Bottom of the Recall List reached...decision time is here

[Zarah]

If you are not being forced to come back then wait for the next recall round and see if you can hold PHL then.

As for struggling now and then, it is worse now. The changes in the contract have had a dramatic impact on the take home pay in your check. It is not just the lower hourly rate, it is the entire contract that chips away at how much you can earn in a month.

 

[Twicebaked]

If you are not being forced to come back then wait for the next recall round and see if you can hold PHL then.

As for struggling now and then, it is worse now. The changes in the contract have had a dramatic impact on the take home pay in your check. It is not just the lower hourly rate, it is the entire contract that chips away at how much you can earn in a month.

I believe some other thread said they still need 80ish fllight attendants, so they would force them at this point.

Really folks this is a hard decision for them to make. We need to put our emotions aside and help them make a sound decision. Let's simply state the facts and leave our own emotions out of it.

For those of you thinking of returning......if you have a good job.....I would recommend keeping it. If you have nothing to lose......come back and give it a shot. Only you will know what works for you. At least you can come back and drain your sick time!!!! Afterall, it is your's!!!

 

[700UW]

Bring back Teddy X and have her kick some butt!

 

[flyguy121]

I believe some other thread said they still need 80ish fllight attendants, so they would force them at this point.

Really folks this is a hard decision for them to make. We need to put our emotions aside and help them make a sound decision. Let's simply state the facts and leave our own emotions out of it.

For those of you thinking of returning......if you have a good job.....I would recommend keeping it. If you have nothing to lose......come back and give it a shot. Only you will know what works for you. At least you can come back and drain your sick time!!!! Afterall, it is your's!!!

Thanks Twice.

I appreciate everyone's feedback and honesty.

Basically, I have a job that pays the bills (barely), and that's about it. It's an OK job, I don't mind it...but not anything that is so fulfilling or financially rewarding, yet a return to US would most certainly mean a pay cut, which would obviously make things more difficult and require some type of side job.

And my letter has officially already arrived, I have until January 28th to decide if I will return to US or leave forever. After reaching the bottom of the list they still need the following:

BOS - 43
DCA - 28
LGA - 12

Total of 83 positions still need to be filled. I know nobody can really answer this, but I'm just wondering if I do accept recall how long would it take for me to get back to PHL? Even if I accepted recall to another city a move is just out of the question...

I just don't know what to do.

 

[USCREW]

Be creative. Take the job back and work on something else at the same time. You're lucky to have options.

 

[FlightChic]

Thanks Twice.

I appreciate everyone's feedback and honesty.

Basically, I have a job that pays the bills (barely), and that's about it. It's an OK job, I don't mind it...but not anything that is so fulfilling or financially rewarding, yet a return to US would most certainly mean a pay cut, which would obviously make things more difficult and require some type of side job.

And my letter has officially already arrived, I have until January 28th to decide if I will return to US or leave forever. After reaching the bottom of the list they still need the following:

BOS - 43
DCA - 28
LGA - 12

Total of 83 positions still need to be filled. I know nobody can really answer this, but I'm just wondering if I do accept recall how long would it take for me to get back to PHL? Even if I accepted recall to another city a move is just out of the question...

I just don't know what to do.

OK, all emotions aside think about the following:

They just opened up all bases for transfers for March. PHL has been closed for a while but it recently opened up. Even though we already have a surplus of f/as in PHL, perhaps there will be more openings this summer because of all the seasonal translatlantic flights. Or maybe there will be some attitrition. I doubt it but there will be A LOT of PIT people commuting to PHL. That is one commute I wouldn't want to touch. Maybe some of them will throw in the towel and quit. At least if you do have to commute you will be within driving distance of DCA or LGA so you won't have to spend half the day in the airport trying to catch a flight to or from base, or you could easily take the train. You could easily work a part time job or do ETB trips. Also keep in mind that you will have a lot of free time since you won't be flying, so if you want to go back to school, pursue a new hobby, start a part time business, or just relax for a while you can, as long as you don't think about your finances. hahaha If you are looking for a change then go for it. You better start coming up with a plan B and a budget so that way you won't go into debt and lose the shirt off your back. It is easy to do with these 1990 wages. Also, despite the proverty wages we make, you must contribute to your 401k, even if you feel like you can't afford to, because with these wages it is nearly impossible to save any money. Once it is in there don't touch that money, EVER! You'll need that for retirement and if you quit you can roll it over to another 401k or investment account. It can be done. There are some posters on here who have part time jobs or work ETB. You should contact them to see what they do and how it works out. Weigh all of your options and have a realistic and doable plan before you make the leap, because you will need one unless your plan is to go into debt and sleep in the crew room.

