american eagle

[wheelsup]

On a side note, along with AA's reduction, US Air has said they expect to reduce capacity by 4%-8% in 2008. This is exactly what needs to happen here. Demand has already started to wane slightly, a contraction in supply will help keep revenue up. As long as no new Skybus REDUX's jump in to play we should be OK for the time being, load factors are still really high.

[menglish1]

Originally Posted by v1valarob

Well it is a conditional offer. The letter they give you does say "This offer is contingent on being approved by the captains review board, as well as medical and background check." From what I hear, about a month and a half ago the Captains review board would let almost anyone through. However thats not the case anymore.

I have not started class yet, but am in the RJO program with flight safety right now. Even though AE is dropping $8500 for the program, and we have a scheduled class date of June 9th, I still worry that AE is going call up and give us some bad news about no longer needing us or something. I wont believe it until Im actually sitting in the classroom in Dallas.

-Rob

I'm with ya Rob I'm in the june 9th class and have no RJ course to go to so I'm sitting around waiting for them to possibly cancel my class which I hope will not happen. I had no hiccups so far in my process I interviewed april 30th got the conditional and accepted by the board that friday had my training date on monday with a confimation. So... I think I'll be ok my times where 500/76 they raised the mins. the next week. Hows the RJ course going? I'm looking for stuff to study, have they happend to give you any good info for dallas like limitations or memory items to study that you could pass along. Wouldn't mind studying a little before I left I've already read the turbine pilots manual. Pretty good basic info in that. I have the same attitude that you have I'll be a little more secure once my butts in a seat in dallas. I don't think they would cancel you they have already invested some $, however it is an airline so you never know. I hope they wouldn't cancel me either since I've put my 2 weeks in with my current employer since I have a training date.

- on the reduction in service stuff you more experiance pilots does this typically mean furlough or just less movement within the company. I would hate to do all this to be furloughed in a month but heck welcome to aviaiton. Thanks for all the info in advance and everyone keep a positive attitude.

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by frog_flyer

So you've passed the medical already?

If any of you guys end up at HDQ for the medical, holler at me and I'll head downstairs and say hello.

I assume so. It was just a piss test. I dont think they will let you start the RJO program unless you have the piss test cleared.

-Rob

[vheissu]

After hearing some of this it makes me glad that I'm staying at my 135 job for now. Does anyone know how they decide who gets the jet course though?

[Gizmo]

Wow! First I get an e-mail inviting me for an interview. A week later I get another e-mail disinviting me and today I get an e-mail reinviting me

OK I'll play.

[jet-dreams]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

Wow! First I get an e-mail inviting me for an interview. A week later I get another e-mail disinviting me and today I get an e-mail reinviting me

OK I'll play.

Sounds like they are preparing you for what it will be like working for them.

One week you have a job the next you don't.

Honestly I hope you the best of luck as I would be honored to work for any airline right now.

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

Wow! First I get an e-mail inviting me for an interview. A week later I get another e-mail disinviting me and today I get an e-mail reinviting me

OK I'll play.

Sounds like us at the RJO course down here in Vero.

Last Friday - May 26th class date postponed indef. Which only leads us to speculate what is going to happen to our June 9th date.

Today at 1pm - Get called into the Flight Safety managers office and told that May 26th class postponed and June 9th and June 23rd canceled. We all then go have beer at the bar and talk about what the hell we are going to do.

Today at 4pm - Get a call from Flight Safety manager saying it was a miscommunication and that May 26th is postponed, but June dates are still on.

We will believe it when we see it. Apparently Eagle was given the option on Friday of canceling the rest of our course down here and saving 50%. But eagle passed up on that and told FS to let us continue.

-Rob

[MstngPilot]

I may have a little bit of information here. Mind you, this is one of my first posts ever, and I am in no way, shape or form an expert. But I have a friend in the class that started May 12 (still going on), 2 friends that were supposed to be in the May 26th (postponed), I am scheduled to be in the June 9th class (hoping) and another friend of mine has an interview scheduled for the May 28th. The only people I know that have heard anything has been the May 26th class. So as far as right now, the June 9th and additional classes are still on, and they are still actively interviewing. Now I do not work there (yet), and I have no first hand knowledge, just sharing what I know from people I know. All in all, I have not heard anything from AE themselves and until I do, I will hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

~JP

[surreal1221]

Rob,

Are you guys paying for housing down there? Or is AE catching the tab on that as well?

Also - what happens to you guys IF they decide to NEVER hire you. Did they already provide seniority numbers to you guys?

[MstngPilot]

I haven't gotten a seniority number yet. I'm not positive, but I think you get it once you are in training.

[v1valarob]

Originally Posted by surreal1221

Rob,

Are you guys paying for housing down there? Or is AE catching the tab on that as well?

Also - what happens to you guys IF they decide to NEVER hire you. Did they already provide seniority numbers to you guys?

Eagle paid for everything except food. We where made to sign an 18 month contract that begins on day one after IOE is complete. We where given NO seniority number. We are NOT considered employee until day 1 in Dallas during training.

We are all kind of wondering WTF we are supposed to do. This contract kind of has us by the balls a little bit. We can no longer find other work with an airline, otherwise we will owe Eagle $8,500. But the contract does not state a date we must hire us by. For all we know we could be sitting around until December and Eagle could call us for class and we legally have to go or pay $8500.

