sure how long that break is. But, on a good note, there are people here who have interviewed twice....Good luck!

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Re: AQ concession package

700 base is full with qual'd FOs (me) pushed back to 200s. Heard 28 -200 reserves for Dec, nearly 100% coverage with the new reduced sked. (Haven't checked my box yet.) And that doesn't include all of the new hires who haven't completed IOE so can't bid but will be flying the line. Sounds overstaffed to me, yet still hearing about a possible Jan class. Crazy. I did 2 trips in Nov and will probably have Dec - Jan off. Something is up, but who knows what. How do those flows go again?

Did any of you AQ guys attend the powerpoint presentation on the proposed concession package yesterday? From what I hear ALPA National believes Aloha is in worse shape than Hawaiian. My buddy came out of that meeting with this.. Aloha either needs to expand the 700 flying into a large Central and South Pacific long haul operation or they will cease to exist.

Is it just fancy negotiating by clever Chinese with good old-fashioned haole connections to ALPA's Economic & Financial Analysis (E&FA) Dept? I am not sure what to think. ALPA is saying Aloha is worse off than Hawaiian yet Aloha is hiring while Hawaiian isn't.

Two airlines in bad shape, one hires like crazy to save the farm while the other is laying of dozens at a time. Go figure. They obviously went to different schools growing up eh?

You are right, something is up over there. What is going on I am not sure any of us know. I suspect there are powerful forces at work ensuring the 40.5 million in loan guarantees from the Air Transportation Stabilization Board go through. That money will be used to help finance a new fleet of Boeing 737-700's.

More power to you guys. This is the way to work the system. I hope I get in to share in the reaping of this hard work. What I am getting out of this is it sounds like Aloha Management works well with ALPA and that's GOT to be worth something. Go Aloha.

 

[Sleepyhead]

"Two airlines in bad shape, one hires like crazy to save the farm while the other is laying of dozens at a time. Go figure. They obviously went to different schools growing up eh?"


Well Aloha seems to be smart enough to realize that you have to grow the company to increase profits.
Look at aviation history and you will see everytime an airline trys to shrink to increase profits they just keep shrinking. The competitors will start to take your market share.

 

[AQ PILOT]

JIM-
Yeah, unfortunately for us to qualify for the loan the company had to show something. Without going too far into it, really the only way we could do it was to take the pay cut...really. I'd like to explain more, but A) I'd probably mess it up and B) I don't know what the general public is supposed to know although I assume if I know it, everyone does...

Rest assured though, ALPA did some great work for us and we will be seeing the concessionary money again. There is a set in stone plan for us to get every penny back. As for the stock in the company idea, something like that is going to happen as well....Personally I think we got pretty lucky with the deal we ended up with. Wish it never had to happen though!

For what its worth, I'm still sick for you guys over there. 20% of your pilot group is just bunk.....good luck and let's hope you guys catch a break!

Got Jump-

Personally I think Aloha is the stronger company by far. No offense to HAL at all, but our owners have a lot to lose. HAL's don't. The positive side for them is they have that big bond company to draw from. Again, this is all my opinion. I do know one thing for sure....neither of us is sitting pretty right now. Its too bad that merger failed. That would have saved us all. I went to the first ALPA meeting and I really liked what I heard...with the exception of the pay cut of course.....

Hog-
Yeah baby...let's keep on expanding!

 

[got_jumpseat?]

Personally I think Aloha is the stronger company by far. No offense to HAL at all, but our owners have a lot to lose. HAL's don't. The positive side for them is they have that big bond company to draw from. Again, this is all my opinion. I do know one thing for sure....neither of us is sitting pretty right now. Its too bad that merger failed. That would have saved us all. I went to the first ALPA meeting and I really liked what I heard...with the exception of the pay cut of course.....

Hog-
Yeah baby...let's keep on expanding!

It doesn't help either if your company is nothing more than a school for CEO's going somewhere else. Hawaiian needs solid Island-bred leadership. No more CEO's just looking for an airline to add to their resume. Which malahini would be up to the task? It's not like Hawaii has many aviation experts running around either. Theres got to be somebody.