ASA summer flying increase

[777forever]

Just when we thought high block/credit lines were gone til the recession's over we get this surprising memo. Sounds like we're gunna be pretty tight on pilots. Surprised no word of bringing furloughs back.

 

[flighttrainer]

Subtle undertones in the message imply that we are staffed correctly. Does anyone else think that we are setting up for a disastrous summer? We are hanging on by a thread string this month. Sit back, relax and enjoy the upcoming meltdown.

 

[Smacktard]

Just when we thought high block/credit lines were gone til the recession's over we get this surprising memo. Sounds like we're gunna be pretty tight on pilots. Surprised no word of bringing furloughs back.

Guys, it's pretty simple, when lines are blocked in the mid 80's and reserves are staffed at 18-20% there will be no recalls. Stretch those lines to 90+ and reserves down to 10-15%, then maybe you have an argument. Give it up, they aren't coming back anytime soon.

 

[jstyle13]

Guys, it's pretty simple, when lines are blocked in the mid 80's and reserves are staffed at 18-20% there will be no recalls. Stretch those lines to 90+ and reserves down to 10-15%, then maybe you have an argument. Give it up, they aren't coming back anytime soon.

Ya. They get the lines back up to 85-90ish instead of 75, they can then make fewer of them (365-385) therefore increasing reserves. At least I'm guessing they will do that.......

 

[zawillif]

I've heard that after August the flights will be cut worse than what they are right now. To bring back the furloughs for 3 months is not economical if you have to send them right back out again.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Agreed. All of the cuts Delta has announced are for after the summer schedule. However, they might just change there minds depending on the summer.

 

[sweptback]

I've heard that after August the flights will be cut worse than what they are right now. To bring back the furloughs for 3 months is not economical if you have to send them right back out again.

Nor is it really fair to the furloughees to bring them back for the summer and then kerplunk them again in the fall.

 

[BrickTop]

Agreed. All of the cuts Delta has announced are for after the summer schedule. However, they might just change there minds depending on the summer.

Thats all the F#(@*ING airlines do anymore is cut. Even without the recession it's making "operational" sense to when seeking higher profit margins and reducing expenses. Sure fuel has dropped and the recession may be nearing bottom or on the way up, but personally I don't EVER see capacity returning to what it was three years ago, at least not at the 4 legacy carriers. As more mergers take place more overlap and frequency will be washed out. I'm betting on a very ugly 3-5 years until the old farts hang up their hats and leave positions to be filled.

 

[Dubya]

Don't worry the Mother Ship will bail you out if needed!

 

[samballs]

Don't worry the Mother Ship will bail you out if needed!

Have to, after Dubyas 8 yrs in office

 

[enuffalready]

Have to, after Dubyas 8 yrs in office

ok.. Now it's W's fault that airlines are cutting capacity?

and swine flu is W's fault

and new orleans was W's fault.

Katrina always cracked me up. I lived in florida years ago when we had back to back hurricanes and I had no power or water for 3 weeks... and guess what, I figured on my own how to survive and didnt ask for a nickel..and shocker... nobody shot each other or robbed each other or looted neighborhood businesses....

cant wait for my new 1 wheel drive electric chrysler car that gets 1,000,000 miles per charge. I bet it will cost me $8000 and I will get a credit back for $10000 for 'buying green' that way chrysler gets an extra $2000 per car to pay for union retirements..

 

[SLUF4]

Well, we had 0 capts. on reserve yesterday on the 200, so I see some problems. There is no way we are staffed at 18-20% reserves currently (at least not every day), but I guess they're just going to make less lines.

 

[777forever]

Agreed. All of the cuts Delta has announced are for after the summer schedule. However, they might just change there minds depending on the summer.

Yeah but that's what they said about this summer as well. I can see the memo already: Delta is finalizing our fall schedule and we've received more flying then previously "anticipated" We'll need all hands on deck!

 

[79%N1]

When was Mesa going under again?

