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
[email protected]
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
[email protected]
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
[email protected] 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 [email protected]
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
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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