Southern to furlough

[embpic1]

I just heard that Southern is going to furlough 25 crews. Sorry to hear this guys. I hope it is a short one.

 

[DOVPILOT]

I heard the same from a friend, that sucks. I hope and pray it is short lived

 

[DA-20]

Southern, World, ATI, Arrow.... What's next? Good Luck!

 

[unwashed]

From: Brian Neff
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 3:11:33 PM
To: CaptainsAndFirstOfficers; FlightEngineers
Cc: Tom Gillies; David Thiel; Gary Walsh; Jim Walsh; Judy Ackley;
Dan McCauley; Jim Neff
Subject: Crew Announcement
Auto forwarded by a Rule
To all crewmembers:

Over the past three months, it has become apparent that the recovery we all hope for is not going to begin prior to the second half of this year. As all of you are aware, our industry in particular has gotten hammere d by the current recession. Every one of us has done a great job surviving this period, even as we have watched all of our competitors either go out of business or drastically reduce their workforces. We really are the “last man standing.” We had hoped that this strategy would allow us to take advantage of an early recovery in the beginning of 2009, but this is not the case, and we have seen month after month in 2009 of hugely negative cash flows. The flying is just not there right now, and we don’t see it coming back in the next few months at least.

The result is not good news. We are going to have to furlough approximately 25 crews, strictly based on seniority per our contract. We have never, ever been the type of airline that viewed crews as a variable cost, to be hired and fired for peak seasons only. This is a very different case, and the company’s entire livelihood is at stake. We cannot continue to lose money waiting for business to return in this, the worst ever economic environment for our industry. Doing so would jeopardize the ongoing operations of the entire entity.

To those of you who will be furloughed, I tell you that Southern will be the first airline to build up its fleet again out of all of our competitors, just as we were the last ones to have to make this choice. It is my plan and hope now that this decision will be short-lived, and by the fall we will be back on our feet again and will be in a position to hire you back. To those of you who remain, please work with us to continue to give our customers great service so that when the recovery comes we will be front and center for any growth needs that they may have.

This is a tough day and a tough email to write, but please trust that we are doing everything we can to fight for the continued success of the company..

Best regards,


Brian Neff

 

[propsarebest]

Is this gonna affect any of the C360 guys?

 

[swordfish]

It's going to affects all southern pilots.... What a dumb A ss question!

 

[propsarebest]

Geez, I'm just curious how the C360 guys were integrated into the Southern seniority list.

Sorry for asking.

 

[unwashed]

He can't help being an A ss hole, look who he works for! At least he is trying to get out of there.

 

[dutch747]

I think most of the C360 guys that went to SAI may have sufficient seniority to not be affected by this furlough. Seniority integration was based on DOH at C360.

 

[C-141/C-5]

Actually Southeren changed the DOH of the last group of C360 pilots in order to gain senority for their junior pilots. One of the many reasons I chose not to be part of the merger.

 

[waka]

It's going to affects all southern pilots.... What a dumb A ss question!

"dumb ass" question? You're one to talk. What a stupid observation!

 

[waka]

Geez, I'm just curious how the C360 guys were integrated into the Southern seniority list.

Sorry for asking.

Don't sweat it. Just look at swordfish's post history and you'll see his tendency to be an ignorant troll.

 

[weasel_lips]

I imagine the ACMI business has all but dried up.

I am surprised they are getting any contracts these days.

 

[Rookiy]

the former Cargo 360 pilots are in the middle of the pack. Hopefully the FEs who were hired just before the take-over won't be furloughed for long.

Hopefully, everyone will be back soon. I know at least one will be back sooner than they think.

Cheers

 

[dakotaHC8]

Actually Southeren changed the DOH of the last group of C360 pilots in order to gain senority for their junior pilots. One of the many reasons I chose not to be part of the merger.

No one cares, thanks.

 

[dakotaHC8]

Word is that the furlough will last til Oct/Nov of this year. I hope this is true.

The numbers tossed around are 50 or so pilots, 20 or so F/Es. These numbers will include those on the list already on LOA, and any of the people that volunteer for a Leave.

Hard times for everyone nowadays. Here's hoping things will pick up sooner rather than later.

 

[Colonel Savage]

Any furlough pay or health care continuation for the furloughees?

 

[dakotaHC8]

Any furlough pay or health care continuation for the furloughees?

Nothing contractual. Furlough section of our first contract focused upon securing recall rights

 

[Colonel Savage]

That's definatly a priority.

 

[Victor Meldrew]

Word is that the furlough will last til Oct/Nov of this year. I hope this is true.

The numbers tossed around are 50 or so pilots, 20 or so F/Es. These numbers will include those on the list already on LOA, and any of the people that volunteer for a Leave.

