Encore 2015

[Woodstock22]

Hi,

Can anyone from Encore bring us up-to-date on how life is over there on mini-team Teal at the present moment and the forecast for the summer?

Are you guys/gals still working 20 days per month, or has it scaled back to 17 or 18 yet?

Where are the majority of the new hires headed these days, YYZ or YYC?

Has the scheduling system improved there over last year yet, especially for commuters?

More new planes this arriving this year, is this still bringing quick upgrades, or just more growing pains as the company routes expand eastward?

Any other fresh gossip is also always appreciated. Thanks.
Cheers,
Woodstock

[lostaviator]

Can anyone from Encore bring us up-to-date on how life is over there on mini-team Teal at the present moment and the forecast for the summer?

Same ol same ol for now. Remainder of the year may be interesting with the passing of an agreement at wj. Can probably assume any steps towards one at wje will be met with great opposition. We are starting to hear and see some steps towards improvement like flow (though never announced to us, just rumoured from avcanada), talks of more scheduling bid options etc.

Are you guys/gals still working 20 days per month, or has it scaled back to 17 or 18 yet?

depends. Some months 20, some months less.

Where are the majority of the new hires headed these days, YYZ or YYC?

Up until recently, more senior ppl were still bidding (and being awarded) the move to yyz. Remember they only have one route over there. But with the new destinations being announced my guess would be the demand for crews over there would be increasing now and yyc decreasing.

Has the scheduling system improved there over last year yet, especially for commuters?

No

More new planes this arriving this year, is this still bringing quick upgrades, or just more growing pains as the company routes expand eastward?

When the Matrix was brought in last year, that slowed upgrades down and created the need for dec. my understanding now is that lots of FO's are now starting to meet the requirements so I'd think upgrades may be slowing down for new comers to the company.

Any other fresh gossip is also always appreciated. Thanks.

I'll ask the flight attendants.

[brooks]

I heard Encore was introducing a commuting incentive.

[lostaviator]

Encore had a commuting policy to help people out because it's what's westjet was doing. I don't agree with it. It ended, people complained, so they extended it to expire at the same time as wj. It will end for both in the near future.

Westjet has the policy because they went from ports to bases which affected lots of people. Encore never had bases or ports. They are very clear in the interview that you are a yyc or yyz based pilot.

If you choose to accept the job and then decide to commute, that is your decision and should be your cost. The way I see it, those choosing to commute are costing the company millions a year and are being compensated above those who moved for the job.

[Krimson]

Encore had a commuting policy to help people out because it's what's westjet was doing. I don't agree with it. It ended, people complained, so they extended it to expire at the same time as wj. It will end for both in the near future.

When is it set to expire?

[J31]

The way I see it, those choosing to commute are costing the company millions a year and are being compensated above those who moved for the job.

Well you had some very good info which was very well written.......until that point.

Welcome to the WestJet family where we all try to support each other from the top down. However comments like that do not foster goodwill and hard work to make WestJet the best it can be. Furthermore it is not "those choosing to commute are costing the company millions" in fact WestJet is saving millions on cancelled hotel rooms which is where it all started long before Encore.

Even further ALL airline employee's are to be exempt from AIF's in an agreement with major airports about 10 years ago. That got swept under the rug while the airlines have been taking their % of the AIF. Problem now is it is a sizable chunk of change that airlines do not what to give up.

I'm still not sure how a commuter in uniform with the required security pass came around to having to pay a "security fee".......!!!!!?????

Kudo's to WestJet and Encore for working a solution that helps ownership pride and making WestJet a great company to be part of.

[lostaviator]

I understand it started way before Encore and every commuter who was affected by the switch to bases after setting up a life in a port should receive the companies support in offsetting the commute expense.

However.... No employe at encore was affected by this and the company is not saving money on hotels as those choosing to commute are on their own dime for that. Every new employee being offered a job is told "your base is __". That is where you are expected to be.

