UConnQB14

So here's the deal... I am putting this thread up as a proxy for a buddy who doesn't want to become flame bait but I think he poses an interesting question. One disclaimer, I do not fly professionally currently and do not have the ALPA to worry about personally.

Guy gives up his career in IT because he wants to be an airline pilot. Goes through everything and gets a CFI, etc, builds some time and puts out apps. Pinnacle calls him telling him to go to a bridge program and get some multi.

Here is the kicker. Its pretty clear that Pinnacle is staring a strike in the face in the near future. It seems to be that Pinnacle keeps calling him every other day to ask about the bridge program. Are they calling just to be able to have pilots who are trained to act as scabs during the strike?

If so, what do you advise this person who wants to fly professionally? Will this hurt him when the strike is over and he wants to apply to another carrier, or Pinnacle for that matter?

JetJock16

Simple, NO! They aren't going to hire pilots with the intent of creating a group that can continue to fly when and if their pilot group strikes. First off, they won't have any CA's and if they hire a few street CA's then what, 10 crews are going to fly 100's of daily departures?

Simple, NO! Have your friend COMPLETELY REMOVE THIS FROM HIS MIND.

The reason why they want him to complete a bridge program is so that he (low timer) has a better chance at passing ground. They don't want to bring him in, have him struggle and send him home. This would destroy his career and it cost the airline way too much.

My advice, screw the bridge program and tell them, "take me as I am or I'm going else were." He's paid way to much already to go out and spend another $3K+ to get a job that pays poverty wages for 2+ years (9E FO rates, no offense I know your new contract will fix this problem or at least somewhat).

RickJames

My take: Pinnacle is calling your friend because they need pilots (like everyone else) due to attrition and 'maybe' growth (CR9). From what I understand, HR planning has to plan on best case scenario and if it doesn't work out ie strike etc, well too bad for the new hire -
IMO there is too much turbulence at 9E to want to go there when there are currently better regionals to go to - coupled with the fact that 9E has such a vicious operating environment when it comes to management and labor.

Airsupport

no, they cant even hire enough to cover the flying we have now, let a lone try and build a 1400 pilot side group waiting in the wings for when we walk off the job.

very good post and very correct. pinnacle needs guys now and they need them bad. if you go through the bridge program they can almost count on you passing ground and sim training. they need people they can be almost 100% sure on.


yes, every month they have a vacancy for atl with over 12 capts and 12 fo's. we have dtw captains spots that go unfilled due to no qualified or available bidders. they are trying to hire as many people as possible and feel that if someone is willing to go to the bridge program then they are willing to come to this airline because we are one of the few that will actually hire someone with less than 500 hours.

and yes there is a lot of turbulence here. lots of "what if's" it may be the best time to get on, or we may just be a sinking ship.. i guess we will have to wait till the end to see how this plays out.

rickair7777

As others have said, it is highly unlikely that are they hiring with the intent of staffing a scab cadre.

The issue for a new hire (less than one year's service) is that he is not officially protected by the union in many circumstances. Legally, post-probation union members can strike and not be disciplined for failing to come to work.

But a new-hire is technically not afforded this right...if he joins the strike, the company can (and probably will) fire him. The good news is that this is a normal company tactic, and at the end of the strike, the union will almost certainly negotiate re-instatement of the "fired" probabationers. Effectively, your friend will strike with everyone else, and he will return to work with everyone else...only difference is that he will be technically "fired" during the strike.

But he should NOT cross the picket line under any circumstances...a job at 9E is not worth that, not even close.

UConnQB14

how much does a line cross affect future hiring potential?

Bri85

one of my ex roommates got hired a few months back- barely had the mins, but he took a crj 200 transitioning course. he said he bum the interview but they still picked him up.

wolf

No job is worth that...

As for UConnQB14's "friend" coming to Pinnacle, as others have said it wouldn't be realistic to try to staff an airline with scabs in the present hiring environment. If/when a strike occurs, ALPA has already clearly stated that we will not return to work until all probationary pilots/hostages are reinstated.

That being said, if I was in the situation I would not come to Pinnacle with all this going on. You could technically be fired for something other than striking and have a tough time getting your job back. We could strike while you are still in training and not have a job. Another point that few people mention is that if a strike does happen and both sides fail to quickly resolve it, that could signal the end of Pinnacle Airlines Inc. I don't think that this will happen and I certainly hope not but a strike is a very serious matter signaling the failure of both sides. Unfortunately, we may be reaching the point where a strike is the only viable option. One thing is for sure. This pilot group is not going to settle for a sub par contract. I would hate to lose my job but the fear of that is not going to make me settle for less than a fair contract.

norskman2

Seriously, you don't ever want to even think about it. Not only will you never get hired again, but if even if you do, you'll never be able to jumpseat. Scabs end up on every pilot blacklist for eternity.

wolf

Please tell me you're joking.

Crossing a picket line is not only wrong but is career suicide. As a SCAB, you will not get hired by any union company if there are line pilots involved in the hiring process. You will not be able to jumpseat. If you're lucky enough to get a job, you will be loathed by most people you work with. You might as well have "SCAB" tattooed on your forehead if you cross a picket line.

The RLA (Railway Labor Act) makes it very difficult for pilots to strike and a strike will only occur as a very last resort. Your fellow pilots will not take kindly to anybody who undermines their hard fought efforts in trying to achieve a fair and equitable contract.

If you have any doubts about what you would do if/when a strike occurs, please do not come to Pinnacle. As I've mentioned before, our pilots have already authorized the union to call a legal strike if necessary with over 99% voting in favor. This would not be a good place to cross a picket line... If you still are not convinced, may I suggest Gojets perhaps?