I have a financial plan for USA Jet...

[Tail Rotorhead]

Fire pilotYIP only call it early retirement.

pilotYIP is one of the sneakiest, phoniest, backstabbing SCABS in all of aviation. He is notorious for stringing furlouged pilots along, telling them not to leave Michigan, not to look for other jobs because they will be called back before they know it. The pilots do what is asked of them, they want a job and they don't want to move again, so they wait and wait and wait for a phone call from this mustachioed bs artist. When call backs do finally come it is only for the select few that pilotYIP deems worthy. They do not follow a seniority list, they do not call everyone, just those that have significantly kissed butt or bought a pitcher of beer at his favorite dive hangout. There have been several pilots who have done as asked, waited for the call and when Randy is finally pushed to make some sort of decision he has actually gone from department to department asking for a character reference for the pilot in question before their re-employment will be considered. "You didn't say 'yes sir' to someone in flight following on March 2, demerit. You asked to come home for your child's first birthday party last year, demerit. You have a college degree and NO HELICOPTER TIME? Are you crazy? How did you ever end up here in the first place?" One poor soul actually attended a job fair Randy was attending in order to finally put him on the spot after waiting months for his call. Randy kept telling him, soon, soon. When he went to the job fair Randy told him to take the hint, we don't want you. Others have actually had to reinterview with the company they had worked for for 2 years and were laid off through no fault of their own. I have heard many a person wonder how Randy can sleep at night with they way he treats people. Randy is notorious for favortism, just ask any former helicopter pilots, and of course his son Andy, top of the food chain, low on time and senority. He is probably 99% of the reason the pilots continue to try and unionize. If he had just followed protocol and the seniority list I bet the idea of a union wouldn't have picked up as much steam as it has.

They learned their lesson with the last lay offs I guess because they had a hard time getting anyone to come back on line and they ended up hiring "contract" pilots and paying through the nose for those services. Anyone who thinks that USA Jet is doing a wonderful thing by cutting pay and not laying off is delusional. They are hoping that it will get busy this summer and they want to make sure they are appropriately staffed. Once business drops off again you can be sure lay offs are coming. They should never have hired these last two classes!!! Things have been very slow for over a year, but they just keep hiring!!!

I can't say enough about what rotten people are running USA Jet. All I can say is that I sure as hell am glad I got out of there when I did. It is obvious that the pilots are turning into mental patients. Read a few of clansinclair's posts to see what I mean. When I worked there I remember a few pilots who thought the Russians controlled the weather!! Who the hell wants that guy sitting next to you in the cockpit??

 

[pilotyip]

There is so much misinformation in your post it would take two or three pages to respond, so I am not even going to bother.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Is it one guys fault that the automotive business is slow and everyone cant keep working?

Please dont pull that "he promised to keep me working" thing...thats lame.


Want longeveity in aviation? Here's how I live:


Never fly for a company who makes thier money flying airplanes.

 

[Snakum]

However anyone else feels about him, I'm not quite sure that PilotYip as Anti-Christ is gonna hunt, considering how much time he has spent answering beginner questions via phone and email for myself and at least two other people I know, who were essentially clueless about the progression from starry-eyed PPL to Turbine Freight Dog. He was absolutely patient and generous with his time.

Doesn't quite add up, does it?

Did he kick your dog, or something?


Minh

 

[LXJ31]

Wow, G-200 nails it again. Here is how Yoda would say it:

"For makes company
who flying airplanes their money,
fly never mmmmmm...."

OR, the Swedish Chef:

"Never fly for e-a compeny vho-a mekes zeeer money flyeeng eeerplenes. bork!bork!bork!"

For our stuttering friends:

"Never fly for a commmmmmm m mm mm m mpany who mmmmmmm m mm mm m makes thier mmmmmmm m mm mm m money flyingg... airplanes."

 

[Flywrite]

Never fly for a company who makes thier money flying airplanes.

I think very few of us fly for companies that make money flying airplanes...now comapnies that lose money flying airplanes, well that's a different matter...

 

[Tail Rotorhead]

Not blaming one person for the whole company, just saying that he is maybe a symptom of bigger problems. People want to attack the pilots who are feeling upset that they have lost 25%!! of their pay instead of lay offs and I am trying to explain where other people are coming from. And really, pilotyip isn't far off from retirement, and no one in management is giving any concessions, it really might save the company some money.

