Getting Paid

[tonysoprano]

Get paid 80 hours a month. If it takes less than 80, still paid 80. If it takes more than 85, get paid MORE!

The day I start doing my job differently because of a money trigger, I'm in some serious financial trouble!!!

That's nice but if the trigger is set at a point much later after the pushback, ie high thrust and or speed, you may be working 85-90 (or more) to be paid your 80. Anyway, not the case where you work but just keep it in mind. Door closed, brakes off has been the industry standard as well as the fairness standard since, well, a long time. My sources tell me WJ is working on achieving this.

[tonysoprano]

I'm an employee. That's it that's all. I get paid for doing my job. That's as far as it goes!

TS

That brief statement says it all , not that I'm blaming you for it. The management at AC has bred a "they don't listen to me , so why should I care , why should I do anything extra" culture. It is so obvious to those outside AC that the workforce does'nt give a damn anymore. All you had to do is read a newspaper , watch TV or listen to the radio last week to confirm this. Granted , the media laid it on thick and was over the top but one must admit that there is a big problem.

As far as when the clock starts , it is no biggy with me. I am compensated well enough that a few minutes here or there is nothing to get twisted about.

Ivan.
The brief statement does not reflect the quality or satisfaction of my work. We are just not as "conditioned" to think a certain way but we accomplish the job just as well. Once again you're assuming too much. Who says I (or any other AC employee) doesn't go beyond? You read all the bad stuff but the reality is the good stuff is alive and well at AC as well. Most of the good stuff, in fact none, ever makes it to the press. It does make it to our internal media though and I can tell you that there are far many more good apples than bad ones. But you won't read about it. I agree, the cultures are definitely different (I wouldn't necessarily take that as flattery), but we are achieving the same results as far as customer loyalty goes, despite what you think and what you're being fed. I think that as long as both WJ and AC continue to have good load factors (I suspect that's going to change this year, hope not), people like to fly with us. You are doing a great job (that's what you need to hear), I am too (doesn't matter if I hear it or not).

[hifliers]

Tony, you are absolutely correct.

ALL pilots, no matter what company they fly for, try to do the job to the best of their abilities. That is what they are hired for. That means, (sometimes) going above and beyond their duties as laid out in their company operations manual, in order to get the job done. Having done that, and gotten a pat on the back for a job well done, should end it.

I, for one, am sorry for the bad rap the Canadian Press has given AC for the tough times encountered through the Christmas season.
After a long oceanic crossing, to be told on the ATIS that YVR will have one runway open for 45 minutes, then close the whole airport for an hour, then open the other for 45 minutes, then close for an hour, is absolutely preposterous when we all know YVR is a part of Canada and should be accustomed to winter activities. That AC takes the blame for that is beyond me. I woud expect that from Nairobi, where they don't do snow.

[tonysoprano]

As pilots our jobs are more clearly defined than frontline workers (FAs, Service agents etc.). I really feel for Flight Attendants and Agents. The many thousands of customers on a daily basis take it out on them, not us. No matter who you work for, no matter the culture, always respect those folks who smooth out the mess. Sure, some do a better job than others and this is more risky the bigger the company. But in the end, they are the ones that have to deal with the anger of human nature and bad company decisions.