CAL bags 148 Pilots

[Dr.Hwang]

OK...so CAL is furloughing 148 junior guys next month, is that it?...or is that just the first wave? I personally know some of these guys and they are just like you and me...gave up an ok job for a chance at a long term career. With all the mitigation programs going on right now at CAL...do you think there is another wave of furloughs coming?

Yes there are a bunch of scab captains pimping themselves out as FO's. Why help management? Helping management equalls hurting Line pilots.

 

[SFR]

I agree, I will never pick up an open trip with the folks on furlough.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

148 is better than what was needed. The reduced line flying of one week a month was crap. It takes 4 guys to agree to that to save one pilot. I would bet that this is the first wave, but depending on economic conditions there may not be a second. The company initially, before any early outs, LOAs, etc etc, was looking at a target number of 300 for around 12-18 months, but as oil decreases, we can all hope that these 148 are out on the street as short as possible.

I'm sure the only people picking up open time are the '83 hires.

 

[Ex737Driver]

These are hostages, pure and simple.

 

[Dr.Hwang]

---"These are hostages, pure and simple."---

Well put.

 

[Double Shot]

These are hostages, pure and simple.

I agree. Especially when you have Captians flying as FOs for 150% pay.

 

[Morgoth]

Where did you hear the 148 number?

 

[flygirlqt]

I'm sure the only people picking up open time are the '83 hires.

Incorrect. I am livid watching the hire dates of those volunteering for junior manning and flying in the right seat.

 

[motch]

Please stop with numbers.

CAL sent out 500 potential furlough letters last month but they, nor the union has EVER put down a hard number.

Someone here says 300, someone else says 650. Today I heard 750 initially.

Stop

If ANY company says they are parking X amount of aircraft and Y amount of routes, they know exactly the number of P.

After that, it's up to the Unions, fellow pilots and then the company to start to reduce that number.

 

[motch]

In Disgust...

 

[Morgoth]

Actually, I just read it myself. On the CAL ALPA website today it was announced:

CAL MEC Special Update August 4, 2008 - Furlough Notification Letters

Today we learned that management was putting roughly 150 pilots on notice that as of September 9, 2008 they would be furloughed from Continental Airlines. To say the least we are disappointed that management felt it necessary to send out these official notifications prior to the closing of the Furlough Mitigation LOA.

To the pilots that will be receiving this letter, we want you to know that your union will not leave one stone unturned in our efforts to mitigate the impact the reduction in block hours the September and subsequent bid months will bring. Although some of you may be destined for other employment in the near future, we will continue to strive to make Continental Airlines a better place to work in your absence and for your return.

 

[Skippy]

at U, we have 1450 hostages-

 

[hockeypilot44]

I thought age 65 was to prevent a pilot shortage, not created a surplus.

 

[Diesel-9]

Fire the SCABS and start hiring.

 

[Morgoth]

None of this makes financial sense to me. Furloughing 150 of the most junior guys (who each make approximately $35,000 per year) only amounts to approximately $5.25 million the company is saving each year. That's just a drop in the bucket, IMHO, and hardly justifies the additional cost of retraining these guys within the next 18 months.

So to me it raises the question of whether the company is just f-ing around with the union in order to soften them up for negotiations, or if they're just not very bright when it comes to basic bottom-line business decisions. Because to me it seems like the cost of furloughing approximately 2% of the pilot group will significantly outweigh the cost benefits of furloughing, not only in dollars, but pilot goodwill as well.