CAL and GATT rate change

[Flopgut]

I'm back in the right seat now flying with old guys. There are many who stayed that were real close to leaving in NOV. Not much longer and more will go IMHO. We're lucky to have had the number leave we did (unfortunate to say); I think we'll at the very least match that amount between now and when these guys start hitting 65. And there will be those who leave early. Not a big number, but will help. It's a game of inches right now and if we could manage to get at least one recall it would start the ball rolling.

Idea: Prater is suppose to be in IAH in March for the MEC meeting. If you're pissed about 65 you ought to make an appearance. It's not like our MEC chair isn't not going to let you get your point across to him. Jay is almost as pissed with Prater as the rest of us. Prater needs to be grilled about a great any things.

 

[motch]

Honestly, we've been hearing about all these guys leaving because if this and that and frankly, it's all complete BS! Those guys aren't leaving. They're making six figures, working as much as they can and you ain't gonna pry that money out of their hands no matter what you do.

Nothing is going to occur. Nothing is going to change. They will retire when they are 65, dead, or just bored.

Guys will be leaving. Hell, over pilots 300 have left (retired) since the age 65 rule went into affect.
Flew with someone back in NOV who said that he had had it.... was about to turn either 60 or 62.. either way, he said he was punching out in Dec and low an behold he did.

The company keeps getting the retirements wrong, as our MEC said in the blastmail concerning this latest bid. I would bet that we see alot more than 4 retirements this year! More like 40+...
This bid was another joke, and I expect the summer to be a meltdown if we don't have another bid before then that brings pilots back.

Oh, anyone want to bet how many of the COLA's come back?

motch

 

[SuperFLUF]

....The company keeps getting the retirements wrong, as our MEC said in the blastmail concerning this latest bid. I would bet that we see alot more than 4 retirements this year! More like 40+...
This bid was another joke, and I expect the summer to be a meltdown if we don't have another bid before then that brings pilots back.

Oh, anyone want to bet how many of the COLA's come back?

motch

Just the thought of what life will be like this summer is fatiguing. :smash:

 

[densoo]

I would be willing to bet my next three unemployment checks that you're IAH based?

IAH pilots would make any of us question every choice we've ever made. I feel your pain. If every pilot at CAL hired between 83 and 87 were fired the company would be COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OVER NIGHT!!

It isn't just IAH. Tried to trade a one day for a one day last night and by the time I rang scheds it was gone, straight pickup.

On the other point. The mid-eighties hires aren't the only problem. For a generation of new hires the mid-eighties hires were holding all the captain's seats. For 10 years all the new hire FOs had to come to terms with the PICs they were flying with.

Some adopted their attitudes to continue the me-first-me-only work practices. Many more though, I think, simply checked out. They needed the paycheck as we all do, but detested the situation they found themselves when it came to cockpit dynamics.

It is amazing how many people in this group simply do not pay attention to what is going on in the pilot group. They checked out a long time ago and don't plan on getting involved.

When I got back from furlough there were pilots (even FOs) who didn't know and didn't care there had been people on furlough. They bid, flew their line, and went home.

As long as their paycheck doesn't decrease significantly, they'll vote yes on the next contract--if they vote at all.

By the way, the straight pick up last night was, as it frequently is, a 2005-hire. If you have a bent towards selfishness, the environment at CAL unfortunately nurtures this no matter when you were hired. That is the incredibly destructive and enduring legacy of the Lorenzo days. He destroyed a once proud airline and the effects continue 25 years later.

 

[densoo]

Just the thought of what life will be like this summer is fatiguing. :smash:

Don't worry. This will fix it.

TO: ALL PILOTS

SUBJECT: LTVJM

Since the posting of the most recent system bid and the less than expected COLA returns, the company is pleased to offer Long Term Voluntary Junior Manning (LTVJM). LTVJM is open to all pilots who have submitted retirement paperwork, but have not yet retired, with dates of retirement that would have taken effect prior to June 1, 2010.

Eligible pilots taking advantage of LTVJM agree to remain as active flying pilots at least through September 1, 2010 but not beyond October 1, 2010. In return, LTVJM pilots will be compensated at the standard junior manning rate of 150% of standard pay for all flying done during this period.

