Chautauqua

[CaptBiff]

For anyone who is interested, CHQ is as of Oct. 1st an all jet airline. The last SAAB is gone. All new-hires will fly the emb135,140, or 145. Our bases are STL, IND, CMH, BOS, LGA, PHL, RIC, and begining Dec 1st MCO. We currently fly for American Connection, America West Express, US Airways Express, and begining Nov 1st Delta Connection.

Good luck to ya all and fly safe.

 

[aviator1x1]

Interested in Info

What are the minimums to apply at Chautauqua ?
A name to address a cover letter?
I appreciate any info I can get.
Thanks all.

 

[dav8or]

www.flychautauqua.com

 

[Strikefinder]

???

It seems like Chautauqua will be a good place to go, though it's anybody's guess as to when you'll actually end up there. I've been in their hiring pool for about five months now because of a few close friends I have there, but still no classdate. I'm told there's somewhere around 80-90 people in the pool from a few sources and that includes everyone from US Air Furloughees with a lot more time than me to some lower time bridge program people. However, they only called like three or four people from that pool for the last class (only one of which is in it; The rest already had other employment); The rest were hired from "elsewhere" right into class. They also don't seem to call people out of the pool in order of hire, by flight time, or any other discernable criteria.

Last rumor I heard was that there was a late October class that hasn't had people assigned to it, and at least one more in November. Of course, all that is tentative until someone is actually assigned to a class, as we all know. All the "re-fires" are back to work or at least in class right now.

Anyhow, I'm still praying every morning before getting in my freight dog clothes that today will be the day I get the call! I've been trying to avoid signing a lease anywhere so I won't be stuck paying out four months in an apartment I'm not living at, but not to any avail. Anybody got an available couch in RIC?

Good luck guys...

 

[MetroSheriff]

We currently fly for American Connection, America West Express, US Airways Express, and begining Nov 1st Delta Connection.

I am not entirely convinced that is something to be proud of. CHQ is being used to dilute the bargaining power and put downward pressure on compensation for everyone else in the regional industry. It only stands to reason that the DCI w/o were next on the list.

If your management is looking for a new callsign, might I sugest "WHIPSAW"?? Kinda catchy, eh?

 

[dav8or]

Re: Re: Chautauqua

I am not entirely convinced that is something to be proud of. CHQ is being used to dilute the bargaining power and put downward pressure on compensation for everyone else in the regional industry. It only stands to reason that the DCI w/o were next on the list.

If your management is looking for a new callsign, might I sugest "WHIPSAW"?? Kinda catchy, eh?

No, next on the list is COEX in our plot to undermine the whole regional airline industry. We ho's well do anything to kill your chances of getting a better contract.

Yea right, why don't you blame your management or your fellow pilot group for your trouble instead, because it is just too easy to make us scape goats. I just fly the plane. I don't make the deals. Right now CHQ has a great team and we are growing. The people on this site are looking for career info and they should know that CHQ is a good place to work. Are you happy with your present employeer? Would your recomend people on this site to seek employment there? I understand that people boo a winner, Dale Earnhardt was the most booed man in NASCAR and he won 7 championships.

So CHQ is a good place to work and we are not out to destroy anyone's way of life. If your in the pool you may want to update your resume and try to get your name at the top of the list.

 

[Brother Francis]

National Geographic should do a show on the feeding habits of the Airline Industry.

PS. Crunch, you're always pissed!

 

[frqntflyr]

ok this is getting out of control. It seems in some people's eyes that if an airline offers a lower cost product (note that does not have everything to do with a regional airline's success) then they are whores.

Southwest came on the scene a while back and offered a lower cost product with a revolutionary route structure. Now you have airtran (who just coded w/ air whiskey a great regional airline), jet blue, spirit, you get my point. Are their pilot groups wrong for wanting a better paying job, even though it doesn't compete with the majors' pay??

So let me ask you this metro and capt pissy, if chq cares only about jets and undercutting others why did they vote down J4J's?? what about the contract in the works....what if they get paid well and still keep on growing? Are you going to pissed just cause of chq's success??

I realize times are tough but unless you were at the negotiating table when CHQ picked up DCI flying and know all the facts please chill out. thanks.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Re: Re: Re: Chautauqua

No, next on the list is COEX in our plot to undermine the whole regional airline industry. We ho's well do anything to kill your chances of getting a better contract.

Great attitude. I think you were attempting to be facetious, however, a lot of truth is spoken in jest. The rest of us will keep that in mind when we hear the name "Chataqua".

