frotter

Think this sounds familiar? Justifying one's own gain because the company improperly operates an airline at the expense of fellow pilots has a long history...in fact...there might be some list published somewhere of these types....a list this guy may soon join


.......The idea that flying on your days off, with pilots on the street, does make it easier for the company to operate with fewer pilots, and is beyond my ability to comprehend. If somebody calls in sick and the company doesn't have enough people to cover the flying, the company should bring someone back, even if they just sit reserve most of the month. If the company needs you to work on your days off for ANY reason, that means they are not properly staffed. Refusing to work on your days off will encourage/force the company to return someone to work.

I will not fatten my paycheck by picking up open time, while a fellow crewmember on furlough is forced to find a part time job at Lowe's to keep from losing their house.


Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Jr. Member

Posts: 77




Re: Professional Courtesy
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2012, 03:45:46 PM »
Quote
This only applies to the 777. There were no plans to increase or decrease the number of pilots on the 777 from the current level until we receive additional airplanes which is 2014 unless they could find one earlier. The last pilot destined to complete the staffing level of the 777 has been trained. Further training in the 777 was only to replace attrition and moves to the 747. The 777 is running with the same staffing size pre/post furlough, ie. no net loss of jobs. The 747's suffered a great reduction in force needs based on cancelling orders and parking airplanes which is a entirely different issue. If the crew per aircraft ratio(staffing) has changed or is not adequate then the union needs to step in address this. If they are trying to use less pilots and fly more as has happened in several airline furloughs that is very wrong and needs to be addressed. If pilots are not being used properly on reserve then it needs to be grieved and addressed by the union. James when you took that open trip did you ask why reserve pilots were not being used? Maybe there was no reserve pilot, maybe the reserve pilot went sick or had a family emergency, maybe he busted a sim ride or had training extended, rescheduled, etc.. The point is if you don't know what the reason for the open time then you are just making assumptions and have no real factual basis for a complaint. I can say that 777 open time in September has nothing to do with the furlough and the money did not come from people out on the street. In future months this may not be true. Remember per union direction you cannot refuse a trip because you can be fired for cause. Unless you can find a way to get out of it you must accept it and grieve it after the fact.
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Xxxxx Xxxxx
Newbie

Posts: 11




Re: Professional Courtesy
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2012, 05:24:00 PM »
Quote
Well Todd, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this. I am sure that I am not going to change your mind, and while I understand the arguments you make, I must respectfully (but completely) disagree with the conclusion you come to.

Adlerdriver

I'm always amazed at the way some guys are able to twist reality to justify their self-serving choices.

Todd is amazingly naive if he really thinks each fleet that operates at a freight company does so in a vacuum. Aircraft reductions in one fleet (and the resulting staffing changes) will have an effect on other fleets requirements. Less 747s will most likely result in additional flying for 777 pilots.

I don't know how your scheduling system works so it's tough to comment on the rest. Every company I've worked for didn't require me to answer my phone on my days off. In these modern times with caller ID and unique cell phone rings assigned to specific callers, it's pretty tough to "accidentally" answer a call from scheduling. If they can't talk to you, you never have to say "no".

Spongebob

Unfortunately, there is a long tradition of this at SAI. When I was there it was well known there were a group of folks who would do whatever the company asked (violate union rules, crew rest, crew day, etc.) and were dutifully rewarded. One even liked to show off his $280k W-2. I know of another Capt-qual'd FO who didn't have a home and stayed on the road for 6+ months.

As a junior Capt, it sucked sitting somewhere (pick your locale) and have my flights cancelled, being told that the trip was cancelled or I was bounced for a training event to find that indeed the trip had indeed been flown and it was done by one of the "boys" who was padding hours while I sat below guarantee. My favorite was getting a line with a Travis-Hickam-Agana and return flight...and watching it be taken away within 2 hours of publishing and given to one of the boys while I picked up his ANC-LAX turns.

Bottom line, SAI has a group of folks who are prior scabs, some that feel burned by unions in the past (TWA guys, etc.), others that are just out for themselves and the company will used them to divide the group. It's in the DNA there as with most other 36th street operations.

Best of luck to everyone there or furloughed - except for the few it's an awesome group of folks.

Spongebob

wayne757

Never pick up open time while fellow coworkers are on the street. If you do.......

EricS

For those of you bantering this around, there are circumstances that need to be aired. Southern works on the principle that you are always on reserve. The only out is that you don't have to answer the phone while on your days off. I was assigned a trip because after returning from training, I had not yet started my days off. The company chose to state in their email that we (all on the trip) volunteered.
What is very telling is that the company is posting open time trips two or three a day. Will this continue?
I whole heartily agree with the principle of not picking up trips while guys are on the street, which by the way I will be soon.

frotter

the post is about how imperative our unity is for our livelihoods and profession...and that we, as members of that union, must choose to honor our CBA's, or....suffer the consequence...as with ALL choices in life....this is NOT a personal issue

essayons

Happened at DHL/ASTAR......

RunnerMark

Thanks for posting. I have been concerned about the lack of solidarity since I've been here. I was junior manned last month and told I was going to be furloughed on the same day! Haha, irony.

I did pick up a trip on GDO's this month as we don't yet have anyone on furlough and I'll be out of a job by Oct 1st. Hopefully that doesn't ruffle any feathers, I generally never pick up open time anyway as I value my time at home fishing. And certainly NEVER while fellow pilots are on the street.

Good luck to us all.

Banzai Beagle

Disclaimer: I always refrain from flying open time when we have people on the street and understand the concept of solidarity. With that said I’ve never seen this practice be effective. Management counter measures, using a combination of junior manning, management pilots, and those who will fly, always seem to win the day. I’ve even heard guys say that helping the company will get furloughs back sooner because the company will be profitable. Anyone have an idea that will be effective in getting furloughs back to work?

CactusCrew

You have contributed to your own demise ... ...