Virgin America QOL

[blackbox]

Dont forget Min. 3 days off between RDPs. I have also heard, its not uncommon to get released early on your last day of reserve. Some as early as 9 am. There is now some pay protection for being used late on your last day, but I havent really read it. Someone may be able to explain that rule better.

 

[fob727]

On a different note...I took the online assessment a few weeks ago, can anyone say how long till you hear back?

 

[bri5150]

Dont forget Min. 3 days off between RDPs. I have also heard, its not uncommon to get released early on your last day of reserve. Some as early as 9 am. There is now some pay protection for being used late on your last day, but I havent really read it. Someone may be able to explain that rule better.

While I was quite happy with the reserve work rule changes, the last day protection was a little on the weak side. If they call you on the morning on your last day and put you on reduced rest to do something later that day, then you get premium pay above guarantee. Needless to say, there are lots of ways to use you late on your last day without doing that. All they have to do is give it to you the night before or if a 4 day gets back late, then no extra. Anyone else interperet that differently?

 

[Flyer1015]

Dont forget Min. 3 days off between RDPs. I have also heard, its not uncommon to get released early on your last day of reserve. Some as early as 9 am. There is now some pay protection for being used late on your last day, but I havent really read it. Someone may be able to explain that rule better.

3 days off in between, except last/first 5 days of a month (transition).

I was only on reserve for one month, but at the end of every reserve duty period days (before days off) I called on my last day and was released by 12noon-1pm every time. YMMV.

Pay protection on last day only applies in one way. Report after your original end of reserve duty period. For example, suppose the last day is reserve 6am to 3:30pm. If they call you at 6am and tell you that you are going to rest until 4pm, then report for a LAS turn, leaving at 5pm and back at 8:30pm, then in this case you get the pay overage. If you have been assigned a regular trip from before that ends on your last day of reserve at 8pm, you get nothing, just regular pay.

 

[bri5150]

I was only on reserve for one month, but at the end of every reserve duty period days (before days off) I called on my last day and was released by 12noon-1pm every time. YMMV.

If they don't have anything by the morning of your last day, and they are not extremely short of reservists, they will usually let you go around 9 or 10 am. That said, if there is a turn available, no matter when it ends, they will give it to you if nobody else has just one day left. That seems to be their number one priority. Even if there are five other guys on, they will give it to the guy with one day left and get you done late. I understand the theory, but it is frustrating. That is the reason they tried to address it with the new rules.

Please don't take this post as bitching. Reserve is reserve. That's the way it goes. But this is the number one complaint of everyone on reserve. To end on a happy note, here is one of the best features of reserve at Virgin America. 90% of the time they schedule your reserve period to start late on your first day and end early on your last. For commuters (which everyone is) this is worth 3 or 4 days off a month.

 

[AEROSQUADRON69]

From those who work there...does it sound like many pilots will be when/if the majors start hiring?

Hows the internal vibe with all that is or isn't happening financially?

 

[bri5150]

No questiin we will lose some to majors from what I can tell. Most guys were happy withrecent raise, but it probably won't be enoigh to keep everyone around. A lot of fo's that were here for quick upgrade will bail I'm sure.
As far as financials, I would say more are negative about it than positive. Personally, looking at numbers I would say we are slowly turning the corner to profits and IPO. 4q2012 operational profit for 1st time in history and 1q2013 looking better than their goal (still loss, but nowhere even near last year) both speak to my opinion. From what I can see and hear, there is no question we will make an operational profit for the year unless monster spike in fuel or some unforeseen disaster.

 

[LoveGun]

From those who work there...does it sound like many pilots will be when/if the majors start hiring?

Hows the internal vibe with all that is or isn't happening financially?

I always hear that someone knows someone who wants to leave VA but I have yet to actually meet a pilot that's actively seeking other oportunities. I'm not even a quarter of the way up the captain list and I get 19 days off per month and 84 hours. It's hard to walk away from this cake lifestyle -- the recent raise has helped me make up my mind.

As for the financials... I've always been a skeptic but recently it seems like they really got a handle on things. I agree with the previous poster, we should post a yearly operating profit for 2013 and IPO sometime soon after that.

 

[aa73]

Forget all that QOL and pay stuff. What's important is, have you guys gotten rid of those MIB uniforms yet?

 

[blackbox]

From those who work there...does it sound like many pilots will be when/if the majors start hiring?

Hows the internal vibe with all that is or isn't happening financially?

My guess is the Captains will stay. A good number of FOs will leave. From what I understand we are losing a lot of pilots as is. I think this year will be telling. As bri5150 states this year looks profitable, but I think thats what they expected 2012 to be as well. But until the official numbers come in, I think there will be a lot of uncertainty and people will continue to leave.