Pinnacle bonuses change AGAIN

[flyer172r]

Apparently the $200 for the first two weeks was a trial to see if they could get away with it. No one resigned en masse, so they had a new benchmark for how far they could push, starting with next weeks checks.

The people who were already in class may not have walked, but that could've simply been because they were already there, no other job offers, etc. I have no doubt this will hurt them on future classes however.

 

[BuckMurdock1]

Let's say some of the new hires do walk. Can that be considered an unsuccessful attempt to complete a 121 training program? I am just wondering if that kind of thing would bite you in the long run.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are not an actual employee of 9E until after checkride passage..
Is anything in 'training' reportable to the FAA before you actually are employed??
They make sure you're reminded about 10X in training that you are NOT an employee until you pass your initial ride.

 

[Flywrite]

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that the IRS took a very dim view of companies categorizing someone as an "Independent Contractor" while at the same time dictating their work hours.

 

[Andrew_VT]

Let's say some of the new hires do walk. Can that be considered an unsuccessful attempt to complete a 121 training program? I am just wondering if that kind of thing would bite you in the long run.

I know someone who told PNCL to shove it after his 2nd day in the sim, Mesaba didn't have a problem taking him

"any previous part 121 experience?"

"Well I started with PNCL and then told them to shove it because, well, because they're PNCL"

"Yeah we totally understand, welcome aboard!"

 

[Flyer1015]

Breach of contract if the Company put it out in writing.

If so, Company says if you do this, come to work for me, I will do this, pay you these bonuses. That is a contract, a meeting of the minds if both people except the terms by their actions.

Yes, but these are all listed in a pdf file that is titled as "incentives." It's not part of the pilot contract (CBA).

They can simply claim that they can no longer offer incentives because of, well, pretty much any reason.

Now if all this was part of the pilot CBA, then yes, not paying that would be construed as a breach of contract.

Speaking of which, here is something interesting in the PNCL CBA:

SECTION 11

TRAINING AND TESTING COMPANY TRAINING

1. A pilot on the Pilots’ System Seniority List will not be required to pay any training or the use of any Company equipment.

2. At the Company’s discretion it may require a new hire pilot to pay for training associated with a pilot’s first position with the Company.


Yikes!​

​

 

[Flyer1015]

I know someone who told PNCL to shove it after his 2nd day in the sim, Mesaba didn't have a problem taking him

"any previous part 121 experience?"

"Well I started with PNCL and then told them to shove it because, well, because they're PNCL"

"Yeah we totally understand, welcome aboard!"

Only because there is a shortage of pilots today at the regional level. If this was October 2001, you'd be out of a job for 'poor attitude' and many more would have been available to replace you. But that's not the case today.

If I was you interviewer, I'd question you further... "Why did you wait until sim session 2 to bail out on Pinnacle?" "Couldn't you have decided that earlier?" "How do I know that you won't bail out on our airline after the 2nd sim session?" etc. etc.

 

[machaf]

What a ******************** hole company. Have fun COLGAN guys. Sorry that you didn't vote in ALPA.

STFD!

 

[Lazy8]

*edit*

you know what... it's just not worth it. Colgan pilots, prepare to be seriously abused.

Don-

I haven't seen my $750 yet and from what they've told us I never will; however, I've been out of town a few days so I don't know if there's been any new developments with that.

 

[Inconceivable]

Have any of the referral bonuses ever been paid?

 

[Lazy8]

Have any of the referral bonuses ever been paid?

HAHAHAHAHA good one

 

[Flyer1015]

LMAO!!! The last two posts are hilarious!

 

[bluefishbeagle]

IOE bonus = "you flyin a big jet plan ain't ya? shuttttttt upppppppp"

Referral bonus = "you believe that shxt? You're fired for stupidity!!" (by the way you know anybody who wants your seat? send them down)

 

[norskman2]

I may be wrong, but I was under the impression that the IRS took a very dim view of companies categorizing someone as an "Independent Contractor" while at the same time dictating their work hours.