It is recommended that all LTVJM pilots contact their priest or other spiritual advisor for counseling. For convenience, spiritual advisors specializing in explaining the golden rule of "treat others as you would want to be treated," "walk a mile in my shoes," and other aphorisms will be available in the crew rooms on dates to be announced later.

As always, we remember our 147 fellow pilots who remain on furlough.

Signed

 

[motch]

It isn't just IAH. Tried to trade a one day for a one day last night and by the time I rang scheds it was gone, straight pickup.


Some adopted their attitudes to continue the me-first-me-only work practices. Many more though, I think, simply checked out. They needed the paycheck as we all do, but detested the situation they found themselves when it came to cockpit dynamics.

It is amazing how many people in this group simply do not pay attention to what is going on in the pilot group. They checked out a long time ago and don't plan on getting involved.

When I got back from furlough there were pilots (even FOs) who didn't know and didn't care there had been people on furlough. They bid, flew their line, and went home.

As long as their paycheck doesn't decrease significantly, they'll vote yes on the next contract--if they vote at all.

By the way, the straight pick up last night was, as it frequently is, a 2005-hire.

Just wondering...
Was it an individual on RFL? Because if it was, I really don't have a problem with that though I have heard others do.
The reality is, an RFL pilot picking up a trip from Open time (though, rather have them pick up an ADV trip if it's available!) is the reason reason that a few dozen pilots who are on the bottom of the list are still employed and not furloughed.
(Though.. you have to wonder if the company would have furloughed another 50 or so pilots in the short term... without the RFL's)

You are correct that there are more pilots who thing of themselves than think of the greater good, here at CAL. Though, not sure if it's a CAL problem or industry/generation thing. Every Pilot Group will have their 5-10% who don't care about the rest of their fellow employees. With our numbers, that makes between 230 to 460 pilots... and not all of them are scabs either!

Hopefully those company saviors won't be enough to save the company from this coming summers flying schedule. I still think we will see a recall before the summer hits. Even a recall in April/May would allow some of those pilots to be on line before the storm hits~

Anyone know if CAL has ever put out a bid within months of one closing?
I know we had 3 bids last year... maybe another bid beginning of April? God knows this bid was a joke and there is no way we can fly our schedule as is if/when things start to go wrong! Not to mention-

1) we will have more retirements than forecasted (as history has shown)
2) not all the COLA's will be coming back
3) there will be medical leaves/deaths
4) our fleet numbers are increasing this year
5) we have already added new flights, and I expect we will add a few more
6) the economy is slowly recovering
7) the Hawaii flying out of CLE will be a cluster and cause even more problems

 

[thor2j]

It isn't just IAH. Tried to trade a one day for a one day last night and by the time I rang scheds it was gone, straight pickup.

On the other point. The mid-eighties hires aren't the only problem. For a generation of new hires the mid-eighties hires were holding all the captain's seats. For 10 years all the new hire FOs had to come to terms with the PICs they were flying with.

Some adopted their attitudes to continue the me-first-me-only work practices. Many more though, I think, simply checked out. They needed the paycheck as we all do, but detested the situation they found themselves when it came to cockpit dynamics.

It is amazing how many people in this group simply do not pay attention to what is going on in the pilot group. They checked out a long time ago and don't plan on getting involved.

When I got back from furlough there were pilots (even FOs) who didn't know and didn't care there had been people on furlough. They bid, flew their line, and went home.

As long as their paycheck doesn't decrease significantly, they'll vote yes on the next contract--if they vote at all.

By the way, the straight pick up last night was, as it frequently is, a 2005-hire. If you have a bent towards selfishness, the environment at CAL unfortunately nurtures this no matter when you were hired. That is the incredibly destructive and enduring legacy of the Lorenzo days. He destroyed a once proud airline and the effects continue 25 years later.

I am 100% against picking up open time while the guys are out if you are just trying to be a whore. But you need to be careful because there are guys who will drop their line down to nothing and then pick up straight time to get their value back. You have no idea if it was this case. The only way to know for sure is to look at their pbs award, and figure out if they are still on all their trips.

 

[Captain X]

Anyone know if CAL has ever put out a bid within months of one closing?

Yes. Sometimes referred to as an "adjustment" bid.

Not very common in recent years.

 

[Morgoth]

Well, all the over-60 guys flying 100+ hours a month just need to remember one thing. Working that hard at that age is certain to result in an early grave. Karma's a b*tch, gummers.