WELCOME to 21 Air’s new hires. As you progress through ground school and our “paper tigers” and then onto the B767 simulators, we welcome you to Cincinnati (KCVG) for observation flights and operational experience (OEs). TAPA’s Officers and Committee Chairmen look forward to meeting you as you transition to the line. We thank Capt. Steve Veith for stepping up and volunteering to be our new Secretary / Treasurer (S/T). TAPA sends our heartfelt thanks to Andrew Saridakis for his interim service. Additional S/T nominations close on Nov. 5.

GROWTH is underway with our new Ops center under construction in KCVG. It’s approximately 400,000 SF of warehouse and a sorting facility for cargo with a carve out for pilots, crew rest and office facilities. So far, about 2,000 SF will be designated for pilots. Pass along your suggestions. We’ll work it with the Chief Pilot’s Office.

SCHEDULING comments were recently submitted to the Company through our Scheduling Chairman to address bids and a new proposal for days off when flying during non-peak or unscheduled. Recently, the Company is considering a line on the bid sheets for minimum flying. Reserve Guarantee (65-hours) is based on the days of availability. Some pilots want to fly more and others less. So far, it takes about 11 days “on the rig” to exceed the 65-hour CBA guarantee. When the Company sends us home early, we still qualify for 65-hours. Understand the Company may “commercial” you back on a short notice trip, if on R-4 Reserve. TAPA is working to manage the Company’s expectations while we fly reserve. We all get it and we heard you. Family time is valuable.

CONCERN focuses about the “65 to 108-hour” range or a “flex-cap” the Company has in our CBA with “no trip protection” for pilots. Bid lines for November are low in block hours and TAPA understands 21 Air pilots are frustrated with low pay. Pilots tolerate low hourly rates based on the promise at the higher (not lower) pay from the flex-cap. According to the Company, proposed charters have not started due to a lack of crews. Heavy checks have our aircraft out of service. OEs also consume block hours. A mid-November aircraft due from DHL includes extra flying, however once a trip is on your line, it’s notguaranteed. At 21 Air you can be reassigned, or trips can be pulled, then reassigned for OE, or cancelled. Our “1:4” (or 4:1) Trip Rig (Sec. 5.I, p. 23) protects our call-out time. Higher pay rates or a higher monthly cap may slow our pilot attrition.

LOA 15 MAY 2022 is in TAPA’s proposal to settle with OSHA and the Company. TAPA proposed to include the May 15 LOA by either rolling in the bonus pay into existing pay rates OR capturing the retention pay language. We are in discussions with TAPA’s lawyers to address the incomplete language in the proposed May 15 LOA.

FAA’s AUDIT has started by “increasing surveillance” with Flight Ops (FAA-POI) and with our maintenance (PMI) groups. A safety discussion point is “changing seats” and when Captains are interchanged to fly as FOs at 21 Air. So, recurrency requires demonstrated ability. Our Safety Committee wants your feedback. Major airlines only require LCAs to be qualified in both seats. Is 21 Air doing a proficiency qualification so Captains can fly as FO?

DUES CHECK OFF kicked-off in Sept. with 21 Air pilots paying their fair share. TAPA published the Pro-Con paper from Res. #11 with Q&A and the DCO form. Collections will soon invoice pilots for Agency shop fees. Please remember the $15 fee applies to each pay period. If your TAPA account is sent to final collections, legal will charge us the past due fee. We encourage all pilots to Member up – So you can vote! Agency shop fees (1.5%) are the same as the TAPA dues. So, to save collection fees and be eligible to vote, please use the DCO forms.