Flight Path
Transcription
Flight Path
The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents nearly 53,000 pilots at 38 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as U.S.-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations. Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Employment Assistance and Job Opportunities Why Value Trumps Experience Global Pilot Career Conference and Job Fair An Informational Network for the ALPA Pilot Flight Path March 2011 Volume 3 Issue 1 In this Issue... 1 FPSP Update from Your National Coordinator Since our last issue, the industry has shown marked signs of improvement, which should translate into more opportunities to get each of you back in a flying position. FPSP Update from Your National Coordinator 44 Alaska Airlines recalled 6 more pilots effective March 2 and expects to have all involuntary furloughs back on property by April 2012. Cinderella Pilots 2 3 Employee Assistance and Job Opportunities Future Airline Pilot Hiring: A Q&A with Louis Smith Why Value Trumps Experience 4 FltOps Global Pilot Career Conference and Job Fair FPSP UPDATES Each publication of the Flight Path will have a list of ALPA carriers and the number of pilots who are on furlough.* AIS 3 44 Continental has been recalling furloughed pilots since November 2010 and expects to have offered recall to all of its furloughed pilots by April 2011. ALA 56 ATN 14 44 Major airlines hired 117 pilots in January 2011, with a steady pattern of hiring expected for 2011. CCI 2 CMR 137 44 97 airlines worldwide are either accepting applications or interviewing/hiring. CAL 35 DAL 231 DHL 297 EGL 6 FAB 5 HAL 9 Until we can get every one of you back flying, we will continue to provide support in any way we can. We are contacting your individual airlines more regularly to assess your needs, and we encourage you to do the same through your MEC’s furlough administrator. Jeff Mitchell has been exploring multiple programs that should enhance our support for our furloughed members, such as furlough mitigation strategies for the future, longevity for time spent on furlough as an industry standard, furlough IDs as associated travel benefits, improved furlough pay, and medical benefits. He is continuing to take a fresh look at the entire process, and again I encourage you to do the same and pass along your thoughts. MAG 317 MSA 40 ALPA’s Furloughed Pilot Support Program and the entire staff continue to be at your service. Resources available at: www.alpa.org/furlough. NAA 1 PDT 6 Let us know how we can help you. PSA 12 RYN 73 SCA 6 SPA 10 TSA 63 UAL 1,437 Sincerely, Larry Deist, Coordinator Furloughed Pilots Support Program, Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l The Union Plus Legal Service Difference XJT Cinderella Pilots By Jeff Mitchell, UAL, Furloughed Jeff.Mitchell@alpa.org I’ve been intrigued by the story of boxing champion James Braddock, dubbed the Cinderella Man [jamesjbraddock. com]. Dramatized in the 2005 movie of the same name, Braddock, much like us furloughed pilots and so many other working-class Americans, was an “unintended consequence” of economic collapse. Shortly after he lost a title fight in 1929, the stock market crashed. As Braddock tried to keep his boxing career alive, his family (wife and three kids) suffered economically due to the recklessness of Wall Street. Because of “bankster” malfeasance and struggles in the ring, he was forced to give up his boxing career, take up day work on the docks, and file for government assistance. Sound familiar? NOTE: It is imperative that you keep ALPA informed as to your current mailing and e-mail addresses so that you can receive the latest information as it becomes available. The traditional Cinderella story is about a girl who was given a moral code by her father, who soon passes away. Left to the cruelty of her wicked stepmother and malicious sisters, Cinderella finds the courage and determination, despite humiliation, to honor her father’s morals, making them her own. While the marriage to Prince Charming is unrealistic, the lesson is that if one lives a moral code despite difficult times, good things will result. In an odd second chance in boxing, Braddock’s fierce loyalty to his family gave him a determinist edge in the ring that allowed him to win the championship in 1935 (at 10-to-1 odds!). At one point Braddock declared, “I’ve just 90 Grand Total 2,850 *As of 3/10/2011 got to win that fight, or the Braddocks will be on their way back to the relief roles.” The morning after the fight, many Americans following the Braddock story wanted to know if the three kids had won! This was about the kids, too. From the movie Cinderella Man: Jim Braddock: “You think you’re telling me something? Like, what, boxing is dangerous, something