Thank You, and No Thank You

[flyforfood77777]

I just wanted to single out some pilot groups who may have slowed the "race to the bottom" and others who may have accelerated it.

Thanks to...
Air Wisconsin: Thank you for not giving in to UAL's lowball bids for your flying, and for thinking outside of the box and doing something somewhat creative to secure future flying with USAirways.

Independence: Again, like air Whisky, thank you for not taking the lowball offer UAL gave you. Your effort to stay afloat was unfortunately not so successful.

PSA: Thank you for not accepting the 90 seaters.

Mesaba: Thanks for having the balls to deal with a puppet-management and NWA management that simply wants to eliminate your company.

ASA: Thank you for trying to fight for your survival in maintaining your pay-scale in the face of whipsawing from a non-union takeover by skywest.

No thanks to...
Mesa: Yeah I know it is the hip thing to do, but I can't fathom this company's work rules and management's abuse of its pilot group. However, I will support this group and pray they win in any upcoming contract negotiations. People who are here and agree with me need to educate their peers to hold out for other companies.

Chatauqua (mispelled)/Republic/Shuttle/etc.: You had a chance to equal or better Comair or Expressjet in your contract, but you traded that for growth and accepted pay scales that were equal or marginally better than those for 50 seaters, to fly 70-seaters. More importantly, your work rules are no better than those other companies as well.

GoJets: Need I say more.

Skywest: I admire this companies success, but for how little we get paid, we need to get paid more to fly bigger equipment, simple as that.





At the regional level, I think we all are underpaid, but work rules which directly affect our quality of life are what really matters. I will sacrifice the "quick upgrade" for better work rules any day. I harbor no hate for these companies, and I will not be denying jumpseats, or participating in any other immature tactics, but I will have no problem spewing my views to people who are considering a career with the airlines. I still have the crazy dream of making a career out of being an airline pilot, but that is quite in doubt.

 

[MATHEWS]

You forgot Trans States voting no to the GoJet flying. Also, don't blame the Republic Airways Holdings group for the contract they took to secure the 70 seat flying. It is far, far, better than what Mesa accepted and what was proposed to TSA. I will bet RAH pilots will hold out for what they deserve during this next round that is set to begin.

Also, what point does a post like this serve, you are beating a dead horse don't you realize that. I realize you are entitled to your opinion, but no one cares to hear it.

 

[flyforfood77777]

True with the the TSA mention.

Hmm, that may well be true about no one wanting to hear my opionion, but isn't this a public forum? So I was under the impression this was a place where I could express my opinion, correct me if I am wrong.

As for my redundant views and beating the dead horse, I will keep doing it as long my career may be affected by other's knowledge of this industry and what pilot groups deserve my thanks and which ones don't.

 

[Prop2Jet]

Colgan rocks! We did not low ball anyone, we fly for the government paid routes!!!!! ahhahahah

 

[TWAER]

Chatauqua (mispelled)/Republic/Shuttle/etc.: You had a chance to equal or better Comair or Expressjet in your contract, but you traded that for growth and accepted pay scales that were equal or marginally better than those for 50 seaters, to fly 70-seaters. More importantly, your work rules are no better than those other companies as well.


And thank you to a 900 hour pilot who probably has no clue what you are talking about. If CHQ had negotiated a contract pre 9/11, it would have been better.

And thank you for not having a clue about negotiating scope when the company wants to replace you. Thanks to the CHQ pilots, we do not have a GoJet situation on our hands.

And thanks, more importantly, that CHQ does not Junior Man people. That my friend, is one of the worst work rules out there.

Thank you and come again.

 

[ATRGuy]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Anyone who thinks CHQ is a bad place to work, or has a bad contract is just plain IGNORANT of the facts. A lot of jealousy comes pouring out on this board and once again it surfaces.

 

[tomcash]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Anyone who thinks CHQ is a bad place to work, or has a bad contract is just plain IGNORANT of the facts. A lot of jealousy comes pouring out on this board and once again it surfaces.

Yes, it does seem like a great place to work.

Is it true that recurrent pilot training must be scheduled on the pilot's days off?

Is it true the pilots do not get paid when a flight cancels?

Is it true these "pilots" sign a training contract to become employed at this company?

Is it true this company has no training department?

Is it true the pay to fly a 70 seat airplane starts at $16,000 per year?

Where can one sign up for a company of this caliber?

 

[Turkey Shoot]

Where can one sign up for a company of this caliber?

Ahhh, shucks. They are a dime a dozen. There are many, many wonderful airlines that will offer you these exciting new careers with these wonderful, wonderful options.

Just sign here in blood............

 

[flyguy81]

Yes, it does seem like a great place to work.

Is it true that recurrent pilot training must be scheduled on the pilot's days off?

Is it true the pilots do not get paid when a flight cancels?

Is it true these "pilots" sign a training contract to become employed at this company?

Is it true this company has no training department?

Is it true the pay to fly a 70 seat airplane starts at $16,000 per year?

Where can one sign up for a company of this caliber?

