Re: Monthly Contact
Hi, Rob -- as you seem pretty well "plugged in" to the source, I'll direct a couple of questions to you, but anyone else is free to chime in. I'm not a poolie, but lurk regularly due to my interests 1) on behalf of friends and loved ones, and 2) as a member of the business aviation community, and am wondering about a couple of things.
1) I'm concerned about the issue of individual SWA pilots blacklisting poolies, especially those who have invested significant $$ in their 737 types in reliance on statements by SWA -- I don't see that these SWA pilots (or anyone but the official representative of a former employer, for that matter) are in any way privileged (free) to distribute negative information to SWA regarding these individuals, and are risking some serious liability for defamation. I won't go into the legal elements, but do you know whether the company is indemnifying them for this?
2) Re: keeping current, do you have any sense of whether SWA is aware of the strong hiring prejudices against people with 737 types among the business/general aviation community? I know a number of people having great difficulty getting jobs because 1) they are furloughed, 2) their status as airline applicants was advertised to the entire bizav community by PRIA (records) requests and background checks, and/or 3) they have 737 types. From my travels on the NBAA bulletin boards, there is no secret that these folks are non grata, due to the obvious economic and legal concerns of chief pilots faced with either wasting their FSI/SF training funds or trying to bind newhires to lengthy training contracts. Also, trying to conceal one's status or ratings from prospective employers (as has been suggested on Flightinfo and elsewhere) can result in a quick dismissal or withdrawal of an employment offer, and create a new enemy or negative reference in the industry -- would that be "dishonesty" sufficient to drown a poolie in SWA's book?
3) Well, ok, it's three things. I'm wondering whether SWA applies an ironclad, systematic selection process or whether it uses discretion in creating a diverse class out of civilian/military, younger/older, etc. I would think that delaying the hiring of over-40 candidates because they are over 40, even if the purpose is to create a diverse class, could possibly violate the ADEA. Similarly, intentionally delaying the hiring of ex-military could run afoul of USERRA (veteran's benefits act). Obviously, no poolie is going to risk his chance by bringing a case, but EEOC or DOJ (for the vets) could do it, possibly as a class action.
The interaction of all of the above factors could lead to situations where people who are trying to keep flying while waiting for extended periods could, over time, run into problems with blacklisting or increased exposure to accidents/incidents/certificate actions while flying in more risky short-term jobs.
Hope I'm not picking a fight here -- I think these are fears that may have crossed the minds of some of you before. Thanks, looking forward to replies.