ToddChavez

I find it funny that the company wants to gut our trade/drop/swap because the "PAF fails" and they claim they are unable to cover trips... yet there are multiple trips this morning that have been sitting there for hours, all with report times in a few hours. It is the same when covering trips after aggressive closes, they sit on trips until 8pm when it's too late to use long calls and it is less likely they'll get picked up in PAF.

I don't care how long the contract takes, I don't want to be subject to the consequences of the company's inability to do simple things like cover OT. That said, ALPA needs to push for full retro if it is that clear to them that a contract won't come in a reasonable timeframe.

Andy

F9's inability to grow pilots was easily predictable a couple of years ago. I stated back then that once the regionals were dead (they are), the ULCCs would be drained of pilots by the legacies. I am actually surprised that F9's seniority list hasn't started shrinking yet - that should happen in the not too distant future, just like it did at the regionals.
Your seniority at F9 may stay the same, but it's likely that you'll see your seniority move backward in the future.

DontStahl320

It’s getting worse and will only get worse. Our pilots that left 6 months ago are already upgrading at the legacies. We have too many CFIs in the pipeline that will be coming and being able to maintain a steady stream of candidates to fill the companies attrition based vacancies. There is no growth just stagnation. People saying “Full retro”. What airline has ever received that? Delta rates? You honestly believe we will get that? Keeping PAF? Now with the recession looming and bad financials, we won’t see anything for years, just like before during Republic days.

planejoe

That's why the company sent the FOs the survey to find out where everyone stands on 121 time for upgrade. It will definitely become an issue as we get airplanes and the seniority list has not grown at all in the last year. They will probably have to sell our slots/options/deliveries or park brand new airplanes. Attrition is pretty much equal to our hiring numbers and there is no interest in giving us a contract in a timely manner.

So how is all of this supposed to come together to be the "fastest growing airline"? Nothing makes sense and nobody on the line seems to know what is going on or what the plan is here...

HSCompressor

Our cancellation rate is still less than 3%. How far does that have to go, might be your first indicator.

Dragonslayer69

They will give up delivery slots and blame it on everything but themselves. Why expand the fleet if you have no one to fly them? Only makes sense to cancel deliveries.

Stayontarget

50% is unrealistic in a two year span for anything other than a startup. Maybe 50% FO? That seems somewhat realistic. Has your RS% not grown due to attrition?

The highest number we had Oct 2022 was 1900 vs 2108 this month. 10% growth in the last year. 1668 to 1900 the year prior. 12% from Oct 21-Oct 22. While there was a definite lul from Jan- June it’s back to growth mode minus attrition.

While attrition is bad I’m not too upset yet as from previous history it will probably help us light a fire under managements butt to get forward progress on a contract. Failure to grow this airline as planned will suck a lot worse for management than it will us especially if other airlines are profiting. I would surmise their jobs depend upon it.

TurboFanMan

“””Failure to grow this airline as planned will suck a lot worse for management than it will us especially if other airlines are profiting. I would surmise their jobs depend upon it.”””

I agree with this a hundred percent.

dracir1

I totally disagree.

BB and BL aren’t idiots. They could make the offer whenever they want and all would be better. The art is in NOT making it but acting like it’s right around the corner. This airline will never offer industry standard rates. Customer service will not be deemed “necessary” due to industry pressures. The whole point is to keep EVERYTHING cheap - even if it would make more $ otherwise. It’s principalities Smokey!

The ONLY way to get ALL of the conditions and pay up to par is via a strike. Do we have the balls to do it? Doubtful honestly. The senior are too far/content/close to retirement and the junior are more likely to get as much as they can before heading out the door. The middle (4-9 yrs seniority) are affectively screwed.

We do have ONE thing in our favor. Industry has spoken. We are LAST in the contract negotiations order. By then, SW, JB/NK and all the rest will be paying what the Big 3 have all decided upon. The “negotiation” for compensation isn’t even needed - it’s industry standard or we shrink into oblivion. You would think that even our union can’t F this up. But, these are the same dudes as last time. I’m sure the NC will come up with less and the LEC/MEC will vote it in and put on the advocating dog and pony. So, in the end, it will take a strike. Not just a strike vote. Not a 30 day cooling off but an ACTUAL days/weeks of no income, PO’d off passengers and pressure from outside forces. I want to strike just to see what might happen. Just to see what is possible. Just to see how much Indigo will do to get the pay carousel back up and running.

Do we dare? Do we have the stomach? Are we a unified pilot base?

JoeFever1

I agree with this except that I don't think it's the pilots that won't strike, rather the rla/mb will never allow it. If SWA wasn't allowed to strike this year, I'm not sure who ever will be released to.