I couldn’t think of a good
title for this report so there you go.
I’ve now been at ACA for just over nine months. I think it is a really good possibility I’m going
to actually make it to my second year at an airline which would be great. Increased pay and being off probation should
occur on September 16 as long as I don’t get furloughed.
Industry news: We (the
pilots of ACA) are currently voting on pay cuts that will take effect in the
next couple of weeks that the company negotiated with our union. These cuts which amount to about a 7.5%
decrease were deemed necessary for us to continue our relationship with United
which is vital to the survival of the airline.
Voting closes in two days and they will probably pass. Shortly thereafter the details of our future
as a United Express carrier should become fairly clear which should decide once
and for all if I’m going to be furloughed or keep my job. Obviously, I hope I keep my job. It is a foregone conclusion that we will
start flying the 70-seat CRJs, probably by the end of the year. Should be interesting. More news on that as it becomes available.
I didn’t get the Comair
job. Apparently my success with interviews
has escaped me for reasons I can’t quite understand. I started out 3 for 3 in 2001, now I am 4 for 7. Oh well, at least I still have a job. On a positive note, SkyWest Airlines has
started flying routes for Continental Airlines out of Houston and as a result
has agreed to take a certain number of furloughed COEX pilots and place them at
SkyWest. At first I thought I didn’t
have enough seniority to take this opportunity but apparently I am #84 on the
list of pilots who have signed up for this opportunity and they expect to bring
over up to 90 pilots. That is great
news if I get furloughed from ACA because being at SkyWest would still be
ultra-cool even though I’d be starting over again. I don’t think the SkyWest thing will happen for quite a while, if
at all (again, it is up to 90 pilots which may or may not get to my
number 84), but at least there is another possibility on the horizon.
Still having a great time
flying. I just found out today I have
received my first scheduled line for the month of July! That’s right, actual trips scheduled a whole
month in advance and only 5 reserve days.
I couldn’t believe it actually happened given I have no seniority but
who am I to argue with this crazy industry?
The line includes 80 hours of scheduled flying and 12 days off during
the month. Yippee!
My last four-day trip was a
lot of fun with a great crew and I have included some pictures below. First, no photo gallery would be complete
without a picture like this. Here we are cruising along at flight level 350. That’s what I’m talking about.
SNACKS! Here is one of our favorite and most competent ramp supervisors. While sitting on the ramp, a flight
attendant from the next aircraft over was kind enough to pose for a
shot. People seem to like having
pictures taken against their will, such as my captain. While waiting for bags to be loaded, here’s
a goofy shot of me and our flight attendant. This is what we call a ramper productivity break. This is a typical scene of aircraft waiting for takeoff at Chicago O’Hare
International Airport. NO HAND HOLD! I think this was a Boeing 777
flying overhead. It’s thunderstorm
season, and here is the sun beside an
anvil-topped storm cloud. Finally,
here is a shot of the sunset at FL350.
