Insight On Comair!?

[JSS]

I just received an interview offer with Comair today. I'm very excited about the opportunity, but know very little (other than the little research I've done) about the company. I know that they have a good reputation, and their pay looks second to none. However, I know that they recently gave up 20 (or so) routes to Skywest out of Cincinatti, and I'm curious what to make of that. It looks like upgrade is a bit slower than some of the others, at about 3 to 4 years, although talk is that upgrade time is even currently speeding up...this true?

What do I need to know about the cog test? Is there any way to prepare for it? Basically, I just want to know anyone's opinions on Comair, overall, as well as specifics of the interview, cog test, benifits, and any other tid-bits that may help me out. Overall, the company looks pretty solid...what do you all think?

Thanks

[BaylorPilot]

How long did it take you to get the email about the interview? And what are your times?

[dakovich]

hey, i also got an email today for an interview. soonest i could get in was Jan 11 for the interview. technically got the reply the same day i put the application in. finished the app. around 2am, got the e-mail response around noon. also got a call from Colgan asking me to complete my app, and give them a ring.

times:

920ish total
300ish me
200ish SIC turbine

[subpilot]

Originally Posted by JSS

I know that they have a good reputation

When I think of Comair, I think of two pilots taking off on the wrong runway and killing many people. I know I am not alone on that one too.

[H46Bubba]

Originally Posted by subpilot

When I think of Comair, I think of two pilots taking off on the wrong runway and killing many people. I know I am not alone on that one too.

Ouch he went there! So is it the airlines fault that the pilots took off on the wrong runway or was it pilot error or was it a culmination of events? Does that mean every Comair pilot is shoddy and they are poorly trained? I'm just trying to gauge the reasoning behind your comment. Lessons are unfortunately learned in blood.

[subpilot]

That is not what I mean. I am not saying that Comair pilots and/or their training is lacking. There are a lot of people in the public who will not fly on Comair because of what happened. I was only stating that public perception (reputation) does have an effect on a company. Also, how is the impending strike looking?

[H46Bubba]

We'll just have to try to regain their trust over time.
Well the pilots are planning on striking beginning the 30th, which is the day the company is going to impose the contract changes. The company filed a motion yesterday for the court to block a strike which I believe the judge will approve. The pilots and management will meet the 27th-29th to try and still make a consensual agreement before midnight on the 30th. It's just a waiting game. If they do strike they won't have the support of DL pilots this time. That brige was burned by JC Lawson by supporting the comapany's position of not hiring furloghed DL pilots that would not give up their seniority numbers at DL

[JSS]

woah, what is this about a strike!?!? I hadn't heard about this, and how would this affect a potential new hire like myself (assuming it happened)?

[rausda27]

You will probably become unemployed as a new hire as you are on probationary status with the union as well as with the company. When the strike is over, hopefully you get recalled.

[Kristie]

well, figure if they go on strike, you'd probably get furloughed and the company would probably go down the tubes....

strike probability is pretty high right now considering a strike vote has already been passed...Comair is currently trying to manipulate the RLA system by putting an injunction on any strike. I'd google about it before going to the interview if i were you...

and, if they ask in the interview if you'd cross picket lines, i hope you know what your answer is going to be...ie: get up, tell him the interview is over and walk out the door!

what surprises me is that they're still hiring with a possible strike gonna happen.. i wonder if that means they're looking for folks who will cross lines like NWA did with the FA's/Mechanics??

[H46Bubba]

Two days and counting...........

[Kristie]

two days? i thought it was a bit further off than that, like after new years?

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by Kristie

two days? i thought it was a bit further off than that, like after new years?

Well the pilots are planning on striking beginning the 30th, which is the day the company is going to impose the contract changes. The company filed a motion yesterday for the court to block a strike which I believe the judge will approve. The pilots and management will meet the 27th-29th to try and still make a consensual agreement before midnight on the 30th.

Taken from a few posts above yours...

[Kristie]

oh my....i guess i need to give myself an SA!

