UAL announces another recall class- 21 Aug

[Hvy]

Which part? That they are recalling or that it takes about 100 calls to fill 20 positions and the bypasses are increasing because no one wants to go back to that craphole?

I'm sure that you know all about crapholes. But you know nothing about UAL.

 

[32LT10]

I am a captain at ExpresssJet. As far as 50 seat operators go, the job doesn't get a whole lot better than here. But I still hear people talking all the time about other jobs-- CAL,SW,FDX,JB,Airtran, etc. Why? Because as good as things may be at any sj "airline" it's still not all that great, and when/if UAL starts hiring again there will be plenty of guys who will roll the dice and try to get to on there becuase in the long run it still has more going for it than any sj "airline" ever will.

So it may not have a fat retirement like in the old days, well, so what. Pilots deal with situations as they happen. We deal with what is reality, when we fly we do not say to ourselves "I wish reality was something different" We don't say "I wish the weather was different," or "I wish I had more fuel left than I do." We accept the situation and figure out a solution. It may not be the solution we had hoped for, but we adjust to changing conditions. So the future of being a major airline pilot is now not as good as it used to be. Adapt to the new reality, or call it quits. Compared to most other jobs it's still pretty good, just not rediculously good.

How can anyone call United a craphole??? Maybe based on poor management, but certainly by no other measure. The pay is just as low as at CAL and guys are falling all over themselves to get on there. The current crew bases are superior to almost any other airline, and after 7 years of jumpseat experience I can say that the crews at United, both pilots and FAs, are probably the nicest bunch in the business, even with all the stress and hardships of bankruptcy, they have maintained (at least on the surface) their professional composure to a very high degree, and any person should feel extremely proud to be a United Airlines pilot, today or in the future.

Thanks for the nice post. As a UAL pilot I appreciate your words and hope that when we start hiring and if you so desire to work that it works out for you. Best of luck in your career be it here at UAL or elsewhere!

 

[EAP]

...after 7 years of jumpseat experience I can say that the crews at United, both pilots and FAs, are probably the nicest bunch in the business, even with all the stress and hardships of bankruptcy, they have maintained (at least on the surface) their professional composure to a very high degree, and any person should feel extremely proud to be a United Airlines pilot, today or in the future.

Wow, I had written off this website almost entirely as a bunch of backstabbing little boys at airline pilot summer camp until I read your post. Thanks. You will do well in your career because you haven't harvested the negativity and hostility that permeate the lower levels of our collective community. United would be lucky to have more guys when they do start hiring again that can keep a positive attitude and work together when the going gets tough. By the way, it's amazing what you pick up in the jump seat, isn't it? I was a twice a weeker in the jump seat at many companies for about 8 years and I've seen a lot too.

I started flying at the majors in '98 after many years of hard work at the big regionals. United was my second major airline after I decided to leave the first one for "stability". Ha! Well, I've been flying corporate since my furlough and I am honestly been very happy. Initially it sucked but a job change helped out quite a bit. The pay has been great, the equipment has been great and I really enjoy the best schedule I've ever had. Certainly not all corp jobs are like this one, so I know I'm fortunate, and I'm grateful.

But- I still miss the hell out of flying at the airlines, and I really liked flying at United most of all, bar none. Maybe it is different on different fleets, but where I was flying, the camaraderie and professionalism were unlike anything I'd ever been a part of before. The pilots really watched out for each other and the flying was outstanding. I know morale has been low, but I'll bet if everyone got to play furloughee for a few months, there would be a different perspective.

United has endured one hell of a black eye. Much of it was self inflicted, but the one thing that still absolutely stuns me is how so many on this website jumped willingly onto the dog pile. It was a frenzy like I've never seen before, and one I hope to never see again, for any airline to go through. And the professionalism demonstrated by the crews since then has been outstanding. (I buy a lot of seats on United for our crew repositions when we leave an airplane with the owners for their vacation and we come home, or when we go to training, etc.).

Sure, U has a ways to go, and I really hope it can keep climbing (Or "rising" ) into clear skies.

My recall number is approaching and I'm going to have a hard time making a decision when the "final" offer comes. I'm making twice more now that I could ever make on the LCO even of I was given all my longevity, which I will not be getting. I hope the pay issue comes around, but I doubt we can expect real airline wages again for many years or if ever. But some things - they are worth more than money. I really did like flying for UAL. I wish everyone going back "the best" and thank the guys who have held the line at "Yo" for their hard work.

 

[koko nw]

20% accept recall and go on military leave of absence. United allows you to be on mil leave for up to six years. This is the route that I plan on taking so that I can avoid fllying the 737/A320; the work rules suck on the narrowbody fleet.
.

Hey Andy, during our out processing brief after activation our Mil Lawyer addressed this issue and according to "him" if you were activated with OEF/OEF orders or go on Mil leave using orders stating the fact that your in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraq Freedom....the six year clock does not apply. So in other words every time your on orders in support of the two contingencies, it does not count towards the six year window. Therefore if you wish, you could be on indefinite leave or until you get your retirement...Hope that helps.

Like others I have fond memories of my time at UAL and wish to come back soon. But at this time with commuting to reserves and the onerous work rules at the LCO, Mil leaving makes the most sense for me and my family. For those of you returning soon, best of luck and fight the good fight and hope to see you all on the line soon.
As for the bubba's holding the line while we were out, I say thank you especially to the new MEC folks trying to unravel the cluster which they inherited, the change from 10 RDO's to 12 was HUGE!!

