SkyWest Staffing Problem

[scarlet]

how does that PBS work for your vacation time...

Man I love it when you have 13-15 days off for just one week of vacation !! Thanks ALPA=NO PBS !

 

[Splert]

I was mocking the previous poster for speaking in generalities.

only some of the pro-union folks fit that description, just like only some of those that don't support the drive here are spoiled little punks who just want to upgrade.

BTW, I plan on being a lifer here.

Were you at SkyWest during the "Deal Capt Holt an Ace" vote on the CR700's?

I was and the new guys had it all figured out; they needed the growth to upgrade and so they could leave SkyWest. Most are still there because the opportunity to move on is diminishing with every 900 and 700 that arrives on the SkyWest property. But the new guys want more and more and more of them.

That is called a Catch 22.

 

[SKYW Pilot]

I usually average around 14-15 days off and I'm a CRJ SLC CA almost half way up the list. The guaranteed time off is 10 days for both reserves and line holders. Unfortunately, F.O.'s are gonna be short for a while and probably won't get better at any of the regionals. Just not enough pilots applying for the jobs out there. Some of our job fairs in large cities have had just a couple of pilots show. I'm sure we're all in agreement that the pay needs to increase to attract new pilots to this career.

 

[Ben Dover]

The plan is to short staff.

It not poor planning; IT'S THE PLAN. It's has been the plan for over 4 PLUS years.

You are right on the money!

It's cheaper to spend a few exta dollars on Jr. Man pay than to hire and train more pilots. More pilots on the property mean more sim costs, more check airmen expense, more benefits to pay, more recurrent classes, more of everything that costs money. For the company, Jr. Man pay is the cheapest way to solve the pilot shortage.

Some of you seem to be forgetting. Airlines don't view you as people with lives. They view you as just one piece of a complex logistical puzzle.

 

[Splert]

You are right on the money!

It's cheaper to spend a few exta dollars on Jr. Man pay than to hire and train more pilots. More pilots on the property mean more sim costs, more check airmen expense, more benefits to pay, more recurrent classes, more of everything that costs money. For the company, Jr. Man pay is the cheapest way to solve the pilot shortage.

Some of you seem to be forgetting. Airlines don't view you as people with lives. They view you as just one piece of a complex logistical puzzle.

It's worse than that...

The CFO explained that SkyWest bids for flying with crew costs at "X" cost and is paid a margin above X. However, if SkyWest can deliver crew costs at X-10 they are still due the margin at X and SkyWest pockets the margin plus the -10.

PBS, SAPA and no contract or union with a real grievance process is all that is need to continue to squeeze crews and "build upside into the margin".

Short Staffing is part of the plan to 'build upside into the margin".

 

[MYFpilot]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric

Is ALPA the answer?



NO.

signed,
Former ALPA represented regional pilot

...And SAPA is?

 

[ILS8L]

no guarantees

I usually average around 14-15 days off and I'm a CRJ SLC CA almost half way up the list. The guaranteed time off is 10 days for both reserves and line holders. Unfortunately, F.O.'s are gonna be short for a while and probably won't get better at any of the regionals. Just not enough pilots applying for the jobs out there. Some of our job fairs in large cities have had just a couple of pilots show. I'm sure we're all in agreement that the pay needs to increase to attract new pilots to this career.

This is the point that a lot of people seem to overlook. ALPA is not a perfect answer. But as it stands Skywest is a group of "at will" employees. Of course they would not revoke all of your work rules at the drop of a hat, that would cause a major uproar. But, if we are short a couple of FO's you could take away a day off here or there. You could change from a line bid system to PBS (oh, you did that already) and the examples go on and on. You really have no recourse or guarantee at all

 

[Bluto]

...You really have no recourse or guarantee at all

I'm pretty sure that is the SAPA motto.

 

[USCtrojan]

Obviously one will never see the pay of a major at a regional, but I believe we could see quality of life if those who plan on hanging around would fight for it.[/quote]

Count Skynation in on NOT fighting for it.

Trojan

 

[av8er2]

It is only going to get worse.

 

[flyboyzz1]

Fishpaw....I hear you lost your job....sorry man

 

[SkyNation]

Count Skynation in on NOT fighting for it.

Trojan

just because I don't have a woodrow for ALPA means I don't want better QOL, pay, etc?

of course I want those things, I just don't have faith in ALPA to deliver. thanks for the personal attack, though.

have you ever been at an ALPA regional?

