Pilots who went on strike let go by PHI
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Source of PHI replacements?
Ron Powell,
I don't know the answer to all of your questions. I believe that the contract pilot terms are still spreading through the industry and attracting attention. The $500/600/day rate is attractive, but the flexibility in how much one works is, I believe, equally attractive. Many of the tired, semi retired and already retired have perked up and are coming back for well paid, part time work.
The military must not be on a complete stop loss basis. I know of one WO-4 who is retiring Nov.1 and starts class on Nov.2
There will be a number of Robbie instructors hired. Some of the sharper ones will make it. Of the total hired how many will be retained? More than previously because Al has unilaterally implimented his "last best offer" pay raise. The strike bonus will also have an effect.
Part of PHI's retention problem was low pay. Pay raises were held up by the protracted CBA negotiations. As I understand it, another of Local 108's gripes was mandatory workover, partially caused by low retention, which in turn was partially caused by low pay, contract negotiations ect. A viscious circle.
How will PHI train replacements if all instructors are flying the line? Beats me. I've heard a rumor about outsourcing training or hiring flight instructors.
Could Al have thrown all of these strike bonus $ at the pilot work force had they not struck? Sure he could have but would probably have just paid the scale he implimented after supermediation.
I sincerely wish this had gone better for Local 108. I recognize all the benefits that have accrued to the entire helicopter industry becasue of the efforts of Locals 107,108 and 109. A win at PHI would have had even more positive impacts.
I fear a win is not in the offing this time. Debating the roots of a possible failure is another topic.
DT
I don't know the answer to all of your questions. I believe that the contract pilot terms are still spreading through the industry and attracting attention. The $500/600/day rate is attractive, but the flexibility in how much one works is, I believe, equally attractive. Many of the tired, semi retired and already retired have perked up and are coming back for well paid, part time work.
The military must not be on a complete stop loss basis. I know of one WO-4 who is retiring Nov.1 and starts class on Nov.2
There will be a number of Robbie instructors hired. Some of the sharper ones will make it. Of the total hired how many will be retained? More than previously because Al has unilaterally implimented his "last best offer" pay raise. The strike bonus will also have an effect.
Part of PHI's retention problem was low pay. Pay raises were held up by the protracted CBA negotiations. As I understand it, another of Local 108's gripes was mandatory workover, partially caused by low retention, which in turn was partially caused by low pay, contract negotiations ect. A viscious circle.
How will PHI train replacements if all instructors are flying the line? Beats me. I've heard a rumor about outsourcing training or hiring flight instructors.
Could Al have thrown all of these strike bonus $ at the pilot work force had they not struck? Sure he could have but would probably have just paid the scale he implimented after supermediation.
I sincerely wish this had gone better for Local 108. I recognize all the benefits that have accrued to the entire helicopter industry becasue of the efforts of Locals 107,108 and 109. A win at PHI would have had even more positive impacts.
I fear a win is not in the offing this time. Debating the roots of a possible failure is another topic.
DT
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PHI, apparently tired of having Local 107 of the photographer's union taking pictures of all the tied-down aircraft, has hidden them. All the aircraft from Houma and Morgan City have been moved to an 'undisclosed location'. How they plan to service BP and Shell seems to be a mystery. Brand new Robbie CFIs cannot fly the S92 or the C+/C++. There are already plenty of 206 pilots available, and they're mostly useless.
Approximately 22% of the SICs and 19% of the PICs are working in Oil & Gas. About 10% of the flights for the major customers are being done, and these are running 5 to 6 hours late on average. PHI is losing huge chunks of money, and it will be interesting to see if they are truthful on the next SEC filing.
Approximately 22% of the SICs and 19% of the PICs are working in Oil & Gas. About 10% of the flights for the major customers are being done, and these are running 5 to 6 hours late on average. PHI is losing huge chunks of money, and it will be interesting to see if they are truthful on the next SEC filing.
Gatvol
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"The $500/600/day rate is attractive"
Someone here behind the times. last I heard someone started this week at $700/day. Choose your aircraft and schedule. That certainly has to P/O those on strike.
"There are already plenty of 206 pilots available, and they're mostly useless."
GLS, think maybe you should clarify that. Sounds a bit insulting. Is that one of those, I wouldnt step down to flying a meer 206 things??
"Brand new Robbie CFIs cannot fly the S92 or the C+/C++. "
Sort of a no brainer, but as long as they meet the FAA Licensing requirements, they can be transitioned, albeit someone is going to pay. Look if they are paying say $700 a day for a 206/407 type, you can bet your last peeled shrimp they will pay more for someone to drive the bigger twins.
Someone here behind the times. last I heard someone started this week at $700/day. Choose your aircraft and schedule. That certainly has to P/O those on strike.
"There are already plenty of 206 pilots available, and they're mostly useless."