like that? You don’t think working triple shifts and at night on a scaffold isn’t just as likely to get a man killed? What about all those guys who died last week living in cardboard shacks to save on rent money just to feed their family, ‘cause guys like you have not quite figured out a way yet to make money off of watching that guy die? But in my profession—and it is my profession—I’m a little more fortunate.” Furloughed airline pilots are also living a moral code, determined to do right by our families by simply providing the fundamentals: food, shelter, and clothing. But in the 21st century, there are other fundamentals that are cost-burdensome: transportation, insurance, communication, and some semblance of a middle-class life. Many of us have cut ties with a flying career and have moved on. Others have found unsustainable jobs (or underemployment) to bridge the gap, while still others aren’t Continued on page 4 Employment Assistance and Job Opportunities ALPA offers all furloughed pilots a full one-year membership in FltOps.com (www.fltops.com) at no cost. On your furlough date, the “Register Here” link at the bottom of the ALPA Furloughed Pilots Web page takes you to the registration page, where you will be able to enroll automatically. FltOps.com specializes in job-hunting and career-decision assistance to professional pilots. FltOps.com provides objective and independent information to help professional pilots make important decisions and reach their professional goals. ALPA provides its furloughed members a complimentary one-year membership to FltOps.com and access to an afternoon-only combo session at a FltOps.com job fair in 2010. Once you register, you will receive a user name and password to access the FltOps.com/alpa website, which provides up-to-date information regarding pilot hiring, airline profiles, pilot pay, major airline interview briefings, airline traffic reports, all airline fleets, and major airline financial reports. Jobs Bulletin Services Offered by Furloughed ALPA Pilots Below is a partial summary Financial Planning of pilot hiring activity as I have been furloughed twice from United Airlines and decided to train myself to do something else after 9/11. I became a Certified Financial Planner and joined a financial planning practice in Southern California. provided by FltOps.com. For a complete list and full details, visit FltOps.com. Air Arabia – Maroc Recruiting A320 PICs and SICs. Applicants can view additional details on the company website and apply online. Air Arabia – UAE Recruiting A320 PICs and SICs. Applicants can view additional details on the company website and apply online. Air Cargo Carriers Accepting resumes and hiring SD330 and SD360 pilots with 5000 TT or equivalent Shorts time. Air Japan ANA & JP Express merged with Air Japan in 2010. Air Japan is recruiting B-767 SICs. Applicants can apply online through Crew Resources Worldwide. Air Mekong A start-up airline based in Vietnam. The company is recruiting pilots with CRJ700/900 experience. Air Wisconsin Hired 24 pilots in January. Plans to hire 35–55 in the upcoming months. Currently accepting applications. AirNet Express Plans to hire 8 pilots in the next three months. Currently accepting applications and resumes. Alpine Air Plans to hire 1 pilot in the coming months. American Eagle Hired 78 pilots in January and plans to hire approximately 180 pilots in the next few months. Currently projected to hire 560 in 2011. The EGL MEC has an agreement giving ALPA pilots preference in the scheduling of interviews. Please select that you are an ALPA pilot member on the online application at www.airlineapps.com. Ameriflight CommutAir Currently recruiting pilots. Compass Airlines Hired 7 pilots in January and is interviewing for a pool. The company plans to hire approximately 16+ pilots in the next three months and 41+ pilots in 2011. EasyJet Currently recruiting pilots through crewleasing companies like Parc Aviation and is accepting applications for direct-entry first officers for Switzerland only. Emirates Airline Hired 48 pilots in January and is currently inviting 32 candidates weekly for the pilot selection process. The company plans to hire 500 pilots through 2012. Etihad Airways Recruiting A320, A330, A340, and B-777 SICs as well as A320 PICs. Applicants can view additional details on the company website and apply online. ExpressJet Atlantic Southeast Airlines will hire pilots for ExpressJet. ASA hired 72 pilots for ExpressJet in January. The company plans to hire 120 pilots for ExpressJet through April. EVA Airways Is recruiting MD-11 and A330 SICs. FedEx Due to modifications, FedEx’s hiring window was opened on January 24. All profiles not updated since November 2008 are no longer active. Applicants must submit a new