GoJet?

[BAC]

When asking the pilot of the household how he feels about this matter, there was a big "DON'T DO IT". He says as a fellow pilot, he would respect somebody who would take a furlough and work at Walmart than somebody who works for GoJet. From what he explained, it just seems like a vicious cycle they put their pilots through... furlough then offer them another job that pays less and then hire them again later for another year of a probationary period.

You can do whatever you feel like obviously.. I am just relaying a message from another pilot. Whatever you decide to do, I wish you the best of luck.

[amelia]

Can someone tell me what the background is on GoJet and why people who go there are called scabs and so on?? I know NOTHING about GoJet. I have only heard their name in passing here and there and I had no idea they had a tarnished history.

[roz]

It goes something like this. TSA has an arrangement with AA to fly for them. The AA scope says AA can't contract with a carrier that flies 70 seaters. TSA entered into an agreement with UAL to fly 70 seaters. Instead of creating another carrier on another certificate with one pilot group as is the case with Republic, Shuttle America, Chautauqua, they created GoJet and solicited pilots to fly on a different seniority list. GoJet was non-union. A bunch went over. Then management tried to use this as leverage to force the TSA pilots to accept a way below industry average contract. They refused and the flying was transferred to GoJets. TSA pilots lost their jobs and GoJet hired even more pilots who knew exactly what they were going into. Then, to give the appearance of being a union carrier (as they were being denied jumpseats and some were even wearing ALPA lanyards), the teamsters was voted in--but not the division that represents pilots. That's like ALPA which is part of AFL-CIO not representing a pilot group--instead another part of AFL-CIO such as American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) which knows nothing about the airline industry, representing the pilots.

So, the bottom line is that the pilots that fly for GoJet know they are used to take the jobs of others and lower the bar for all. They went there willingly knowing that would happen. There's a lot more, but any search will tell you the basics.

[Bigsweetie]

Well, the only reason I say go there temporarily is that he has to stay current. His resume will surely be tossed if he hasn't flown in over 6 months. But I agree that it'd be a scary move. I don't think you'd be blackballed by other airlines, but probably by other pilots.

It's a tough call.

[Mistress Trista]

My dh also wants me to point out that gojets is not on anyone's jump seat agreement that he knows of, so therefor your dh would not be able to jumpseat to work. They're black listed and will be denied by most captains. So if he has to commute, gojets definately would not be the place for him to go.

[Kristie]

Originally Posted by Bigsweetie

Well, the only reason I say go there temporarily is that he has to stay current. His resume will surely be tossed if he hasn't flown in over 6 months. But I agree that it'd be a scary move. I don't think you'd be blackballed by other airlines, but probably by other pilots.

It's a tough call.

I don't think that's true... there are guys on the AA line that have been waiting years to get back on the line. with the airlines, they just have to put you through training again.

so, he already has a seniority number with TSA...when he's called back and if he takes it back, all he has to do is complete training again to become current.

Doug says the same that the other pilot husbands are saying... don't do it.....he'd probably make more money at mcd's than at gojet anyway AND he won't be compromising his future aviation career.

I wish i could actually find some written information about how gojets became to be.. we have this guy on JC that just will not quit with the gojet crap.. he's trying to prove that there's nothing there (he apparently at one point wanted to work for them, probably still does).

[Regina]

I haven't heard of gojets, specifically, but I have heard hubby talk about how pilots will definitely blacklist you for crossing picket lines, etc. So, with what Roz said, I would say that pilots would consider this close to the same thing. Jumpseating seems like a must in this business, and I can't imagine losing that option, along with future hiring because of something temporary. I say, don't waste your future on this. Yes, I know it is a tough call because of bills, etc., but you can't redo in this career. Have him get a job elsewhere. I wouldn't even go to an interview.....but, that is my opinion.

[roz]

Originally Posted by Kristie

I wish i could actually find some written information about how gojets became to be.. we have this guy on JC that just will not quit with the gojet crap.. he's trying to prove that there's nothing there (he apparently at one point wanted to work for them, probably still does).

Just do a google search and also include flightinfo, airlinepilotscentral, etc. There are enough people there with information along with official ALPA filings to stop them. I don't have the energy to search now--so I'm just going by my memory of what happened. But if TSA is still losing jobs to GoJet, then this disease of GoJet still is virulent.

PS--In my professional life, I'm on the other side. I'm in management and I don't see the need for unions. But, in my workplace, we treat our employees right. I think much of the union rhetoric is silly--ie--the proposed Employee Free Choice Act is not about employee free choice--it's about the big unions busting out the small unions and gaining control without a secret ballot--but you need a secret ballot to vote them out once you realize they are full of crap. Why is that? And, once you don't really vote this new union in since you never had a ballot, you have only 120 days to get a contract or it's off to binding arbitration. So, instead of negotiating a contract, it's up to an arbitrator who does not understand either side of the issues. Nice. It's all about money--the big unions want to get rid of the small unions and increase their membership since union membership is dropping drastically. But I digress....sorry, rant over.

[danish1978]

Wow, and thanks for all the replies. A few questions though.
1- Gojets isn't taking flying away from TSA from what I understand, GJ is getting more united flying and tsa is losing american flying. So- would DH really be taking a job away from a tsa pilot?

2- I understand the bitterness towards gojets, however dh wasn't a part of any of that, he's only been flying for regionals since jan 2008. With this in mind, would he still be considered a scab?

[Bigsweetie]

Originally Posted by danish1978

2- I understand the bitterness towards gojets, however dh wasn't a part of any of that, he's only been flying for regionals since jan 2008. With this in mind, would he still be considered a scab?

Is he prepared to have to explain that to every pilot he runs across? When you're trying to jumpseat, is he going to talk to the capt. and say "but i'm not like the others, I just started here". It won't work. Unfortunately he'll get lumped in with all of the others.

Just know that whatever you decide to do, I support you here.