GLS, think maybe you should clarify that. Sounds a bit insulting. Is that one of those, I wouldnt step down to flying a meer 206 things??
"Brand new Robbie CFIs cannot fly the S92 or the C+/C++. "
Sort of a no brainer, but as long as they meet the FAA Licensing requirements, they can be transitioned, albeit someone is going to pay. Look if they are paying say $700 a day for a 206/407 type, you can bet your last peeled shrimp they will pay more for someone to drive the bigger twins.
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I meant useless in the context of the current strike. 206s can't service deepwater customers, at least the majors. They won't use them out there, and they're too slow for most anyone else. Flying all the 206s in PHI's inventory won't cover even a small percentage of the work, which has mostly shifted to medium and heavy twins.
The S92 and S76C++ require courses at FSI, and those are pretty much booked, not to mention the time it takes. Shuttling 3 or 4 low-time guys through month-long courses isn't going to help with this strikebreaking especially considering what FSI gets for the courses. Plus, the majors require Gulf experience for their PICs, but of course they can waiver that if they don't care about the safety of their employees.
The S92 and S76C++ require courses at FSI, and those are pretty much booked, not to mention the time it takes. Shuttling 3 or 4 low-time guys through month-long courses isn't going to help with this strikebreaking especially considering what FSI gets for the courses. Plus, the majors require Gulf experience for their PICs, but of course they can waiver that if they don't care about the safety of their employees.
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10%?
GLSNightPilot,
I was at Charlie Hammonds FBO at Houma this morning. Between 06:40 and 7:00 am I saw three different S-92's and a S-76 load up with pax and depart for offshore followed by Cougar's contracted S-61. Carol Hammonds says they are running in and out all day long. I question the 10% figure reported to you.
DT
I was at Charlie Hammonds FBO at Houma this morning. Between 06:40 and 7:00 am I saw three different S-92's and a S-76 load up with pax and depart for offshore followed by Cougar's contracted S-61. Carol Hammonds says they are running in and out all day long. I question the 10% figure reported to you.
DT
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3 S92s and one S76, making two trips per day, is a small percentage of a normal Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Normally everything they have flies at least 2, usually 3, trips. Normal complement is 5 S92s and 6 S76s, plus specials. BP has stopped all construction and maintenance and pulled in all nonessential personnel, from what we hear.
Just as PHI has moles in the union, we have customers who talk to us. Spin how you like, but PHI is providing only a small percentage of the required flights.
Just as PHI has moles in the union, we have customers who talk to us. Spin how you like, but PHI is providing only a small percentage of the required flights.
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"You can bet your last peeled shrimp they will pay more for someone to drive the bigger twins"
The problem for them is that most of the people who are qualified to drive the bigger twins (i.e. time in type, offshore time, and total time) for the major customers. Have enough sense not to sell out for what, $700 a day, as they see how this strike will benefit every pilot in the industry in the long run if it succeeds.
Personally, I wouldn't do it for double that. But that’s just me.
I'm personally not a big fan of unions. However, I'm going to benefit from this strike if it succeeds, therefore the least I can do is not screw the people that are out there trying to make a difference.
The problem for them is that most of the people who are qualified to drive the bigger twins (i.e. time in type, offshore time, and total time) for the major customers. Have enough sense not to sell out for what, $700 a day, as they see how this strike will benefit every pilot in the industry in the long run if it succeeds.
Personally, I wouldn't do it for double that. But that’s just me.
I'm personally not a big fan of unions. However, I'm going to benefit from this strike if it succeeds, therefore the least I can do is not screw the people that are out there trying to make a difference.
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A search in the FAA reg. database resulted in the following:
206 = 101
407 = 43
BO105 = 17
Astar = 32
BK117 = 5
EC135 = 14
Others = 8
Total light = 220
S76 = 20
S92 = 2
212 = 7
214 = 4
412 = 22
SA330 = 2
Total medium/heavy = 57
Total number of helicopters owned by PHI = 277
206 = 101
407 = 43
BO105 = 17
Astar = 32
BK117 = 5
EC135 = 14
Others = 8
Total light = 220
S76 = 20
S92 = 2
212 = 7
214 = 4
412 = 22
SA330 = 2
Total medium/heavy = 57
Total number of helicopters owned by PHI = 277
Last edited by HillerBee; 6th Oct 2006 at 15:39.
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What you don't see are the medium and heavy aircraft they don't own, but lease. They own the 206s and BO105s, which are mostly 25+ years old. They own a number of S76A models, converted to A++. The 212s are in Africa and Antarctica, none in the GOM. The Astars, BK117, and EC135 are EMS aircraft. The new aircraft - C+, C++, and S92, are mostly leased.
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I was just curious how many aircraft there where. I already imagined they would also lease. But there are quite a lot of 206's and 407's as well. These seats are quite easy to fill, especially when the standards are lowered.