profile. flydubai Currently interviewing and expects to hire an additional 120 pilots in 2011. Freedom Air – Guam Looking for PA32 PIC FAR Part 135; SD3 PIC FAR Part 121; SD3 SIC FAR Part 121. Plans to hire 30 pilots in the next three months; and plans to hire approximately 6 PA-31 captains per month for 2011. GoJet Ameristar Jet Charter Great Lakes Aviation May hire 4–8 pilots in the first quarter. The company plans to increase its fleet. Asiana Airlines Recruiting A320/321 PICS; A330 PICs; B-744 SICs; B-747-400 PICs; and B-777 PICs through Rishworth Aviation Limited. Applicants can view additional details and apply online at www.rishworthaviation.com. Atlas Air Atlas Air is accepting applications and interviewing for an undisclosed number of pilots. Cape Air Hired 12 pilots for its January class. Cape Air plans to hire 30–35 pilots through April 2011. Cathay Pacific Recruiting first officers. Apply and view details and minimum qualifications online. Chautauqua Airlines Republic has started hiring, but the number of new hires has not been reported. Colgan Air Has 2–3 interview sessions per month, and 2 new-hire classes per month. They expect to hire approximately 50 pilots in the next three months. The company is accepting 15 new Q400s to be based in Houston. Hiring is being conducted by Mesaba. 2 Hiring and projects to hire 38 pilots during the next few months. Plans to continue to hire in the next few months. Jet Airways Interviewing and hiring ATR, B-737, and A330 PICs. JetBlue Hired 33 pilots in January. The company estimates it will hire 200–250 pilots in 2011. The company application window is closed. Kalitta Charters II I have handled a number of airline employee rollovers and have worked with families to devise financial plans to weather their current crisis. Please call me so we can discuss your financial needs. Branden Rubasky, CFP® Financial Planner 25500 Hawthorne Boulevard, Suite 1140 Torrance, CA 90505 Office: 310-373-7351 www.brandenrubasky.com After three furloughs from two airlines (UA, AQ), I decided to hang up my wings and help guide and steer people through the turbulent times to achieve their financial goals. At Merrill Lynch, we believe we have a good process for investing. I specialize in personalized portfolio management designed to protect and grow your assets. Our open architecture allows us to provide you the highestquality, most objective advice. We are brand neutral in helping you find the best solution for your needs. Please give me a call or e-mail to discuss your situation. Paul Arrington Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Toll-free: 800-937-0372 Paul.Arrington@ml.com Mortgage Financing Furloughed Midwest Airlines pilot and a senior mortgage consultant in the Minneapolis area handles home financing for purchases and refinances. Available products include conventional, FHA, USDA, VA, jumbo, and reverse mortgages throughout the state of Minnesota. Many low- or no-down-payment loans available. Free consultations provided. Bob Lieser Senior Mortgage Consultant Waterstone Mortgage Corp. 215 Walker Ave. S Wayzata, MN 55391 rlieser@waterstonemortgage.com or www.BobLieser.com 612-964-7735 Firearm Accessories and Self-Defense Products Hello, I am a furloughed CAL pilot. I have been furloughed since September 2008. I created this online business to survive the furlough. We offer a wide selection of self-defense products and firearm accessories. We specialize in Viridian Green Lasers and Inforce tactical flashlights. Keep your loved ones safe while you are away on trips. If we do not have it, we can get it. Please contact us with any requests. F/O Jim Yeats, Continental, Furloughed www.xfighterdefense.com 484-453-8178 Omni Air International Is currently hiring. Accepting applications and interviewing for DC-9 captains and B-727 first officers and FEs. Piedmont Mountain Air Cargo Qatar Airways Accepting resumes and applications; expects to hire 5–6 pilots in the next few months. National Air Services This charter airline based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is recruiting pilots. Applicants can apply online. National Airlines Currently recruiting pilots. North American Plans to hire 6–12 pilots in 2011. Northern Air Cargo Accepting resumes and applications for B-737-200/300 F/Os. Hired 4 pilots in January and plans to hire 30 more in the next few months. Recruiting captains and first officers for A300-600, A330, A320, B-777. Applicants can apply online. Saudi Arabian Airlines Spirit Airlines Is interviewing and hiring. The company recently took delivery of a new A320, with another to be delivered by the end of the year. SriLankan Airlines SriLankan Airlines is hiring Airbus 320, 330, and 340 PICs and SICs. US Airways Interviewing and estimates hiring 36–51 pilots by end of March. Saudi Arabian Airlines is recruiting A320 PICs. Qualified FDC applicants forward full credentials to Bkarim@Saudiairlines.com immediately for application evaluation and screening to reserve interview slot. USA Jet Scenic Airlines Hiring 12–14 pilots per month for the foreseeable future. Accepting applications for DGC-6-300 F/Os and C-207 captains. Seaport Airlines Looking for pilots at PDX, MEM, and JNU. Nonscheduled cargo and charter operation plans to hire 12 pilots in the next three months and 12–15 for 2011. Virgin America West Air Interviewing pilots and plans to hire 4 in the next three months. Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l Reprinted with permission from Airline Pilot Central: Future Airline Pilot Hiring: A Q&A with Louis Smith APC co-founder John Steinbeck sat down with Louis Smith, president of FltOps.com, to discuss where he sees airline pilot hiring heading in the next few years: Has a pilot hiring boom finally begun? It is just beginning, and it will be the longest and largest pilot hiring spree in the history of the industry. Which sectors will show the most promise for professional pilots? Among the primary career sectors (major airlines, corporate/fractionals, foreign/expats), the majors will return to the preferred positions for many pilots. The last 10 years have been the worst I have ever seen, but the next 10 years will be the best. What’s causing this to happen? The four factors that created the depressed job market are now disappearing. The mandatory retirement age to 65, elimination of the third pilot, oil prices at $147 per barrel, and a severely depressed economy will soon be a distant and bad memory. All the airlines are starting to show record profits even in a weak U.S. economy, and that has never happened. They have shown some remarkable restraint in expanding their schedules, but now they will have to expand, since demand is recovering so quickly. With the baggage fees, the passenger airlines are finally getting compensated for turning jet fuels into lift, just like FedEx and UPS have done for years. Will pay and benefits at the majors return to their pre-9/11 levels? Adjusted for inflation, no. However, I do expect some contracts to show 30 percent increases in compensation, depending on the success of the pilot unions to leverage their strengths. Can companies really afford to do that? The unions are figuring out that if passengers are willing to pay $25 for a Samsonite, they must be willing to pay a few more dollars for a “Sullenberger” in the front seat. What about the highly publicized stories predicting a pilot shortage? I don’t think the U.S. major airlines will have a pilot shortage. Plus, it’s important to define what the term “pilot shortage” means. To me, it’s when companies pay for pilots to get necessary training to become minimally qualified. The major airlines are a long way from that, and with a mobile workforce and a highly unionized pilot group, they will offer whatever it takes to attract qualified pilots. It’s a totally different story at the feeder airlines [regionals] and the foreign carriers. I expect the feeder airlines will need to spend money on low-time pilots to reach the minimums, especially with new regulations coming redefining the ATP. The foreign airlines will simply ratchet down their minimum qualifications and increase the pay and benefits to increase the applicant pool, and they will likely transition from training bonds to training bonuses to attract the talent they need. We see more of them coming to our pilot job fairs, and there are continuous discussions with management about what it will take to increase the number of U.S. pilots willing to leave hearth and home and fly out of a foreign country. How will age-65 retirements affect hiring in the future? The age rule changed on December 13, 2007, so all the age-60 pilots who made the cut Furloughed Pilots Support Program must retire by their 65th birthday. When the mandatory retirement age was 60, the projected retirements looking forward 14 years would actually occur in 10 years due to disability, early retirement, termination, and the “grim reaper.” I suspect the projected age-65 retirements over the next 15 years will actually occur in 10 years, but we won’t know the real numbers until it happens. Based on current fleet growth projections, senior pilot attrition will account for nearly 65 percent of the pilot demand at the major airlines. Will things pick up even at slow-growth airlines like American? American has the most potential among all the major airlines to offer early retirement to its senior captains, thus stimulating upgrades without growth. Even without an early-retirement incentive, American has 5,888 pilots scheduled to reach age 65 in the next 15 years, and if the historical attrition is accurate, that will actually happen over 10 years. Some of the money for funding the early retirements might come from the sale of Eagle. I don’t think AMR can sell Eagle until contracts are settled at American among all the mainline unions. American still has more than 1,900 pilots who are furloughed, and everyone is guessing about the percentage [of how many] will actually return when everyone is recalled. Many of the furloughees are permanently employed elsewhere. How does an applicant stand out in today’s job market? 