USA320Pilot
Veteran
- May 18, 2003
- 8,175
- 1,539
Yesterday US Airways President Scott Kirby held a Crew News briefing with pilots yesterday in CLT. Here are some bits and peices of information (paraphrased):
1. Piedmont Fleet Plan: The Piedmont pilots aree concerned about their future because of the Mainline pilots scope clause, which prevents keeps them from obtaining Dash 8-Q400's. The leases on 45% of the current Dash 8's are set to expire. Kirby indicated the company cannot go against the scope clause, but he would like to replace 50-seat RJ flying with Q400's. In my opinion, this subject is likely to be a topic of discussion next week when Kirby joins JNC discussions on a new pilot contract next week in DCA. In addition, the company believes a pilot "flow through" is a good idea, but US Airways has a large forlough list, therefore, he believes there is sufficent time to work on this point.
In addition, Kirby said that we can expect a "shake up" in PSA and Piedmont Management coming in the next week or two.
2. Pilot Pay: Pilots in attendance complained about how long it is taking for the combined contract to be finished and a lack of response from the company, in particular on pay rates.
Kirby indicated he wanted to finish the other sections of the contract first before discussing pay, pensions, and scope. Kirby noted that ALPA's requested pay rates are "dead on arrival", however, he said there is room to reach a mutual agreement on rates. In my opninion, it sounds as if management recognizes new pilot pay rates must exceed the current West rates.
3. Mainline Fleet Update:
Widebody order: - 20 firm + options for either the B787 (first delivery in 2011) or the A350 (first delivery 2013). Negotiations should be concluded in two weeks with an announcement approximately two weeks later.
A330's will be used in the interim, with 200's used for longer range flights.
Kirby said the company need's to acquire A340-500's prior to DOT's China announcement. Marketing and Planning are evalauting Philadelphia to Tel Aviv and Phoenix to Europe (in my opinion, Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Paris) as interim routes to fly the A340.
Narrowbody order: The B737 or A321 will replace older B737's. 60 firm orders + options with deliveries beginning in late 2008.
4. Pilot recalls: Kirby said that there will be more recalls than originally planned for this year. US Airways Senior Vice President of Flight Operations Ed Bular nodded in agreement, but no numbers were given.
Regards,
USA320Pilot
1. Piedmont Fleet Plan: The Piedmont pilots aree concerned about their future because of the Mainline pilots scope clause, which prevents keeps them from obtaining Dash 8-Q400's. The leases on 45% of the current Dash 8's are set to expire. Kirby indicated the company cannot go against the scope clause, but he would like to replace 50-seat RJ flying with Q400's. In my opinion, this subject is likely to be a topic of discussion next week when Kirby joins JNC discussions on a new pilot contract next week in DCA. In addition, the company believes a pilot "flow through" is a good idea, but US Airways has a large forlough list, therefore, he believes there is sufficent time to work on this point.
In addition, Kirby said that we can expect a "shake up" in PSA and Piedmont Management coming in the next week or two.
2. Pilot Pay: Pilots in attendance complained about how long it is taking for the combined contract to be finished and a lack of response from the company, in particular on pay rates.
Kirby indicated he wanted to finish the other sections of the contract first before discussing pay, pensions, and scope. Kirby noted that ALPA's requested pay rates are "dead on arrival", however, he said there is room to reach a mutual agreement on rates. In my opninion, it sounds as if management recognizes new pilot pay rates must exceed the current West rates.
3. Mainline Fleet Update:
Widebody order: - 20 firm + options for either the B787 (first delivery in 2011) or the A350 (first delivery 2013). Negotiations should be concluded in two weeks with an announcement approximately two weeks later.
A330's will be used in the interim, with 200's used for longer range flights.
Kirby said the company need's to acquire A340-500's prior to DOT's China announcement. Marketing and Planning are evalauting Philadelphia to Tel Aviv and Phoenix to Europe (in my opinion, Heathrow, Frankfurt, and Paris) as interim routes to fly the A340.
Narrowbody order: The B737 or A321 will replace older B737's. 60 firm orders + options with deliveries beginning in late 2008.
4. Pilot recalls: Kirby said that there will be more recalls than originally planned for this year. US Airways Senior Vice President of Flight Operations Ed Bular nodded in agreement, but no numbers were given.
Regards,
USA320Pilot