.......Oh, right.

 

[Jack-O-Lantern]

Better start keeping track of that time and half when those extensions come .............And they will!

 

[777forever]

Better start keeping track of that time and half when those extensions come .............And they will!

No doubt about it...

 

[CheeseDick]

why accept a time and a half when other pilots are furloughed?

 

[outtahere]

With an extension you don't have the choice.

 

[LazyLightnin']

With an extension you don't have the choice.

Teach me why not? Smart ones don't answer their phones.

 

[zawillif]

Teach me why not? Smart ones don't answer their phones.

If I'm not mistaken an ACARS message is a valid form of notification now. All they have to do is send you a message with "Crew Acknowledge Required."

I'm pretty sure Delta has it in their contract that they can only be officially notified of an extension in person. I've watched one guy escape down the jetway stairs and into the bowels of the airport before someone could show up to tell him.

 

[OCP]

If I'm not mistaken an ACARS message is a valid form of notification now. All they have to do is send you a message with "Crew Acknowledge Required."

I'm pretty sure Delta has it in their contract that they can only be officially notified of an extension in person. I've watched one guy escape down the jetway stairs and into the bowels of the airport before someone could show up to tell him.

I looked and didn't really find anything in the contract that references that. Anyone have a quote from the contract on this?

 

[zawillif]

I looked and didn't really find anything in the contract that references that. Anyone have a quote from the contract on this?

ASA contract doesn't reference this. I was talking about the DAL contract. I think I read in a Tech Brief awhile back that ACARS notifications in flight are an "official" notification. Like I said, I may have dreamed that up-but for some reason it's in my head.

 

[centralpilot]

I seem to remember the ASA contract technically requiring you to check your mailbox for extension notices and such before leaving the airport. Is that still in the current contract?

 

[Medeco]

The FOM does require this, it just does not say when during your trip you have to check it.

With that said, the leadership is smart enough to know they will get resistance on this. I am sure they have come up with a way to make sure we are notified when needed.

As much as I hate that people are on the street, this company has a duty and a right to make money and use the tools it has. We signed a contract, if you are legal, and they follow the contract, you have no choice unless you like to get in trouble and make reason for them to let you go.

It will suck, but I'd rather have this problem than not having a job.


Medeco

 

[Speedtape]

I looked and didn't really find anything in the contract that references that. Anyone have a quote from the contract on this?

It appears that the contract does not specifically address notification methods in rescheduling. Only the FOM states, under pilot responsibilities, at dutyout a pilot must check his mailbox for any messages from scheduling, OCC, or the Chief Pilot. That is the only requirement in policy.

If they change that to electronic notification, there are some protocols that have to be followed first under 26.R.

 

[SLUF4]

They're still getting people via radio as well-be careful answering those calls from ops

 

[Speedtape]

They're still getting people via radio as well-be careful answering those calls from ops

Yes, and one pilot told me that on his last leg, they would not park him until he made a radio call to scheduling. That violates the spirit of sterile cockpit and good operating practices.

Just wondering--are they extending lately? I have not been extended for a while, and I thought that was what RR was for?

 

[sweptback]

Yes, and one pilot told me that on his last leg, they would not park him until he made a radio call to scheduling. That violates the spirit of sterile cockpit and good operating practices.

Holding passengers hostage? It's amazing the dumb ideas that they come up with.

I say you just sit there, both engines running (you're parking at the bottom of D, right?), cashing in on the overblock.

 

[SLUF4]

I'm not sure if they're extending, but on sunday we had 0 reserves at least on 200 captain-things are better the last 2 days, though. I'd imagine there have a been a few extensions.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I'm not sure if they're extending, but on sunday we had 0 reserves at least on 200 captain-things are better the last 2 days, though. I'd imagine there have a been a few extensions.

You "imagine" there have been a few? There either have been or have not been. Did you have any dreams last night about extensions that you want to share with us?