"Wage Credits" at airlines??

futurepilot1

futurepilot1

Well-Known Member
I'm still trying to understand how all this works, so I have another question. Do airlines do what I call "Wage Credits"? In my current line of work (a major telecommunications company) Our technicians are union, so they have wage scales based on seniority and position, much like pilots. If we hire someone that has 5 years experience, they can negotiate to be inserted into the wage progression with a "credit" so instead of starting at year one salary, they might get slotted at year four. They still start out at the bottom seniority wise. Do airlines do this sort of thing? For example, if pilot A spends 3 years at Pinnacle flying RJ's and gets hired at say, Southwest. Can that pilot get some sort of "wage credit"?
 
We could only wish. Things such as a 'National Seniority List' might help to attain this end in the future, but that is a LONG away. Sure would help us out.
 
bike21 said:
We could only wish. Things such as a 'National Seniority List' might help to attain this end in the future, but that is a LONG away. Sure would help us out.
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With us, it is just something the union (CWA) asked for, and the company agreed on, so it is in the contract. Isn't this something the individual unions could negotiate with the airlines?
 
This sort of concept is something ALPA is working on. We're calling it "portable longevity." Unfortunately, it doesn't exist at any airlines right now.
 
ATN_Pilot said:
This sort of concept is something ALPA is working on. We're calling it "portable longevity." Unfortunately, it doesn't exist at any airlines right now.
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Just to be clear (because it's causing a small riot on my property right now) portable longevity is NOT portable seniority. Portable longevity has almost no downside to a pilot group. Portable seniority scares a lot of people.
 
ATN_Pilot said:
This sort of concept is something ALPA is working on. We're calling it "portable longevity." Unfortunately, it doesn't exist at any airlines right now.
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What motivation would management have to hire someone that they were going to have to start paying them something other that first year wages?
 
futurepilot1 said:
I take that as a no :D
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I'm thinking you're going to be severly disappointed in the airlines if you leave your current job. There is no glamour in this anymore dude. If you love never being home and getting to review hotels every night, you'll be happy. Oh and did I mention you'll make half of what you do now to do that?
 
Airdale said:
I'm thinking you're going to be severly disappointed in the airlines if you leave your current job. There is no glamour in this anymore dude. If you love never being home and getting to review hotels every night, you'll be happy. Oh and did I mention you'll make half of what you do now to do that?
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It gets better, man. You just have to get out of the regionals. They are the seventh circle of hell. Once you move up, things get much better. I'm a 3rd year FO at one of the worst paying majors with a contract that is now 8 years old, but I still make $70k not including per diem, which is more than most regional captains are making. Plus, more days off, a B-Fund pension, a 12-hour max duty day, etc... Get to a place like Delta and it's a hell of a lot better than that.

Like I said, just be patient. You'll be out of the regionals before you know it. Age 65 retirements kick into high gear in just 3 years. Watch the countdown in my signature. ;)
 
I wish the current payrates where per DUTY hour, not flight hour. You could actually make a living and no more 4 hour airport sits!
 
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