Trans States Vars Message - Furlough in a few weeks

TheAlchemist

TheAlchemist

Well-Known Member
Here's the bad news:

Two weeks ago management informed the Association the need to park aircraft and reduce flying resulting in 22 downgrades
and only the possibility of furloughs. Management had requested contractual relief to build lines to a minimum of 74 hours
from the required 80. With only the possibility of furloughs the MEC took in under advisement and held a special teleconference
to discuss the issues. The MEC presented management with three other viable solutions that could have resulted in an equivalent
savings to the company. These were as follows: 1. Increase the incentive for pilots to take a leave of absence. 2. Offer
additional weeks of unpaid vacation and 3. Build reduced lines of flying that would provide for lines to be built to a minimum of
50 hours with specific benefits to the pilot for accepting such lines. All of these options would have been voluntary, thus,
allowing pilots to assist other pilots in the event of a furlough rather than force all pilots to take a pay cut on nothing
more than a possibility. Yesterday, Director of Operations Captain Mike White officially rejected the options provided by the
Association with exception to option 1 - increasing the incentive for pilots to take a leave of absence. The Association will be
drafting a letter of agreement to present to the company in coming days. Once agreed the details will be conveyed to the membership.
Captain White also officially indicated that in all likelihood we would be furloughing in the next few weeks but had no final
numbers yet. The Association is committed to assisting all pilots on furlough finding new jobs. Should any pilot get a furlough
notice please contact your union representative immediately.

The negotiating committee met with management last week to resume mediated negotiations. A negotiations update will be provided
in the next VARS message. Another issue of the Negotiating Newsletter has been mailed to the membership and an electronic version
will be made available shortly.
Click to expand...

I'm speechless! I haven't been here long and I'm already experiencing first hand how unstable the airlines are. In the short period with TSA I've met some great people. Lots of humble hard working guys and gals here. Too bad this industry is going down the crapper.

"I'm a sad sad Panda!" :(
 
TheAlchemist said:
Here's the bad news:



I'm speechless! I haven't been here long and I'm already experiencing first hand how unstable the airlines are. In the short period with TSA I've met some great people. Lots of humble hard working guys and gals here. Too bad this industry is going down the crapper.

"I'm a sad sad Panda!" :(
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear that guys.

What were your times when you hired there?
 
Wait... if the Union had agreed to give up the 80 hour min and let the company build 74 hour lines would you have had furlough protection? Because that's the way it sounds. *IF* that was the case, you just got screwed by your senior guys.
 
I don't think anybody knows, including management. Seriously I have been on reserve and have been used a lot compared to some that I know at SW and Expressjet I don't understand what's going on in that 3rd floor of the TSA headquarters. Oh well, I'll believe the F word when I get the notice, otherwise at least management accepted the benefits for leave of absence, I know quiet a few that would take that option.
 
Oh man. I know a lot of people over there and a lot that just had their class dates recently canceled with TSA. Good luck to everyone over there, and I hope everything turns out ok for all of you!
 
BobDDuck said:
Wait... if the Union had agreed to give up the 80 hour min and let the company build 74 hour lines would you have had furlough protection? Because that's the way it sounds. *IF* that was the case, you just got screwed by your senior guys.
Click to expand...

Eh, I don't know. Something that huge probably SHOULD have gone to the pilots for a vote. Company was effectively wanting to give the pilots a pay cut by lowering the min guarantee. Sorta like if PSA went from something like 75 hour guarantee to 70 hour guarantee, then only built 70 hour lines. Without union agreement, even if you got a 70 hour line, they'd still pay you 75. What TSA was wanting to do was build 74 hour lines and only pay 74 hours instead of 80. At least, that's how I read it. One of the proposals mentioned was a FIFTY hour line with some sort of benefits for the pilots bidding that line. I'd be interested to know what benefits the union was looking at. I'm surprised the company didn't just jump at voluntary leaves of absence. You don't have to pay the people on leave anything, and the guys that want to fly and get the extra $$$ over guarantee still can. Sounds like boneheaded moves on both ends of the equation to me.
 
If the lines got down to 74 hours, why bid a line in the first place? I'd rather bid reserve and hopefully do little to no work all month (even with a few less days off) and make reserve guarantee. The main point of a line (at least for me) was to get out of the red ink making bank with a load of per diem. Going back to 74 hrs of credit I'd rather sit at home and get a second job, rather than be away from home half the time while still working a second job. I don't think there would be much overtime to make up the pay. There's really no good answers when they simply hired way more people than they ever needed.
 
Eh, I'd rather have a 74 hour line than be on reserve making guarantee. Hell, I'd rather have a high speed line than sit reserve. Makes planning your life a tad bit easier. That's just me, though.
 
Aeroman said:
If the lines got down to 74 hours, why bid a line in the first place? I'd rather bid reserve and hopefully do little to no work all month (even with a few less days off) and make reserve guarantee.
Click to expand...

Yeah no kidding, 15 days off working all the rest or 12 guaranteed days off working a few of the days on?

No contest in my book. But I don't commute. Commuting to reserve and not flying pretty much blows.
 
The fact that they want to do this makes absolutely no sense. We were short on captains before they downgraded, now that there are 22 less, they are moving us between bases to sit "hotel reserve", moving days off, etc just to cover flying. Now they want to furlough FOs????
 
Was bound to happen: got the good news call today.:sarcasm:

They're furloughing 45 people starting July 1st and expect it to last "no longer" than a year. Certified letters are supposed to be going out sometime soon.
 
badasscrustacean said:
Was bound to happen: got the good news call today.:sarcasm:

They're furloughing 45 people starting July 1st and expect it to last "no longer" than a year. Certified letters are supposed to be going out sometime soon.
Click to expand...

Me too! Just got the call from the flight manager. :(

After so much hard work during training...
 
and there lies the rub.....they should have forecasted better because a helluva lot of work and $$ go into training on both sides of the spectrum.

The good thing... is that you guys have now been through training and been on the line, so you already know what to expect when you go back in for the interview, training etc....you have a really good chance of finding new positions and keep in mind that some airlines are still hiring (corporate, cargo, seasonal, CMR i think, CHQ, SKW, ASA?)...ie: get those resumes updated and out...update your UPASS account if you already haven't!

i like my eggs sunnyside up...When one tunnel closes, others, typically better open....be proactive, keep your head above the clouds, kick it's ass and you'll be alright. Do not sit around today and mope...you're going to have to be ahead of your game considering what other changes in the industry might be coming down the pipe....
 
I'd like to say that job was fun while it lasted, however it was in fact insanely stressful and lame. The flying part was ok but the fact that I never knew whether I'd have a job from one day to the next was really wearing on me. I am honestly almost a little relieved finally have gotten the furlough call. Hmmm, medical school or law school?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top