US Airways Express Pilots Discuss Career Portability Career portability
has long been an issue within the pilot profession, especially at the regional
level. As flying is transferred from regional to regional in the mainlines’
eternal pursuit of profits, pilots are often the ones left holding the bags.
Those who gain flying may experience a short period of growth, while those who
lose flying often experience downgrades, displacements, and/or furloughs.
No longer willing to be used as pawns by senior management teams trying to
undercut one another for business, ALPA leaders from the US Airways Express
Pilots Alliance (USEPA) met last week in Phoenix to continue exploring methods
that would promote career stability and portability within the US Airways
Express brand. The group focused its discussions on possible transfers of flying
and consolidation scenarios within the regional industry, particularly those
that may involve carriers within the US Airways Express system. USEPA is
composed of pilots from Air Wisconsin, Mesa, Piedmont, Pinnacle, PSA, and Trans
States.
USEPA members have long demonstrated their commitment
toward providing a consistent product for US Airways Express that transcends
company lines. Several work groups have been established to analyze the
carriers’ safety programs, collective bargaining agreements, and industry
trends. Ongoing collaboration has focused on improvements to safety,
enhancements to contract standards, and job security measures. Each group has
passed a resolution to confer in the event that flying is transferred from one
USEPA carrier to another.
At the meeting, USEPA members also elected officers to oversee the various
work groups and general administration of the alliance. MAG MEC chairman F/O
Marcin Kolodziejczyk was reelected chairman; ARW MEC chairman Capt. Richard
Swindell was reelected vice chairman; and PDT MEC secretary-treasurer Capt.
Peter Nakhoul was elected secretary-treasurer. |