How is the current situation? Any talks with PHI management? How many guys are still picketing?
How is the current situation? Any talks with PHI management? How many guys are still picketing?
http://www.local108pilots.org/docs/Letter_Pics.pdf
Page 3 and 4 show photographs of PHI aircraft on static display prior to the covert move to some secret location yet to be announced.
Definitely a bunch of 412's setting around in the one photo....and 92's and 76's in the other.
Perhaps some Air Log guys can post some of the Kodak Moments they have been doing as they overfly the PHI bases all day.
Page 3 and 4 show photographs of PHI aircraft on static display prior to the covert move to some secret location yet to be announced.
Definitely a bunch of 412's setting around in the one photo....and 92's and 76's in the other.
Perhaps some Air Log guys can post some of the Kodak Moments they have been doing as they overfly the PHI bases all day.
Fourth and Fifth ways.....steal'em or repossess them!
PHI New Hire Shirts Make Their Second Debut!
New Hires at PHI are now being issued Company Shirts originally created and authorized by the Bob Suggs School of Helicopter Management. Each new hire has a choice of seven shirts of either the workday gray and black version or the break week model in Black and White.
Deductions at source for the cost of the shirts is made on a weekly basis until paid off. PHI does include a slight handling fee and finance charge if the employee opts to pay in other than cash at purchase.
Deductions at source for the cost of the shirts is made on a weekly basis until paid off. PHI does include a slight handling fee and finance charge if the employee opts to pay in other than cash at purchase.
Gatvol
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Have not yet heard of much picketing by the mass of Pilots on Strike. Some news or photos there...........or is that not happening.
Only group photo we saw was on the first few days. Hopefully these guys are not sitting this out like a vacation, it could be permanent.
Only group photo we saw was on the first few days. Hopefully these guys are not sitting this out like a vacation, it could be permanent.
The tee shirts are not issued to new hires but are mostly purchased from the company store from employees own money. Those that are issued are given to Mechanics who are still Union Free and seem to wish to remain so for the present.
I don't reckon the HR Nazi's worked at bridging gaps, conducted diversity training, clinics on conflict resolution and that kind of thing do you?
Issuing shirts like the one in the photo to engineers.....and charging others for PHI shirts that do not bear the "Union Free" logo.....damn that is enlightened thinking by someone at the main hangar!
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Regardless of whether they are owned or leased, the registered owner is not PHI.
For someone with absolutely, positively, no business relationshipe whatsoever with PHI, you certainly have a lot of detailed knowledge of things they generally try to keep secret. Methinks I still have to call BS on that.
The customers, who do talk to us, are giving very different numbers on the completion of flights. Someone is exaggerating. I wonder who - those with a huge financial interest in exaggerating, or those with none (the people who ride and dispatch).
For someone with absolutely, positively, no business relationshipe whatsoever with PHI, you certainly have a lot of detailed knowledge of things they generally try to keep secret. Methinks I still have to call BS on that.
The customers, who do talk to us, are giving very different numbers on the completion of flights. Someone is exaggerating. I wonder who - those with a huge financial interest in exaggerating, or those with none (the people who ride and dispatch).
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client schedules
Gentlemen
Arguing over task completion rates can be pointless without all the information. In the prevailing circumstances, if I was an oil company logistics coordinator and I was aware that helo capacity was down then I would scale down my programme to something that had some chance of completion. If this is 50% of my original intentions (pre-strike) and I achieve 50% of the new figure then I could legitimately say that I have achieved half of my programme. However this is actually 25% of what I really need.
Get the facts and you will get the true picture.
Here's hoping for a satisfactory conclusion to what will inevitably be a traumatic experience for all.
G
Arguing over task completion rates can be pointless without all the information. In the prevailing circumstances, if I was an oil company logistics coordinator and I was aware that helo capacity was down then I would scale down my programme to something that had some chance of completion. If this is 50% of my original intentions (pre-strike) and I achieve 50% of the new figure then I could legitimately say that I have achieved half of my programme. However this is actually 25% of what I really need.
Get the facts and you will get the true picture.
Here's hoping for a satisfactory conclusion to what will inevitably be a traumatic experience for all.
G
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To extend Geofferson's thoughts, if I were an oil company customer, I would bend over backwards to break the strike, since I will pay whatever bills the extra wages raise. It stands to reason that the oil companies will take the pressure off PHI if at all possible, and play a waiting game to see how much the guys on the street can stand.
Pity, I am not sure what the UNion could have done different, they waited 2 1/2 years to do something as it was. It seems that PHI had no intention of settling things, they were just playing a waiting game all along.
Pity, I am not sure what the UNion could have done different, they waited 2 1/2 years to do something as it was. It seems that PHI had no intention of settling things, they were just playing a waiting game all along.