OHab

I've heard a rumor that FDX LCAs are bailing. Any truth to that? And if so, how come? Are there changes in the contract that made it not so good a deal?

KnightFlyer

I think they are turning the job into a hybrid; you do linechecks, but also have to work the sim, classroom, etc. Not a good deal for alot of the LCAs since they are mostly commuters. LCA has to consent to being a sim instructor/PCA.

KnightFlyer

[this sentence deleted in new contract]: An LCA may perform LCA duties only in an aircraft.

Here's the rest of modified paragraph:
The duties and the conditions of an LCA’s employment shall at the discretion of the Standards Manager, however, those
duties and conditions may not contradict provisions of this Agreement.
a. By mutual consent of the LCA, Standards Manager, and Training Manager,
an LCA may be qualified as a simulator instructor/PCA.
b. Not withstanding the provisions of 11.L.5., an LCA that is brought into pay
only status to qualify as a simulator instructor/PCA or to conduct simulator
training, shall be scheduled in accordance with the provisions in Section
11.M.
c. A pilot who is qualified as a simulator instructor/PCA and also as an LCA
shall receive the LCA bid period override.

OHab

OK, that looks like the company wants to be able to qualify an LCA to do PCA/Sim work, (with his consent). Is it more heavy handed than that?

130JDrvr

I think this FLEX/LCA thing is a bad idea...... 1 month Flex, the next do LCA duties then the next fly the line (in theory) Lots of jobs and proficient at none....


Past....

MX727

The plan is that an instructor is an instructor. Just like it used to be in the military before they turned the sims over to pros. It won't be month on, month off. Give the guys their LOS and LOE rides in the sim and then take them out for IOE. There will be growing pains. The 757 is supposed to spin up under these rules from the start. Standards will no longer check line pilots. Standards will check the instructors. The instructors will teach and check the line.

130JDrvr

Just wondering how they will pick the FLEX/LCA's. I think most current LCA's could transition to the sim and do a good job. Due to the "VAST" amount of line flying experience that alot (not all) of the current FLEX's have I do not think the reverse is true.

How many FLEX's have you seen in Almaty on QFE Meters or in SFS during typhoon season?

By the way, I do know great guys in both jobs now.

Past.....

Jetjok

For what it's worth, this, I believe, is for the betterment of the Training Department specifically and the crew force in general. Whether it is for the betterment of the guys who actually do the work remains to be seen. However, as we know, guys in the training department suffer from a real lack of creditability. Maybe this will eliminate that, by allowing (or forcing) these guys to actually fly the line with the rest of us. Personally I always had trouble accepting criticism about my VOR approach into SFS from someone who had never even been there. Or flown 3 or 4 legs a night for a week, or flew into a max-crosswind, or, or, well, you get the picture.

What will be interesting is to see how many of these guys will actually consent to doing all the duties. But it's good to see that Flight Training Management, the Standards Manager, and the Training Manager, must also agree that a particular guy meets the standards to be a LCA and be qualified as a simulator instructor/PCA. With the exception of classroom and Sim instructor, all these other jobs are pilot/flying oriented and as such, can and (IMHO) should be performed by the same person. I'm tired of learning "the schoolhouse way" and then the "line way." This should make for a more seemless transition from one environment to the next. Hopefully.

Magenta Line

I had heard from a very senior Capt who was in the school house for a number of years that there has been a push to do this in the past w/o much luck. His advice (because I was considering this move to the school house) was to "wait a few years" when it changes back to sim instructors and LCA's independent.

As far as LCA's bailing, I haven't heard such. I had heard that only the new LCA's/Flex guys would be checked out to wear both hats. If you're an LCA now, you're 'good to go' and don't have to learn the school house stuff and vice-versa. I could be wrong.

Needless to say, it is interesting to note the number of things that have changed since we've gotten a new VP of Flight Ops......

130JDrvr

Jet,

I agree with the credibility problem with the training dept. This cred prob comes from management allowing them to sit forever in the sim. Their line fly month is usually on a vacation month or they just bump the ATL, ORD, or pick the closest PM O/B city.

I have had the VOR critique and had the guy laugh when I asked if he'd ever been there....(back in the day when all we had was the VOR. No touchdown zone lights etc...)

Mgt needs to hire more Flex's so they can all go fly the line on a regular basis. Instead, they run short of Flex's and they all work overtime. Funny, some said they had to work the extra or lose the job..... so they work the 350 400k/yr OT. And sleep in their own bed every night.

Past....