Pinnacle New Hire Training Pay: THE BIG LIE

[Inconceivable]

Is the title inflammatory enough?

Against my strong advice, I have a friend who started with PCL "recently". One of the things that they were promised is pay while in training, specifically:

New Incentives become effective with classes beginning in June.

• Increased training pay of $400 per week/$1600 per month, plus
company-paid hotel accommodations.
• $750 bonus after successful completion of OE.
• $500.00 bonus awarded after six months of continuous Pinnacle
service (current incentive in place).

It's not true!!!!!

The class starting today was told that for the first two weeks they will only be paid $200

Reason: "In case you have to wait before going to sim, you won't be without pay."

Question asked: "What if we go straight in, do we get that money back?"

Answer: "Uh, well, ummm..."



A quick check of www.flypinnacle.com shows all mention of training pay and bonuses to be...drum roll please....GONE! As are the older postings on Climbto350.com! Expect the "bonuses" to be removed completely very soon.

Pinnacle--Masters of the Bait and Switch, stealing from you from the first day, lying to you before you even arrive.

Don't say we didn't tell you in advance.

 

[Lazy8]

Simply the Best!

When 90% of the classes are filled with < 300 hour "Jet Camp" pilots who couldn't possibly get a job anywhere better why would PNCL care? They've got 'em by the balls and could probably be charging them for training.

 

[Inconceivable]

So I am told--six of the 11 came from Jet U.

$20,000+ for some FTD time and systems knowledge you could get from a $50 study guide. It's (the french word for shower)tastic!

 

[Windsor]

If your gunna b!tch about the pay, dont forget about the 5 star roach motel they put you up at. The homeboy suites is about as bad as it gets for hotels. There is absolutly nothing within walking distance and even if you had the ballz to walk outside after dark, you'll probably get mugged.

The pay thing does suck. You will not get the $400 until week 3.


I feel for the guys that came through here earlier that didnt get any pay, nor was their hotel paid for. I hope alpa gets them some sort of back pay or something to cover their costs.

 

[Lazy8]

If your gunna b!tch about the pay, dont forget about the 5 star roach motel they put you up at. The homeboy suites is about as bad as it gets for hotels. There is absolutly nothing within walking distance and even if you had the ballz to walk outside after dark, you'll probably get mugged.

The pay thing does suck. You will not get the $400 until week 3.

ahh yes the homestead... brings back memories of being woke up at 3am to gunfire and deathly screams one block away. the scent of marijuana smoke filling the halls & rooms every weekend... the constant car break-ins... the worst imaginable front desk staff ever... the room cleaners who vacuum your floor by spraying windex on it and mop your kitchen with a broom. good times my friends! good times.

good luck!

 

[Metro752]

That's bullsh1t

 

[Flyer1015]

The class starting today was told that for the first two weeks they will only be paid $200

Reason: "In case you have to wait before going to sim, you won't be without pay."

Question asked: "What if we go straight in, do we get that money back?"

Answer: "Uh, well, ummm..."

I don't get it... even if they have to wait for the sim, how does it help that they only get $200/week for the first two weeks? They're still getting shorted on $400 total for the two weeks. It doesn't make sense.

 

[TurboAWD]

Nobody should be surprised about this...

It's Pinnacle.

Turbo

 

[405]

This kills me

I sit here and read this thread wondering why anyone in their right mind would come here. Next Friday, there will more than likely be a new group of brand new FO's standing in the SOC like deer in a spot light seeing how we do things.

Why do they keep coming here?

 

[AiRegency]

For the quick upgrade no doubt. Don't you guys have some kind of program now that lets guys upgrade with 2500 hours total time or something?

 

[eaglefly]

I sit here and read this thread wondering why anyone in their right mind would come here. Next Friday, there will more than likely be a new group of brand new FO's standing in the SOC like deer in a spot light seeing how we do things.

Why do they keep coming here?

Because pilots are idiots who never learn.

Enjoy the fast upgrade that's probably a lie too..........

 

[Lazy8]

For the quick upgrade no doubt. Don't you guys have some kind of program now that lets guys upgrade with 2500 hours total time or something?

Not me. I came for the booger sandwiches!

 

[twinbeech]

Jeez... That's with a union! Colgan guys have fun!

 

[Flyer1015]

Because pilots are idiots who never learn.

Some people want Pinnacle because they live in/near DTW, MSP, or MEM, and do not want to commute to XJT or SKYW.

 

[TurboAWD]

For the quick upgrade no doubt. Don't you guys have some kind of program now that lets guys upgrade with 2500 hours total time or something?

Upgrade at various airlines are often quick...right up to when they aren't.

Just because upgrades are really quick at pinnacle right now doesn't mean jack for 6 months from now.

Turbo

 

[Goose Egg]

Some people want Pinnacle because they live in/near DTW, MSP, or MEM, and do not want to commute to XJT or SKYW.

Wouldn't XJ work just as well? And be a heck of a lot better company to boot?

-Goose

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I believe with 500 Pinnacle hours the upgrade is down to 2000 TT.

Yes, no one knows what the upgrade will be like in 6 months. In PCL's case, it's easier to foresee. I would say a 98% chance that in 6 months the upgrades will be quicker than it is now, if that is even possible.

cliff
ILN

PS-It's kind of like the guys, in Jul, or even Aug, saying that to go to NWA you had to go through Compass and flow up, and that NWA wouldn't hire off the street ever again. A week or so later, NWA was hiring. Now they need about 500 guys ASAP, while Compass has only a few planes and 100 pilots or so.

 

[AiRegency]

Upgrade at various airlines are often quick...right up to when they aren't.

Just because upgrades are really quick at pinnacle right now doesn't mean jack for 6 months from now.

Turbo

Agreed. I think in this regard though, 9E may be a safer bet then most thanks to Pinnacle managements exceptionally $hitty attitude towards their employees. Their turnover rate is so high they've enjoyed a quick upgrade for nearly 3 years running now with no end in sight. Even when NW took planes back they were still upgrading.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Jeez... That's with a union! Colgan guys have fun!

Son,

Pinnacle pilots at not "hired" until they pass thier checkride about 2.5 months after day one of ground school.

The union has nothing to do with an individuals choice to attend a Pinnacle sponsored training program. Only after employment begins do representation rights start.

Years ago Pilots would pay $10,000 for aircraft training, get zero "wages" during training and have to pay for thier own hotel.

Got it?

Rezfully yours...

 

[AiRegency]

Hi!

I believe with 500 Pinnacle hours the upgrade is down to 2000 TT.

Yes, no one knows what the upgrade will be like in 6 months. In PCL's case, it's easier to foresee. I would say a 98% chance that in 6 months the upgrades will be quicker than it is now, if that is even possible.

cliff
ILN

Wow. So you join that company with 250 TT and 21 months later you're playing Captain for a 121 airline in an RJ. Amazing. But it's quality of flight time not quantity, right? Riiiight.