 

[Twicebaked]

I just thought of something!!!!

Let's say Suzy Q is involuntarily furloughed and she got a recall letter a few times already.......

Since her seniority was able to be recalled, is she still involuntarily furloughed or NOW voluntaritly furloughed?

Maybe this is why Shambles said there would be 600 invols left after this recall!!!!????

 

[EMBFA]

Go to CO... two weeks sen there is worlds better than seven years sen here.

 

[USPHX]

"but deep down I don't want to walk away... "

Flyguy, don't listen to all the HateAid pushers on this board. Misery loves company and their lofty goals are to have everyone whine, complain and nitpick about every move US Airways makes. For them to prove themselves "right" they would have their own company go out of business. (Notice none of them ever quits to go on to greener pastures, they just show up here, like clockwork, to trash their employer. They advise you not to leave while they continue to stay and collect a paycheck. Why don't they leave with you? Because it is actually much better here then they would have you believe.

As a "westie" FA with 21 years I topped out at $37.59 an hour years ago and am more than ready for a new contract. I work about 85 hours a month which translates, with per diem, to $40,000 a year with 15 days off a month. That was pre-merger. Since the merger, lead flight attendant pay has been added as well as profit sharing for us westies (thank you, east!) Even without a contract, that translated for me to a $4,500 raise last year to $44,500 for the same 85 hours and 15 days off per month.

We have 1000 hours of added flying in Phoenix in February, class after class of new F/As are being hired here. All of the east flight attendants have been recalled, so new hire classes are right around the corner in the east. We started 16 new European destinations last year. Rumor has it from last weeks pow-wow of 16 more international destinations in Europe and South America including Moscow, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires. New international service to London and Frankfurt from Phoenix. Yeah, this America West management from Dougie on down really sucks!

Welcome back, Flyguy, you won't be on reserve long...and don't pay any attention to the CRAP on this board.

USPHX

 

[Skyward]

We have 1000 hours of added flying in Phoenix in February, class after class of new F/As are being hired here.

The added PHX flying is still less than July 07's figure.
AFA 66 Update December

All of the east flight attendants have been recalled, so new hire classes are right around the corner in the east.

I believe that you are going to be corrected very quickly!


I don't think that any West Flight Attendant is qualified to comment on what it means to be recalled to the East ranks - we are under vastly different circumstances.

 

[donttouchthebeauty]

"but deep down I don't want to walk away... "

Flyguy, don't listen to all the HateAid pushers on this board. Misery loves company and their lofty goals are to have everyone whine, complain and nitpick about every move US Airways makes. For them to prove themselves "right" they would have their own company go out of business. (Notice none of them ever quits to go on to greener pastures, they just show up here, like clockwork, to trash their employer. They advise you not to leave while they continue to stay and collect a paycheck. Why don't they leave with you? Because it is actually much better here then they would have you believe.

As a "westie" FA with 21 years I topped out at $37.59 an hour years ago and am more than ready for a new contract. I work about 85 hours a month which translates, with per diem, to $40,000 a year with 15 days off a month. That was pre-merger. Since the merger, lead flight attendant pay has been added as well as profit sharing for us westies (thank you, east!) Even without a contract, that translated for me to a $4,500 raise last year to $44,500 for the same 85 hours and 15 days off per month.

We have 1000 hours of added flying in Phoenix in February, class after class of new F/As are being hired here. All of the east flight attendants have been recalled, so new hire classes are right around the corner in the east. We started 16 new European destinations last year. Rumor has it from last weeks pow-wow of 16 more international destinations in Europe and South America including Moscow, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires. New international service to London and Frankfurt from Phoenix. Yeah, this America West management from Dougie on down really sucks!

Welcome back, Flyguy, you won't be on reserve long...and don't pay any attention to the CRAP on this board.

USPHX

Please tell me your not serious, you must have had ice in your kool-aid...

