United pilots welcome return of furloughed aviators
 

Sep 06, 2013 11:28 am
Airlines

The United Master Executive Council (United MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association today applauded United Airlines' announcement of the recall of all furloughed United pilots. In September 2008, United Airlines began laying off pilots, leading to a total of 1,437 pilots furloughed.

"We welcome our brother and sister pilots back with open arms," said Captain Jay Heppner, chairman of the United MEC. "We have worked toward this day for more than five years.

"The recall of these pilots offers further proof that we stand at a new beginning for this pilot group, now 12,216-pilot strong. I am secure in the knowledge that our furloughed pilots will be returning to a much better contract and to an airline with a brighter and more confident future. Now, all United pilots, together, can meet the challenges of our future as we build the world's best airline."

Among the total pilots who were furloughed, 342 have already been offered recall and another 600 took positions with Continental. About 500 pilots are awaiting recall. Training classes for the recalled United pilots are scheduled to begin next month and run through the end of the year.

Isn't this the Middle East board...UAL is a North America company!

The United Pilots are mostly in Middle East
 

About 1 year ago I suggested that as soon as the USA aviation scene improved the American Pilots would return home.

The only possible snag is that some ME Airlines ( included) made new hires sign a document releasing themselves from returning if furloughed.

Glf

I don't know of any US airline that didn't take a seniority resignation letter from a furloughed pilot and toss it in the shredder.

UAL welcomes them back the ME will not thank them for coming out.

:ok: Good for all those guys who want to return

Not to be a cynic.... But.... how long till they get flushed out the bottom again and are then banging on another expat job door..... History tends to repeat itself back there.

Hmmmm.... Choices, Choices :E

Not only UAL is looking for pilots in US and EU ... all the ME airline better increase the t&c ...

"A man's got to know his limitations" or in this case "Do you feel lucky Punk"

guess that makes it "Total Recall":}:}:}

Could anyone come up with the numbers that EK might be looking at losing here? If any.

Will Captain America/Tartan Guy be one of them?

You have a Cap. America there too...???? :E

I think it's all related to age really, as someone mentioned, this is a cyclical industry and I for one don't believe for a second the whole "nothing but blue skies ahead" notion, pilots always make plans for progression and earnings based on the current climate when it always turns out to be nothing but an upswing...! How long will this upswing be? That is the question that we spend a whole career trying to answer. If you are in your mid 30's or so, it is worth it to go back because you probably will have enough time to put enough distance between you and the bottom of the seniority (furlough fodder territory) and if things don't last too long on an upswing, you still have time to look for alternatives on the expat market. If you are at or around the 50 year old mark, it is a gamble going back both financially and in QOL, many people that have been working as an expat for some time, doesn't really remember what it is like to be a junior F/O at a ****ty base for one of these carriers, not withstanding that you will never recover economically, and won't see the left seat again until just a few years before retirement (that if the upswing lasts, and I ask, When has it last?) some will hear the songs of sirens and make the leap of faith, just to ask themselves What the hell did I do? Will see I guess:rolleyes:

is capt america/ tartan guy still here?

UAL/CAL has over 400 retirements per year for the foreseeable future. NWA and DAL are not too far behind. If there is a financial collapse, all bets areoff for most careers. Don't see the FAA upping the age past 65 anytime soon. The legacies Will always find quality pilots and many here have recall rights back to the legacies, probably close to 200 or so. The largest expansion in the US airline industry was from 78-81; deregulation. Those pilots hired in that time frame are approaching 65 and will be made to retire. That can't or won't be stopped short of the collapse I mentioned before.

And the ME airlines will be affected, just by numbers alone. I have not flown with one US pilot under 40 that is not seriously updating CVs and looking for the exit, and this includes recently minted captains. It's a numbers game, that's all. The lifestyle endured by us here does NOT lend itself to a healthy and enjoyable one on several levels. Therefore, being on the bottom of a legacy seniority list will not deter many.

Amen! :ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:

'does' or 'doesnt' lend itself....?!

Thank you, sir....corrected.

Involuntarily furloughed UA pilots will be coming back at about number 9,700 of around 12,000 pilots post SLI. That will get you a 737 or A320 F/O position in almost any domicile or 757/767 F/O position in a few domiciles. Not worth it all unless you really need to be back home stateside.

well worth it in the long run...look at one's self 20 years from now in the Gulf, or in the USA...financial tossup maybe, but lifestyle well worth it to return for the "under-40's"...

Cpt. America / tartan guy is still here
 

I saw him the other day waiting for a car.