irrelevant

Nice one, Cessna. Points to you also Spooledup for the setup.

theaviator,

You might consider doing a search on monster.com or elsewhere to see what's available in your area, or the area you'd prefer to live, if a furlough is imminent. So many at Comair talk about how they dislike being based in CVG or JFK...here's an opportunity to change that.

There are still employers out there who prefer college degrees, and don't have a strong preference for what those degrees are in. That's where I'd suggest starting, instead of looking at it as "an aviation degree is worthless". Most people who have a college degree aren't working in the area of expertise their degree is in anyway.

Don't focus on what you can't do, focus on what you can. Or to put it another way, argue for your limitations and they will become yours.

I fly with a lot of pilots who tell me "This is all I've ever done, I don't know how to do anything else." To them I say this:

As airline pilots, so many skills and abilities become so ingrained in our nature over time, we forget we have them. Let me remind you about some of the skills and abilities you have that you may not realize...

You have the ability to multitask.

You have the ability to follow complicated written procedures precisely.

You have the ability to work in a team environment.

You have the ability to evaluate situations and make good decisions based on the information you've collected.

You have demonstrated a level of high responsibility for a multi million dollar piece of equipment.

You have the ability to work under pressure.

You have the ability to remain professional when dealing with the public.

You have the ability to represent your employer in a positive manner when the customer's perception of your employer is poor.

You have the ability to lead when necessary, and follow when appropriate.

You can dress in a professional manner.

You understand what "professionalism" means...at least most of us.

You have a demonstrated ability to function at a high level of autonomy in a complex environment, yet the still know when to recognize and utilize help when it is required.

YOU HAVE A DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

I put that in caps because it is critical in the business world. A wise Comair pilot once shared with me the following:

"One is paid commensurate with one's ability to solve problems."

These are some of the skills and abilities we use every day as airline pilots. As a business owner, I can tell you without reservation that these skills have value in the business world.

For those of us who are young, and starting out with a lot of debt, business ownership may not be an option at this point, but for those who are in a stronger financial position may benefit from looking at owning a business. There are headaches, to be sure, but there are rewards as well.

Early in my career as an airline pilot I used to ask "What kind of job does everyone do when they're not flying?" There's not a lot of good options for part time work with the profession we are employed in because of the schedules. Owning your own business gives you control of the schedule, and gives you the opportunity to work when you have time available.

For those who have an interest in owning a business, but don't really know where to start, check this out. Someday perhaps I'll be worthy of the PM function, and I'd be happy to answer questions for those who are interested in business ownership.

And no, I'm talking about real business ownership...not get rich quick, sign up with me and you'll be successful schemes. I have nothing to sell.

In summary...don't sell yourself short. Though Comair actively works to devalue the skills and abilities you bring to their operation, those skills have tremendous value nonetheless.

How many other employers out there can claim to have a workforce of 1477 scattered throughout the U.S. directly responsible to only eight supervisors?

You are an asset that has value outside the airline industry.

byebyeairlines

Wow, That was so well said. I hear that on the line myself all the time and it made me wonder why we sell ourselves so short. I've bought and sold (for a profit) two businesses in my short 8.5 years at Comair and enjoyed every bit of it. I am glad you pointed out a pilot's massive amount of talents to those who may feel "all I can do is fly." That thought process is not only wrong, it is very dangerous to your great earning potential through out your life. Most of a person's money will most likely be earned outside of this industry. I got started owning businesses through research of others who have done it. I hung around successful people (most of them not pilots). In short, every pilot at our level has a massive amout of talent outside the cockpit. Find yours!

CTPILOT

A380 will be at JFK at 4pm, will provide for some excitement, PAPD is everywhere. well my ready will be interesting.

CRJDriver

CVG CR7/9 September Bid Packets are out...

August Estimated Block Time: 7802.13
September Estimated Block Time: 7434.61
-----------------------------------------
Difference - 367.97

Min Line Value: 76
Max Line Value: 87

Bid Packet Comments:
Beginning Sept 2nd, training will commence to realign our staffing to the projected block hours coming in the fall. We will be releasing a training and transfer schedule on EPIC once the training plan has finalized. We expect to gradually furlough through Nov in order to get to the 291 headcount target announced in the displacement bid 2008-05. As always, if programs related to voluntary furloughs, early-out, etc. become available, then we will reevaluate the number of displacement/furloughs moving forward.

-Changing over to 6xxx flight numbers next month.
-Taking over JFK-IAH in CR9 from Freedom.
-More routes out of ATL (PIT, MKE, BHM, SAT, DAY, MEM, etc.)

cessna126

Whats the deal with 6xxx flight numbers? Whats CHQ gonna use?

tvpilot

been there done that....

RiddleEagle18

They cnx the displacement bid!!!

W T F? I hope this is good news!!

TO: Comair Pilots
FROM: Scott Miller, Director of Crewmember Services
RE: Update on Displacement Bid and Furloughs
Due to the ongoing volatility of the fall flight schedule, we are postponing the Pilot
Displacement Bid 2008-05. The bid that closed on July 28th will be cancelled and another bid
will be released in the future. We will also update the number of pilot furloughs next week.
The change in our block hours from September through the end of the year is another example of
the fluid environment we’re in. We must prepare ourselves the best we can for these schedule
fluctuations to continue, especially since Comair’s ability to adapt to these adjustments is
incredibly valuable in our partnership with Delta.
We recognize the importance of open communication, especially when changes affect the lives
of our crewmembers. Additional information will be shared as soon as the details are finalized.

RiddleEagle18

the decrease is almost entirely due to the fact that Sept is a 30 day month, so that is good!!

7802/31 = 251 per day
7434/30 = 247 per day

Considering this is supposed to be the begging of the huge reduction those are good numbers. (Although I guess the biggest reductions will be on the 50)

BlueMoon

30 day vs a 31 day month...not bad, I was suspecting a bloodbath...hopefuly the 50 holds up better

BlueMoon

You beat me by a couple seconds