 

[FlightChic]

"but deep down I don't want to walk away... "

Flyguy, don't listen to all the HateAid pushers on this board. Flightchic's comment: We're not haters. We're just telling it like it is! Misery loves company and their lofty goals are to have everyone whine, complain and nitpick about every move US Airways makes. Flightchic's comment: Those most definitely are NOT my goals nor the goals of others I know on this board. For them to prove themselves "right" they would have their own company go out of business. (Notice none of them ever quits to go on to greener pastures, they just show up here, like clockwork, to trash their employer. They advise you not to leave while they continue to stay and collect a paycheck. Why don't they leave with you? Because it is actually much better here then they would have you believe. Flightchic's opinion: Um, hun! We're all here for our own reasons. Some of us are taking advantage of the free time so we can take classes and better our education or start a part time biz, and others are here because they truly love this career and they want to be here to vote on the new contract and make some much needed changes before they quit. You see, us easties are not quitters,a t least the ones on this board. They have their voices and they will work to bring about change. It just doesn't happen overnight. We all have our reasons for being here so doing judge. Also, most people who come here to complain don't act like this in real life. This is just an outlet for which to vent.

As a "westie" FA with 21 years I topped out at $37.59 an hour years ago and am more than ready for a new contract. I work about 85 hours a month which translates, with per diem, to $40,000 a year with 15 days off a month. That was pre-merger. Flightchic's comment: Premerger, I was making $28 an hour because I was an int'l LODO. Then include night pay and per diem, and that equals a nice paycheck. I didn't have to work very much either. I still made twice as much what I make now and was never hurting for cash. I actually saved $7000 within 11 months and that includes all the shopping I did, paying rent $640, digital cable, high speed internet, etc. I didn't skimp on anything, if I wanted it I got it. Since the merger, lead flight attendant pay has been added as well as profit sharing for us westies (thank you, east!) Even without a contract, that translated for me to a $4,500 raise last year to $44,500 for the same 85 hours and 15 days off per month. Flightchic's comment: I now make $1300 a month and can barely afford to live. We got pay cut after pay cut after pay cut. As for profit sharing, what a joke! I received a $53 check. That paid for union dues and dinner during OPR. I'm glad things are going better for the westies but things are grim for the easties.

We have 1000 hours of added flying in Phoenix in February, class after class of new F/As are being hired here. All of the east flight attendants have been recalled, so new hire classes are right around the corner in the east. Flightchic's comment: Uh, what? We still have 800 invol furloughs and and lots and lots of vol furloughs so we aren't even close to recalling ALL the east f/as. We are so overstaffed right now I cannot imagine recalling every single person back, let alone start hiring off the street. Even if we did hire off the street, what person in their right mind is going to pay for a plane ticket to go to training in PHX. and then have to pay for accomodations in PHX during unpaid training? Major carriers give trainees a space positive seat to and from training, provide accomodations, and even pay you during training. I just don't see why anybody would pay for all that when many other carriers pay for you! They have taken away flying in PHL and added a lot of new people to the base. Couple that with blockholders flying 150 hours a month and you won't see an airplane very often. I flew around 35, 40 hours a month this fall, 40+ hours for Nov, 50+ hours for December. Nobody breaks guarantee, let alone makes it to 85 hours. I flew just about everyday in July and I still didn't break guarantee. Nice! We started 16 new European destinations last year. Flightchic's comment: Wait until scheduling quick calls you at midnight for one of these babies. Then you rush to the airport in the middle of the night in PHL which is unsafe anyway only to find yourself on a plane fully of angry pax and no food for a 9-12 hour flight. If you do get lucky to get one of these flights from future or daily, then don't expect those old bitties to welcome you on their trip with open arms. They will try and make it as miserable for you as possible because they don't want you there. Talk about drama! Rumor has it from last weeks pow-wow of 16 more international destinations in Europe and South America including Moscow, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires. New international service to London and Frankfurt from Phoenix. Flightchic's comment: I heard a rumor at a frat party last night that Britney and K-Fed were getting back together. Yeah, this America West management from Dougie on down really sucks! Flightchic's comment: I'm not even going to go there. But I will say that dougie and his beer guzzling friends have turned this place into a total disaster. We're not the global carrier of choice anymore. We're more like the Wal-mart of the skies.

Welcome back, Flyguy, you won't be on reserve long...and don't pay any attention to the CRAP on this board. Flightchic's comment: We still have reserves with 20 years' seniority, and even more people are losing their blocks for Feb and March. People aren't ever going to retire, so we're all just stuck.


USPHX
Flightchic

P.S. I think this person just said all this to stir us easties up.