I will say this for pilotyip, he loves USAJet, which is why he only ever points out the positive about the company. If he sees any inaccuracies on the company, he will respond, however, if someone posts something scathing, but true, not a word. I don't doubt for a second that he would be patient and friendly to a prospective employee. If I made him sound like an intimidating ogre, that was not my intent. He is far from it, very congenial guy, which makes it all the harder when the friendliest guy, your ally almost, tells you you're next for call backs and the call never comes. I'm just saying for once someone there should be honest and tell people, you aren't getting a call, move on with your life and stop wasting your time.

I really wish USAJet could stop this constant cycle. It doesn't just hurt the pilots, it hurts their families too. It really isn't about the automotive industry, it's the hiring, and the way the company wastes money and doesn't look into any new ventures. To be totally dependent on the fickle automotive industry is really not the best plan.

 

[Happyhour]

...wow...I DO have a college degree, NO helicopter time, WAS home for my sons first birthday and DID get called back in seniority...and Randy actually paid for the beers at the " Wedge "...I serious buttkisser I must be...pretty creepy

 

[Tail Rotorhead]

Happy Hour, your name says it all.

 

[pilotyip]

Too much credit

I don't understand a helo guy, if rotor's info is correct, ranting about hiring helo guys? We hire helo pilots because we have never had a training failure with a military pilot. We like 121 guys, P-3 guys, and C-12 guys, again because they all successfully complete training. Plus this guy gives me way too much credit, I am a messenger, I do not make hiring, lay off or call back decisions. I present evidence whenever I can that a bad decision is about to be or has been made, and what should be done to correct it. I execute orders given to me, but I do it with a sense of duty that it is not my role to pass the buck, but stand up and deliver news. Many times it is news I do not agree with, but it is not my role to decide what I will and will not deliver. Just a passing thought, if you did work for USA Jet and displayed the attitude demonstrated in the beginning of this thread, you could understand an employer probably not wanting you back on the payroll.

 

[clansinclair]

Tail Rotorhead & Those Who Would Really Like To Know,

Since Pilotyip won't defend himself, I will speak up for him.

Pilotyip is most definitely NOT "sneaky, phony, nor is he a backstabbing scab". He IS however very skilled at diplomacy, an ardent practicioner of the art and skill of Positive Mental Attitude (almost to a fault at times), and will ordinarily remain silent towards you if he can't say anything "good". Unlike myself, the proverbial "bull in the china shop, tell it like it is" (which has cost me dearly many times), pilotyip is pretty careful what he says and to whom he's saying it.

When USA Jet lays off pilots, they don't "furlough" them. Rather they "terminate" them. Thus, USA Jet is NOT bound in anyway to call anyone back by seniority or anyother reason. This way the company can call back anyone they desire to, for whatever reason they choose. Frankly, strictly from the company's point of view, this is a strategic benefit because it enables them to weed out those whose "performance" leaves much to be desired.

Pilotyip will, in fact, encourage those he feels have a good chance of being called back when the company's needs require it. Those that he feels probably won't be called back for whatever reason ( It has nothing to do with whether he likes you or not. Over time, he gets a lot of feedback from co-workers, flight following, customer service, check airmen, pilot meetings, etc. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who the performers are and who they are not.), he will do his best to refer them to who IS hiring, and I've personally observed him trying to help them get re-employed somewhere else. It is not strictly his decision as to who gets called back and who doesn't, although he may be inclined either to highly recommend one or not recommend one. This is not only human nature, but in a way, fulfilling a responsibility to the company to "advise" to the best of his ability.

It has been my experience and observation that it's not the "select few" who get called back, but rather the "select few" who DO NOT get called back. Believe it or not, it can come down to something as simple as choosing a guy because he lives in the area, as opposed to one who doesn't. (The company makes it very clear that they prefer "non-commmuters". You'd be amazed at how many will proclaim in their initial interview," Oh yea! I'll move to the Detroit area, but then never do! They'll be the very ones to moan and groan about how the schedule is preferential to those who live in the area! Irrespective of the fact that the company would reimburse them up to $3000.00 for their moving expenses, and put them up in a hotel at company expense for the first 2 weeks!)

I was one who got laid off back in 2001, I never "kissed his butt (infact, he'd probably say I could be a real pain in the ass at times), nor have I ever bought him a single beer, let alone a pitcher!" I got called back. Why? Because I made it a point to do my very best while I WAS working there, I was reliable, I had good pilot skills, I let them know that I was a "long term empoyee", whenever they needed me I said "YES!" with enthusiasm, and while I was laid off, I called every Friday and let them know that I wanted "MY" job back!

