I was talking to one of the pilots that does interviews for NJs (he interviewed me). He said that they are not having any problem getting quality pilots. The only problem is training slots at Flight Safety. The Domiciles do not appear to be a problem for the company. They are done interviewing for this year.
Well, of couse he would say that, wouldn't he?
What is his info source?
Would NJA be completely truthful in answering the same question asked by him or would the info given have a certain "truth" to it? You must remember, pilots are int the interviews to add a technical aspect to the process. In the end, they are still pilots and must be "controlled" as such.
Do you think that NJA is attracting the same quality of candidates that SWA, DAL, CAL currently is?
Do you think that NJA is RETAINING F/Os at the same rate as the above?
If the answers to the above 2 questions is anything but YES then the Domiciles (among other things) needs to be address.
The above info I have typed deals with the basing issue. IBB deals with SO MUCH MORE than just basing.
I personally (and I'm not alone) will not vote for a document that "improves" basing while dilluting several other sections. This IBB thing was billed as win-win and a "progressive contract".
Anything else will get trashed.
A few things though... I will thank my Union leadership for exploring the opportunity of better contract language. I will not look back at this IBB as a fail opportunity. I will look forward to 2010 as I should; contract amendable time.
If we can't get a PROGRESSIVE, WIN-WIN package (all of it) now, we will work to improve the WHOLE thing at the appropriate time.
No one is advocating sacrificing a group of junior pilots. You've heard this before... you knew the deal getting hired on here. We accomplished so much in CBA 2005 BUT basing was and is an eyesore.
I categorically DISAGREE that hiring is not a problem for NJA. Basing was one of the issues theat BOTH sides have admitted needs to be addressed. Period. End of story.
Ski, if you can't understand the concept of "windows of opportunity" then you will not understand negotiations and the emotions you will normally feel during a negotiating period (section 6 or IBB) then Unionized aviation labor is not for you.
If you can't understand that the whole group will either lose or gain based on the understanding of those emotions and the timing of actions to deal with the contract issues and opportunities available through negotiations then Unionized aviaiton labor is not for you.
And on to your difficulty determining what your job function is...
If you don't/can't understand the concept of teamwork while working on the road and embrace the fact that the PIC and the SIC have specific duties, then I can't help you.
My job on the road is not to tell you what to do, but as PIC I will
delegate any duty (per FOM 1-34) that I see needs done by the SIC in the interests of safety, Owner satisfaction and finally workload balance.
One thing about the FOM... NJA can find ANYTHING to discipline you for in the FOM on any day, and flight, any time. It's quite a game to keep up with every single rule and policy during the day. If you want to play "trick the tricker" and split hairs in determining "what's my job" and "what's not my job" then you are not getting the big picture here and you will lose. They will win. Fair warning.
Again, its not my job to chastize you here or on the road. On the road, as a PIC, I will try to show you the way. If you will not listen, I will enable the appropriate party to provide the education to you starting with the Union.
You know who comes next.
Bottom line: Pull your weight and do you job. There is a lot of work to be done to prep for any Owner flight and I personally need a dedicated SIC who "gives a rip" to make the flight an enjoyable one for the Bigs.
Rant over. Either you get it or you don't.
PM me if you would like access to official or unofficial information that will enable you to do enhance your understanding or your job function while acting as an SIC here at NJA. You might just save yourself (and your Captain) many gray hairs.