Again, everyone who was affected deserves some leaniancy but there comes a point where I think people forget this does cost money and it's not fair for a company to absorb this cost when they made it it clear when you walked into that interview that they would not be responsible for your commute.

[True North]

Furthermore it is not "those choosing to commute are costing the company millions" in fact WestJet is saving millions on cancelled hotel rooms which is where it all started long before Encore.

Logic only a commuter could buy into.

Even further ALL airline employee's are to be exempt from AIF's in an agreement with major airports about 10 years ago. That got swept under the rug while the airlines have been taking their % of the AIF. Problem now is it is a sizable chunk of change that airlines do not what to give up.

You think the airlines are getting a cut of the AIF??!!

I'm still not sure how a commuter in uniform with the required security pass came around to having to pay a "security fee".......!!!!!?????

Because it's a source of revenue for the AIRPORT.

[Woodstock22]

Thanks Lostaviator for Encore info. Sorry to everyone else for starting a debate about commuting, haha. I was just more interested in finding out if you guys are still at the 20 days per month, and still flying some of those productive 1.5 hour airtime days.

I think with more airframes coming online this year, and options for more down the road, things look pretty exciting for the future growth of Encore. If you folks flying the planes are enjoying it as much as I gather from this site, it must be a positive environment despite the modest wages. Let's hope if things keep expanding upward at Encore, that management sees fit to increase the compensation somewhat to the worker-bees making it happen.

[Inverted2]

I heard Encore was introducing a commuting incentive.

If you commute and work 20 days a month you won't be spending much time at home.

[Realitychex]

Furthermore it is not "those choosing to commute are costing the company millions" in fact WestJet is saving millions on cancelled hotel rooms which is where it all started long before Encore.

Logic only a commuter could buy into.

Even further ALL airline employee's are to be exempt from AIF's in an agreement with major airports about 10 years ago. That got swept under the rug while the airlines have been taking their % of the AIF. Problem now is it is a sizable chunk of change that airlines do not what to give up.

You think the airlines are getting a cut of the AIF??!!

I'm still not sure how a commuter in uniform with the required security pass came around to having to pay a "security fee".......!!!!!?????

Because it's a source of revenue for the AIRPORT.

Airlines are given a commission to collect the AIF. Its been that way since pretty much day 1.

[lostaviator]

Airlines get 4-7% as a handling fee so airports don't have to have a cash register by the doors.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/Resea ... 0572-e.htm

[MUSKEG]

Hey TN. A little egg on your face this morning?? What the heck. It's breakfast time anyways. Been there done that.

[scraps]

Thanks Lostaviator for Encore info. Sorry to everyone else for starting a debate about commuting, haha. I was just more interested in finding out if you guys are still at the 20 days per month, and still flying some of those productive 1.5 hour airtime days.

I don't think you really got an answer to those questions yet, so maybe I can help. They send out monthly emails showing the average monthly block statistics. Looking at the last few months of those the average number of days worked has gotten closer to 18 now. It varies by position and base, I think FO's were around 19 days this month (out of a 30 day blocking period, not the short February).

We still have some of the short duty days, but the average block time has increased to 4 as well.

So things keep improving slowly, I know pretty much everyone is waiting for more options to bid their schedule with.

[True North]

Furthermore it is not "those choosing to commute are costing the company millions" in fact WestJet is saving millions on cancelled hotel rooms which is where it all started long before Encore.

Logic only a commuter could buy into.

Even further ALL airline employee's are to be exempt from AIF's in an agreement with major airports about 10 years ago. That got swept under the rug while the airlines have been taking their % of the AIF. Problem now is it is a sizable chunk of change that airlines do not what to give up.

You think the airlines are getting a cut of the AIF??!!

I'm still not sure how a commuter in uniform with the required security pass came around to having to pay a "security fee".......!!!!!?????

Because it's a source of revenue for the AIRPORT.