1. Online applications and documents must be perfect—there is no room for sloppiness or omissions. 2. Develop extensive knowledge of the target company’s culture, strategy, and market position well in advance of an interview. 3. Every employee that you know at your target company with any influence on the pilot-screening decision makers should be well aware how badly you want the job. 4. Exceeding the minimum qualifications by a wide margin is significant, and always stay current flying if at all possible. 5. Be prepared well in advance to tell your story to the airline when called for an interview—waiting until two days before is a mistake. Job fairs are very useful in accelerating the entire process (you knew I would say that). What makes you qualified to discuss pilot career strategies and decisions? Aren’t you a little “old school”? Why Value Trumps Experience By Tom Wachowski I t’s no secret. Landing pilot jobs today is tough. In a time when open positions are flooded with applicants, how do you differentiate yourself and stand out as a qualified candidate? In our industry’s last wave of opportunity, to land a new or better pilot job we simply forwarded our training, pilot certifications, and flight hours to prospective employers. There were more open positions than qualified pilot applicants. It was easy to land an aviation job. However, in our industry’s current state of affairs, there are more qualified pilot applicants than open positions. It’s tough out there. However, the truth is that it’s easy to get an aviation job today, but we must distinguish ourselves from the career competition. Our training, pilot certifications, and flight hours alone will camouflage us among every other resume and every other applicant. Our paper backgrounds, no matter how impressive, do not satisfy an employer’s wants, needs, and desires at this time. The playing field is level. The current pool of qualified pilot applicants satisfies the basic requirements for most open pilot jobs. So how do we differentiate ourselves from other applicants? What are employers looking for in qualified candidates today? If it’s not experience alone, what is it? One word: value. What is value? It’s the secret weapon that will differentiate us. It’s the slight edge that will make us stand out as a qualified candidate (not just another applicant). Ultimately, value is about the solutions we contribute to making the department, the company, and the people better. What makes up value? Among many different views on value, three aspects are directly related to differentiating ourselves, landing more interviews, and advancing our aviation career. And employers are looking for these three aspects in qualified candidates today. Bring Perspective: While experience shows what we’ve done, perspective is our ability to use our experience to see around corners. Think proactive vs. reactive. For instance, what best practices are being used, being researched, or being proposed by the industry or by regulators? And how will these affect the department and the company from a safety and budget standpoint? A candidate who utilizes perspective will always trump an applicant with 20,000 flight hours. Solve Problems: The ability to bring solutions to inevitable challenges faced in flight operations differentiates one applicant from another. Think beyond everyday issues such as weather, maintenance, or available resources. Instead think, how can we improve X to increase safety, deliver a better product, or save money? A candidate who can solve past, present, and future problems will always trump an applicant with countless type ratings. Clear Communication: We can bring perspective. We can be exceptional problem solvers. But none of that matters if we cannot express ourselves confidently, clearly, and quickly while simultaneously listening to the feelings and messages of others. Think self-confidence combined with a high level of emotional intelligence, clarity of intent, and leadership. A candidate with these traits is almost always a clear communicator and will trump an insecure applicant with an ego. I have been in the business for a long time and have had the benefit of observing both