To all CAL guys... from a furloughed pilot

[IAHERJ]

I would be curious as to where he currently works. I'd like to pass that info along to others who are looking for employment. My guess is he is still at the company he was with in 2006 when he "had a chance to interview".... Let's see, under our current(terrible ) contract; he could(if it is about money) be a line holder on the 757/767 in EWR pulling down about 75-90K if he were to accept employment here in 2006. If you look at our terrible first year situation, then yes, your eyes will be amazed. If you look a year or two or five down the road, the story is a little different. Curious as to where sgmick works at the present.

IAHERJ

 

[CopilotDoug]

I would be curious as to where he currently works. I'd like to pass that info along to others who are looking for employment. My guess is he is still at the company he was with in 2006 when he "had a chance to interview".... Let's see, under our current(terrible ) contract; he could(if it is about money) be a line holder on the 757/767 in EWR pulling down about 75-90K if he were to accept employment here in 2006. If you look at our terrible first year situation, then yes, your eyes will be amazed. If you look a year or two or five down the road, the story is a little different. Curious as to where sgmick works at the present.

IAHERJ

In Newark? You're gonna have to commute on that kind of pay...and subsidize your retirement.

 

[IAHERJ]

That would be where his pay would be if he had come to CAL in 2006 when he supposedly had the opportunity. I'm not saying that is great pay, just putting it out there. I'm curious where he ended up that was so much better. I'd guess DAL or SWA would have been the only places where I think the quality of life would be better than CAL(and the only airlines that were hiring) and I'm just curious where this person is. I don't claim CAL is the end all end all but I think the movement over the last 3 years has been positive(age 65 killed it for a while) and will be positive again an a year or 2. Now, combine that with a new contract with work rule improvements and you have a darn good carrier. The airline itself is pretty well run. The relationship between work groups is nice but we, as pilots are upset with our relationship with middle management. That can be fixed. We had a CEO in years past who fostered a positive working environment and he has been replaced by a smart guy; however a guy who doesn't do well out on the line with the troops. Our union is a complete joke(also being fixed) and our pilot group is so fragmented you'd think we just went through a merger. Anyway, my point was to show the guy who turned CAL down that even with our pathetic first year pay and benefits, if he were to come here he would already be ahead of where he would be as a CA at a regional and moving up nicely in the years to come. I'm going to be just under 100k for the year as a IAH FO going into 4th year pay. I'm looking forward, not backward.

IAHERJ

 

[milky]

Continental management will never pay more for labor on their own accord. The answer to your question, old fashioned hard nosed leveraged bargaining is the only way we are going to get a real contract.

The Railway Labor Act hasn't changed, we still have the ability to strike albeit it's going to be a long wait. Nevertheless we must build a fully functional credible strike threat ASAP. Just the creation of a credible strike threat will derive leverage.

My definition of a real contract? A contact with a substantial increase to Contract 97 pay rates adjusted for inflation, repayment for our pay cut with a healthy increase on top. A contract that includes real work rules for significant increases in quality of life at both home and work. A contract that preserves our frozen "A" fund while also significantly increasing the retirement benefits of all pilots from the most junior to senior. A contract that eliminates our six year "B" scale with reasonable first year pay and insurance from day one.

The only way we are going to get such a contract is if we stand shoulder to shoulder and fight the common enemy - Continental Management. Will we be successful in our contractual demands? I don't know, but I do know,if we don't all band to together and unify quickly, behind a competent strong MEC we will surely fail and once again management will win.

Great pep rally speech. Sadly, it is hollow. You didn't address any of my points.

Why would CAL (or any other airline) pay more for labor. As previously listed by me:

-many pilots cannot afford or are not really willing to strike. Many need the job and will do whatever it takes just to keep the paychecks flowing

-if there was a strike, there are plenty of pilots that would take that job in a heartbeat. After either falling apart or getting rid of the striking labor, the airline would easily be able to find thousands of pilots willing to take the newly vacated jobs at the current rates. Granted, they'd bit*h about it after they got their foot in the door, but they would still take the job

Those factors to name two have driven down the market value of pilots. Try to unite and demand more... I've been reading for the last few years on forums like this how you guys are not going to settle for less pay, etc. But, the pay scales are essentially all the same. Plus, you guys are getting furloughed. Those that aren't are so thankful they weren't that they are ineffectual.

Good luck, but I still haven't seen any evidence that airline pilots have a market value above what is currently being paid...

In case you don't know, I want to be an airline pilot. I've been watching the demise of the community over the past 8 years with sadness as my cushy dream job fell by the wayside...

 

[Flopgut]

JB: Please consider that the RLA has changed. Not on paper, but in practice. Is a strike something used by labor vs. mgts? Or is it in fact a tool used against labor in a more complicated way? You are right, we have to build a credible strike threat and might have to try to use it. But that's not necessarily how past successes have to come to other pilot groups. We have to have a plan that attacks the strategies set against us.

 

[SFR]

I still don't see the big problem with CAL, besides the furloughs. What other airline can be better? I have flow 4 days this month, will get a 76 hour guarantee plus my 12.75% B-fund contribution... total about $7k month.

And that is bad?

 

[CopilotDoug]

I still don't see the big problem with CAL, besides the furloughs. What other airline can be better? I have flow 4 days this month, will get a 76 hour guarantee plus my 12.75% B-fund contribution... total about $7k month.

I'm sorry.

 

[SFR]

Also, during the hurricane I worked a flight to Orlando, brought the family. Then CAL also let me comat generators back home (large ones, total 500lbs) for free.

Not exactly a bad company in my opinion. Yeah, we can always use some better contract items like rigs, pay raise, etc.

In summary, I think a lot of you would complain about any job you have. I suggest quit flying and go get a real job where people work 40+ hours a week for less pay than we get and not anywhere close to a 13% contribution to a B-fund.

So what again is so bad (besides furloughs)? Please answer me, I am still waiting...

 

[SMOE]

Also, during the hurricane I worked a flight to Orlando, brought the family. Then CAL also let me comat generators back home (large ones, total 500lbs) for free.

Not exactly a bad company in my opinion. Yeah, we can always use some better contract items like rigs, pay raise, etc.

In summary, I think a lot of you would complain about any job you have. I suggest quit flying and go get a real job where people work 40+ hours a week for less pay than we get and not anywhere close to a 13% contribution to a B-fund.

So what again is so bad (besides furloughs)? Please answer me, I am still waiting...

Let me guess, you voted yes to POS '02? Or, were you still in High School when that was brought on property?
Morons like you are the reason for it's existence and will not be any help for improvements with Steaming Pile of Contract '08

 

[SFR]

Like I said...what is that bad? With all my reserve time and not being called, my side business is booming.

My side business is open to anyone, most choose not to do anything else...you would rather sit and complain.

Solution: MOVE TO BASE, bid reserve, and make a hobby that pays.