George Taylor wrote: ↑Wed Feb 19, 2020 9:04 am
[quote=seriousflyer post_id=1105303 time=1582076325 user_id=31302
Flow and retention will be the main focus for operations management all while balancing safety and training.
WestJet has zero interest in a retention plan. Someone may chime in that isn't the case, but actions speak louder then words. There has been no action from the company to mend pilot relations.
[/quote]
I’m at Encore and have been for the last 4 years. Nothing has been presented to us to incentivize any of us to stay and flow to WJ. Presently there is flow through to WJ but its a trickle, Feb, March, April and May WJ ground schools will have a total of 16 Encore pilots flowing out of 128 available ground school spots. I understand we don’t have the Captains available to release any more than this, however the problem that is surfacing as a result of this lack of flow is just beginning.
With over 500 pilots at Encore a new hire can expect anywhere from 8-10 years at Encore before flowing to the 737. This could change but if we are looking at how many pilots they are flowing now, and this is a great hiring year for WJ, 8+ years is very realistic. What is unrealistic is the expectation for anyone to stay that long at the regional level given the current and foreseeable demand for pilots. I love Encore, it is still a great company to work for and the people here are great. However as a Captain with a young family at home I work 17-18 days a month and I’m burnt out. Maybe someone who is in there early 20’s and lives for work can handle 8 plus years of this, however I would wager this is unlikely. December saw the ratification of the PTA (one list returning) and that was great. But don’t be fooled, the one list is only relevant if there is real movement from Encore to WJ. Without that, it’s fools gold.
Everything in this industry is reactive and not proactive. I believe things will have to get worse before they get better in terms of WAWCON. But if Encore is going to survive, things will have to improve and the incentive to stay for nearly a decade before you see the jet will have to be worthwhile.
I know you asked about WJ’s plan to retain pilots, not Encore’s, so I apologize but I felt it was worth chiming in on since I believe the success of pilot retention at WJ and Encore are interconnected given the nature of the PTA.