the brilliant and inane career decisions made by professional pilots. I’ve made more than my share of dumb career moves. Thousands of pilots since 1972 (USAF pilot) have shared with me their ideas and experiences at all stages of their career. Although the industry and information sources have changed radically, there are certain constants that can be applied to most pilot career decisions. Showcasing the value we bring to an opportunity is how we distinguish ourselves and stand out from the career competition. But exactly how do we convey this value to a prospective employer? It’s easy. Stories. In our careers we’ve packed a suitcase full of stories. It’s these stories that highlight the perspective we bring, our ability to solve big problems, and our honed communication skills. By sharing compelling stories in our correspondence with prospective employers, we will elicit emotions, calm fears, and showcase the real value we bring to an opportunity. And in today’s pilot job market, this is how we will differentiate ourselves and stand out as the qualified candidates we are! FltOps.com hosts its next job fair in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 1, 2011. See page 4 or view more details at FltOps.com/jobs. Tom Wachowski is a furloughed ALPA member with 121, 135, and 91 experience. He is currently captain on a CL604 and DA2000 with a Fortune 400 company. His website, www.PilotJobsBook.com, helps pilots land more interviews in less time. 3 The First 2011 FltOps Global Pilot Career Conference and Job Fair FltOps.com Global Pilot Career Conference and Job Fair WHEN: Friday, April 1, 2011— No fooling! 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. AIR LINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION INT’L 535 Herndon Parkway P.O. Box 1169 Herndon, VA 20172-1169 FltOps WHERE: Tuscany Suites & Casino 255 East Flamingo Road Las Vegas, Nevada Call toll-free 877-887-2261 to reserve your sleeping room for $55. COST: Special $79 Rate for Attendees We are expecting a sellout again, so sign up soon to get an early zone and number. Visit the Job Fair page at FltOps.com to see the companies that attended the last event. Attire: Business Casual Save your suit for interviews. Visit FltOps.com for more details. The Union Plus Legal Service Difference: Cinderella Pilots Continued from page 1 working at all, with no income, health care, or unemployment insurance. There is always someone worse off than you. And it is these pilots who are not working at all that are our true Cinderella pilots. Loading up on unbearable debt while trying to be strong, positive fathers or mothers, these fellow pilots are waiting for a Braddock-like second chance—a new CBA, economic growth, or both, some type of opportunity to be real again. To engage in the dignity of work. To look their spouse and kids in the eyes and know they bring value to the lives they are morally and economically beholden to. They need jobs! Jobs that are commensurate with the education, training, skill, and responsibility they bring to market. I recently spoke with a fellow furloughed United pilot who has three kids and a wife. Initially, he thought he might not return, but the potential lifestyle and compensation that a new contract and recall would offer have caused him to believe that he would return to the profession. Many of us are in the same situation, knowing that our best shot at an economic “title” is a return to the cockpit. Otherwise, we will have to completely retool and redefine ourselves. James Braddock didn’t need a fairy godmother. And neither do we. There is always someone worse off than you. And it is these pilots who are not working at all that are our true Cinderella pilots. 4 44 Substantial savings with no annual fee. The Union Plus Legal Service has the best fee-discount percentage of all free group legal services plans in the United States. 44 Free initial consultation—Up to 30 minutes with a lawyer. 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Many of the panel of attorneys serving the program have been selected from lists of lawyers involved in the union movement and those involved with similar group legal services programs. 44 Experienced. The attorneys on the panel are carefully screened and have an average of 14 years of experience in active private practice. Each participating lawyer in the Union Plus Legal Service must: 44 Be interested in serving union members 44 Agree to provide all program benefits (both free and discounted) 44 Agree to provide written fee agreements to all program participants 44 Keep each union member fully informed about the status of his or her case 44 Abide by the administrative responsibilities of participation. www.unionplus.org Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l