Please read if you're Furloughed.

[DeskFlyer]

I'm just trying to figure out what some of the companies are doing for their guys if they have been furloughed.

At United, they extended COBRA coverage for 90 days from the date of furlough. Pass travel has been allowed for the same period of time. There's a movement afoot to help out with COBRA payments in the future.

Have any of the other carriers been more generous or less generous with their efforts to folks on the street?

Thanks
'nother furloughed guy.

 

[UALX727]

One site I have bookmarked is furloughedpilot.com. I believe it is run by a furloughed guy. Some really good information there about what each airlines situation is in regards to #'s, furloughed benefits, rumors, etc. From the last time I looked at it, I seem to remember Delta having pretty good benefits for furloughed guys. Seemed like they were better than the other majors.

 

[DeskFlyer]

Yes, there is some decent info there. Seems I recall some folks from USAIR and HAWAIIAN Air giving jumpseat benies to their furloughed folks. I didn't see any mention of it there though. Hopefully we'll be able to get the straight skinny on some of this through this board. Thanks again for the reply. Guess you're on the street too huh?

 

[pappy]

Hope this answers a few questions. USAirways furloughed pilots are supposed to have the ability to jumpseat for 12 months from their furlough date. However, you have to turn in your i.d. when you go on furlough status. So, how are you supposed to gain access to the jumpseat without a valid airline i.d.? ALPA is trying to remedy this but we don't have a solution yet.

Other benefits offered are pass privileges for 90 days. Health benefits for 60 days after your last severance check. The USAirways MEC put out a vote to it's members to pay the coverage for those furloughed pilots and their families who still don't have coverage after the benefits run out. This passed so anyone who needs the coverage, will have it.

Good luck.

pappy

 

[UALX727]

Yeah, I might be out as of March 01. Right now just sitting around because I got surplussed off of the 727 at the end of October.

UAL is supposed to let go of 403 guys March 1st. I will be in that group. Not much being said lately about it. What I don't like is that per the contract, UAL can not furlough a pilot off of probation. They have already done this. Also, UAL continues to run the R.J's in violation of the contract as well. I listened to the conference call last quarter and management says they want to get another 70 R.J.'s in 2002. Just doesn't seem right to let another 403 of us go and to increase the R.J. flying like that.

I agree UAL needs to run R.J's to be competitive, but under these conditions it stings a little, if you know what I mean.

 

[DeskFlyer]

I hear you about that "stinging" feeling. I'm glad to see that you still have a job though. I saw a post somewhere that AMR's APA has come up with a solution for incorporating RJ's into their mainline expansion plan satisfying management, did not step on toes with those currently flying the RJ's, allows for a solid flow through, and mitigates potential future furloughs....seems all parties might be happy. I guess we'll see how far the proposal goes. If it goes through, it should change things in the future and secure jobs in the future, as well as promote efficient expansion of the mainline.

 

[UALX727]

Yeah, I read the article last night about AMR. I wonder if Carty will go for it? I'll try to post it below for anyone who hasn't seen it.

Thursday January 17, 3:58 pm Eastern Time

Press Release
SOURCE: Allied Pilots Association Allied Pilots Association Presents Proposal Designed to Preserve Jobs, Enable Continued Recovery
Proposal Regarding Commuter Feed Addresses All Parties' Needs, Says Union

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The Allied Pilots Association (APA), which serves as collective bargaining agent for the 11,000 pilots of American Airlines, today presented a proposal to American Airlines that is designed to address management's stated need to preserve commuter feed to American Airlines and keep the carrier's recovery going strong

``This proposal addresses the needs of all parties,'' stated Captain John Darrah, APA President. ``While AMR Corporation has stated that they will have to furlough American Eagle employees if APA does not agree to their demands, our proposal will preserve American Airlines, TWA LLC, and American Eagle jobs while enabling American Airlines to continue its recovery.''

According to Darrah, APA's proposal consists of a phased approach that would return all flying to American Airlines, thereby removing the primary job-security issue in the minds of American Airlines' pilots: the outsourcing of American Airlines' flying.

Phase One consists of all 70-seat Regional Jets being flown by American Airlines pilots. This would prevent American Eagle from reaching the contractual cap on Regional Jets. This step would also reduce the likelihood that management will trigger the available-seat-mile (ASM) and block-hour limits in effect on American Eagle's operations while any American Airlines pilots are on furlough.

