Piedmont Airlines News & Rumors
03-10-2019, 11:32 AM
#3511
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 61
You’re going to have to go somewhere non WO for that it seems.
Last year “designated leakers” (union or management designated... you can decide for yourself) hyped up the gains the pilot group was going to get in the new TA on the eve of summer flying in order to keep people hopeful and stay and to help keep people coming in the door. The union gleefully delivered a TA on behalf of management and their union busting consultants that was completely concessionary and a waste of time, and should have resulted in the MEC leadership becoming line pilots, experiencing 11 days off with the rest of the group.
The same thing is now happening again after a wave of people submitted their resignations and the recruiters are searching far and wide to get any qualified applicant in the door and having severe difficulties. It’s funny because when you talk to the folks in the union who do the negotiations, they’ll openly state that there’s been no negotiations since the TA came out. Then folks not associated with the union negotiators start saying “there’s a big secret negotiation going on, very hush hush” with the goal giving the group some hope and keeping people from taking that huge pay bump to go to Frontier or Spirit or ATI or JetBlue or SWA or Fedex in order to stay here for another 3-8 years until they flow.. and it works.
I personally know individuals who have turned down Spirit, JetBlue and Fedex to stay for at Piedmont to flow in more than two years. Part of me dies inside every time I hear it.
This summer will come and go without any big changes. It won’t be until big brother Envoy experiences trouble filling classes (they’ve got a 175, more bases and better scheduling ability) that AA will make some “just enough” change that benefits certain members of the pilot group more so than others because it’s a cheaper than improving things for the whole group.
Last year “designated leakers” (union or management designated... you can decide for yourself) hyped up the gains the pilot group was going to get in the new TA on the eve of summer flying in order to keep people hopeful and stay and to help keep people coming in the door. The union gleefully delivered a TA on behalf of management and their union busting consultants that was completely concessionary and a waste of time, and should have resulted in the MEC leadership becoming line pilots, experiencing 11 days off with the rest of the group.
The same thing is now happening again after a wave of people submitted their resignations and the recruiters are searching far and wide to get any qualified applicant in the door and having severe difficulties. It’s funny because when you talk to the folks in the union who do the negotiations, they’ll openly state that there’s been no negotiations since the TA came out. Then folks not associated with the union negotiators start saying “there’s a big secret negotiation going on, very hush hush” with the goal giving the group some hope and keeping people from taking that huge pay bump to go to Frontier or Spirit or ATI or JetBlue or SWA or Fedex in order to stay here for another 3-8 years until they flow.. and it works.
I personally know individuals who have turned down Spirit, JetBlue and Fedex to stay for at Piedmont to flow in more than two years. Part of me dies inside every time I hear it.
This summer will come and go without any big changes. It won’t be until big brother Envoy experiences trouble filling classes (they’ve got a 175, more bases and better scheduling ability) that AA will make some “just enough” change that benefits certain members of the pilot group more so than others because it’s a cheaper than improving things for the whole group.
03-10-2019, 11:54 AM
#3512
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 264
AA, being so heavily flow dependent, knows they have quite a few prospective pilots flowing up the pipe to mainline. But they seriously risk bringing in poor candidates with these conditions. Or very few new prospects who simply cannot risk being sidelined so long waiting for training and then poor hourly accrual. How anyone could have a family and endure so much time away is a big question.
Just a thought
03-10-2019, 11:56 AM
#3513
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Posts: 110
I agree. Summer will be here soon. I for one will not be working any vacations this year any not flying one hour for any premium. We are the duck tape and spit holding this circus together. Maybe flying your line and spending your precious off time with family. Or by yourself, would help combat the serious fatigue issues these schedules impart on our pilot group
Just a thought
Just a thought
03-10-2019, 12:37 PM
#3514
Banned
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 761
Accepting something below your worth hurts you and all your colleagues. By doing so you undercut everyones hard work. And in my book, undercutting fellow pilots makes you a scab. Don't be a scab, know your worth.
Not only are you undercutting everything we stand for, you're helping out the enemy. Sounds harsh, but what else is someone who makes you miss important family time and events, doesn't care about your well being, and doesn't compensate you well? Or even compensate you correctly for the work you've done. And all this by CHOICE! Never forget that it doesn't have to be this way. They could easily change things, but for some reason they don't. Must be because they like it this way. That means, they like us miserable I guess.
03-10-2019, 12:46 PM
#3515
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2015
Posts: 177
My apps are current and polished, interview prep complete, several offers on the table from LCCs and cargo. I am getting out of this place.
Piedmont is good for nothing anyone wants in a regional
1.) You don't build time. Low credit lines, rot in hotel rooms, 11 days off a month. AWFUL
2.) You don't make money. Low credit lines at lowest industry pay rates means you will be poor. Have fun telling your family that the reason you are away is because you are out being compensated poorly. No justification. AWFUL
3.) Your schedule is not your schedule. You are reserve. Constant extensions that they try to not pay you for. They try to not give you credit for extensions so they can illegally extend you many more times than contractually allowed. Union doesn't have your back on this. AWFUL
4.) Crap contract. No real protections. Holes everywhere that allow the company to do basically what they want. The language that is half decent will be violated by the company unless you put up a fight. Did I say AWFUL?
