thrustsetrj200

I'm surprised that you're surprised! lol. I have only been here about 2 years and I am no longer surprised by anything

Avroman

I'm surprised they finally are offering TOWOP but yet still won't offer any HTL's. But as for the overall direction of this company, no I'm not surprised one bit. I was surprised when we were sent the additional 15 er make that 5 er well ok so that too wasn't really surprising.

Diver Driver

lol... everyone in the pool really got hosed on that deal.

FR8DWGIE

What about everyone that actually got hired and went to class because of those airplanes, and now are getting furloughed again for the 2nd or 3rd time in their careers? Talk about getting hosed.

jaded

Amen to that.

Coehill

With pilots at Mesaba officially being on the street as of August 4th,

I am wondering what people think about picking up extra time while people are on the furlough? Or if people are even thinking about it?...

Josher9er

I won't be doing it.

I have always been one to pick up OT (not because I want to, but the bills have to get paid). I have picked up at least 1 day of OT EVERY month since I was hired at Mesaba. Furloughs were announced in July so that was the first month I did not pick anything up. August will be the second, and so on...until everyone is called back.

xjcaptain

I certainly feel bad for those who are gong be be furloughed, maybe for a 2nd or 3rd time, and I know ALPA discourages people from picking up open time with people on furlough. However, I certainly see a double standard in that they voted in age 65 which cost each and every one of us countless thousands of dollars, and years of career progression. They weren't too concerned about the will of the membership in that case, and I feel it hypocritical of them to encourage people not to pick up time....even if it isn't an official policy. I think they unfortunately set the standard that it's all about #1. This is a job. I am here for only 1 reason, and that is to support my family, and if that means picking up a trip so be it.

EvilGN

shouldnt matter what alpa thinks about picking up open time....when your brothers are on the street, do not pick it up. All you are doing is showing the company that even though they may be understaffed at some point....the pilot group will cover their butts. But this only works when everyone as a whole doesn't pick it up, then forcing the companies hand (using all of its reserves for example) thus making the company recall whatever they think is necessary to cover the shortage.
xjcaptain, this entire post is NOT aimed at your comment, just the part about ALPA.

For any first timers at the company who read this, it is the unwritten rule not to pick up open time when you have fellow pilots on the street. However I realize in today's day and age, with all the Generation ME types floating around, I would be shocked if XJ pilots actually did totally refuse to pick up open time.

xjcaptain

How many guys are furloughed nationwide directly due to the age 65 fiasco? ALPA polled the "membership", didn't like the result, polled them again, still didn't like it so they did what they wanted anyway. Then claimed they "had to" switch to the "winning" side because they were going to lose.....?

Set's a great example when negotiating with the company. If it's going to be a hard fight, just hold tight because ALPA will fold. Trust me the company takes note of these internal battles.

As long as the age 60+ are collecting their paycheck guilt-free at the detriment of all the furloughs, a couple hours either way is just meaningless. ALPA was short on funds, and it made better sense for them to collect dues for another 5 years at the highest rates rather than from the bottom 5 year pilots that would have replaced them. Might help in the short term, but then the cycle will continue. ALPA made a financial decision that was in THEIR best interest, as should any other pilot.