ASA PBS agreed to
09-15-2009, 02:01 AM
#71
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Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: standing-by
Posts: 287
PBS is overall a good thing. The initial transition to PBS can be painful because it is very efficient and needs less pilots, but as far as scheduling goes it is great.
I hear guys saying how PBS screws everyone except the most senior Pilots - how can that be? The same amount of trips flown each month as before but now every pilot has more control over their schedule.
If you are junior before PBS you do not have much control but if you are junior after PBS you should at least be able to get specific days off. Obviously a junior guy will not be getting off on holidays or most weekends but that is no different then before PBS. When you just consider that the same rotations will be flown before PBS as after PBS, but now you have more options in selecting them, you will see it is a scheduling plus.
You are obviously going to hear good and bad about PBS prior to actually using it - keep an open mind and decide for yourself once you use it. One more thing - there are a lot less guys on reserve with PBS - more lineholders which is a good thing.
Scoop
I hear guys saying how PBS screws everyone except the most senior Pilots - how can that be? The same amount of trips flown each month as before but now every pilot has more control over their schedule.
If you are junior before PBS you do not have much control but if you are junior after PBS you should at least be able to get specific days off. Obviously a junior guy will not be getting off on holidays or most weekends but that is no different then before PBS. When you just consider that the same rotations will be flown before PBS as after PBS, but now you have more options in selecting them, you will see it is a scheduling plus.
You are obviously going to hear good and bad about PBS prior to actually using it - keep an open mind and decide for yourself once you use it. One more thing - there are a lot less guys on reserve with PBS - more lineholders which is a good thing.
Scoop
09-15-2009, 05:23 AM
#72
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Captain, CRJ-200, ASA
Posts: 876
I Agree, so far I see nothing we are getting in return that even comes close to the loss of qol for taking pbs. Fix the open time? Big deal we could fix that in the next contract. And what open time with pbs, don't forget that is what pbs does it eliminates most open time. Forget about improving your line or building it up to 95 hours unless your very senior. And just like the used car salesman telling you "better act now I have another guy with a deposit on this car" the company telling us we will grow like crazy is a joke. But hey they already have John P. spreading the word! Now a clause with guaranteed flying is something to look at but a rumor, Please. All I see so far is working more days per year/shorter vacations, less pay buy not being able to build up my line, less control over my schedule/overnights.
We have the best contract in the industry. Our high cost is keeping us from growing, which further hurts our costs. We can either give major concessions in negotiations, or give minor concessions in PBS now.
This is important, because it will help get our costs inline with other comparable carriers (mainly SkyWest). Do you want ASA to be the next Comair? I don't.
PS, loved the cheap shot on FI. Maybe you should join the discussion on the ASA ALPA board and stand behind your opposition, instead of making guerrilla terrorist attacks while hiding behind a screen name.
Regardless, I'm not being a used car salesman. I'm telling you from an informed viewpoint that I think this is good for us, good for ASA, and that I think our pilots should simply give it a chance before automatically voting no.
09-15-2009, 05:25 AM
#73
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Captain, CRJ-200, ASA
Posts: 876
Our DCA with DAL opens up next year, and SkyWest will very likely be taking cuts in profit margin since we aren't even close to the "second from the bottom" cost target.
09-15-2009, 05:29 AM
#74
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Captain, CRJ-200, ASA
Posts: 876
Jerry Atkins stopped by our groundschool class to chat last fall(ATR peeps in jetschool) He said ASA payrates are not a problem in regards to the high cost. The linebidding system was the problem, especially at the beginning of the month due to the conflicts. He said that was costing the company a ton of money.
They are trying to get ASA inline with SKW cost wise. PBS maybe one of the final pieces to the puzzle.
They are trying to get ASA inline with SKW cost wise. PBS maybe one of the final pieces to the puzzle.
09-15-2009, 05:59 AM
#78
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: Captain, CRJ-200, ASA
Posts: 876
Well Marc, "know it alls" like me are working hard to get the furloughees back by getting this company to a position where can grow. I do know one thing, and that's if we shoot this deal down, we will not be in a favorable cost position to win any RFPs. I know for a fact that ASA HAD to get this deal done before October 1. It has nothing to do with the union elections, it has to do with bidding on the UAL RFPs.
09-15-2009, 06:07 AM
#79
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Joined APC: Jan 2009
Position: CRJ-200 First Officer
Posts: 262
Whichever way the vote goes I hope it helps bring back the furloughed guys/gals sooner, if PBS does that then great.
However, even if we do vote PBS in and it helps bring our costs inline with Skywest I still think we will continually lose in new RFPs because our performance numbers aren't as good as an airline like Pinnacle and we cost significantly more. Why would Delta or anyone else choose us?
Everyone should approach PBS with an open mind, learn about it, and then make an educated vote.
However, even if we do vote PBS in and it helps bring our costs inline with Skywest I still think we will continually lose in new RFPs because our performance numbers aren't as good as an airline like Pinnacle and we cost significantly more. Why would Delta or anyone else choose us?
Everyone should approach PBS with an open mind, learn about it, and then make an educated vote.
09-15-2009, 06:08 AM
#80
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2008
Posts: 326
Well Marc, "know it alls" like me are working hard to get the furloughees back by getting this company to a position where can grow. I do know one thing, and that's if we shoot this deal down, we will not be in a favorable cost position to win any RFPs. I know for a fact that ASA HAD to get this deal done before October 1. It has nothing to do with the union elections, it has to do with bidding on the UAL RFPs.
Personally, I'm all for PBS. But if the TA is a pile of crap then it doesn't matter what deadline is looming. Until the details are out, everything in between is speculation.
<PM and personal flamebait removed> Ah, beat me to it.
Last edited by gtechpilot; 09-15-2009 at 06:39 AM. Reason: flamebait
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