 

[BigHangar]

The only thing alpa is good for is the random free lunch you find in the crew room... if they are voted in that will be gone plus 2% vote no and get free lunch!

Right. I love the ignorance. I won't give 2% to get 5%-10% of a pay raise plus the hundreds of other improvements. I guess you're not part of MENSA if you can't do the math on how you'll still be ahead after paying the tiny 2%.

 

[SkyNation]

I won't give 2% to get 5%-10% of a pay raise plus the hundreds of other improvements.

I wasn't aware that we were being promised a pay raise at all if we vote in ALPA. I've never even heard the suggestion that we might. Please list just one hundred of the 'hundreds of other improvements.'

 

[Fishpaw]

Originally Posted by flyboyzz1
Fishpaw....I hear you lost your job....sorry man

"Lost" is one way to look at it... I prefer to say that I've "found" time for extracurricular activities...

 

[jea]

Right. I love the ignorance. I won't give 2% to get 5%-10% of a pay raise plus the hundreds of other improvements. I guess you're not part of MENSA if you can't do the math on how you'll still be ahead after paying the tiny 2%.

ha ha ha ha that is so funny! do you actually think that alpa is capable of leveraging a raise period? and a 10% raise none the less.... forget MENSA wheres your 4th grade math book?

 

[jea]

The alpa guarantee through the eyes of Tommy boy.... ive got a box and some spare time for you alpa lovers

Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted, why do they put a guarantee on a box? Hmm, very interesting.
Ted: I'm listening.
Tommy: Here's how I see it. A guy puts a guarantee on the box 'cause he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside.
Ted: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
Tommy: 'Course it does. Ya think if you leave that box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter.
Ted: What's your point?
Tommy: The point is, how do you know the Guarantee Fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy, but we're not buying it. Next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser and your daughter's knocked up, I seen it a hundred times.
Ted: But why do they put a guarantee on the box then?
Tommy: Because they know all they solda ya was a guaranteed piece of ********************. That's all it is. Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for right now, for your sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality item from me.

(just vote no by not calling in)

 

[USCtrojan]

just because I don't have a woodrow for ALPA means I don't want better QOL, pay, etc?

of course I want those things, I just don't have faith in ALPA to deliver. thanks for the personal attack, though.

have you ever been at an ALPA regional?

I'm currently at one and fighting for your quality of life and pay. And for the record Skynation, I never attacked you personally, you seem to get your facts mixed up as usual. Fighting for you and your quality of life, an ALPA card carrying member....(even serve as a commitee member)

Trojan

What do you fight for? Nothing, why? Because you can't. You cannot fight because you have NOTHING legally binding. And you're happy with that. Good for you. Yay!!! for Jerry and whatever he gives us!! Good for you. We at ASA are trying to get something better, and guess what? You're included. You're welcome by the way.

 

[bender]

Bidding in a vacation month at SKW is easy with PBS. Put the vacation day credit at 3 per day (3.75 if you are on reserve) and 17 days off minimum. Problem solved.

 

[BigHangar]

I wasn't aware that we were being promised a pay raise at all if we vote in ALPA. I've never even heard the suggestion that we might. Please list just one hundred of the 'hundreds of other improvements.'

Is SkyWest making money? Did you forget your company made $41million last quarter. I'm pretty confident you'd get a raise. Compensation is only a tiny part of a contract anyway. Flightinfo would shut me down if I talked about all the improvements a contract would bring because it would take up too much server space. The bottom line is that all of the improvements would be a binding legal contract, and your management couldn't change policies/ promises whenever they want. For example, think back to 2001...SkyWest management, 'We are implementing a pay freeze for only 18 mos. after that you will get your pay raises back'. 18 mos + several years and they finally hand down the most pathetic raise seen in the industry, oh and only for the guys flying the jet, the other guys flying props aren't real pilots, because they get NOTHING! Give me a break. If you were under contract, that wouldn't have happened.

ha ha ha ha that is so funny! do you actually think that alpa is capable of leveraging a raise period? and a 10% raise none the less.... forget MENSA wheres your 4th grade math book?

Actually, I was at XJT when we passed our current contract, and yes, my raise was much higher than 5%. So, 5-2 still gives me a net gain of 3 (although it was even better than that). I know the math is difficult, but just keep trying, you'll get it. Oh, did I mention I got a $15,000.00 retro check on top of the two guaranteed raises I get each year and the top notch work rules?

