HDP - thin end of the wedge.
 

The DFO's recent statement regarding the cabin crew mentioned that the company now employ 60% of cabin crew on Hourly Duty Pay.

Several years ago the company also introduced HDP for flight crew. At that time it was in lieu of a pay rise. There has been no payrise since.

This is merely a start. HDP is not provident fundable. Future pay rises are likely to be only to the HDP component of salary.

Consider ourselves in 10 - 15 years from now. Inflation will have eroded basic salary much further than it already has, making it simply a "retainer" portion of annual income. HDP will be the bulk of our income.

During a downturn, the company will not need to offer SLS, they will simply roster less hours. Being unfit for duty will have no impact on the company, you will just earn less.

For a sneak preview of how this will all work, just speak to one of the 60% of cabin crew who have now found themselves on this system. Don't think it won't have to us. It already has. We are all currently on it, only the thin end. Many US Majors are paid HPD with no other component to their pay as standard practice.

We will all be fighting to do 110 hours a month to make cash for those trips to wan chai...

Yes you have got that right. The cabin crew on HDP do that now.

In fact you can easily see what the long term plan is - in a few years time the new international cadets will be doing a short course (4 weeks) if they are eligible (say 3000 hours plus) and will attract only a base housing allowance if they are lucky. In other words, they will have the same qualifications and experience as those who joined 5-10 years ago, but no housing to match.

The LEP's are not going to get the housing they want, simply because that would set a precedent that management don't want. If they did, then they would not have withdrawn the housing from the international cadets. Its not about getting more pilots, its only about saving money on the housing.

And all of us will have a major component of our pay as HDP. And that will make us want to work harder - not because we love the work, but because it will be the only way to get our basic income. Afterall, thats is exactly what is happening now for the cabin crew.

Should the Company and FAU come to some sort of agreement whereby the Company pays HDP to 100% of the cabin crew, expect the outcome to be a "sign o' the times" for us.

I agree, we will be required to work harder to earn our current pay cheques, which leads into issues of fatigue etc. The limitation will be based on FTLs and how fit One is. :*

Probably why we should grow some balls and next time the company tries to "negotiate" a restructured pay deal with a greater component of HDP (and sells it as a pay rise:=), we do what the FAU just did.:D

I am not trying to be overly macho, or sound tough. However, the fact for me personally is that I am already at a breaking point. I see this job for what it is. I see having to strike in the future and am prepared to do so. If it doesn't help or I am fired for striking I am fully prepared to leave. I also do not want to be in the left seat, and not be able to look my FO/SO in the eye because of the conditions I LET happen to him (aka A Scalers). I do, however not think I am alone and that does give me some hope. It is actually pretty freeing to be prepared to leave.

Rook

I take umbrage with your comment regarding A scale pilots letting you down.

The A scales tried to take the Company to task in 99 but were faced with a management that WANTED a fight. Although the B scalers, thankfully, joined the fight, ultimately it resulted in 49 pilots being fired.

That you are at your wits end is understandable, and feel free to comment on industrial relations since you joined, but I won't allow you to pass judgement, with a broad stroke, demeaning those of us who took the risks and saw 49 of our friends cast to the wind.

I like your outlook, Rook. IMO, none of us should ever be so beholden to our employer that we fear for our financial future with the temporary loss of our income, or the fear to do what is right or nescessary to uphold our values, self respect, or sense of worth. That goes for anyone in any occupation I suppose. Live within your means, save for a rainy day, whatever you want to call it. Financial independence is more important than that fancy new car, big house, etc. Contrary to popular belief (or company desire I'm sure), don't focus all of your time and attention on aviation. Learn new skills, network with others outside the profession, develop a side income - in essence, become more well rounded. I always feel sorry for some poor chap on the occation I sit next to him for hours on end who has nothing to talk about outside of flying airplanes. Sitting in an aluminum tube for 80 hours a month is just a JOB, afterall!

On the upside (for sake of this arguement anyway), pilot jobs all over the world are getting easier and easier to repace WRT income. For example, my neighbor kid makes the same daily $$$ as I do as a COS08 FO. What did he bring to his employer's table? A high school diploma and a healthy attitude and desire to succeed.

Raven11- Perhaps my brush stroke was too thick. I realize not all think the same and that the situation was complicated.
I do however, think we shouldn't make the same mistakes again. Sticking together and standing up to the company is the only path I see with a positive future at the end.

Nick has been trying to convert us to HDP since he took over. It would prove disastrous to individual pilots. Can you imagine being marginalised on roster hours so that your pay constantly fell below expected monthly averages? Wouldn't put it past them to 'under roster' people they didn't like...

Rook said If you are B scale, quite simply - you let it happen to yourself.
If no pilots took the job on a B scale salary, there would have been no B scale, it's that simple.
This topic has been done to death in the past, and is hardly relevant to the gradually increasing HDP wedge that is one of many unwanted insertions we have been on the receiving end of.
Basic salary increases should be insisted on, and HDP left to wither on the vine.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

At LEAST 8.5%, just like our DFO - what's good for the goose....
:ok:

HDP "incentivises" crew to fly more and in doing so makes it more difficult for them to complain about fatiguing rosters because in doing so they would be giving themselves a pay cut. It's not just pay that's at issue here, it's the ability to make a stand against dubious safety practices.

STP

Yes, and HDP is another way to guarantee you are paid less on months you go on leave.

HDP will result in a pay loss for most of us, as the company will construct the concept to ensure that we will work the same as we do now for less renumeration. This is an idea which must never be accepted.