Many people, including myself at times, give pilotyip way to much credit for "power and influence" in the company. Certainly, due to his position, he has some, but not to the extent many think. However, he'll be the first to remind us that his influence only goes so far. That many things are "above his paygrade and out of his hands".

No doubt in my mind that the company felt the pain of laying off pilots the last time, and had a hard time getting them back when they needed them. No doubt in my mind that that's why they cut pay this time, and are trying to avoid laying pilots off. Again, from the company's point of view, it's the logical thing to do. Did I like it? Hell no! I'm just as pissed at the pay cut as the rest of the senior pilots! It doesn't keep me from understanding WHY they did it though! I DON'T like it, but I DO understand it.

USA Jets is not the only airline in the business that lays off people when the work slows down. The only companies that don't do that usually end up out of business! When I was laid off, I interviewed with Reliant. The interviewer took great pride in jabbing USA Jet by saying that his company had never laid off a single pilot since he'd been there. Where is Reliant now? Yes, USA Jet has laid off pilots, they may yet have to lay off pilots, but hey, they're still in business so far!

The management at USA Jet are not "rotten". Believe me, I've worked where the management was "rotten", and this management team is far from it! Are they perfect? NO! Have they made mistakes? YES! Are they immune from trying to anticipate business trends, plan accordingly, and end up being wrong or not anticipating all eventualities? NO! Honestly, look at all the "great" airlines that have "gone away". Was it because every single one of their respective management teams were "rotten". Of course not! In Fact, South West seems to be the proof that the UNIONS of those by-gone airlines was the "rotten" element that ultimately led to their demise! I wish I had a nickle for every pilot that I know who aspired and aspires to go to work for South West! Amazingly, the empoyees of South West are incredibly motivated and excited to be working there, without a union!

Let's face the facts, the aviation business is one of the most competitive industries going. (too **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ed competitive as far as I'm concerned) In this business environment, it takes a real bone fide genius with a whole lot of money to survive. The fact is there just aren't that many of those around who are "crazy" enough to get involved in this industry! It kind of reminds me of rodeos. Cowboys coming from all over with their "entry fees" just hoping against hope that they got what it takes to last the full 8 seconds! Put that with an aviation business that relies "heavily" on another industry that's equally or greater "swamped" in competition, and it's boggles my mind how they survive at all!

Call me a "mental patient" if you want. In some ways, I would even agree with you. Sometimes I say to myself, "I must have been nuts to choose this career field!" Would I do it again, knowing what I do now?
Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no. Ultimately, I probably would. Why? You know the answer! It's the very thing that makes being a pilot so competitive, we're all "addicted" to flight!

Finally, pilotyip is one of the good guys, and I know that he has taken the "heat" from both sides for his efforts to keep the ball rolling, doing his best to contribute to the growth of the company and the well being of his fellow pilots. Sometimes he can indeed "go over-the-top" with his optimism, but I, for one, am glad he's there. He reminds me of just how import things like a cheerful smile, being motivated and excited regardless of the current circumstances, and seeing the glass half full is! If and when the day comes that he retires and leaves, the whole company will regretfully feel the loss!

 

[Flyingdutchman]

I “know” Pilotyip as a true gentleman. Willing to help and motivate pilots all the time.

Looks likes somebody here needs to have few cold beers.

FD

 

[Tail Rotorhead]

Thanks for proving my points

clansinclair, Don, thanks you are really a big help in proving my point. First of all, while I don't know you personally, I was lucky enough to leave the jet before you were hired, I do know pilotyip. I do still have several very good friends at JUS and I know that you aspire to be the Chief Pilot and that you have made that know from the get-go, if that's not kissing up I don't know what is. I have also read all of your posts being a cheerleader for pilotyip, but you might want to run your post by him first before you speak for him. Putting it our there that JUS doesn't furlough, but TERMINATES their pilots when the going gets rough probably isn't the most helpful thing you can say. So, I stand corrected, they are worse than I thought. They don't have the guts to fire problem people at the time they become a problem, instead they conveniently TERMINATE them when they need to make cut-backs and just don't call them back. Now, as I said before I know people who were responsible and diligent and moved their entire families here for this job and were never called back, despite pilotyip's assurances. Why can't he face these people with the truth instead of stringing people along?

Secondly, I hate to break the news to you but Southwest has never laid off AND they have a union.

Happy hour also proved my point. Hang out at the Wedge, you'll get your call.

