cactusmike

You guys will have a long road to drive before you get to fly to Hawaii. First of all, it means 180 min ETOPs OPSPECS. You guys have no history of ETOPs operations so there will be much training, including time in the pool with the raft (hope your F/As are good looking - nothing worse than seeing grannys in the water). You will relearn the pleasentries of the E6B computer while you calculate ETPs and relearn how to plot positions. All this for a fixed route track system that will have you chasing the contrails across the sky.

After training you will have to operate a certain number of hours with the 757 simulating ETOPs routes. Maintenance requirements for the jet are a lot more stringent, you will have to prove to the Feds that your dispatch reliability will be up to ETOPs standards. After that is done you will have to do proving runs with the 757 on the actual routes while the Feds crawl all over your tail, asking you questions and running through scenarios. High pressure for the check airmen. You will do some actual diversions just to show the FAA that you have a plan in place to handle contingencies. Once you get approval, every captain will have to get a route check by a check airman, probably with a Fed observing. At AWA these were 6 hour orals we covered every contingency.

It is not insurmountable, lots of carriers have done it. But do not expect to get the 757 and start flying to the islands the next day. If Jim Carr is still the VP of Flight Ops then you will have a leg up, as he has done some of this before. Good luck, it is fun flying and it sure beats flying the Maddog. The 757 is the best plane I have ever flown.

Swedish Blender

Really? I've never used an E6B going across either body of water. Not doubting, just wondering.

As far as ETOPs, there is a rumor of Allegiant buying someone who is already ETOPs. For you Allegiant pilots, they are way more senior to you and already fly the equipment. Not sure how the integration thing would work for you. '96 DOH is a junior captain at that carrier.

forgot to bid

So basically they get Delta chapter 11 wages in that tier 4 but they come in $10 less an our for the FO's at year 12 but year 5 is identical as is year 12 for the CA. Not sure if when it comes to tier 4 pay I'd refer to it as sad especially given where Allegiant is in growth and if it goes up as pay goes up at DAL for the same equipment. And I get the tier thing, I think its a good idea on paper but as Super says your average CPAs can screw that over.

As to ETOPS certification for the AIRLINE, not these airliners, they'll get it. They're a low cost carrier and this DOT loves low cost carriers, they're in to that redistribution thing. They'll probably require that a legacy carrier give up flights to Hawaii just so that they have more pricing power. Maybe Allegiant is who DAL/USAir ought to give their slots to if they abide by certain "rules". There would be some upset lobbyist though in DC over that.

Fishfreighter

What do you want to be the accountants ensure the pilots never see more than Tier 1? Suckers.

Raul Duke

FWIW I'm not proud of these "rates". I'm embarrassed by them. We have a long way to go at AAY if we're ever going to make this a "destination airline" for professional pilots.

Until then, my fingers are crossed, and I'm working on the ALPA OC to fight the good fight.

Also, I used the "ballot" to "ratify" this joke of an agreement to pick up my dog's crap from the laundry room floor..

Raul Duke

yeah basically... The sad thing is (as of now) this has done a good job at creating a sense of contentment over here... Shortsighted pilots... Our own worst enemy...

todd1200

As your lawyer I advise you to keep fighting the man

QCappy

...and that explains it.

captnmajic

I predict a bold move like this will be the beginning of the end for Allegiant Air.

BeenThere

Yes. Many have two jobs or retirement income or a government job. Check w/ Mesa pilots on how they live there. Better yet, stay in a park and the city will give you a little shack to live in!