Yea right, why don't you blame your management or your fellow pilot group for your trouble instead, because it is just too easy to make us scape goats.

With out sub par carriers willing to jump in and do our flying for cheaper, our management would not choose to outsource the flying in the first place. You are correct in that we failed to negotiate scope language that would contractually protect our share of the outsourced DAL feed. For that, shame on us.

As for being a scape goat and assumiong the blame, if the shoe fits....

I just fly the plane. I don't make the deals.

Stick you head back in the sand and enjoy your utopian relationship. Your turn in the barrell will come sooner than you think.

Right now CHQ has a great team and we are growing. The people on this site are looking for career info and they should know that CHQ is a good place to work.

Your definition of great and mine may be somewhat different. If you enjoy the way your management treats you, you deserve each other. You are growing at someone else's expense. Be it Eagle or DCI, you are enabling management to undermine our ability to raise the bar for everyone. Perhaps your perspective is too myopic to understand the wider affect your managements actions have on the whole industry.

Personnaly I find your perspective rather obtuse.

If your definition of good includes terminations in lieu of furloughs and out of seniority recalls, than I suppose you may be correct. Although you may find it difficult to find many to agree with you.

Are you happy with your present employeer? Would your recomend people on this site to seek employment there?

I am. We have our problems but we certainly are not attempting to undermine the rest of the industry for our own self-centered desire for growth at all costs. Can you say the same?

As for referals and recomendations. I have, I do and I will continue to strongly encourage folks to seek employment with ASA/Comair and will help to that end, in any way I can. Feel free to ask.

I understand that people boo a winner, Dale Earnhardt was the most booed man in NASCAR and he won 7 championships.

I am not sure I understand the annalogy drawn between a championship NASCAR driver and a fee-for departure alter-ego, whipsaw carrier de jur regional airline. But that is neither here nor there.

So CHQ is a good place to work and we are not out to destroy anyone's way of life.

I am glad you enjoy it. I don't believe that you personally are out to harm anyone. I don' think that the same could be said for your management. You are simply the pawn which they have chosen in their attempt to undermine the rest of the carriers bargaining strength and compensation pricing power.

If your in the pool you may want to update your resume and try to get your name at the top of the list.

I am not. I have a job with which I am quite satisfied. I will, however, keep the offer in mind. Just in case our bargaining power is undermined by cheap subcontractors to the point we are unable to negotiate a reasonable contract and management begins to abuse us with things like out of seniority furloughs and such.

 

[Burt Gutherie]

Metro Sheriff is apparently envious of the prosperity of another airline and is having personal problems in his own security. As with most of his posts they show a bitter attitude and his colors really show. Unfortunately people like him are in every industry. Most company's HR people weed a guy like this out before he squeeks through training. Could you imagine sitting next to this dude on a trip? Some will be bitter no matter what the situation.

 

[MetroSheriff]

Metro Sheriff is apparently envious of the prosperity of another airline and is having personal problems in his own security. As with most of his posts they show a bitter attitude and his colors really show. Unfortunately people like him are in every industry. Most company's HR people weed a guy like this out before he squeeks through training. Could you imagine sitting next to this dude on a trip? Some will be bitter no matter what the situation.

ROFLMAO. Nice try Burt.

Bitter? Hardly. Perhaps you could quote some of my bitter posts to prove your point.

I love my job and my company, and I want to see DAL succeed. I happen to think we would all be better off if Majors were required to own their regional feed partners (read scope). It would give us leverage when it comes time for negotiations.

Perhaps you enjoy the reduced bargaining power afforded us by the whipsawing of alter-ego carriers. I don't. Then again, given your profile, you may just be a neophyte bridge-program whiz kid who doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm sure you are sporting wood at the prospect of a few RJs coming to town. Keep in mind that will have an affect on the carriers you are replacing/suplimenting. Not to mention, in the long run,
your own career prospects.

As I have said before, if DAL chose to buy CHQ. I would welcome the pilots with open arms, and be the first to support integration based on DOH. You see, unity is what gives us (read labor) bargaining capital and leverage. Diversification puts the boot heel on our neck. It is not a difficult theory. Perhaps they didn't cover that in your bridge program.

Might I suggest a little extra-curricular reading for you. Go pick up a copy of Flying the Line, Vol.2. I would be happy to loan you mine. When you are finished reading it, perhaps you could log back on a brag a bit more about your "prosperity".

BTW, which colors are those???

 

[Flash 7]

Amen M.S!

 

[Eric]

Hey guys. Metro, I like your avitar or whatever it's called!

I'm hoping to ask some questions and get some clarification on a few things.

