HIREME

Pro Pilot..I've been here a little over 2 years. I will tell you that I like my job. The management has a different philosophy that is verbally pilot friendly but backed up with anti-pilot action such as completely circumventing labor agreements if it is convienient to them. Realize if you come here, we are about to take a strike authorization vote and relationships b/t management and labor is getting increasingly hostile, so there is a gamble if you come. Specifically, you could be on probation during a strike. The pilot group will stand by you, but it would not be a position I would want to be in...basically, if you have a choice and can make an informed decision, would you really want to throw yourself into this fight? Especially when Mesaba has the same bases, is growing, and is the new favored son of NW...I think you would get a reasonably quick upgrade there as well with the new planes comming on and PNCL still scheduled to lose 15 a/c to Mesaba. Hope this helps. PM me with any questions.

norskman2

This may be kind of a dumb question, but what are the risks of being a probationary FO during a strike?

GliderCFI

Apparently the union refuses to settle on anything if we strike until every probationary striking FO gets their job back...at least that's what's being tossed around.

HIREME

Probation means that the company may fire you without ALPA stepping in. IOW, members of ALPA are protected when they picket and take other legal work actions (ie. approved strike). When on probation, you do not necessarily have that protection. What we (ALPA) at PNCL will do is continue a strike until all fired during the strike are re-hired. But why put yourself in that situation? What if we lose flying during the strike? Still think they'll rehire? Why come to PNCL if you are looking for a job? Quick upgrade? Many comp.'s have that. We have the worst pay for fo's in the industry. While you are "Guaranteed" 10 days off a month, the company can extend you into days off and make a healthy practice of doing that-especially with junior captains- as well as junior manning-taking days off away for operational necessity. Comming to pncl was right for me b/c of the timing-Mesaba went bankrupt shortly after I came here and I really needed Mem as a base. It's all about timing and environment. If I'm looking for a job now I pick somewhere else because of where the company is at this time in terms of business decisions and the environment b/t management and workers is worse than I've seen it in my 2+ years here.

norskman2

HireMe,

Good stuff to know. Thanks!

jfrabell

Not sure this follows the thread...moderate me if you must!!

HireMe...you've made me paranoid. I've been on line with PNCL for about six weeks. I've been thinking the only way to get a new contract is a strike. I'm all the way behind my fellow pilots on this, BUT...

It never occured to me that during probation I can be fired during a strike for no reason at all. I suppose I knew, but never thought about it.

Should I start sending out resume's again? Is a strike still 11 months away?

What to do...

wolf

Don't worry about it. There's not much you can do about it anyway. This was something that also concerned me when I was a probie so I feel your pain.

Although it's painfully obvious that management is negotiating in bad faith and that things are probably going to turn down right hostile around here very soon, I think it will unfortunately be a while before we are allowed to strike. When the time comes, you will have built up a fair amount of 121 turbine time (if you didn't already have it before coming here) and will have proven that you can pass a 121 training program. You should be in a good position to get hired by another company if needed. Being terminated for taking part in a legal strike should not be of concern. No future employer that you would want to work for should hold this against you knowing the life long consequences associated with the only other option during a strike - being a scab.

Remember that the union has said that if any probationary pilots are taken hostage/terminated during a strike, the union will remain out on strike until those pilots are reinstated.

I know it's disconcerting to have all this going on while you are on probation but keep your nose clean, remain professional and try not to worry about it too much. Take care.

HercDriver130

Has management at ANY company fired probie pilots in trying to get them to cross the lines... or perhaps the real question is.... if they did, have the unions always secured their re-employment after the fact.

TheProfessionalPilot

Am I going to be considered a SCAB if I'm a new-hire? Just curious. I'm not looking to lose my current job so I can go here, and then lose this job because I didn't want to stand out. How long do you have to wait before you are eligible for union benefits anyways if it isn't right away?

wolf

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. There is no requirement to take part in picketing or any other ALPA organized activity whilst on probation (or even after probation for that matter). In fact while you are on probation you are strongly discouraged from picketing although you could assist in a less conspicuous manner behind the scenes if you wish. Probation is your first 365 days from the first day you attended ground school. During your probationary period, there is very little ALPA can do to protect you should the company decide to terminate your employment. However as I mentioned in my earlier post, the union has indicated that if the company wrongly terminates probationary pilots during a strike, we will remain on strike until their employment is reinstated.

If you are asking about crossing a picket line to provide your services to the company during a strike then the unequivocal answer is yes, that makes you a scab. Probationary pilot or not, going to work while your fellow pilots are on strike would make you a scab. As other posters have mentioned, the RLA makes it very difficult for pilots to strike. Undermining the efforts of your fellow pilots to achieve a fair contract would not be looked upon kindly.

If you are harboring any doubts at all as to what choice you would make if confronted by a strike while still on probation, please do not even consider coming to 9E until this matter is resolved.