Airlines are given a commission to collect the AIF. Its been that way since pretty much day 1.

Exactly. They are paid an admin fee to collect the AIF, it's not anything like an cut and it's most certainly not a revenue stream. I can guarantee if given the choice the airlines would give it up in a heartbeat.

[True North]

Hey TN. A little egg on your face this morning?? What the heck. It's breakfast time anyways. Been there done that.

Nope, not me. You should have a quick look in the mirror tho. I think you did it again.

[mbav8r]

Does that 18 days include the two days of sitting at the airport on reserve? With no min credit what do you get paid for an airport reserve shift?

[KK7]

I have never heard of airport reserve at Encore. We have reserve, but you are free to be in the comfort of your home. It's a 2 hour call out for a 14 hour shift, you get 4 hours of credit. That would be included in your regularly scheduled work days.

[loopa]

Is it true that even if it goes down to 70 hours min guarantee, no body will actually be blocked near 70? I've heard this from several sources that the route structure will be mature enough to give everyone north of 80-85 hrs regardless of min guarantee.

[SundayDriver]

I highly doubt you will see 80-85 hour blocks by then. Currently the average is 50. If it goes to 70. You'll most likely be paid around 70

[lostaviator]

I'd say the average is 50-60ish per month but overall it is very random. The schedules are still made by hand (yes it is 2015, and 200 pilots) so the odd person gets 80. I don't think they will be able to drop the min guarantee when there is no average block being generated. It wouldn't be fair to have some getting more then most. Not to mention the personal bias in being man made.

Word on the street is there were NO resumes a while back. I think they'd be careful moving forward announcing a 14% pay reduction (80-70 hours)

[scraps]

SundayDriver and lostaviator, both of those numbers are pretty far from our current averages. The actual average scheduled credit hours for the last few months has been between about 69-77. So we're not that far from the target. But I doubt they will touch the minimum credit guarantee until we are consistently averaging 80-85.

[BE20 Driver]

My average month seems to be up to about 60 hours from the low to mid 50's. In the last six months, I've had two that were over 70 hours. The rest were about 60. This includes credit for reserve days, not just time in the airplane.

My guess is that because we aren't consistently over 70 hours the 80 hour guarantee will continue. The only people talking about the expiration of the 80 hour block are the pilots. Haven't heard anything from the company on it yet. Last time it was up for renewal it was a last minute announcement.

Recruiting bottomed out last spring. The company announced one list and direct entry captains and people began applying again. Ground schools seem to be full so I assume we are still getting people applying.

[lostaviator]

SundayDriver and lostaviator, both of those numbers are pretty far from our current averages. The actual average scheduled credit hours for the last few months has been between about 69-77. So we're not that far from the target. But I doubt they will touch the minimum credit guarantee until we are consistently averaging 80-85.

I find the number they give us to be interesting when the number of people spoken to are getting significantly less. Maybe that is the average, but until there is some sort of system that keeps everyone + or - a few hours around the average I don't think it would be in their best interest to drop the guarantee. You can't have 10 people blocked at 79 and then have 15 others scheduled at 55.

[scraps]

SundayDriver and lostaviator, both of those numbers are pretty far from our current averages. The actual average scheduled credit hours for the last few months has been between about 69-77. So we're not that far from the target. But I doubt they will touch the minimum credit guarantee until we are consistently averaging 80-85.

I find the number they give us to be interesting when the number of people spoken to are getting significantly less. Maybe that is the average, but until there is some sort of system that keeps everyone + or - a few hours around the average I don't think it would be in their best interest to drop the guarantee. You can't have 10 people blocked at 79 and then have 15 others scheduled at 55.

The averages I quoted are correct, we have a lot of people blocked above 80 as well. The reason why it varies so much is simply our current growth, they have to use the more efficient pairings for line indoc to get people ready. The bigger we get the more the blocks will even out for all of the line pilots.