I, obviously, having helo time I don't care that helo pilots are hired, I mind that they are promoted and given preferential treatment and that helo time is now counted toward total time, even when the pilot has almost zero fixed wing time. When I worked there pilotyip probably didn't even know I had helo time because it wasn't something that was counted, like most airlines. However, conveniently when pilotyip had someone close to him (I am respecting yip's request not to name names) need a job, helo time was suddenly not only counted but an asset!! Hmmm...

Again, I will say, no it is not pilotyip's fault that the auto industry is slow, but it is his fault that new hires keep walking through the door when it has been slow for a year or more.

Lastly, I find it interesting that the only people willing to defend pilotyip are clansinclair, noted pilotyip lover, some guy who shared a beer at the "wedge" with him and got his call as promised, and some people who don't know him. I knew him, I never got laid off from JUS, I left for a better opportunity, and am now flying as a captain in an A320 and am glad to have YIP in the rearview. If you look at the other threads pilotyip has posted on he doesn't have much support there either. It doesn't appear that he has too many friends on these boards, thank God for Don, huh?

 

[T-REX]

wrong thread sorry

 

[Happyhour]

Rotorhead, Rotorhead...
...you're quite cranky...so be it, I' m sure you have good reason.

So you never got furloughed/layed off at USA Jet.?..left on your own terms and made a career as Airbus captain.?..not too shabby...
good for you!!! Don't know why you're so bitter, but like I said, you probably have your reasons.

By the way I left myself...was probably a good move!

I just can't sign up for your theory that YIP is singlehandedly responsible for all that BS thats going on in the On Demand Charter Business and (YES) at USA Jet.

One thing is for sure, and you got that right:
My name says it all: My glass is always at least half full!

Cheerio! Maybe that Dutchmanguy wants to slam a few cold ones?????

Anyone else???

take it easy

 

[clansinclair]

Tail Rotorhead,

OK. Good for you that you were able to move on to bigger and better. I really am happy for you.

I just don't get why you have such heartburn with pilotyip. You make it sound like he's THE problem with what's wrong at USA Jet, and that's simply just not true.

About South West, for some reason I was under the impression that their pilots were not union. If I'm wrong about that, then it was an honest mistake. Unlike a lot of pilots, I don't spend my spare time following airline trivia pursuit.

There was a time when I did aspire to perhaps be a Chief Pilot somewhere, but since have changed my mind about that. I realize now that it's too political to be in that position, and frankly, I'm not cut out to be in politics. I'm too apt to say the emporer has no clothes. So if you think I'm kissing up to pilotyip for that, you're wrong.

I simply spoke up for him because he doesn't deserve your degrading remarks about him.

As far as the management strategy at USA Jets, many times I don't like what they decide or do. Many times, their decisions affect me adveresly, at least in the short term, but it's unwise not to try to understand their perspective. I don't believe that the management's soul purpose is to try and figure out how to thwart the hopes and dreams of their workforce just to be able to make a few extra coins.

On the contrary, I'm convinced that they would love to be able to afford to pay the most, offer the most benefits, and be the model of how an airline could be profitable and among the best places to work.
I'm sure that they would rather not lose good people to other places.

It's my opinion that many times the management of this and many other companies get "caught up" in the "crystal palace symdrome" experimenting in "business theory", and inadvertently, forget that their most valuable asset is their people. I also understand how it can happen because human beings are more flexible than machines and tend to absorb more abuse than machines. That's very unfortunate because that error in judgement ulimately becomes the prime factor for most all business woes.

This happens everyday in Washington, D.C. Politicians get so caught up trying to preserve "the country", and tend to forget that "we the people" ARE the country! Management does likewise with "the company". They tend to forget that WE are the company, or at least the most valuable asset of the company. It's the people who make the company work, it's the people who operate the machines, it's the people who make the economy grow, and without the people, the inanimate business assets are worthless.

 

[pilotyip]

Hey! How about that bid that just came out for 32 passengers pilots, 26 DC-9 and 6 DA-20

 

[clansinclair]

pilotyip,

is our pay going back to normal now?

 

[Snakum]

I don't care that helo pilots are hired, I mind that they are promoted and given preferential treatment and that helo time is now counted toward total time, even when the pilot has almost zero fixed wing time.

Having spent a few hours in an R22, I'll never understand why helo time doesn't count DOUBLE!


Minhberg the Magnificent

 

[WillowRunVortex]

I “know” Pilotyip as a true gentleman. Willing to help and motivate pilots all the time.

Looks likes somebody here needs to have few cold beers.

FD

I think your not seeing people agree with you on this thread Rotor for fear of retribution. I have a bunch of friends that work for and have worked for USAJ and to listen to them talk is almost verbatum what you stated in your first post on this thread.