Why Can't Expressjet Reserves Get Consistent Golden Days Off?

[JumpersAway]

You're not looking at it from the viewpoint of mainline. Mainline loves the model. It isn't broken for them. They want 10 regional carriers bidding below cost to secure the flying. And as soon as one "smacks the bottom", they'll just create another with no seniority.
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The future of the regionals is a return to the 90's "commuter" airline model. Flying their own planes code share for multiple carriers with their own paint jobs. Probably in large turboprops. Just watch. It's the only way to make money now.

DING!!!!!We have a winner! You are absolutely correct on this matter. This is why it is important to get out, regardless of contract enhancements.

Nevets- pilots following airplanes from regional to regional isn't going to happen. There is no groud work for that, and no effort is currently under way to make this happen. The model is the way it is, and if shuffling airplanes to/from your airline isn't something you can tollerate or stomach, you should be in a different sector of aviation. There is no mainline to regional brand loyalty, what so ever. The continued shuffling of regional flying is as certain as gravity.

 

[enuffalready]

But that's the problem. The regional model is flawed. They CAN'T make a sustainable profit in this environment, and no pilot contract is going to change that.

the airline industry in general is flawed.... if you go back and add up all the revenue ever generated vs the losses suffered, all airlines combined have a net loss.... and yes that equation is with Southwest.... even though they have made money there have been so many others that suffered such tremendous losses the net net was still a negative.... so in general the airlines have never made money over time....mainline and regional

 

[Nevets]

And you are saying those 80 Captains and FO's would be integrated into our seniority lists how??? Pretty pragmatic of you, but since that is a separate company, I don't see that EVER happening! Heck, Skywest took 700's from ASA and we didn't get to send any pilots - and we were essentially the same company.

Just because Skywest took 700s from ASA and didn't get to send pilots doesn't mean it was right or that it should happen again. The way you integrate them is fairly and equitably. Whether that means DOH, ratio, fences, or whatever. We should always strive to do the right thing. At one point in time, XJT and Comair had an agreement in principle that of either company got aircraft operated by the other, pilots would go with the aircraft. When DAL was in the process of getting rid of Freedom, XJT was trying to get some of that flying. The XJT MEC made it clear to management that we were not interested in taking any of their 145s unless pilots came with them with longevity and seniority. Have you ever heard about career progression protection? It's not a new concept within ALPA.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Just because Skywest took 700s from ASA and didn't get to send pilots doesn't mean it was right or that it should happen again. The way you integrate them is fairly and equitably. Whether that means DOH, ratio, fences, or whatever. We should always strive to do the right thing. At one point in time, XJT and Comair had an agreement in principle that of either company got aircraft operated by the other, pilots would go with the aircraft. When DAL was in the process of getting rid of Freedom, XJT was trying to get some of that flying. The XJT MEC made it clear to management that we were not interested in taking any of their 145s unless pilots came with them with longevity and seniority. Have you ever heard about career progression protection? It's not a new concept within ALPA.

Nev,
You have worked for the SKYW umbrella for awhile. In all that time what indication have you received that would indicate SKYW, the corporation like seniority? Jerry's Kids, Brad included want every pilot to be on 1st year pay, CAs included. Churning seniority is the regional game plan, today it is PNCL, tomorrow it will be ASA, then SKYW, then Gheyjhets, then some other random carrier to be yet named. Each time they will offer "Preferential" interviews, to the poor unemployed pilots. This game has been played since deregulation, and the pilot work force in general has tolerated it. The solution is a national seniority list for pay rates, upgrade and vacation would be company based on seniority, but base pay would be from the national list. This simple solution would negate the churning of companies and force the bean counters to actually improve efficiency through actual improvements in the operation vs hiring and firing pilots to reduce their longevity.

 

[Nevets]

Nev,
You have worked for the SKYW umbrella for awhile. In all that time what indication have you received that would indicate SKYW, the corporation like seniority? Jerry's Kids, Brad included want every pilot to be on 1st year pay, CAs included. Churning seniority is the regional game plan, today it is PNCL, tomorrow it will be ASA, then SKYW, then Gheyjhets, then some other random carrier to be yet named. Each time they will offer "Preferential" interviews, to the poor unemployed pilots. This game has been played since deregulation, and the pilot work force in general has tolerated it. The solution is a national seniority list for pay rates, upgrade and vacation would be company based on seniority, but base pay would be from the national list. This simple solution would negate the churning of companies and force the bean counters to actually improve efficiency through actual improvements in the operation vs hiring and firing pilots to reduce their longevity.

Skywest, the corporation, has already agreed to exactly what I'm talking about. This is actually something that can also help the company. Just pretend if SKW wanted to buy the Colgan Qs. If they take pilots that are currently qualified on them, they cut the expense I having to train new pilots. This is precisely why XJT/Comair where open to this.

I don't disagree with a single seniority list. This interest solution would benefit the regional pilots right now though.

 

[SpaceShipEarth]

Nev,
You have worked for the SKYW umbrella for awhile. In all that time what indication have you received that would indicate SKYW, the corporation like seniority? Jerry's Kids, Brad included want every pilot to be on 1st year pay, CAs included. Churning seniority is the regional game plan, today it is PNCL, tomorrow it will be ASA, then SKYW, then Gheyjhets, then some other random carrier to be yet named. Each time they will offer "Preferential" interviews, to the poor unemployed pilots. This game has been played since deregulation, and the pilot work force in general has tolerated it. The solution is a national seniority list for pay rates, upgrade and vacation would be company based on seniority, but base pay would be from the national list. This simple solution would negate the churning of companies and force the bean counters to actually improve efficiency through actual improvements in the operation vs hiring and firing pilots to reduce their longevity.

Law of un-intended consequences would kick in here: airline would stop hiring guys who were senior on that list