Comair to officially furlough 300 pilots

[RiddleEagle18]

Comair guys check your e-mails... goes back to Jan. 22nd 2007 new hires.

 

[DX Rick]

But we're merging!!!!!!!!

 

[PA44Jockey]

didn't get the email, because my mailbox was full. What did it say?

 

[DX Rick]

300 pilot. We'll find out by July 21st.
JFK will be the biggest impact.
Both CVG and JFK Capt effected
Number could change with VLOA's

 

[N813CA]

Nothing in my email

 

[wrigley23]

Comair guys check your e-mails... goes back to Jan. 22nd 2007 new hires.

This is a bogus source. There may be COLAs and what not but doubtful any involuntarys. We've heard gloom and doom for years so nothing will surprise though. Comair has been canceling flights all summer for bad staffing in the NE. I've said it before, Crew Forecasting and Planning is more of an oxymoron than Military Intelligence. Picture monkeys and typewriters.

 

[DX Rick]

This is a bogus source. .

So are you saying RiddleEagle is bogus, or the email?
Because I'll be more than happy to post Soapers email to us.

 

[wrigley23]

So are you saying RiddleEagle is bogus, or the email?
Because I'll be more than happy to post Soapers email to us.

If Soaper sent emails to FOs then that is very shady, but else what would anyone expect from him. The union is mum of course, more concerned about collecting those merger dues which will go way way up with furloughs. For the guys that do get the chop, I hope you find something better and don't have to come back to this dump.

 

[nwa_contrails]

July 7, 2008
TO: Comair Pilots and Flight Attendants
FROM: Dave Soaper, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Operations
RE: Aligning crew staffing with reduced flying

As was communicated last week, the significant reduction in our fall schedule will result in an overage of pilots and flight attendants, especially since we had just increased our crew complement to accommodate the additional flying we’re currently performing.

We are still making minor adjustments to the number of pilot and flight attendant displacements but the fall flight schedule calls for substantial reductions – 300 pilot positions and 220 flight attendant positions. For pilots, the displacement bid will affect both CVG and JFK CRJ captains.
However, we expect the largest impact to be in our JFK base for both work groups.

It is important to note that the number of displacements could still change based on the voluntary options we can put in place. We informed the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) of the reduction in flying last week. Since then, we published a joint letter to the flight attendants on July 3 stating that the company and the IBT have agreed on several voluntary options (part-time bid, base vacancy bids, early out opportunities, etc.) lessening the impact to that work group.

The next step for flight attendants is to release a part-time bid no later than July 9. For pilots, we expect the displacement bid to be released no later than July 21.

We recognize the reduction in schedule came as a surprise since we were recruiting pilots and flight attendants in recent months. As President John Selvaggio noted in his memo, our flying for this year has been a rollercoaster. In January, we said we would experience a 10-15 percent decrease in flying throughout the year. So far in 2008, we have been fortunate to be well above that plan. Our hiring plan was based on the fall schedule (which included the additional flying) and our desire to be in a strategic position to capitalize on short-notice flying opportunities.

The initial reduction in September and further block hour cuts in October through the rest of the year bring our actual flying much closer to the original estimate and seem even more dramatic given our good fortune during the first eight months of the year. As fuel prices continue to climb
to unprecedented levels and capacity is further reduced, we are faced with the unpleasant task of aligning our workforce with another revised plan.

We understand these fluctuations can be frustrating, and we continue to do our best to manage through them as proactively as we can. We appreciate your ongoing efforts to serve our customers and run a safe airline. We will keep you informed as we have more news to share. If you have questions, please talk to an Inflight supervisor or chief pilot.

Here ya go.

 

[DX Rick]

If Soaper sent emails to FOs then that is very shady, but else what would anyone expect from him.

I would think he sent it to the whole pilot group.
But I wouldn't put it past him to just sent it to FO's, although it says that CVG and JFK Captains will be effect.
As for the merger dues, I haven't spoke to one person who is paying them, both CA's and FO's....and I doubt they will start paying them not with furloughs on the way.
My friend and I haven't even gotten a bill yet.

 

[airdog]

How many aircraft does this equate to? My guess is about 30 at 9.5 pilots per plane. Sounds like about 1/2 of Delta's RJ parking goal/quota. Look's like Comair is eating what Delta wanted to cut by dumping Mesa and Pinnacle.

 

[V-1]

How many aircraft does this equate to? My guess is about 30 at 9.5 pilots per plane. Sounds like about 1/2 of Delta's RJ parking goal/quota. Look's like Comair is eating what Delta wanted to cut by dumping Mesa and Pinnacle.

Yet another of many contract violations at Comair.

 

[Palmtree Pilot]

Yet another of many contract violations at Comair.

Come on, MATE! Do you think YOUR situation is anything different than the rest of the rich airline pilot in this country?

PtP

 

[PA44Jockey]

I'm an FO and I didn't get the email.

 

[CRJ puppy]

The email was sent to your company email acct, accessible via "epic". Click on the "envelope" icon in the middle of the left side of the page (same user name and password as you use for epic) and you will find the email.

 

[V-1]

Come on, MATE! Do you think YOUR situation is anything different than the rest of the rich airline pilot in this country?

PtP

I know my situation is quite different from "the rest of the rich airline pilot" in this country. My concern is for those who are not so fortunate...I'll voice it by expecting the company and Delta to honor the commitment they agreed to that allowed Comair to exit bankruptcy just a little over a year ago.

 

[MIKE767]

my 4 day trip was modified and totally changed. i asked why and the scheduler said ohhh well we have no choice, we are understaffed. hmmmm

 

[Big Foot]

Got JMed to taxi a plane, they said they had no RR.

