Since United is the only carrier that has “channel 9 available” for passengers I hope I can get an answer to my curious question. Also, I hope my question is not too basic.
Here goes:
I travel frequently from the East coast to LAX. While listening to channel 9 (about one hour from LAX) I hear communication to the pilot about turning at “GRAM” or some name that sounds like that.
Where is that location or does that term have significance?
A flight plan involves a departure and arrival, along with waypoints/airways. Waypoints and/or reporting points along airways can be comprised of waypoints (like GRAMM) that are just coordinates (and have no physical presence) or navigational aids (navaids) that do have a physical presence (in the form of an electronic transmitter/transceiver). Waypoints also make up the routes for STARS and SIDS (standard approaches and departures) which can (and often are) tacked on to the beginning or end of a flight plan. Waypoints can also be used as easy ways for ATC to direct a plane to a location ("cleared direct to GRAMM") or to take a specific action ("cross GRAMM at one-zero-thousand" or "maintain 180 or greater until GRAMM" etc etc).
Check out the details of this flight plan for UA123 that includes GRAMM.
.bomb says there are 6366 pilots. Do you guys know the breakdown of how many pilots for each airframe (ie 1000 for 772, 500 for 744, 500 for 763, 1000 for 752, etc)?
Also, not looking for exact numbers, but where do you guys fall in senority ranking (again, not specific)?
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Lots of people go to school for 7 years......
.bomb says there are 6366 pilots. Do you guys know the breakdown of how many pilots for each airframe (ie 1000 for 772, 500 for 744, 500 for 763, 1000 for 752, etc)?
Also, not looking for exact numbers, but where do you guys fall in senority ranking (again, not specific)?
I don't have access to the exact numbers, but it's about 10 active pilots per aircraft. We sat down 100 aircraft and furloughed 950 active pilots, 1450 overall.
I can't really say where I fall since I like to keep my anonymity, but I've been at United a long time.
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These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
Last edited by aluminumdriver; Sep 9, 09 at 7:04 pm.
Programs: Mariott Plat, *wood Plat, Hyatt Diamond, United 1P
Posts: 83
Quote:
Originally Posted by aluminumdriver
Furloughed pilots do many things. Those that have the opportunity may go back and fly for the military. Reservist and guard members may fly more with their units. There's corporate flying, fractional flying, and other flying jobs. Some will go fly for regional jet carriers (I would never do this since I couldn't afford going back to minimum wage). Some go on to other careers, law school, med school, business, etc... to get away from the flying career. That's what I would do if I became unemployed from United, go into another career field. Airline pilot is not for the faint of heart and its track as a career path is fast obliterating.
Have a nice day.
So it is quite possible that a furloughed pilot in the midst of med school or another career etc could simply decline the chance to come back and fly and keep pursuing the other career?
This seems like a bit of a waste of pilot experience on the part of United.
So it is quite possible that a furloughed pilot in the midst of med school or another career etc could simply decline the chance to come back and fly and keep pursuing the other career?
This seems like a bit of a waste of pilot experience on the part of United.
If its like the FA process, they have X chances to decline the request to return before they are fully terminated (vs furloughed) ... not sure what it entails when you decline all your chances.
So it is quite possible that a furloughed pilot in the midst of med school or another career etc could simply decline the chance to come back and fly and keep pursuing the other career?
This seems like a bit of a waste of pilot experience on the part of United.
Yep, it happened after the last furlough, hundreds of pilots didn't come back. This time, the union and company have agreed to let recalled pilots defer coming back for up to ten years. So, if someone is in med school or law school when they are recalled, they can bypass recall for a decade before they HAVE to come back.
It is a waste of pilot experience, but United doesn't seem to care. Their fine replacing that experience with 20 yr old regional jet pilots unfortunately. Sad.
__________________
These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
If they are in med or law school, one would doubt they are ever coming back. But agree some level of deferral of the recall probably makes sense.
Actually we have many pilots with medical or law degrees. Gives someone something else to do with the crazy airline world. So they indeed could come back to the cockpit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by urcunina
I would like to believe that since my son is very close to the bottom for the second time in his career. Maybe it's 10/aircraft?
Yep, sorry about the typo.
__________________
These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Sep 9, 09 at 7:18 pm.
Reason: merge
If they are in med or law school, one would doubt they are ever coming back. But agree some level of deferral of the recall probably makes sense.
While medicine might be tougher, I could see Pilots/Captains' with law degrees. Especially ones that fly long haul intl. While they might have scheduling conflict as trial lawyers, they certainly would have the time to do contracts, wills, etc. during layovers/deadheading etc.
BTW, do pilots get any compensation/benefits (medical, travel, etc.) during furlough?
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Lots of people go to school for 7 years......
My Aviation Medical Examiner (the doctor who gives me my FAA physicals) is a retired American Airline's B747 Captain. He took a leave of absense from AAL to go to medical school.
A good friend at my current airline started his career as a Naval Aviator. When his military comittment was up the airlines weren't hiring so he went to law school. As graduation neared the airlines were hiring again so after receiving his law degree he was hired by a Major US airline. Seems like now he should go to medical school just to round out his eduction.
While medicine might be tougher, I could see Pilots/Captains' with law degrees. Especially ones that fly long haul intl. While they might have scheduling conflict as trial lawyers, they certainly would have the time to do contracts, wills, etc. during layovers/deadheading etc.
BTW, do pilots get any compensation/benefits (medical, travel, etc.) during furlough?
Furloughed United pilots have travel benefits on United only aircraft while they are furloughed, but no jumpseat. They have COBRA medical after furlough for 180 days, but it is cost prohibative. The union has a furlough fund paid for by the working pilots, that helps pay medical insurance costs for up to a year I believe, or longer if the pilot finds cheaper insurance for their family. A very good and important program.
They have severence pay, recall rights, and up to 10 years to return upon recall. I think that's it.
__________________
These views are my own and do not represent the views of United Airlines or the ALPA.
Ok here's any easy one. I read an article recently about a AA pilot's last flight where he chose the JFK-LAX run for his retirment flight. The senior pilot had to "buy" the flight for this pilot i.e. work the bids so this pilots retirment wish could be fullfilled.
Does United do something similar for a pilot on his/her retirment flight?
What route would you choose for your own retirment flight? Assume you are type rated for the equipment on the route
