Virgin America Jumpseat

[aa73]

Quote:

Ok, I was a bit hasty there.
Although I don't agree with Branson starting another LCC I'll agree to keep the jumpseat out of it...
Everybody is welcome to ride (except scabs of course.

Thank you, Viking, for being professional about it in the end. I too dislike the payscales, all the more reason for us to raise that bar. Re-edition accepted!

73

 

[AMRCostUnit]

You're right. They will steal market share. And they'll be using their pilots' wages to subsidize it. It's not too hard to undercut another airline's fares and steal market share when you have a group of pilots working for 2/3's (or less) of the going rate.

Read the above slowly and remind me again why we should let non-union pilots ride the J/S? Why should we help them take market share? We only hurt ourselves (unionized) when we do. I agree with Viking737's first post on the topic.

Unit

Get a Union/Get a Ride

 

[Getter]

Well, I see the big fork sticking in this thread...

We don't go many places yet, but if you want a ride stop on by. CASS folks get access to the two up front and any open in coach. Non CASS can still get on in the back. We greatly appreciate any return favors.

Ralph out...

The two up front hurts, but glad to have the ride when the situation dictates. Please remind the captain that for safety and security; it benefits the flight (and the commuter) to put jumpseaters in first class. The captain still runs the show and has the authority to put j/s anywhere there is room available including first class. We always make the effort to make sure this happens when we can. We would like to see this reciprocated as well.

 

[aa73]

Read the above slowly and remind me again why we should let non-union pilots ride the J/S? Why should we help them take market share? We only hurt ourselves (unionized) when we do. I agree with Viking737's first post on the topic.

Unit

Get a Union/Get a Ride

Simply because that non-union (for now) airline allows YOUR union a$$ on the jumpseat, no questions asked. Hence the reciprocity. So stop it with the hypocrisy.

73

 

[Tejas-Jet]

Read the above slowly and remind me again why we should let non-union pilots ride the J/S? Why should we help them take market share? We only hurt ourselves (unionized) when we do. I agree with Viking737's first post on the topic.

Geez...another tough guy. How about when the pilots from YOUR airline go looking for a ride from VA?

You got problems with that too? Or is it then OK to have that RECIPRICAL agreement?

Using the J/S as a political tool only makes things harder for your own pilots in the end...not to mention the "invitations" so you can talk to the chief about all this.

 

[Blue Dude]

Read the above slowly and remind me again why we should let non-union pilots ride the J/S? Why should we help them take market share? We only hurt ourselves (unionized) when we do. I agree with Viking737's first post on the topic.

Unit

Get a Union/Get a Ride

Just out of curiosity, how do you treat union pilots who are paid significantly less than you, thus "undercutting" you? For that matter, how do you treat union pilots whose company is whipping your ass in the marketplace, but who get paid more than you? I am breathlessly awaiting your no doubt logical response.

What's that smell? Um, hypocrisy, maybe?

 

[Mr.B]

Put THAT into context and you will see the point.....when you are done teaching the SAT test, maybe you can bring something relevant to the thread.

I have been accused of being a "cunning linguist"....lol

Bring something relevant? What would you suggest? Office avatars, calling others "tools", or fun word-play?

How about this.

All pilots have their own reasons for who they fly for....furloughs, chance for upgrade, QOL issues. MOST do not wish ill-will on their fellow pilots (Indy-air vs. UAL notwithstanding).

99.9% of the time when requesting the jumpseat, pilots are very accommodating and cordial. It isn't until they get behind a keyboard that they "grow a pair". Hows that for word play?

 

[ableone]

Cabotage is coming and Virgin is the toehold on the beach.

The people that go to work there can no doubt justify their decision, much like those who work at pay for training carriers.

We all know what "merit upgrade" really means. That alone will keep me well clear of this operation.

No VAs on my jumpseat either.

When Ryanair, EasyJet etc. start flying domestic city pairs, with EU aviators who have their health care subsidized by their home governments, they will undoubtedly become CASS aproved. Enjoy having them on your jumpseat for the brief period before they occupy your front seat.

When cabotage comes and European pilots are flying here go ahead and try to get an entry level position in europe. "Oh, you only have an FAA certificate? We don't recognize those but we have an 18 month conversion program that only costs $75,000. When you complete the JAA program feel free to send us an application."

Q. How many foreign nationals work for UAL DAL AA etc?

A. You probably are friends with several at your carrier, I know that I am.

Q. How many US nationals work for BA, Air France etc?

A. ZERO. Non-Natives need not apply. Of course you can work in Asia on a contract basis, until they can train enough native pilots that is.

 

[aa73]

Guys:

ANY airline that is on our j/s list is MORE THAN WELCOME to ride our j/s, 1st class, or coach depending on the loads. We do have a few non conformists that will use the j/s as a weapon to wield their displeasure with whatever their issues... they are the exception, not the norm, and cases like that get reported immediately to our j/s comittee.

I apologize on behalf of AA pilots for those who seem to have issues with a pilot's place of employment. Anyone on our list is welcome.

We also appreciate the rides you give our folks.

Thanks,
73

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Ableone,

I appreciate your position on foreign airlines flying domestic service in the US and agree with you.

However, VA is a US certified carrier, flying under a US FAA certificate with labor subject to the same RLA rules you operate under. We are 25% owned by the Virgin Group with their ownership in a blind trust.

Contrast this with the Wings (KLM) purchase of Northwest in 1999 in which KLM was shown to have 49% ownership of the holding company running NWA. I submit to you we are a lot less foreign owned than that case and a long way from operating under a foreign certificate with foreign labor laws.

Again, I understand and share your concerns about the latter happening here in the US. If I thought this was the case at VA I would have never hired on.

You are welcome to hop a ride and chat with our guys. You will see a wealth of US experience up front.

Ralph

 

[bluejuice787]

Ableone,

I appreciate your position on foreign airlines flying domestic service in the US and agree with you.

However, VA is a US certified carrier, flying under a US FAA certificate with labor subject to the same RLA rules you operate under. We are 25% owned by the Virgin Group with their ownership in a blind trust.

Contrast this with the Wings (KLM) purchase of Northwest in 1999 in which KLM was shown to have 49% ownership of the holding company running NWA. I submit to you we are a lot less foreign owned than that case and a long way from operating under a foreign certificate with foreign labor laws.

Again, I understand and share your concerns about the latter happening here in the US. If I thought this was the case at VA I would have never hired on.

You are welcome to hop a ride and chat with our guys. You will see a wealth of US experience up front.

Ralph

Very well said...As an aside, I am in trianing with VA as we speak, I am furlouged AA and in my interview were two current AA pilots.

Juice

 

[Ralph Cramden]

Juice,

Welcome aboard & have fun in MIA. See you on the line.

Ralph

 

[skiandsurf]

Juice,

Welcome aboard & have fun in MIA. See you on the line.

Ralph

The best thing about VA........ is all of those great guys from Independence Air.


Ralph, kill 'em with kindness.....and class.

 

[spacecadet1]

This thread is evidence of just how low this industry is sinking. What are they paying Captains there? $85 or $90/hr. The only people left flying are those that are stuck doing this ******************** because they can't do anything else or they are sitting in the left seat hoping that things hang together till they retire. The job is basically migrating to a high school graduate level (if that much) trade job with minimal aptitude required.

 

[Ralph Cramden]

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