Steer clear if you can, and get out if you already made the mistake of coming here. It. Is. AWFUL
Piedmont is good for nothing anyone wants in a regional
1.) You don't build time. Low credit lines, rot in hotel rooms, 11 days off a month. AWFUL
2.) You don't make money. Low credit lines at lowest industry pay rates means you will be poor. Have fun telling your family that the reason you are away is because you are out being compensated poorly. No justification. AWFUL
3.) Your schedule is not your schedule. You are reserve. Constant extensions that they try to not pay you for. They try to not give you credit for extensions so they can illegally extend you many more times than contractually allowed. Union doesn't have your back on this. AWFUL
4.) Crap contract. No real protections. Holes everywhere that allow the company to do basically what they want. The language that is half decent will be violated by the company unless you put up a fight. Did I say AWFUL?
Steer clear if you can, and get out if you already made the mistake of coming here. It. Is. AWFUL
03-10-2019, 03:08 PM
#3516
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 616
Premium and double.... What are these words? Not worth my time or yours.
Accepting something below your worth hurts you and all your colleagues. By doing so you undercut everyones hard work. And in my book, undercutting fellow pilots makes you a scab. Don't be a scab, know your worth.
Not only are you undercutting everything we stand for, you're helping out the enemy. Sounds harsh, but what else is someone who makes you miss important family time and events, doesn't care about your well being, and doesn't compensate you well? Or even compensate you correctly for the work you've done. And all this by CHOICE! Never forget that it doesn't have to be this way. They could easily change things, but for some reason they don't. Must be because they like it this way. That means, they like us miserable I guess.
Accepting something below your worth hurts you and all your colleagues. By doing so you undercut everyones hard work. And in my book, undercutting fellow pilots makes you a scab. Don't be a scab, know your worth.
Not only are you undercutting everything we stand for, you're helping out the enemy. Sounds harsh, but what else is someone who makes you miss important family time and events, doesn't care about your well being, and doesn't compensate you well? Or even compensate you correctly for the work you've done. And all this by CHOICE! Never forget that it doesn't have to be this way. They could easily change things, but for some reason they don't. Must be because they like it this way. That means, they like us miserable I guess.
03-10-2019, 03:27 PM
#3517
Banned
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 761
Wow sounds almost like slavery and indentured servitude. Why do you stay since you are so vehemently against Piedmont? Might I suggest SkyWest? They have no union so you won’t have to worry about hating that aspect of your job. Lots of bases. There’s a few others as well. Good luck and keep an eye on that blood pressure. I enjoy being treated like dirt!
I should either shut up and be happy that we are at the bottom of just about every metric in the regional industry like you, or give up a guaranteed job at AA in a year and go to another regional. That's the price I have to pay to speak my mind? Does that sound logical to you? Seriously I want to know the exact price that you put on being able to tell it how it is. I want to understand this line of thinking.
Besides, it's a really tired little quip that you Piedmont apologists like to throw around. Seriously, I've had that said to me at least twenty times the past year on here. It's a false dichotomy.
Also worth noting I didn't say anything about our union so I don't even know where the central point of your argument even came from
Last edited by MantisToboggan; 03-10-2019 at 03:45 PM.
03-10-2019, 03:47 PM
#3518
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 616
Well that escalated quickly.
I should either shut up and be happy that we are at the bottom of just about every metric in the regional industry like you, or give up a guaranteed job at AA in a year and go to another regional. That's the price I have to pay to speak my mind? Does that sound logical to you? Seriously I want to know the exact price that you put on being able to tell it how it is. I want to understand this line of thinking.
Besides, it's a really tired little quip that you Piedmont apologists like to throw around. Seriously, I've had that said to me at least twenty times the past year on here.
Also worth noting I didn't say anything about our union so I don't even know where the central point of your argument even came from
I should either shut up and be happy that we are at the bottom of just about every metric in the regional industry like you, or give up a guaranteed job at AA in a year and go to another regional. That's the price I have to pay to speak my mind? Does that sound logical to you? Seriously I want to know the exact price that you put on being able to tell it how it is. I want to understand this line of thinking.
Besides, it's a really tired little quip that you Piedmont apologists like to throw around. Seriously, I've had that said to me at least twenty times the past year on here.
Also worth noting I didn't say anything about our union so I don't even know where the central point of your argument even came from
03-10-2019, 03:51 PM
#3519
Banned
Joined APC: Feb 2016
Posts: 761
My bad on the union part, all the complaint posts blend together to me. I just notice you rail against the company very frequently on here. Not saying you shouldn’t just seems to be a broken record is all. I sincerely hope you find happiness at AA, every place has its issues, even AA, Delta, and United..
I know every place has its problems, that's for sure. I enjoy the flying, and I have fun at work. We have a great group of people working here and that's what makes it worth it. But it leaves much to be desired and I want that known
03-10-2019, 04:09 PM
#3520
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2016
Posts: 616
I firmly believe that if we don't let prospective pilots, and generally the industry know that this place sucks, nothing will change. Management reads this, don't kid yourself. When people decided it was a good idea to rail on a certain CA, they took note. As did the union. That's why I say guys should never post identifying info on here.
I know every place has its problems, that's for sure. I enjoy the flying, and I have fun at work. We have a great group of people working here and that's what makes it worth it. But it leaves much to be desired and I want that known
I know every place has its problems, that's for sure. I enjoy the flying, and I have fun at work. We have a great group of people working here and that's what makes it worth it. But it leaves much to be desired and I want that known
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
