TheProfessionalPilot

What the heck is 9E?

TheProfessionalPilot

So if I got wrongly terminated and ALPA got me back in, would I be entitled to repay for the time i was unemployed? It's not so much a loyalty thing as it is my credit history!! LoL I run on thin ice every month and I'm making a HUGE sacrifice financially to get with Pinnacle which will make it even worse until I upgrade which hopefully happens REALLY soon. I wouldn't have any problems helping out any way I can but I can't live without money (even as small as it may be!). Thoughts?

wolf

9E = Pinnacle Airlines

TheProfessionalPilot

LoL I'm sorry I guess I don't get the correlation between the two... is 9E some sort of coding thing or what? I'm so oblivious to this kind of stuff (go ahead, slay me, I'm a "corporate" guy). I apologize in advance

wolf

No need to apologize, I should have been more clear. All the airlines have two letter codes (Pinnacle=9E, Mesaba=XJ etc.)



I empathize with you. Living without money is one of the big reasons we are fighting so hard for a fair contract. As for your concerns about the uncertainty at Pinnacle I think HIREME said it very well:

TheProfessionalPilot

Thanks for your help... what should I do about my interview? Go through the hoops, and then decline? Or what should I do that could prevent this from being an issue? Is there any light on the horizon to this contract being agreed upon, or will it go another 900 days? Thanks everyone for your help.. I'll check back in tomorrow.

higney85

There are some things you need to realize here folks... This applies to any probationary member- not just PNCL/9E. When there is a legal work action "strike" flying will not be going on. Look at our seniority list- there are many people who have not crossed the 1yr mark but how many CA's? You will be protected during a legal work action. The company is short on pilots and cannot afford to just get rid of you because of a strike and WONT. The main part of the probationary period is to be able to evaluate guys/gals and see if they will keep them around. People occasionally do get fired, but its normally for poor attitude, appearance, performance, or stupidity. If you go to work, do your job, and carry a good attitude you will be fine. The company may "try" to take "hostages" (probys) but that won't last and I don't think there has ever been a documented case where probys were fired during a strike UNLESS they walked the line. The MEC will not let you walk the line so don't worry. If the company does try to term a proby while on strike NOBODY goes back to work until the pilot is reinstated. Nobody gets paid while on a strike but PNCL does have a strike fund and since the majority of the pilot group makes less than $75K a yr we are all entitled to money before a long wait period. I was hearing something that its roughly the same amount as first yr FO guar pay for FO's and about 60% guar for CA's- not much but it will help. Scheduling may call a reserve proby FO and have them report but with no CA or connecting pax nothing will happen as far as flying. Keep in mind that many airlines are coming into contract negotiations within the next year and this is nothing new. Look at PNCL not for the possibility of a strike, but the big picture. Contract negotiations are rough right now and probrably will remain unchanged until the beginning of the year- we have the holidays and a good percentage of the pilot group timing out this year (which only screws mgmt). After the company gets crunched through the holidays I think they will come to the table. The bleeding of FO's and CA's continues. Upgrades are still quick and there is plenty of flying to be had. This is a risk- no doubt- but I don't see this company folding and once there is a contract the bleeding will slow. A strike here would only last a few days before NWA comes down on us since we do roughly 40% of their domestic flying. I will say that if I was looking for a regional job I would look elsewhere UNLESS you have the time to upgrade quick, live in base, or are willing to take some risk. I have my resume up to date and already know where I am sending my stuff IF crap hits the fan. My next move will not be a regional. Good luck with whatever decision you make- keep in mind you need to be offered the job to turn it down. Study hard, worst case you go to the interview for the practice!

Airsupport

wolf and higney hit it right on the head. If you come to work, do your job, have a good time and attitude, and then head to the house, you will be just fine. I am coming up on my 2 year mark in january. i enjoy working here. i have a great schedule, a good number of days off (17 this month including the entire week of thanksgiving), and i only do 2 day trips which means i am sleeping out of my bed a max of 7 times this month. does everyone here have that schedule?? no. new hires get 10 days off, and are on reserve till they can hold a line. when i look back almost 2 years ago it is nice to see how things have changed in my life. i almost have 3000tt, 1500 of that is in the rj, i went from 10 days off reserve, to being able to hold the holidays off, and pretty much get what i ask for on prefbid. seniority changes everything. once you start to get a few people behind you life really improves. ofcourse when i upgrade its back to the bottom of the pile, but with time that will improve too.

HIREME

When I look back, I'm happy that I made the decision I made to come here because it worked and was best AT THE TIME. Looking foward, if I were in your shoes, I don't think I would come here simply b/c of the unknowns...ie:
-When will a contract come and what will it be
-Strike?
-Loss of 15 a/c-more to follow? Does this lead to quick upgrade halting?
-How long can I live life as a reserve capt. at pncl?

There is also possibility for good things:
-A top 3 contract out of negotiations
-no strike
-Recieve more Delta flying down the line and with the new contract, new hires are easy to find meaning quick seniority for me

Sitting where you are, I don't believe I would take the risk IF I had other options (with the exception of Mesa, gojets, etc). Like I said before, Mesaba pays better, has a quick upgrade, better contract, same bases, recieving more a/c etc. I only mention Mesaba in case you're looking for Mem, MSP, or DTW as a base. Hope this helps and good luck in the interview. Make sure you know your stuff going in so that you are the one making the decision and it's not made for you.

norskman2

The remaining 109 CRJs for NW I believe are pretty much locked in under the 10-year service agreement, and it would be difficult for NWA to remove them. The 15 going to Mesaba were covered under a specific portion of the agreement that allowed NWA to move them if a pilots' contract wasn't reached by March 31, 2007, which it wasn't.

The service agreement frees PCL to do the Delta flying, and for any other carrier as well. Although what will happen there is anybody's guess.