-Rob

[surreal1221]

Gotcha. . .well. . .interesting.

[Gizmo]

Well. Just got a call from AE. I've been disinvited again for the interview.

[cfii2007]

I'm glad I didn't apply to AE. Just looking at the process on airlineapps.com and the 2 day ritual they put you through for a 7 year upgrade made me NOT want to work there.

[frog_flyer]

Originally Posted by Gizmo

Well. Just got a call from AE. I've been disinvited again for the interview.

That's a good thing, trust me.

You don't want to be at the bottom of Eagle's list.

My boss said he thought the market would look kindly upon the proactive capacity cuts and the new fees.

AMR stock down 25% today.

LOL

[greekpilot]

The news says that there will most likely be thousands of layoffs for AMR. I wonder how many will be pilots? Hiring at eagle went from full gas to full brake.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080521/ameri...eductions.html

[ready2fly]

Originally Posted by greekpilot

The news says that there will most likely be thousands of layoffs for AMR. I wonder how many will be pilots? Hiring at eagle went from full gas to full brake.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080521/ameri...eductions.html

At AA, it is speculated that around 1000 pilots will be furloughed.

At Eagle, somewhere in the 380 to 400 range is the guess I heard.

Here is what we received today from our CEO:

Originally Posted by Peter Bowler

SPECIAL EAGLEWIRE FOR MAY 21, 2008

Originally Posted by Peter Bowler

Published Especially for the Employees of American Eagle

Originally Posted by Peter Bowler

* * * * PLEASE POST ON ALL BULLETIN BOARDS * * * *

May 21, 2008


Eagle and Executive Employees,

At today’s annual stockholder’s meeting, AMR announced its decision to make even deeper capacity cuts for the fourth quarter of this year than previously announced. The rapid growth in jet fuel prices, combined with the weakening economy, has created very difficult conditions for airlines in the United States.

The fuel price impact from January to March was up more than $660 million dollars for AMR compared to prices paid during the same period last year. As we all know, prices for jet fuel – as well as for gasoline – have increased even further in April and May. Although AA has raised prices several times and increased various customer fees, total revenues have not kept pace with expenses. AMR’s loss of $328 million during the first quarter was alarming and the continued increase in fuel prices and signs of economic softness are further cause for concern.

Under these conditions, many of AA’s and Eagle’s routes do not generate enough revenue to pay for variable expenses such as fuel, landing fees, taxes and the salaries of our crews and other operational personnel. As a result of these facts, and to ensure that AMR has enough financial resources to weather this storm, it has decided to reduce its system-wide capacity.

While AA has not made final decisions on the specific schedule changes, it expects to cut 11 percent to 12 percent of fourth quarter domestic mainline capacity from 2007 levels and has directed Eagle to reduce our schedule by approximately the same percent. As a result of these reductions, American plans to retire 40 to 45 mainline aircraft and the regional network will be reduced by 35 to 40 regional jets, as well as some number of turbo-props.

Unfortunately these capacity reductions will result in layoffs at both American and American Eagle – and could result in facility closures or consolidations. As we get a better understanding of the new schedules and carefully evaluate our staffing requirements by work group and by location over the coming weeks, we will communicate specific changes as quickly as we can.

I am grateful for the excellent work Eagle’s people do. You are making a difference every day by ensuring that every trip and every job is performed safely, by caring for our customers and finding ways to complete our work efficiently under challenging conditions. I am confident that we will adapt to the changes announced today as well as to the outcome of the ongoing divestiture process and that Eagle will be one of the world’s safest, most reliable and successful regional airlines. Thank you for all your efforts.

Sincerely,

Peter Bowler
President and CEO

Originally Posted by Peter Bowler

[kellwolf]

Stan, where does that put you? I know you got hired a little over two years ago, so I'm GUESSING you're safe for now from furlough.

[Gonzo]

Stan and Charlie should be ok. I only have 60 people under me so I should be getting some time off at the end of the year.

[subpilot]

If you are furloughed, does you longivity keep increasing or is it just frozen? Example: after 6 months a pilot is furloughed. She is then called back two years later. Does she start back on first year pay or third year pay?

[Gonzo]

Looking over section 16 it would be 3th year pay.

[Chris_Ford]

I don't know the specifics of your contract but most furlough clauses stop your longevity for pay purposes.... At least as far as I know.

[Firebird2XC]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

Stan and Charlie should be ok. I only have 60 people under me so I should be getting some time off at the end of the year.

Interesting to hear somebody from the school house say that. I've been sweating bullets.

What else have you heard about furlough schedules?

[crashmbern]

honestly i don't think eagle will furlough. Remember we are about 200 first officers short right now. Coupled with some attrition over the summer, the need to furlough shouldn't be that bad. I think they would rather be a 100 or 200 pilots heavy then have to furlough. With 4 aircraft types furloughing people would be very expensive. I guess it just wait and see for now.

[ready2fly]

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Stan, where does that put you? I know you got hired a little over two years ago, so I'm GUESSING you're safe for now from furlough.

I should be safe. My seniority number is 1948 out of close to 4000 pilots.