Question RE: Hiring @ CAL

[BID]

According to previous threads on this site, and airlinepilotcentral.com, hiring at CAL might occur as early as May of '05. From what I understand, this will be Express Jet pilots first, then off-the-street appilcants? Can someone recap the whole process.

thanks for the insight.

BD

 

[MJG]

The whole thing is still up in the air right now waiting, I assume, on the outcome of the pilot's TA vote. CAL can't even decide what to do with the XJet pilots they "promised" jobs to.

 

[BID]

That might be why I was confused with the whole process. thanks

 

[Boeingman]

There are a lot of unknowns at this point. I'm not sure about the XJET guys as nothing official has been published yet.

The only things in concrete that I have heard was when (if) hiring starts, applications will only be accepted through the Continental web site. Also, introductions and references from CAL pilots will be heavily weighted in the hiring decision.

 

[BLUE BAYOU]

Right, losing $4 million a day and they need to hire more pilots? I don't think so. In fact, there was information a few days ago that alluded to CAL selling off about 24 Boeings and delaying any deliveries for the year 2005...

 

[Boeingman]

Right, losing $4 million a day and they need to hire more pilots? I don't think so. In fact, there was information a few days ago that alluded to CAL selling off about 24 Boeings and delaying any deliveries for the year 2005...

I didn't realize you were privy to our staffing requirements and current conditions.

 

[BigShotXJTdrvr]

New-hire rate will be $29/hour..... $54/hour 2nd yr.. Better load up on lots of extra food from 1st class.

 

[CLE145CA]

Right, losing $4 million a day and they need to hire more pilots? I don't think so. In fact, there was information a few days ago that alluded to CAL selling off about 24 Boeings and delaying any deliveries for the year 2005...

Well, like another post said, you aren't exactly privy to CAL's staffing needs are you? If you would have bothered to finish that "..." sentence it would have read "IF the unions don't agree to concessions by March 31st." That was the complete sentence and is well published in the press as to what the contingency plans are for a rejection of the union TAs.

CAL is doing major international expansion to Asia, Europe and Africa over the next year. Those are the continents on the other side of those big masses of water to the west and east your airline stops at. Not only that, but CAL retirements start their uptick this year and early retirements are on the rise. Junior-manning is a regular occurrence due to an over-furlough in the past.

Hiring or recalling JUNIOR pilots as the most SENIOR pilots return doesn't increase costs to the company as the wages, on average, will decline.

 

[TriJet]

Right, losing $4 million a day and they need to hire more pilots? I don't think so. In fact, there was information a few days ago that alluded to CAL selling off about 24 Boeings and delaying any deliveries for the year 2005...

So you believe everything management throws at you?.... It's called negotiation, dude. Maybe when jetblue gets a union then you'll know more about it.

 

[Boeingman]

So you believe everything management throws at you?.... It's called negotiation, dude. Maybe when jetblue gets a union then you'll know more about it.

I had to bite my tounge on this but you echoed my sentiments perfectly. Someday their management du joir may not be as employee friendly as they are today. It will be interesting to dig up some of these JB posts and ask for opinions then.

What were they going to pay pilots for those 190's again?

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Right, losing $4 million a day and they need to hire more pilots? I don't think so. In fact, there was information a few days ago that alluded to CAL selling off about 24 Boeings and delaying any deliveries for the year 2005...

You're right--this is turning out to be a heinous quarter for everyone. It may turn out to be another terrible year for ALL airlines. We'll see if JBLU posts a loss or a profit.

But, not trying to dogpile, I don't see a direct correlation between losses and hiring. Sure a profitable cycle spurs growth but growth often precedes a good year. It more accurately reflects the growth the CEO approves, regardless of profit.

There is a danger when money losing airlines continue to grow. They often hire until the furloughs start. That is expensive for worker and company alike.

 

[Delville]

I would be surprised if any airlines besides the airlines with relatively large fuel hedge positions (SWA, Alaska) make money this quarter. Until this industry is able to pass the rise in the cost of oil along to customers, losses will continue. I don't think companies will be able to do that until SWA's hedges begin to expire and the companies in bankruptcy cease to receive such favorable outcomes in court. If airlines without hedge positions were to raise fares right now to reflect the full amount they pay for fuel, the fuel hedged airlines wouldn't have to raise fares nearly as much and customers would simply opt to fly at the less expensive airline.

 

[skykid]

CAL is doing major international expansion to Asia, Europe and Africa over the next year. Those are the continents on the other side of those big masses of water to the west and east your airline stops at.

Classic.

 

[CLE145CA]

After coming back and reading my post again, I will apologize for not tempering my response earlier.

However, Blue Bayou, just because an airline is losing money doesn't mean that you don't hire people. Business and economics don't work that way.

UAL loses $850 million dollars. So, by your logic, furlough enough people to make the operation break even. What would that take? Massive layoffs and then how do you operate the airline? You'd end up parking airplanes you still have to pay leases on. It just isn't that simple.

Retirements in the pilot ranks will always necessitate hiring if there is also expansion in the works. At the very least the number of pilots CAL is recalling and taking from Express will only cover the retirments. Expansion plans will determine hiring for the rest of the year at CAL.