Yep, ALPA sure does suck.

 

[ILS8L]

Please just look past the ALPA vs whoever. The important thing is to have a binding contract. Something that cannot just be changed at the whim of the employer.

 

[BigHangar]

Please just look past the ALPA vs whoever. The important thing is to have a binding contract. Something that cannot just be changed at the whim of the employer.

You're exactly right, but some people were rather be beotch slapped by someone else.

 

[Exskydiverdrivr]

Comedian Bob Goldthwait- "I lost my job." I didn't really lose it- i know where it is, It's just every time I go there someone else is doing it!

20 minutes later he say's " I lost my wife"...........

 

[Soverytired]

I have heard rumors (granted, they may be false) that SKW guys are being taken down to 8 days off in some cases. This would NEVER happen with an ALPA contract.

Except, of course, at Mesa (also ALPA), where reserve pilots are contractually guaranteed 8 days off . . . .and NEVER, EVER get more than 8 days off.

The flip side of an ALPA contract is that it defines the absolute minimum a company must provide, and oft times that is all the company will ever do. Choose wisely.

Personally, I'd accept that the regionals are hemmoriging pilots right now, and Skywest is probably doing it's best to avoid pissing off the ones it has. Let them get their staffing levels up, and if nothing changes, re-consider an ALPA contract.

 

[Brazilgun]

SkyNation. I've been here a year or so. I had no expectation for how long it would take to hold 15-16 days off, but I assumed someday it would be possible. Now, I'm wondering if it is even possible.

I left my other regional carrier w/ 2 years seniority and was holding the 3 on 4 off schedule previously mentioned.

So why did you leave? It seems like you priority is time off and you had plenty.

 

[jea]

Except, of course, at Mesa (also ALPA), where reserve pilots are contractually guaranteed 8 days off . . . .and NEVER, EVER get more than 8 days off.

The flip side of an ALPA contract is that it defines the absolute minimum a company must provide, and oft times that is all the company will ever do. Choose wisely.

Personally, I'd accept that the regionals are hemmoriging pilots right now, and Skywest is probably doing it's best to avoid pissing off the ones it has. Let them get their staffing levels up, and if nothing changes, re-consider an ALPA contract.

EVERYBODY READ THIS.... This guy knows what hes talking about!!!

 

[bmpilot2003]

EVERYBODY READ THIS.... This guy knows what hes talking about!!!

Nope he's an idiot, we've already had a few years to reconsider.

 

[jea]

The flip side of an ALPA contract is that it defines the absolute minimum a company must provide, and oft times that is all the company will ever do. Choose wisely..

mesas doing really well huh? Granted our management is leaps and bounds better than mesas.. but that is already apparent. do your job get rewarded. Our no contract is better than other regionals with alpa contracts.... do people not see that?

 

[Shobra]

The alpa guarantee through the eyes of Tommy boy.... ive got a box and some spare time for you alpa lovers

Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted, why do they put a guarantee on a box? Hmm, very interesting.
Ted: I'm listening.
Tommy: Here's how I see it. A guy puts a guarantee on the box 'cause he wants you to fell all warm and toasty inside.
Ted: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
Tommy: 'Course it does. Ya think if you leave that box under your pillow at night, the Guarantee Fairy might come by and leave a quarter.
Ted: What's your point?
Tommy: The point is, how do you know the Guarantee Fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy, but we're not buying it. Next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser and your daughter's knocked up, I seen it a hundred times.
Ted: But why do they put a guarantee on the box then?
Tommy: Because they know all they solda ya was a guaranteed piece of ********************. That's all it is. Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it guaranteed, I will. I got spare time. But for right now, for your sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality item from me.

(just vote no by not calling in)

This is the exact reason we need to call in and vote. Otherwise management will just poop in a box for ya and mark it guaranteed. A 1% raise and nothing for the Bro. ygtbsm no cost of living adjustments. Skid mark shows nothing but red arrows everywhere. Vote, and Vote yes

 

[jea]

alpa is the one offering the box-o-poo. see ASA... mesa... any and all bankrupt major... i have a steamy box for you- courtesy of alpa (I ate their free lunch yesterday) they have empty promises and im pretty sure they have thoroughly hosed ASA guys- didnt they sue alpa for non representation? Id bet that ASA guys (not all) would be happy with what we have. And I'm positive mesa guys would die for our QOL... go alpa! ha ha hah a ha ha ha tools