Best

Koko

 

[Andy]

Hey Andy, during our outprocessing brief after activation our Mil Lawyer addressed this issue and according to "him" if you were activated with OEF/OEF orders or go on Mil leave using orders stating the fact that your in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Iraq Freedom....the six year clock does not apply. So in other words everytime your on orders in support of the two contingencies, it does not count towards the six year window. Therefore if you wish, you could be on indefinate leave or until you get your retirement...Hope that helps.

Koko

You are correct; contingency orders don't count against the USERRA clock. Unfortunately, my current job doesn't allow me to get contingency orders. I don't see that changing any time soon.

I'd also like to correct the numbers above that I gave; I found an e-mail (dated 5 Jun from Todd Coomins) with actual rates of acceptance/bypass/LOA. My apologies for misstating the numbers. Here's the e-mail (BTW, Todd's also a furloughee):

To all furloughees,

On Monday, 5 June 2006, the next recall class begins. There are a total of twenty-eight (28) Furloughed pilots returning in this class to active status, with an additional four (4) pilots attending who were previously recalled and are now returning from Leaves of Absence. Another twenty-six (26) pilots accepted recall for this class and are now on LOA status. Two hundred and forty-eight (248) furloughed pilots have been recalled to active status so far in 2006. The 5 June 2006 recall class is the ninth recall class this year, and the last class that has been announced by United to date. Currently United has no plans for a recall class in July 2006.

Total recall numbers are as follows (includes the 5 June 2006 Recall class):

Total pilots offered recall 1213
Total pilots still to be recalled 959
Total pilots back on property 445 =36.7% (248 this year)
Total pilots on LOA 229 =18.9%
Total pilots on Bypass 539 =44.4%

The most junior pilot to be offered recall is seniority number 7965.

Though United has offered recall to more that half of the pilots that were furloughed, one thousand four hundred ninety-eight (1,498) United pilots remain on furlough status. The UAL MEC SSC is continually working to return United to correct staffing levels which should accelerate the recall process.

Fraternally,

J. Todd Coomans
UALMEC Furlough Coordinator

 

[Tanner]

With the August class, the most junior guy to accept the recall is 8013. 4-3-00 new hire. Currently inside of ten away from recall and looking forward to it.

 

[Tanner]

Omit my last post...just got the call today for the Aug. class. Bob J. said they are expanding the class. No word on a Sep. class though.

 

[Sonny Crockett]

Congrats Tanner...

We need you like no tomorrow!

I think we are about 300-600 short on pilots.

 

[Huggyu2]

Advice needed:
I was recalled and elected mil leave. I was awarded a 737 to DCA. My question: I want to trade someone for an A320, since there are no 737 on the West Coast where I live. Since UAL hasn't actually spent money on my training yet, I'm hoping to find someone awaiting training in the A320. I've put plugs into a few websites, but nothing yet. Any other ideas as to how to contact new "recallees"?

 

[hyflyt560]

Omit my last post...just got the call today for the Aug. class. Bob J. said they are expanding the class. No word on a Sep. class though.

Congrats Tanner...when were you hired? Keep us posted on the rumors/info you hear in class!

 

[koko nw]

Advice needed:
I was recalled and elected mil leave. I was awarded a 737 to DCA. My question: I want to trade someone for an A320, since there are no 737 on the West Coast where I live. Since UAL hasn't actually spent money on my training yet, I'm hoping to find someone awaiting training in the A320. I've put plugs into a few websites, but nothing yet. Any other ideas as to how to contact new "recallees"?

I'm in the same boat. I believe you can call the domicile FOSC's or Ass FM's and have them put in a bid for a A320 while your on mil leave. With all the bids coming out if you have some time to spend on mil lv you should have your Airbus bid without any problems before you come off of Mil leave.

Hope that helps and let us know if it works out.

Peace

Koko

 

[koko nw]

Omit my last post...just got the call today for the Aug. class. Bob J. said they are expanding the class. No word on a Sep. class though.

Congrats and welcome back to the last job you'll ever have TIC
Seriously, hope to see all of you guy's shortly.

Koko

 

[Andy]

I'm in the same boat. I believe you can call the domicile FOSC's or Ass FM's and have them put in a bid for a A320 while your on mil leave. With all the bids coming out if you have some time to spend on mil lv you should have your Airbus bid without any problems before you come off of Mil leave.

Hope that helps and let us know if it works out.

Peace

Koko

If you watch the vacancy bids, you'll see that there have been several 767 bids to recalled furloughees on mil leave. I've seen a ton of mil leaves getting different aircraft/domiciles on the 737 and airbus bids.

 

[Tanner]

Congrats Tanner...when were you hired? Keep us posted on the rumors/info you hear in class!

Thanks...I'm looking forward to it. I was a 4-3-00 newhire. Hopefully there will be some good news to report when I get to class. I'll let you know. Can someone give me the "run-down" on how long your frozen. Looks like since they're expanding the Aug. class, I will be junior in that class and may not have much of a choice on base and a/c.

Thanks,
Tanner

 

[32LT10]

Thanks...I'm looking forward to it. I was a 4-3-00 newhire. Hopefully there will be some good news to report when I get to class. I'll let you know. Can someone give me the "run-down" on how long your frozen. Looks like since they're expanding the Aug. class, I will be junior in that class and may not have much of a choice on base and a/c.

Thanks,
Tanner

Tanner,

I think the freeze depends on what you were last flying and what you get when you come back? I heard some guys talking and they said they were on the bus when furloughed and came back to the 737 and received the 36 month freeze. Also, I think the amount of training days plays a role in the freeze, no freeze equation. If it you have been away for a certain amount of time I don't think you are eligible for the short course and thus you get a freeze. Unfortunately I am not sure what timeframe they use for the above.

At any rate, Welcome back. Hope we run through the list quickly and get all you guys back soon.