Transformation Plan Q & A

[Phoenix]

The company asked for 90-seat scope relief during the Supplemental Restructuring Agreement and LOA 91 negotiations and the MEC and NC said "no". This is the thrid request and the company always asks for more than they expect to receive.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

And ALPA (at USAIR) is happy to give more than was requested, in due time.

 

[sfb]

I think this could turn interesting, and here is why:

The company is obviously urging the top end of the list to throw the bottom end of the list under the proverbial bus.

On the other hand, I suspect the top end of the list will not react favorably to the potential loss of the DC pension and a reduction to the HP 401(k).

I was thinking exactly the same thing, especially in light of the slide stating:

"The anticipated 29% increase in productivity to get to JetBlue's level would result in a commensurate reduction in headcount."

29% more productivity means roughly 22% fewer pilots until they slowly ramp up more flying and/or bring more aircraft (if any) online. So it would seem to me that you can say goodbye to the bottom 15-20% of the seniority list even if they increase aircraft utilization by 10%.

It's interesting that the company's presentation doesn't break out jetBlue's rates of pay or retirement costs -- likely because they are more costly than America West's. Not only that, I fail to see why the pilots' "contribution" is reduced from $300 million to $295 million because their medical plan is less generous than America West's, when the company does not intend to match HP's medical (from the "Summary of Differences").

And, as others have said, the company also conveniently omits the fact that jetBlue will operate its EMB-190's itself, and not outsource that flying to Mesa or others.

 

[oldiebutgoody]

My prediction is that ALPA will give something, but not anything near what the company is asking. The bottom line is that they're basically asking for EVERYTHING. If that's the way they want to play, ALPA should let them go chapter 11. Can't really get much worse. Even Chapter 7 may not be worse, if assets get acquired or other airlines hire the remaining folks. Looks like the company wants what's left of the pilot retirement, wants pilots to work EVERY day they legally can, AND furlough more folks in ALL groups. SHUT THE DOORS, IT'S OVER! :blink:

 

[savyinvestor]

Whats wrong with working every day thats legal? Just curious. Most working folks do that anyway. Savy

 

[oldiebutgoody]

Whats wrong with working every day thats legal? Just curious. Most working folks do that anyway. Savy

WRONG! That would be 6 day weeks. Plus, there is a limit of 100 hrs/month and 1000 hrs /yr by law. I'll bet right now that YOU don't know ANYBODY that works EVERY day that the law says that they can, with NO overtime!

 

[savyinvestor]

WRONG! That would be 6 day weeks. Plus, there is a limit of 100 hrs/month and 1000 hrs /yr by law. I'll bet right now that YOU don't know ANYBODY that works EVERY day that the law says that they can, with NO overtime!

Your first post wasn't explained properly. I agree with your reply. Don't get your balls in an uproar! Savy

 

[Winglet]

There are several FAA limits on using pilots.

1000 hrs/yr
100 hrs/mo
30 FLYING hours in 7 days
24 hours off in 7 days (although that can be in the middle of a trip sitting in a hotel room and NOT at home . . . the FAA doesn't care about pilot's domestic life).
8 hours FLYING time (2 pilot crew) in a 24 hour period.
Required limits of available duty periods for domestic reserve pilots.

International crews don't have any required defined rest periods on reserve. They can be on reserve and available for assignement 24 hours a day for 6 days in a row if the company desires. If a third pilot is on the crew, the flying time can be extended to 12 hours. There are no requirement for a crew "rest" seat either. The FAA does not care if a non-flying pilot during his break period has to sit on a hard jumpseat or that he gets any "rest" during the flight.

The point is, though, that I seriously doubt that US Airways management can schedule pilots for that amount of flying time without having everyone on lines with only the minimum 12 days off per month. This is probably going to be a Great Lakes type operation after this contract comes into affect. Hang onto your morale hats, boys!

 

[savyinvestor]

Thanks, The FAA limits are what I was referring to. Savy