1. no
2. no
3. yes
4. no
5. no
6. submit a resume

 

[Beechnut]

Someone from CHQ tell us more about being forced into reserve due to having vacation and a PC in the same month. Something about not earning 82 hours for a PBR built line?

And no Jr. Man, but no premium pay for picking up any open time.

S.

 

[TWAER]

Would rather not be forced to work when I was scheduled off. I worked for a company that JM'd. Nothing worse than being told on your last leg that you had to go back out, then missing your commute home. No thank you.

 

[The Drizzle]

Someone from CHQ tell us more about being forced into reserve due to having vacation and a PC in the same month. Something about not earning 82 hours for a PBR built line?

And no Jr. Man, but no premium pay for picking up any open time.

S.

PBS just sucks, next contract will need hard and fast rules for PBS as the present one doesn't.

 

[flyforfood77777]

Chatauqua (mispelled)/Republic/Shuttle/etc.: You had a chance to equal or better Comair or Expressjet in your contract, but you traded that for growth and accepted pay scales that were equal or marginally better than those for 50 seaters, to fly 70-seaters. More importantly, your work rules are no better than those other companies as well.


And thank you to a 900 hour pilot who probably has no clue what you are talking about. If CHQ had negotiated a contract pre 9/11, it would have been better.

And thank you for not having a clue about negotiating scope when the company wants to replace you. Thanks to the CHQ pilots, we do not have a GoJet situation on our hands.

And thanks, more importantly, that CHQ does not Junior Man people. That my friend, is one of the worst work rules out there.

Thank you and come again.

Yeah, I have more than 900 hours, but what if I had 400 hours, would you think even less of someone's opinion.

I am at ExpressJet, and you probably think I am bitter because you guys are picking up the flying we lost (note how I didn't say it is "our" flying, because Continental owns it and can do whatever they want with it unfortunately), but I am not. I have been here one year, and have only been junior-manned once (while on reserve) despite or somewhat shortstaffed situation (yeah, we'll see how short-staffed we are here come Dec./Jan.). I think PBS has its merits, but the current set-up we have here in terms of days off, vacation, picking up open time, full deadhead pay, and what we get paid for is pretty darn good, if not better than most regionals, and I would like you to compare any aspect of your contract to ours (which is a year older than yours). If you prove me wrong, then great, I will stand corrected. I would hope every contract ratified in the future is better than mine.

 

[Mike man]

Yeah Comair's floating days off really rock!

And so does Junior Manning!

 

[TWAER]

Yeah, I have more than 900 hours, but what if I had 400 hours, would you think even less of someone's opinion.

I am at ExpressJet, and you probably think I am bitter because you guys are picking up the flying we lost (note how I didn't say it is "our" flying, because Continental owns it and can do whatever they want with it unfortunately), but I am not. I have been here one year, and have only been junior-manned once (while on reserve) despite or somewhat shortstaffed situation (yeah, we'll see how short-staffed we are here come Dec./Jan.). I think PBS has its merits, but the current set-up we have here in terms of days off, vacation, picking up open time, full deadhead pay, and what we get paid for is pretty darn good, if not better than most regionals, and I would like you to compare any aspect of your contract to ours (which is a year older than yours). If you prove me wrong, then great, I will stand corrected. I would hope every contract ratified in the future is better than mine.

While you were negotiating your contract, did your company lay out plans to start up a new company to take flying away from you? This really is beating a dead horse, but there were things given up to keep all the flying with respect to Republic on one seniority list. I have no doubt that if Republic were to have started up as planed, there would be no CHQ and you would have a GoJet type operation driving down wages even more than you have now.

I don't care how many hours you have, but one year at any airline does not make you an expert. Even more is that you obviously have no clue what went on during negotiations at CHQ. You read pay scales and one or two scheduling rules, and think CHQ settled. I think, that for the position the CHQ pilots were in at the time, they made the right decision. Now, the next contract should be different. I expect major improvements in the next one.

 

[flyforfood77777]

While you were negotiating your contract, did your company lay out plans to start up a new company to take flying away from you? This really is beating a dead horse, but there were things given up to keep all the flying with respect to Republic on one seniority list. I have no doubt that if Republic were to have started up as planed, there would be no CHQ and you would have a GoJet type operation driving down wages even more than you have now.

I don't care how many hours you have, but one year at any airline does not make you an expert. Even more is that you obviously have no clue what went on during negotiations at CHQ. You read pay scales and one or two scheduling rules, and think CHQ settled. I think, that for the position the CHQ pilots were in at the time, they made the right decision. Now, the next contract should be different. I expect major improvements in the next one.

Correct sir, I am not an expert, nor have I once made any sort of claim to be an expert. If what you are saying about your past negotiations is true, it sounds like you guys had your backs against the wall, and you came out with a decent contract. I just hope in the future you have a hell of a lot better contract that has 70 seat pay scales for F.O.'s and one that blows other regional's contracts out of the water, especially in light of your company's profitability. I just want to see all our career's advance, and I would sincerely be happy to see another regional have a contract that supercedes mine.