[H46Bubba]

Okay it seems that we got a five week extension to the countdown last night. The pilot/comapany meet yesterday with some good progress. The pilots voted to waive the pay snapback that was to occur on the 1st, which inturn the company will not impose paycuts till February 2nd. The snapback was the reason for the deadline of the 30th to impose cut. Hopefully they have enought time to ink a consensual agreement before Feb. 2nd.

Here's two stories from today's paper

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...Z01/612290339/

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.d...Z01/612290336/

[H46Bubba]

Here's some further clarrifiacation:

Late last night, as part of our ongoing effort to work toward a consensual agreement, Comair and ALPA reached an interim agreement that will allow for further negotiations. You’ll recall that our decision to begin implementation on December 30 was driven by two key economic factors: A rate increase for pilots that would
become payable starting January 1 and a significant payment obligation to the defined contribution plan. As part of the agreement finalized late yesterday, Comair and ALPA have agreed to defer the effective date of the rate increase until February 2 and have agreed that the company may partially implement its section 1113 proposal
so that it will not incur the defined contribution plan payment obligation at this time.
In turn, the Company has agreed not to implement the rest of its section 1113 proposal before February 2. This agreement means that except for the rate increase and the defined contribution plan payment obligation, the current pilot working agreement – including pay rates and work rules – remains in effect. It will remain in effect
until new terms are implemented or until a consensual agreement is ratified. In the interim, we will continue to work toward achieving a consensual agreement, which we still believe is in everyone’s best interest. Comair and ALPA representatives met Wednesday of this week, and we have offered additional meeting dates to ALPA.

[NC_BE300]

As far as insight for the interview and training....

All housing is paid for by the company now.
Still hiring strong.
Being new and based at MCO could even happen-depending on staffing (it has happened to 2 people that have been hired since July this year).
Benifits, etc are posted on the website-
www.comair.com , Empolyment Opportunities (or click HR at the top), then click Pilots on the right side.

[H46Bubba]

NC BE300,
Has there been anymore word on the new so called "bridge" program for those that are hired with 600/100?

[NC_BE300]

Originally Posted by H46Bubba

NC BE300,
Has there been anymore word on the new so called "bridge" program for those that are hired with 600/100?

Howdy,

as far as the "bridge program"....I think that is the companies new term for the Advanced Qualification Program (CRJ Groundschool). Now at the end of groundschool,after sim work, and finially after the checkride...they reissue your pilots license with "CL-65 SIC" on the back. The training time was shortened alot, and now the normal training routine in the sim for example (based on what I did back in September this year,during my new hire time) is based more around day-to-day flying, LOFT scenerios, etc.
There are still emergencies, etc etc.....but the meat and potatoes of the course seems to focus on making the new pilot able to go right out of the sim...and into the normal life of line operations vs. expecting to loose an engine after every takeoff.

Hope this helps, and i'll try to answer questions the best I can. Thats is my take on what the "bridge program" is.

Nick

[H46Bubba]

Comair, union enlist mediator
An effort to keep talks going
BY ALEXANDER COOLIDGE

ERLANGER - Comair Inc. and its pilots union announced Thursday they have drafted a private mediator to keep dialogue going in new concession talks starting next week.
The company and union have tapped Richard Bloch, a private mediator who helped broker a deal between Comair's parent company, Delta Air Lines, and its pilots union last year.
In a joint statement, Dave Soaper, Comair's senior vice president of aircraft operations, and J.C. Lawson, chairman of the pilots union, welcomed Bloch's assistance and hoped to reach an agreement.
"We are grateful Mr. Bloch has agreed to work with us, and we welcome his participation in our discussions," they said. "We are hopeful that with Mr. Bloch's help, we can come together and make meaningful progress."
Both sides noted they were not leaving a final decision up to the mediator. They added that Bloch's participation did not mean the parties were operating under auspices of the National Mediation Board.
The negotiations, scheduled to begin Monday and resume in following weeks, will be the first since both sides cut a deal Dec. 28 that averted a strike during the New Year's holiday.
Both sides have agreed to hold discussions through Feb. 2 before possibly going back to a New York bankruptcy judge to resolve the level of pay cuts needed to lift the Erlanger-based regional airline out of bankruptcy.