767pilot

Who is trying to?

Toast1927

When the company announces a furlough number of 300 and our union comes back a few months later and says the number is closer to 400-450 I have to wonder.

I don't care if the union number is correct, it is the company's job to announce furlough numbers. When the Union does the company's job I have to wonder if our EB is in bed with the managers, the over 60 crowd has gone to the EB complaining about all the young whipper snappers up in ANC, or if our EB is just really that stupid. Either way it doesn't give me a warm fuzzy.

767pilot

YGBSM. Since when does the union have the power to furlough anyone? Do you really think that they are in bed or are you just on hallucinogenic drugs? It is the company's job to announce furloughs, and when the time comes that's where you'll hear it. Try decaf.

Toast1927

I'm on drugs? Obviously you have been a 767 captain for too long. Now I could be wrong, but here is what I think is going to go down in the next few months. The company has announced 300 furloughs, the IPA, in talks with the company learn that the real # is 400 and decide to do the company's job and break this news to us via AM's video. The added $ needed to extend the MOU will not be found. Through some high level "talks" the company and union agree to furlough 200, each side calling a victory because they only had to furlough 200 instead of 400. When 200 was the number all along.

Every Pax pilot on this board has seen the exact same tactics on the passenger side of things. (Threat of furlough, concessions, furlough, BK, more concessions, more furlough) The only difference is our MOU which bought us some time, and UPS doesn't need to waste time with the whole BK thing. I am pretty sure we could drop 150-175 FO's out of ANC on APR 1st without missing a beat.

767pilot

what does my time in the left seat have to do with it? Anyway, I'm not going to argue with any of your scenario, I find it quite plauable excpet when you say that w ebrought the higher number to the company's attention. The company knows all to well how fat we are. I don't know how long you have been here, buit history has shown that we never agree with the company's numbers on anything. When the company came out with the 300 number, and the union agreed, I knew that the real number had to have been higher.

I'm not sure why you see a conspiracy on the part of the IPA. What would the point of that be?

dozer

As soon as there is the mere perception of a rebound in the piloting profession, the amount of training will skyrocket to MORE than cover any retirements. The data on retirements shows that it will be at least 5-10 yrs before they really add up to much. Thats plenty of time to enroll in the aviation college of your choice and be ready to take any low-paying regional or CFI gig that MIGHT be available.

SkyHigh

The biggest problem with our profession, aside from the fact that most of us seem eager to do the job for free, is that it really does not take all that much of an investment to get into.

A barber has to spend a year and a half of day long instruction and observation before they can give someone a flat top. It takes an electrician 2 to 4 years of apprenticeship before they can legally install an outlet for hire. However it only takes three months and a small stack of king tapes to go from zero to a commercial multi-engine pilot.

If there really is a pilot shortage the airlines I am sure will cry for thew Multi- Crew License and will gain the right to train new pilots in even less time. New pilots can be stamped out by the thousands in a matter of months if need be. There is no value in the profession anymore.

Skyhigh

ToiletDuck

ummmmm what?

NoHandHold

Give the guy a break, it was 2am when he posted that. Me thinks he was under the influence.

swaayze

Actually he's right. It was sign on the line for a flight training loan, head to ALL ATP's or whatever quickie joint you find and 90 days later you'd be interviewing for a regional job (obviously it won't be that easy again for a while).

The pain and commitment ("investment") all come later when it's too late....