``Recalling American Airlines and TWA LLC pilots to fly these 70-seat Regional Jets will hasten the removal of this cap on American Eagle,'' said Darrah.

Phase Two calls for AMR Corporation to exchange their 44-seat Regional Jet orders for 50-seat Regional Jets and have them delivered to and flown by American Airlines. Once all American Airlines and TWA LLC pilots are recalled, American Eagle pilots would rapidly flow-through to these new American Airlines jobs.

Phase Three would consist of the transfer of all other flying to American Airlines, with the remaining American Eagle pilots also transferring to the mainline carrier to perform the flying.

``To permit AMR Corporation to grow American Eagle at the expense of American Airlines so AMR can feed Delta Airlines in California and build an Eagle hub in Raleigh-Durham would result in further outsourcing of our flying. That would be a huge disservice to our pilots, particularly when 595 of them are currently furloughed,'' he said. ``If CEO Don Carty truly intends for American Airlines to be the world's premier airline, he should join the Allied Pilots Association in an effort to resolve the commuter feed issue once and for all.''

Founded in 1963, APA is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

SOURCE: Allied Pilots Association

 

[charley varrick]

At NWA, membership voted in favor of an assessment to pay health premiums until March 2003 (Thank you!). No Jumpseat due to security rigmarole; and you get a whopping one (1) roundtrip for you or anyone on your pass travel list good till 30 days after your furlough.

 

[DeskFlyer]

Roger that. So sounds like pretty similar in some areas. How about the Delta guys? What'd you all end up with? How did your union get around the security issues for the Jumpseating. Personally, I think that the security thing is a pretty weak excuse. But it's not the first time that I've heard it. Another weak excuse I've heard are some sort of tax implications.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I just wish they'd tell us something at UAL. If we are indeed going to be furloughed, let us know so we can make some plans. I too will be in the group of 403...hired 03/2000.

Hopefully we'll hear something after the MEC meeting at the end of the month. Hang in there folks.

Cheers!

GP

Purple is a fruit!

 

[Daysoff]

Although I am not at Delta, I believe that Cobra benefits have been approved and since the FAA will not allow the jumpseat priviledge they (only the employee) will be provided passes for a year (I think).

Like I say, I am not at Delta so I don't know 100%. I am just lovin' my time off and waiting for the Red Tails to call me back to work.

Who would've thought that 30/31 days off a month would suck this bad!

More Daysoff than I want!

 

[turbo potato]

Here at Delta...the union is going to take care of our cobra payments for the life of the furlough, which is great!!!...we were issued these nice blue loser id's when we turned in our regular id's, which allowed us to jumpseat on Delta. However, as soon as they were issued, the wonderful folks at the FAA said that since we were no longer active 121 employees, we were a security risk and not allowed to ride the jumpseat on our own airplanes. Originaly we were given our normal pass benifits for 30 days after our furlough date...and then we would have the jumpseat and unlimited S4 passes (which are ID 90's), now since we don't have the jumpseat( which in our contract says we have to have ...lol) Mr. Mullin was nice enough to give us S3B's( which are the lowest priority that you don't have to pay for) notice the sarcasm!!!...anyway hope this helps

p.s. I forgot one thing..they also extended our normal travel benifits from 30 to 90 days after our furlough date.

 

[DeskFlyer]

Thanks for the post Turbo Potato. You guys are definitely leading the industry with support from your Union. I'd like to see that same industry standard for all the guys/gals on the street. I guess we'll just have to see what happens. I haven't heard any specifics from the AMR/TWA folks. Maybe they are doing something similar. Unfortunately, the good news seems to be awful slow in coming. I'd like to think that this will all change with an upturn in the economy soon.

As for DaysOff reply, thanks. I have a number of friends at Big Red too. Hoping the best for you and your bro's too. I have a good feeling about the economy returning in 2002. But I'm just not sure of how much of an impact it will have on the recalls. Standing by with plenty of days off on my end too!

 

[P3-Adub]

UAL folks

Hey Guppy Puppy, Desk flyer, UAL727,and any others currently affected or soon to be in March like me, have you written letters to your LEC and others that may be able to help ?