If you'll look to my left, you'll see I'm fresh into this game (go easy, I'm just trying to learn), and I'm not sure where I should stand on these issues.

Metro, I'm all with you about unity being the key to bargaining power, and I too would like to see better salaries, working conditions, etc. It seems to me you should be upset with your management (even though I don't think it will help). From their perspective, this seems to make good sense. They get someone who I'm assuming is doing it cheaper and won't collaborate with the other WO's when contract negotiations come up.

To me, trying to stop management from looking for the lowest bidder seems to create an artificial environment. Management will pay you as little as possible, up to as much as they can afford depending upon how well you negotiate. It's all about cometition isn't it? If you own a Chevy, and it breaks, do you vow allegiance to Chevy and take it to the dealer (assuming no warranty), or the local mechanic that charges half of what the dealership charges?

Another thing that confuses me is when people talk about 'Our Flying'. It seems this issue exists in two forms: scope within a company and between competitors. In a deregulated environment, is there really anything such as 'Our Flying', or does it go to those who compete best on price and service?

I admit, I haven't had the chance to read 'Flying the Line, vol 1 or 2', but I plan on it. Somebody correct me if this doesn't seem right, but this is what I've gathered:

Unions are there to protect the labor groups from getting walked on. I hear talk of raising the bar, and this seems like a good thing to shoot for if the airline is profitable. It seems like some people remove themselves from the business side of things though, and forget it is a business.

Is Skywest the enemy? This is another thing that confuses me, and I hope they aren't because I really like the routes and bases. Do they cheapen the profession, or keep it from operating in an artificial enviroment?

I apologize for the lack of flow, a specific point, or even well defined questions, but at my point in the game, I don't know much. All I garner is what I read. Metro is screaming the loudest, and I wonder if this is how the majority feels.

I don't mean to attack anyone, I'm just looking for more opinions. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather not turn this into a flame war.

Thanks
Eric

 

[super ed]

Metro, Crunch,

Again I say "Those that live in glass houses should not cast stones."

The pilots at CHQ, skywest, and aca have no more power to command more from their management than you do. If you guys would get more then you wouldn't be taking my flying, just like if you worked for less CHQ wouldn't be taking the flying that isn't yours in the first place(although you think it is).

To quote you again Metro "There is no need for you to get angry, but perhaps with a little more exposure, you may begin to understand the issues a little."

You are both Hypocrites. Quit bad mouthing someone while you are doing the exact same thing. Research the facts and then get back to me Jacka$$es.

Super

 

[Brother Francis]

Captain Crunch-

The arguments you and Metro Sheriff present are valid, but no more or no less valid than the opposing arguments.

I respectfully submit, however, that the vitriolic nature of your posts tends to detract from your credibility. That's just for what it's worth.

That being said, the factual information you have posted regarding the misadventures at CHQ over the past year is essentially accurate, but is sufficiently incomplete so as to skew the description of what management did (and failed to do), what the union did (and failed to do) about it, and what the final outcome was.

Short version is that when the dust finally settled, the fired guys ended up coming out better than they would have had they been furloughed, and the out of seniority guys did better than most.

 

[temcgrew]

It sounds like CHQ is economically doing well in this economy. And It sounds like the majors are taking advantage of it (american and others). I believe there is more to the issue than "negotiating power" to the major airline that one happens to work for. metro, I am the one that does not work in the airline environment but I do understand economics and I do know a little about the airline industry. If alpa would not have used their leverage to skyrocket the payscales of the top airlines, then maybe there would be more pilot positions at the majors right now. sure in times of plenty they can afford the payroll. that is becouse they can gouge the customers with last minute fares that would be cheaper for the pax to charter my learjet!! In the lean times the large and spacious airlines cannot do it, this is why so many of you airlines guys are standing in line wanting to fly for my on demand charter company.
If chautaugua(sp?) can prosper right now, I think it is fantastic. I do not believe they need your union nazi mentality trying to control what they do when you think the airline industry revolves around paying the pilots $300 per hour. I am glad that the economicly minded people are the ones running CHQ.
Now let me say that I do understand your opinion, and that is just it....an opinion....there are always two sides to every story. Everything that I said here is my opinion and, I could be miss representing the truth becouse I am not totally educated in the manner....just my opinion. and I am sure I will read your opinion about my opinion later on...."not that there is anything wrong with that!!"

 

[MetroSheriff]

UJ,

There is nothing wrong with your opinion. It is every bit as valid as mine.

