Life at Evergreen.....
Contract calls for 16 days on with up to 2 more at company's need. Expect 18 days, and be happy when it is only 16. (About 50% of the time it is only 16!) Some of our pacific lines only have 14 or 15 days in them but they tend to go senior!
Growth has been fairly good the last 2 years. In jan. we start flying the LCF for Boeing. Also, 2 more GE powered 747's are expected online to eventually replace some old 100's. The firebomber 747 will probably be certified in the next couple of weeks; but don't expect that to have any affect on the airline. It will be run as a separate company. They will get our old 747's as we retire them.
Don't expect a new contract for a long time. We have been negotiating for 2 years, and I expect it to be 2-3 more before we get a new contract.
Mgmt/Pilot relationships are about like anywhere else. There are good days and bad days. For the most part though, we have decent people in both groups.
Scheduling is the dept. that tends to be the weak spot at EIA. The people who work there are overworked, underpaid and undertrained! The turnover is high and it shows!
Flightcrew pay is lower than most of our competitors, and benefits could be much better. Hopefully, the next contract will bring eventual improvements.
All in all, I would definetly take Fedex and UPS over EIA anyday. But until they call, I will remain here flying beat up 747's with a smile on my face, except on payday!