I don't understand. If the company (Polar) has nothing that you could fly as a PFE
That's the rub. Polar management agreed to this by signing it, and AAWW thus inherited it.
Actually, back in 1998 when Polar's CBA was authored, Polar's FE's and pilots were put on the same seniority list for reasons of job protection. In those days, everyone knew that the expensive -400's were coming, however they were considered to be at least 10 years out for Polar's use.
Also at that time, ICAO standards had not been established for "cruise pilots" on the ultra long range -400. Some airlines (Lufty and Qantas included) re-assigned their FE's as cruise pilots to save their jobs. This was the intention of Polar's labor, however today, ICAO cruise pilot standards have been established and the FE's as cruise pilot concept is now obsolete.
Polar, when they received their first -400 much earlier than forecasted, had this option but did not run with it. It was also very ironic at the time that after crying poor for months, management reversed, and orderd their first -400. All within a few weeks of it's contested first CBA becoming ratified.
Poor Jim Cato and company. They overlooked and/or did not realize the implication's of Polar's little CBA clause. They were by then stuck with it . . . oh well.
Last edited by L-38; 5th Feb 2009 at 18:14.