Flying is down but it is not non existent. We just got notified all pilots will continued to be paid (at a reduced guarantee) however not all will be deployed. For those deployed there will be a deffered payment that will eventually mean they'll be made whole. Naturally, 401k and bonuses are suspended.
In these uncertain times I am truly grateful to have a job and I do appreciate the outside of the box thinking going on trying to avoid the nasty F word.
All that said, I think we could have achieved the same results on the bottom line, if not better, by simply temporarily suspending the Red Label Program. I thought the reason DRL pilots were paid more was because they worked more, sacrificed more. Well, that's not really true right now is it? Especially if the majority will be sitting at home doing nothing.
Additionally, suspending the DRL program would allow for significantly greater flexibility and job retentions in the long haul as the company recovers. I thought the one true benefit we were supposed to receive from voting the union out was flexibility? That it would equate to better overall job protections? It's time for us all to put our money where our mouth is. First suspend DRL and then, if only necessary, implement these other steps.
Unfortunately, the current steps are more likely to effect the youngest of our pilot group (regular line or FO's), the ones most likely to have tiny mouths to feed and will be the first furloughed if it comes to that. Sorry but missing my boat payment is just not as important to me as everyone keeping their job if possible.
I appreciate all that is being done, whether Netjets furloughs or not, but my two cents is I hope Kenn pulls the trigger on DRL so the likelihood of us ALL retaining our jobs is higher.
