Eagle Life
01-14-2013, 11:05 AM
#6021
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 366
A couple paragraphs taken from our latest MEC news blast:
"Despite this small relief caused by the removal of the 135s and ATRs, immediate action is required, or we are likely to face a staffing shortage of historic proportions. Further exacerbating our staffing shortage will be the implementation of much needed new Flight Time – Duty Time rules in January 2014. In mid-to-late 2014, we could be implementing a Preferential Bidding System that would slightly alleviate staffing pressure. Suffice it to say, there are going to be some growing pains as we ramp up recruitment, implement a major contract revision, negotiate and potentially implement PBS, and comply with a significant change to flight time and duty time regulations.
Eagle is not the only regional airline feeling this pain. Contrary to recent press articles and comments by mainline public relations “experts,” many regionals are now missing recruitment targets and are unable to create an applicant pool due to the lack of pilot applicants who meet the new Congressional pilot employment requirements. While mainline carriers want the public to think this is not affecting them, this is simply untrue. American Airlines receives from its regional network over two billion dollars in connect revenue each year. If American is unable to maintain or grow that regional network due to a lack of qualified pilots, then it will lose connecting customers and the associated revenue, and will simply have fewer customers."
Sounds like something you would expect to hear from management instead of a message from our MEC chairman. Good thing we voted in that concessionary contract!
"Despite this small relief caused by the removal of the 135s and ATRs, immediate action is required, or we are likely to face a staffing shortage of historic proportions. Further exacerbating our staffing shortage will be the implementation of much needed new Flight Time – Duty Time rules in January 2014. In mid-to-late 2014, we could be implementing a Preferential Bidding System that would slightly alleviate staffing pressure. Suffice it to say, there are going to be some growing pains as we ramp up recruitment, implement a major contract revision, negotiate and potentially implement PBS, and comply with a significant change to flight time and duty time regulations.
Eagle is not the only regional airline feeling this pain. Contrary to recent press articles and comments by mainline public relations “experts,” many regionals are now missing recruitment targets and are unable to create an applicant pool due to the lack of pilot applicants who meet the new Congressional pilot employment requirements. While mainline carriers want the public to think this is not affecting them, this is simply untrue. American Airlines receives from its regional network over two billion dollars in connect revenue each year. If American is unable to maintain or grow that regional network due to a lack of qualified pilots, then it will lose connecting customers and the associated revenue, and will simply have fewer customers."
Sounds like something you would expect to hear from management instead of a message from our MEC chairman. Good thing we voted in that concessionary contract!
01-14-2013, 11:06 AM
#6022
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 332
Is that a fact or just rumor mill?
01-14-2013, 11:08 AM
#6023
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 332
In relation to staffing, you have likely heard that Eagle is not meeting its pilot recruitment targets. We have begun working with management on a comprehensive program to bolster our recruitment, as well as assist our senior pilots who elect to transition to AA. We do not yet know whether an agreement will be reached but we are working diligently on this front and hope to have some news for you shortly.
01-14-2013, 11:19 AM
#6024
Moderator
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B757/767
Posts: 13,088
If they hire 600 this year, and they might pull it off, you would not notice you left. They MAY put out a fleet plan and 170/crj900 announcement here soon to help hiring (just my guess, because its logical, however I am a dot and dont know anything).
If it starts moving it will compound and only help them find people. The world has not completely stopped making pilots, however the supply is drying, so whoever gets the 1500 hour pilots will still be ok.
If you were near the bottom it could be a minor difference overall coming back, esp with the post above mine.
Either way I wish you the best, I feel for you big time. My Mom died of cancer 6 months after I started at Eagle. I was juggling a boat ton in my life, and as everyone on this forum knows, I was LUCKY I got NY out of training and stayed near home, otherwise I most likely would have quit too.
If it starts moving it will compound and only help them find people. The world has not completely stopped making pilots, however the supply is drying, so whoever gets the 1500 hour pilots will still be ok.
If you were near the bottom it could be a minor difference overall coming back, esp with the post above mine.
Either way I wish you the best, I feel for you big time. My Mom died of cancer 6 months after I started at Eagle. I was juggling a boat ton in my life, and as everyone on this forum knows, I was LUCKY I got NY out of training and stayed near home, otherwise I most likely would have quit too.
01-14-2013, 12:01 PM
#6025
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Position: Left seat
Posts: 273
Pretty simple, increase starting pay to a livable wage and maybe i would apply. I already recieved an email from Eagle asking me to update and re-submit an application i did years ago. If you want experienced and qualified pilots you need to pay,these regional airlines are about to recieve a big lesson on supply and demand.
01-14-2013, 02:56 PM
#6027
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Errplanes
Posts: 367
01-14-2013, 03:51 PM
#6028
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Position: Left seat
Posts: 273
No, it's actually opposite. They will need us more than we need them. It really is a different situation than in years past now, i don't know the last time you visited a flight school but there are basically no American citizens flight training anymore. Yes, they are still there but not like the past. Most commercial students are from other countries under contract from there home country airlines, get their ratings and head home. Does anyone else agree with me or am i talking out of my a$$?
01-14-2013, 04:13 PM
#6029
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 853
No, it's actually opposite. They will need us more than we need them. It really is a different situation than in years past now, i don't know the last time you visited a flight school but there are basically no American citizens flight training anymore. Yes, they are still there but not like the past. Most commercial students are from other countries under contract from there home country airlines, get their ratings and head home. Does anyone else agree with me or am i talking out of my a$$?
01-14-2013, 04:14 PM
#6030
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 129
No, it's actually opposite. They will need us more than we need them. It really is a different situation than in years past now, i don't know the last time you visited a flight school but there are basically no American citizens flight training anymore. Yes, they are still there but not like the past. Most commercial students are from other countries under contract from there home country airlines, get their ratings and head home. Does anyone else agree with me or am i talking out of my a$$?
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