I personally have written letters to my LEC chairman and Vice Chairman requesting carrying the ball forward on pass travel for furloughed employees. Because the buddy passes were brought back, an effort to generate more revenue in my opinion, I think it would be the fair thing to do extending these type of passes to furloughed employees. If Joe Blow on the street (no offense Joe) can use their friend's buddy passes, why not those EMPLOYEES that are making such a huge sacrafice for the future health of the company, even when it is against the contract ? I urge everyone to get involved with letters, phone calls, e-mails, and whatever else you might think of, time is running out for those already on the street and soon it will be another 403. Sounds like another 1,200 or so from what has been put out so far. Sure would be a big help to be able to get around so that people can find a job !


Good luck to all,

Jeff

 

[DeskFlyer]

Jeff, I have written my LEC on the issue of pass travel and Cobra. The ball moved a little bit on the COBRA issue, but we seem to be dead in the water on the pass travel. There just doesn't seem to be the level of urgency or support for the pass travel issue. This is unfortunate and it's a big problem if you're trying to get to a guard/reserve drill weekend. It leaves you in "pickle" between choosing to continue serve your country for a break even on salary, or just cutting loose and staying at home and trying to find a job locally.

I have a tiny bit different view on pass travel though. I don't think that the "companion passes" are the way to go. They cost money and aren't really all that cheap. I'm suggesting that we need to push only for write your owns. The reason for this is because it would have zero impact on the operation of those still employed. Higher seniority always goes first, it's easy to arrange, and it costs the company nothing to implement because you don't need an ID.

You're correct about many making an enormous financial hit with those on the street. Being on the street, for me at least, is a very eery feeling. I almost feel like a "ghost" if that makes any sense.

Hanging...

 

[GuppyPuppy]

As far as pass travel goes, is our management that ignorant in thinking that if one doesn't use a companion pass that they will buy a ticket on United?

My sister used to come from DEN to visit our family in the bay area using my buddy passes. When they were cut, she just didn't come. If she had to come out and couldn't use a buddy pass, she'd seek the lowest fare.

My girlfriend tried to come with me on a layover a few weeks ago. After getting bumped off of 4 flights, I'd had enough and bought her a ticket. The one-way fare on United was $115 more than the one-way fare on Alaska. She went on Alaska.

I just don't see the reason, other than spite, that our management seems to be against the companion pass program.

I'll write to the LEC.

GP

 

[P3-Adub]

Don't get me wrong, I too would like to see normal write your owns, if those are not available, I would like to see at least a buddy pass type ticket. Don't know about you guys, but I am not finding all that much success finding a flying job in my own back yard.

Jeff

 

[UALX727]

No, I haven't written the MEC yet about the pass issue. I guess I really didn't think about it like that, as far as writing. I figure that they are working in my best interests and they are aware of the issue. Maybe I should be a little more proactive!

Anyway, I hear you on the job search. Not much luck here.....probably have sent over 100 different resumes out. I mean, I'm getting shot down for everything. It's crazy out there. One day, you are fat, dumb, and happy at UAL. The next, you're not good enough to be an Asst. Manager at Steak&Shake. Hey, I've even been shot down for even worse stuff than that.....I could go on and on.....we should start a thread on the lamest jobs guys have been shot down from....that would be funny- or actually kind of sad......

I finally gave up last week after 6 weeks of looking and took a job as a waiter in some Mexican place. Gotta try to prepare and save a little cash for March 1st. **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**, I can't believe it's come down to this.

 

[DeskFlyer]

UALX727, do you guys need any more waiters at the Mexican restaurant?

 

[UALX727]

I just started so I don't really know but I'm sure they could always use some good people. It's in Chicago so I'm not sure if that's where you live currently. Sounds like you can make semi-decent money. Haven't got out there on the floor yet, but I was told to expect between 30-50 bucks/lunch shift and 75-100 bucks at night. Send me a private message and I can give you more details if you are interested.

I have done this before a long time ago and never thought I'd have to go back to it. But the job market really is bad right now, even outside of aviation. One of the girls that I talked to said that she used to be a manager there and went back to waiting tables because she made more money doing that. The cool thing is that they can move you up to the bar when an opening comes up.

I believe if you find a fairly busy restauant with some decent menu prices you can do O.K. in just about any town. Might be another option to look at for some of the furloughed guys out there. Seems like every town has a busy area around a mall or strip. That's where to look. Feels strange though being "the old man of the group".