Curious To See How Many Would Bite?

[apofurlough]

I was talking with a few ex-co-workers and was curious about a subject. Since management says labour costs are too high - we are a very senior airline, would it make sense to offer an early out program and get some senior people to retire. This would allow some furloughed workers to come back at a lower payscale and lower labour costs. I know the company says no money for this option but here is my question to all the senior employees. If the company were to offer free flight benefits for life which would not cost the company much, how many would be willing to take it? I am not trying to start any arguements but am only curious to see if any and how many would be interested.

Also if any management who reads this would care to comment, I would love to know the pros and cons from their point of view.

 

[Fly]

I wrote a letter to Tilton at United asking this same question. Hopefully he'll respond and let me go. If they don't, we tend to hang around like a bad virus. Makes no sense to quit, cuz you can't even get unemployment.

 

[cavalier]

Also if any management who reads this would care to comment, I would love to know the pros and cons from their point of view.

My suggestion. Void all the bonuses, merit raises, stock options and other monetary privilege to all of management and lead by example for a change. Then all the money they say isn’t there for early outs would suddenly be there, creating a happy and maybe even more productive work force. If the company does survive given the same old path it’s on, you will have a very old and worn out work force which will reflect the bottom line with less then top-notch production and health problems that naturally come with age. At the same time the younger more energetic employees will go to the competition and hinder U further, which has already started.

 

[PITbull]

It was brought up in both negotiations, but U's managment syas too expensive to offer "early outs".

So, what managment is doing instead and cheaply is making up new stricter sick policies to rid themselves of the older and senior population of workers that they deem as a potential liability to the company.

Covert operation is the name of the game in Corporate America today.


Fly,

I love ya, but your Avitar gives me a headache...

 

[flyin2low]

offer free flight benefits for life which would not cost the company much,

Wow, the taxes on the imputed income would floor us.........

 

[Fly]

PITbull Posted on Apr 17 2004, 07:24 PM

Fly,

I love ya, but your Avitar gives me a headache...

Like this one better? :elvis:

 

[nycbusdriver]

I was talking with a few ex-co-workers and was curious about a subject. Since management says labour costs are too high - we are a very senior airline, would it make sense to offer an early out program and get some senior people to retire. This would allow some furloughed workers to come back at a lower payscale and lower labour costs.

From the perspective of USAirways pilots, offering early outs would not save the company a dime. Since several hundred of our furloughees already are at the top of the longevity pay scales, bringing them back as senior people leave makes no change in the payroll. They come back with their 12 years (top scale) under their belt.

In fact, early outs would cost the company a tremendous amount of money. Say, theoretically, that the top 100 A330 captains took the bait. USAirways would have to train the top 767 captains to fill their places, then the top A320 captains to fill those spots, and so on. And each of those pilots would get paid EXACTLT what the "early outs" had been paid before they left.

For this reason, there will be no early outs offered, at least to pilots. In fact, it behooves management to find way to keep furloughees off the property for as long as possible. One of their tactics is LOA 91 scope lanaguge...a virtual blank check for management.

 

[Colby]

As far as Pilots go... This makes sense...But, I just looked at the Seniorty list for Flight Attendants... Come On There are about 30 that were hired before I was Born... And I just Celebrated my 40th Birthday!!!!!!!!!

Let alone the OVER 300 that were hired before 1970............ I can't believe that after all this time the CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's more of .... Im an international Flight Attendant ...I do 3 trips a Month and STILL make over 50,000 a Year !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PITbull]

For the month of March 43 attrited. April will have many that retired, we still have to wait for the figures.

And for May, someone in inflight said their was scheduled approx 70 to retire.

You know the company will recall no one. There are still approx 3,200 still on a VOLUNTARY furlough.

 

[Furloughd4now]

You know the company will recall no one. There are still approx 3,200 still on a VOLUNTARY furlough

REMINDERS: (This is Direct from AFA for U website)

We currently have 2,285 members on voluntary furlough. In addition we have 1,745 on involuntary furlough ranging in hire dates from 6/25/01-9/29/99. 250 members are scheduled to return from voluntary furlough in June.

To date 50 furloughed members have accepted positions with MidAtlantic.

:huh:

 

[ktflyhome]

Pitbull: Just curious, how much do you think the F/A group is overstaffed at present time?? Seems very often there is a big shortage. Many flight attendants were called on days off in INV days the first two week-ends of April to work. At one point there were 70 trips with only 30 available reserves. Scheduling was desparate and I heard flights were cancelled due to shortage of crews. No reserve has any incentive to give up days off anymore. It makes no difference in pay.

 

[PITbull]

The company still takes the position that they are "overstaffed". They don't say by how many. They cite that the sick calls are still unpredictable and state that that is why they have shortages around the holidays and on certain weekends.


It's hard to say.

The figures quoted by another poster above on the VOL furlough out there is incorrect. At 9/11 we had approx 10,300 ACTIVE f/as. There was probably another 800 f/as on INACTIVE status on LTD, OIJ or maternity or some kind of leave. Presently we have approx 5,365. Our INVOL numbers are correct. And the difference from what I quoted (approx 3,000) and Attrition rate makes up the difference.

Furloughed4now,

When I speak about "recall", I am not speaking about MAA. I am speaking about "Mainline".

 

[Furloughd4now]

PitBull

AFA US Airways MEC E-Line for April 1, 2004


This is where I received my information. If it is deemed incorrect perhaps someone should advise AFA and then the rest of us. I use due diligence in posting and do not speculate, bloviate or postulate

I understand that these numbers are only Mainline numbers. why don't you research and get us the real numbers?


afa 4/1/04

 

[NAPAUS]

For the month of March 43 attrited. April will have many that retired, we still have to wait for the figures.

And for May, someone in inflight said their was scheduled approx 70 to retire.

You know the company will recall no one. There are still approx 3,200 still on a VOLUNTARY furlough.

Im actually happy to see so many people taking retirement- they have worked VERY hard for this co over the years. You and i both remember the hard,long non glamorous up and down flying we all did. They deserve a rest....they MADE this co what is it- or should i say, WAS.
As far as an early out program- they could offer the bare minimum and I for one would jump at a chance to get something. example i can think of, passes(at ur orginal DOH senority, insurance(highest premium till 65) and those two alone, without any "boyout" per se would have 100's(I believe) leaving... Dont u think they could muster up something basic like that. They can rehire the furloughed at less than half the senior f/as pay!!!

 

[StatioRat]

What Advantage is there for anyone in customer service or fleet service to take an early out. We don't have a pension! I have 20 years with this company, if I take an early out I'm on the streets collecting food stamps and Well Fare. I even have to pay my own insurance.