Just to clarify, however, my issue is with codeshare not payrates. I think that you are correct in that many pilot groups have focused too much on hourly rates and not enough on job security issues. It is that which I would like to see us endeavor to fix.

Some pilots are paid too much, and some pilots are paid to little. We "all" have to little job security, and codeshare is the BIGGEST threat to us all.

Thanks for the thoughtfull tone of your post.

 

[dogg]

Here is the deal: Fying does not " belong to anyone" and all airlines will do whatever it takes to be profitable ( as it is defined by that particular airline ) and to return a benefit to it's shareholders. So for pilots to run around and claim flying and claim airplanes and point fingers at each other and call each other names is just plain pointless.
This is not to say that there are not a bunch of arrogant SOB's running the various airlines (as has been neatly demonstrated by AA, UAL, DAL, USAIR etc. playing one upsmanship with each other and bankrupting their various airlines) but you all just work there, you don't own it and in general you will do as you are told or you will go work somewhere else. Contracts with pilots are one small part of the big picture for airline managers and believe me they don't expend a lot of energy on them.
So here is a thought, if you enjoy your line of work then go to work, be safe, be legal, and be efficient. Learn your trade, try to make your place of work better if you can, be happy if you still have a job. One thing you can be sure of, this is not just a repeating cycle that we are in. RJ's of whatever size can and do replace mainline jets and are not going away and the airline world is not going to go back to the rampant excess that it experienced through the 90's . The low cost carriers of today are smarter and better than they have ever been and they are going to take away and keep market share from the big guys. Fractional flying while it is expanding into excess right now, will correct and take away the cream from the big guys. So for the big guys that survive, there will be much less expansion and there will be a big push to increase the productivity of the various work groups.

Be sure of one thing, the day is coming when the majority of airline pilots fly for 50/70/90 seat operators. So I suggest that you read Flying THE LINE vol 1. It relates to the spirit of a union which is what is needed at this time. And realize that we are not all going to work for large jet majors, a lot of us will retire from the small jet majors.

All of that said, this is still the best doggone way to make a living that I can think of and for those of us who can afford to put in the time and wait for a better day or accept the compensation that we now make as adequate it is a great thing. And for all who have to go into other fields to pay for life, families etc. that is indeed a shame but it is also life and that is how it goes..... good luck all

 

[erjdriver]

Capt Crunch

you really need to learn how to spell man, and you should also add a math class (a low common denominator actually increases the product number). Since you're at it, why don't you add an anger management course.

Cheers.

 

[temcgrew]

thanks metro. I was hesitant to jump in and fuel the fire with what could be an ignorant comment. Your not so bad! talk to ya later.

 

[Surfpilot]

Don't bring Earnhardt into this.

 

[Corbon]

Posted by Capt. Crunch

do you know the meaning of the word whore? Because thats what you are doing. Go ahead and show up at coex. You will receive a WARM welcome. (read piss in your water bottle). The point is if YOUR pilot group we not the lowest bidder and whores to YOUR managment, the Mainline carriers would not farm out work(read: alter ego) to you. AND dont tell me that those routes belong to CAL not XJT. I was hired buy CONTINENTAL EXPRESS. A DIVISION of CAL. I worked my a$$ off on the last contract for a flough-through. IT IS MY FLIPPING FLYING. ANd your pressence is NOT WELCOME! DOnt think you are mng whores.....hummm what about your furlough pilots who were fired and then hired back out of senority. If you had the BALLs to TRY to get with ALPA maybe I might stand the site of you!

Speaking of whores, dude, you need some poontang in a bad way. Head down to the corner, pick her up (or him), grab a six-pack on the way back to the crashpad and nail em until you're cross-eyed. Then come back and post. You'll thank me for it.

 

[Corbon]

WOW dude your right I feel so much better. And your wife wasnt nearly as fat as I thought she would be!

I'm single so you must have nailed the maid. You're right, the black maid outfit does have a certain "trimming" look to it. She was always too hairy for me but a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do. Oh, Gretta said to thank you for having low standards. She said it was the happiest 2 minutes shes had in 45 years. Shes washing dishes like a 30 year old now! Thank YOU!!

 

[Corbon]

you married her man

I didn't marry her. Origionally I thought I found a stray monkey. Found out monkey could cook so I let her hang around the house.

 

[dogg]

Crunch, nice thoughtful reply. Now listen carefully--- you are a blue collar employee of your airline---- so no you do not own "it "nor do you own flying. Delta or American or where ever you work owns "it" and they will do with "it" as they see fit. Such as contract "it " out. The friggin nerve of people who say they own there job....