Hard times for everyone nowadays. Here's hoping things will pick up sooner rather than later.

Personally I think the vast majority of furloughed guys won't see a recall until next year unless Wal-Mart has a mad rush on wiggits and do-dars from China!! Yes I am on the street and not holding my breath for anything to turn around soon :crying:

 

[dakotaHC8]

OCT/NOV was the time frame when we were told to expect training to commence on the B777, which at last word was still being delivered as sched.

Not sure if either the recall or new planes will actually happen then, but at least it is more positive than "we have no damn idea when you might be coming back"

On a positive note, there has been no real word of a fleet reduction (yet) at Southern either, so who knows... Planes gotta have pilots. If they do park a few birds, obviously it will be a longer furlough than what they plan now, so that is what we will have to wait and see.

 

[Front Office]

Best of Luck...

I just want to wish the best of luck and a speedy return to all.

From your Brothers at Kalitta Air. We are one big family.

Plus, you owe me a beer.

 

[Dream2fly]

I strongly believe some of the guys will be back in a month from now.

 

[dutch747]

OCT/NOV was the time frame when we were told to expect training to commence on the B777, which at last word was still being delivered as sched.

Not sure if either the recall or new planes will actually happen then, but at least it is more positive than "we have no damn idea when you might be coming back"

On a positive note, there has been no real word of a fleet reduction (yet) at Southern either, so who knows... Planes gotta have pilots. If they do park a few birds, obviously it will be a longer furlough than what they plan now, so that is what we will have to wait and see.

You guys take delivery of the 777F's in 2011. And your training this year?

 

[Dream2fly]

You guys take delivery of the 777F's in 2011. And your training this year?

They were saying B777s will show up 1st Q of 2010.
I hope this is true.

 

[dakotaHC8]

They were saying B777s will show up 1st Q of 2010.
I hope this is true.

2 in 2010, another 5 in 2011... Supposedly.

Better to hear than "order canceled"

 

[Guam360]

I just want to wish the best of luck and a speedy return to all.

From your Brothers at Kalitta Air. We are one big family.

Plus, you owe me a beer.

was up dude

 

[unwashed]

OSHA News Release
2009 - 04/07/2009 - U.S. Labor Department's OSHA orders Southern Air Inc. to withdraw retaliatory lawsuit and pay more than $7.9 million to 9 whistleblowers

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OSHA News Release - Table of Contents
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National News Release: 09-346-BOS
April 7, 2009
Contact: Diana Petterson Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 202-693-1898 617-565-2074

U.S. Labor Department's OSHA orders Southern Air Inc. to withdraw retaliatory lawsuit and pay more than $7.9 million to 9 whistleblowers

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Southern Air Inc., a Norwalk, Conn.-based air cargo carrier, to withdraw a lawsuit it filed against nine former employees and pay them more than $7.9 million in wages, damages and legal fees.

Southern Air filed a defamation lawsuit against the former employees in Connecticut Superior Court in May 2008 after some of the workers raised air carrier safety concerns with Southern Air, OSHA and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The workers, all former flight crew members, subsequently filed a whistleblower complaint with OSHA.

OSHA's investigation found that the company's lawsuit was filed in retaliation for the workers' protected activities under the whistleblower provisions of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21).

"This order sends a strong and clear message that these and other workers have the right to raise safety issues with their employers and regulatory agencies without fear of retaliation and intimidation," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The Labor Department will vigorously investigate such allegations and, where merited, order appropriate remedies for workers."

As a result of its investigation, OSHA issued a notice of findings and order to Southern Air directing the airline to do the following:

Withdraw its lawsuit.


Pay the complainants $6,004,000 in lost future earnings, $1,800,000 in compensatory damages and $129,789 in legal fees and costs.


Purge each complainant's personnel file and other records of all warnings, reprimands or derogatory references resulting from protected whistleblower activity.


Refrain from mentioning the complainants' protected whistleblower activity or conveying any damaging information in response to third party inquiries.


Provide all Southern Air crew members with copies of the FAA Whistleblower Protection Program poster and OSHA's notice to employees, and post these in each Southern Air facility.


The complainants and the airline have 30 days from receipt of the findings to file an appeal with the Labor Department's Office of Administrative Law Judges.

In addition to AIR21, OSHA administers the whistleblower provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act and other statutes protecting employees who report violations of various securities, trucking, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, rail, public transportation and consumer product safety laws. Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights is available online at http://www.osha.gov/dep/oia/whistleblower/index.html.

Under the OSH Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Note: The Labor Department does not release names of employees involved in whistleblower complaints.


I want on that gravy train!

 

[waka]

What does this have to do with Southern Air furloughing?

 

[DOVPILOT]

What does this have to do with Southern Air furloughing?

I think he is hinting that Southern may have bigger problems than trying to find additional flying