 

[etops1]

Welcome back, Flyguy, you won't be on reserve long...and don't pay any attention to the CRAP on this board.

USPHX


i think the only crap is what you just said right there. who the hell are you kiddin. ..won't be on reserve long . gimme some of that stuff you smokin.

 

[Travelpro72]

USPHX I must say.... you have given the most incorrect information that I have EVER read on here. You have absolutely NO knowledge of the east flight attendant group nor the contract we work under. With all due respect you should keep your comments and insight focused on matters that involve PHX based flight attendants and YOUR contract. That post you put out was WRONG all the way around. This would be equivalent to me sitting around as a flight attendant and telling a pilot how to fly an airplane. As we'd say in college, "Stop hoggin' it man and pass it around".

 

[EMBFA]

Because it is actually much better here then they would have you believe.

As a "westie" FA with 21 years I topped out at $37.59 an hour years ago and am more than ready for a new contract. I work about 85 hours a month which translates, with per diem, to $40,000 a year with 15 days off a month. That was pre-merger. Since the merger, lead flight attendant pay has been added as well as profit sharing for us westies (thank you, east!) Even without a contract, that translated for me to a $4,500 raise last year to $44,500 for the same 85 hours and 15 days off per month.

We have 1000 hours of added flying in Phoenix in February, class after class of new F/As are being hired here. All of the east flight attendants have been recalled, so new hire classes are right around the corner in the east. We started 16 new European destinations last year. Rumor has it from last weeks pow-wow of 16 more international destinations in Europe and South America including Moscow, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires. New international service to London and Frankfurt from Phoenix. Yeah, this America West management from Dougie on down really sucks!

Welcome back, Flyguy, you won't be on reserve long...and don't pay any attention to the CRAP on this board.

USPHX

Wow, you are way off... a few things...

One, you work for a different airline. Yeah, whatever, same ugly livery, but you work for a different airline. It's like someone at PSA giving advice to someone at mainline- same umbrella, different company. You are talking to someone who has only worked at the "major airline" version of US Airways- most of us have been around in some shape or form to see the demise. Going from 2000 US Airways to this abomination would be a complete shock- two completely diiferent things. While the 'new' US Airways may more closely resemble your employer, keep in mind you are accustomed to it... You do not work here and know just how miserable it really is, and sadly, you don't understand why.

The patehetic $19 they are willing to pay this person in a large east coast city is a little different than your pay and the cost of living down in the desert. These people will be on a reserve system where they don't fly and are punished if they do. How on earth do you imagine, or really, have the NERVE to tell him he won't be on reserve long? 20 years isn't a long time? Hope you're ready for that combined contract, because as of now, your 21 years puts you right at the line. What a stupid thing to say.

New hires are not around the corner at East. Once the involuntary F/As are assigned or resigned, they have to recall the thousands of voluntary furloughees- all of whom are senior to anyone who was ever furloughed, so everyone from the late 90s onward will be bumped down, not up.

We did not begin 16 new destinations last year. We began two, and resumed one, to bring our total of international destinations to 19. Heathrow will bring it to 20. The company has said over and over again that South America does not fit into the current route structure, and they are right. You may see a few new international cities with the widebody arrivals which are still a few years away. PHX to Europe is very low on the priority list even then.

Not that any of that international flying means anything to you in PHX, except maybe for non-revving. The company has dragged it's feet for two years completing 7 sections of a 35 section contract. Reading posts like yours from a 21 year F/A doesn't get our hopes up. Wow, LEAD pay? Were you the only airline in the industry without it?

Furthermore, the company's decision to become the "Britney Spears" of the industry has pretty much turned off any potential merger partners. The fact that those are their words and not mine show exactly how unprofessional this company is- and it saddens me if that's something else you don't see. Once US was everyone's first pick for mergers with it's army of frequent business travelers, with a route network blanketing the busiest part of the United States, and a lucrative Shuttle on some of the busiest routes in the nation. The new US's amateur management has forced a horrible way of operating and bizarrely chintzy brand upon a business oriented route structure. It's alienated it's loyal customers, driven employee morale to unbelievable depths, become the laughingstock of the industry, and won recognition as not only the worst airline in America, but 'worldwide', according to a UK poll.

Since you don't work "here", and obviously have as little of a clue about it as your 'in-over-their-heads' management team, why don't you stick with giving advice about America West. Your post might be impressive to someone working at a fast food restaurant, not a former flight attendant of a major airline.