 

[laserman2431]

You never know how it will turn out. I have noticed that previous hiring and furloughing numbers never seem to come to what is projected.

When it's hiring time, they want to get the best applicants they can. By announcing big hiring plans, they can attract better candidates. By announcing big furlough plans, they may encourage some of the higher paid pilots to move on. And I can't say that I would blame them for that. If it was up to me, I might do the same thing.

Or, it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

 

[Big Foot]

well keep thinking like that, it make this whole thing not seem as bad. I hope my everyone including myself that you are correct

 

[V-1]

Fortunately the quality of the leadership at Comair/Delta has been well known for years now. I'm confident anyone hired within the last five years should understand the high level of risk associated with counting on Comair/Delta to provide for the financial security of themselves and their family.

I hope everyone has acted appropriately, instead of allowing Comair/Delta to vector them into a thunderstorm.

 

[PA44Jockey]

You never know how it will turn out. I have noticed that previous hiring and furloughing numbers never seem to come to what is projected.

When it's hiring time, they want to get the best applicants they can. By announcing big hiring plans, they can attract better candidates. By announcing big furlough plans, they may encourage some of the higher paid pilots to move on. And I can't say that I would blame them for that. If it was up to me, I might do the same thing.

Or, it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

Doubt it. Where do you think these senior guys would go. For sure it wouldn't be to another flying job given the current environment. Think about it. If you had a great schedule and pretty good pay, would you leave to start a new career behind a desk? Even desk jobs are be cut. It may sound good to you, but I don't think it would ever happen. Sure there may be a few takers. Have you talked to any of our senior guys on the subject?

 

[flyboyike]

You never know how it will turn out. I have noticed that previous hiring and furloughing numbers never seem to come to what is projected.

When it's hiring time, they want to get the best applicants they can. By announcing big hiring plans, they can attract better candidates. By announcing big furlough plans, they may encourage some of the higher paid pilots to move on. And I can't say that I would blame them for that. If it was up to me, I might do the same thing.

Or, it could just be wishful thinking on my part.

Well, sure, it would make a lot more sense to get rid of the guy that cost 100k/year rather than the one that costs 22k/year. Doesn't mean that's how it will work out.

 

[scarlet]

It is sad day for many. Good luck guys, but DL is not just picking on you, they will spread the 15% out to other regionals as well.

 

[flyboyike]

It is sad day for many. Good luck guys, but DL is not just picking on you, they will spread the 15% out to other regionals as well.

That makes it all better, thanks.

 

[laserman2431]

I agree with what you're saying. I was just speculating on what might be going through mgmt's mind.

Speaking of speculation, anyone notice that the price of crude oil dripped $8.00 in the last two days.
<img src="http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/Business/Oil%20and%20energy/Gas_prices_080707.gif">

I think I see a trend.

 

[JumpJetter]

How many pilots on the list at Comair? Good luck to all.

jj

 

[USCtrojan]

I agree with what you're saying. I was just speculating on what might be going through mgmt's mind.

Speaking of speculation, anyone notice that the price of crude oil dripped $8.00 in the last two days.
<img src="http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Interactives/Business/Oil%20and%20energy/Gas_prices_080707.gif">

I think I see a trend.

I hope you're right on the oil. 2 days straight, I wouldn't consider it a trend yet, but it certainly is a start! :beer:

Trojan

 

[captainv]

No email for me at noon on 7/8.

Oh well, the left seat was fun while it lasted...

 

[USCtrojan]

Comair's Press Release

Here's the Press Release:

Comair to cut 520 crew members

July 8, 2008 10:37 AM ET
advertisementdap('&PG=INVNWS&AP=1089',300,250);
All bizjournals.com newsRegional carrier Comair expects to cut more than 500 of its crew positions after the summer, as it follows through with previously announced plans to ground 14 of its 50-seater jets.



The Erlanger-based airline estimates it will eliminate 300 pilot and 220 flight attendant positions. Comair employs roughly 6,400 in total, about 1,400 of whom are pilots.
In an e-mail, Comair spokeswoman Kate Marx said the carrier is still operating the 14 earmarked aircraft through the summer but that its flight schedule will decline significantly in September.
"We have steadily reduced non-crew staff since the beginning of the year," Marx said. "Because our pilot and flight attendant staffing is directly related to our flying, we need to adjust our crew complement for the fall."
Comair follows several other airlines that have been reducing their ranks as high fuel prices cause them to cut routes. AirTran on July 7 said it would eliminate 300 attendant and 180 pilot positions, and United Airlines recently announced plans to cut 150 customer service and ramp jobs.
Still, Ted Bushelman, spokesman for the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, was surprised by the number of expected reductions at Comair. The carrier and its parent, Delta Air Lines, control about 85 percent of the airport's traffic.
"That's a lot," Bushelman said of the 520 jobs. "They've been saying all along they were going to cut. I just didn't know how many."
Employees were notified July 7 through a memo by President John Selvaggio. In it, he described this year as a "roller coaster."
"We have continued to support Delta's efforts to address sky-high fuel costs by becoming more efficient and reducing our overall cost structure," the memo stated. "We have demonstrated that our strength lies in the people of Comair, and in the coming months, we must remain flexible to keep ourselves poised to take advantages of future opportunities."
Comair in January said it would ground 14 of its 50-seater jets in 2008, after Delta (NYSEAL) cut its own domestic capacity by 5 percent in favor of overseas business. At the time, Comair would not identify how many of its employees would be affected. The move will prune Comair's fleet to 116 from 130 by the end of the year.