EWRflyr

Remember the company philosophy is:

Concessionary contracts really aren't a pay cut as the concessions are used to fund growth.

Growth = more planes = more captains = more FOs upgrading = FOs getting a jump in pay when they jump to the left seat

TADA! No pay cuts for you!

Has my jedi mind reasoning worked on you?

EWRflyr

Retirement numbers in the bids don't mean anything right now. Until we hit the age 65 date in December 2012, then the only (lack of) planning the company can do is project retirements based on the number of pilots who have submitted their paperwork as of the date the bid is posted. This is how it was explained to me. However, there are almost always more pilots retiring than the bid projects. What does this one show again? Something like 9 or 10 retirements? We'll go through those before November and the company will be behind the power curve again.

I actually do not blame any over 60 pilot one bit for hanging on to the company t*t for as long as they can while we are in contract negotiations. I would hate to bail out September 1st only to find out they reach an agreement September 15th (purely an example that clearly will not happen) and might be out of retro pay.

I've said it before and continue to say it based on conversations with my other FO friends. I honestly believe retirements will spike once we finally get our excellent contract that will include retro. Too many captains I have flown with and my friends have flown with have made the retirement comment in conjunction with the JCBA. I find it hard to believe that so many would just say it without any truth behind what they are saying. Many have had enough and are ready to go!

Coto Pilot

I wonder what the odds of having a contract before December 2012 are?

ewrbasedpilot

Unfortunately, that's COMPANY WIDE in the next year and a half. Had age 65 not been forced upon us, I'd probably be around 35% or so on the B737, ALL the furloughed guys/gals would be back, and we'd be hiring. Instead, we're WAY understaffed, getting the crap kicked out of us daily, and I'm BARELY holding on to my seat. I was sincerely hoping to retire by 58 or so, but that's been thrown WAY back due to age 65. So now I get to work a lot longer thanks to these guys hanging around. The SAME pilots who have made the "I'll leave when we get a new JCBA" are the SAME ones who were only staying until their bridge medical kicked in. Now they are company saviours who have NO problem picking up trips, going after all the VJM'ing they can get, and riding on EVERY DH they can muster. 115 to 120 hour lines is the NORM for them. They look out for NO ONE but themselves. Heck, one of the "regulars" BRAGS about having over $10 MILLION in the bank, never been married, but doesn't have enough money yet. I think THAT is pretty pathetic. Yep, DEC 2012 can't come soon enough.

ewrbasedpilot

I would say they are around 0%. Why would they be in any hurry since they have one of the LOWEST compensated pilot groups flying. Meanwhile, management is riding the bonus/pay gravy train thanks to a board of directors who feels only THEY deserve any compensation (and the best in the industry at that no less)..............NOT the WORKERS. Sad, isn't it?

flybynuts

Great quote, gotta laugh at myself too. Coming from the military I quite didn't understand what bad work rules really meant. Plus, I thought Contract 08 would be done by 08. Funny huh?

jdt30

Pretty sad when the work rules in the military beat CAL's. Then again I'm in the Air Force.

Tony Nelson

Not only are the work rules better but the pay is better.

flybynuts

Don't get me wrong... I miss the 10hr NVG rules for night flying and 12hr rest between flights. I don't miss the 12-13 hours a day doing the desk stuff or mission planning and briefing. The pay was good but not worth my time. When I'm home, I'm home.

socalflyboy

Slim and None is what im betting.