COA Hiring Binge

[densoo]

By BILL HENSEL JR.
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

After several years of downsizing and thousands of job cuts, Continental Airlines is on a hiring binge.

At a time when most of its traditional competitors are continuing to cut back, the Houston-based airline is on a quest to hire 4,500 people, roughly 600 in Houston.

Companywide, the carrier is filling positions including flight attendants, pilots, reservations agents and airport ramp agents.

The pilots union for Continental already has been holding welcome parties for newcomers, said union spokesman Jim Moody.

"The company apparently is gearing up to move ahead and we are happy to see it," he said Friday.

"We know that pilots at many of the other carriers are still out on furlough and really having a lot of troubles."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/3780140.html

 

[Hutchman]

...and 2200 of our 4500 pilots will retire in the next 10 years.....and over 500 are out on medical or military leave. Adding year 1 employees is great for the bottom line. Profit comming soon for CAL.

 

[pianoman]

from your profile looks like you were XJT..... did you know someone or were you intern/PIP?

 

[Cardinal]

Interestingly, CAL is also offering early outs to any takers. I love the line

"Because we understand that the airline industry's instability and our recent reductions may have impacted some co-worker's enthusiasm for remaining in the airline business we are offering a voluntary Early Out Plan"

Get rid of the senior disgruntled ones, hire kids at first year wages. Its Crandall-esque.

 

[Hutchman]

Interestingly, CAL is also offering early outs to any takers. I love the line
Get rid of the senior disgruntled ones, hire kids at first year wages. Its Crandall-esque.

This happens every fall. The summer schedule dictates the hiring of many more rampers/csa's and so on. When the summer schedule is over they have alot of extra people on property. Who would want to get a job and then be laid-off a few months later? It is a way of geting the people who want to leave off the property with a bonus, and a way for the new guys to keep thier jobs (if they still want too). It sounds like a win win for everyone. The Sr. guys don't have to leave, it is an option that comes with bennefits. It is not for everyone. Don't read too much into the early outs, it happens every year in the fall. It is a way of keeping the company a lean mean almost profit making machine.

 

[Hawker800]

Can anyone advise as to the maximum age CAL will hire an F/O?

 

[Ex737Driver]

60. Kidding. I really don't think there is a minimum per se but somehwere I'm sure there is an unoffical minimum.

 

[Master Shake]

Those early-outs are to try to reduce their pension liability. I forget the percentage, but X number of guys have the traditional pension while the rest have been switched to a 401K. Funding that pension plan is a real B when most of your competitors have passed that weight on to the U.S. taxpayers.

 

[EWR_FO]

Those early-outs are to try to reduce their pension liability. I forget the percentage, but X number of guys have the traditional pension while the rest have been switched to a 401K. Funding that pension plan is a real B when most of your competitors have passed that weight on to the U.S. taxpayers.

Early outs were not offered to pilots. The "traditional" plan has been frozen for the pilots only, regular employees continue to accrue. We have always had a 401K. A new "B" plan has been established for pilots only. The funding is a lot less onerous now, with the pilots out of the plan, although it is still considerably underfunded.

 

[SOVT]

Can anyone advise as to the maximum age CAL will hire an F/O?

There have been two hired that were over fifty.

 

[Master Shake]

Thanks for the clairification.

 

[psysicx]

How long would it take someone to hold a line in IAH?

 

[pkober]

I was hired in early Oct 2005, 737. I was able to hold a conversion line in IAH in April. I had seven months of full, 64/month, hiring after me so that helped.

Your results may vary.

CLAMBAKE