I work as an independent contractor. Although there are no clearcut rules, generally speaking, the IRS says that in order to be considered an independent contractor, a company cannot dictate where or how you conduct your work for them, and you must have the freedom to work for more than one company in the same capacity. None of those conditions appear to be met here.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99921,00.html

Microsoft lost a landmark case several years ago, when several of their "contractors" blew the whistle to the IRS.

 

[TurboAWD]

Geez, and some people wonder why I don't reccomend pilots come here.

LISTEN UP PINNACLE F/O's hired in the last year:

It's not to late to get a better job. Hell, some companies actually do pay the bonus they promise! Go to Republic, ExpressJet, Mesaba, whatever.

Turbo

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Nice to see that Business Ethics are still alive and well in the Airline Industry.

What a bunch of Bastards. Remember, karma's a bitch all you management pukes.

 

[Flyer1015]

Nice to see that Business Ethics are still alive and well in the Airline Industry.

What a bunch of Bastards. Remember, karma's a bitch all you management pukes.

I don't think the words "business ethics" can ever be used in the same sentence that contains 'airline management.'

 

[dondk]

Have any of the referral bonuses ever been paid?

Let's see... I am getting old so my memory is starting to go

Back in '04 a SMALL percentage were paid, then the rest were embezzled by an HR and a Payroll person into their private accounts. Referral bonuses were canceled for about 2 years.

They gave bonuses to F/A's for a short period of time, about 1/2 were paid and 1/2 were "forgotten" and that was in early '06.

Referral bonuses came back in '06, with new rules. About a dozen were paid, but were taxed so heavily that it became worthless. I think it was a $500 bonus that one would take home about $300 and had to wait like 6 weeks after passing the 6 month mark. Note the company did not remind you, you had to remind them over and over and over.

In late '06 to early '07 bonuses disappeared again and since it is a "bonus" if the company chooses not to pay you, there is nothing the contract can do.

One person did take them to small claims court over it in Michigan. Surprisingly the contract has protections for when you need to go to court. The guy who was suing them needed the days off and they HAD to give it to him. That was the funniest moment I had over bonuses. They WERE not happy about that and shortly thereafter all bonuses were removed again. Oh... they settled on the small claims court issue.

Finally, the most recent exercise in referral, completion, type certificate bonuses are not working out too well. I would expect from past practice that they will be forgotten or certain documentation from HR is needed (and you will not get), or a slew of other things will happen. For the guys who are looking for the bonus, once you leave the motherland for the northern domiciles, you might as well forget it. If you are MEM based, you have a better chance of nailing them by hanging out in nonconnah...

One last thing.. don't yell loudly over it, about a year ago they taped the phone call of a disgruntled pilot, the person claimed she was so upset from the language she heard she needed to be sent home. Her bible belt ears were forever ruined by the dialog. The pilot (who was being screwed over) was called in, the tapes played (don't ask me how since payroll is not recorded) and had to write a letter of apology and given a final warning for conduct unbecoming. I can't make that sh1t up. So... he got screwed out of money, complained, got written up and add insult to injury had to apologize... he left the company 4-5 weeks later for somewhere better.

Overall, the bonuses are and always have been a sham at Pinnacle. It is tied to the budget and since everyone is so over budget in each department getting it approved is pulling teeth. This is something the lower minions make up, it does not have the Phil T seal of approval (plausible deniability) nor any other person on director row.

To give an example, earlier this year when a few others were offering upwards of 2500-5000 signing bonus, the minions went to director row to get approval. Director row almost had a heart attack and said no way we "can't afford it". The best counter offer was $750.. think about that before you come to Pinnacle..

 

[Black Hawk]

In reality the only thing you can do is tell them at your exit interview (if they even have one) that the fact they they renegged on the incentives is the specific reason why you're moving on.

 

[CrownandCoke]

I'm ready to just STFD. Anyone else?

 

[Captzaahlie]

northwest is hiring the uniforms are similar.....
you got that going for you which is nice.
uke: