Trans States Pilots Enjoy Growth, Positive Change in 2013 By John Perkinson and in a uniform manner. their peers at other airlines Staff Writer One of the biggest chal- through the ALPA Fee for lenges for Trans States flight Departure Committee and fter a period of chal- operations has been preparing the US Airways Express Pilots lenges following the for the new Part 117 flight- Alliance. These groups provide Aeconomic downturn time and duty-time (FT/DT) a collaborative forum for of 2008, the pilots of Trans rules, slated to go into effect pilots of similar operations States Airlines have witnessed on Jan. 4, 2014. Trans States to share what’s happening positive change at their airline received an exemption for at their airlines. Simmons in recent years. This Embraer an early transition date of stresses, “The information EMB-145 operator has experi- Dec. 29, 2013. Regarding exchange and support are enced growth at a time when the transition, the MEC has invaluable, regardless of much of the 50-seat market drafted a letter of agreement whether we are in contract remains sluggish, and the re- (LOA) that adds a long-call negotiations or not.” lationship between the pilots reserve option, which will Looking ahead to 2015, the and management continues provide some added schedule pilots’ contract contains a pro- to improve. flexibility for both the pilots vision to extend the amend- “We have added seven and management. The LOA able date by two years if Trans planes to our fleet and are hir- amends the method of States acquires Mitsubishi ing new pilots every month,” assigning trips to reserves, regional jets by August of that says Capt. Cliff Simmons, converting a reverse-seniority year. Trans States Holdings, the pilots’ Master Executive system into a “bucket” sys- the airline’s parent com- Council (MEC) chairman. “We tem that matches reserve day pany, signed a deal with are halfway through a four- availability with trip length. the Mitsubishi Aircraft

year labor contract, and we’re Pointing to the specifics Corporation several years ttendant routinely communicating of the rule change and new ago for 100 next-gen-

rest standards, Simmons eration Mitsubishi jets tes F light A

with the company to ensure A t that we address concerns that says, “Making adjustments (50 orders, 50 options). arise. Things aren’t perfect, for FT/DT changes has also However, the Japanese but there’s a noticeable differ- accelerated the company’s airframe manufacturer

ence in the way we’re doing hiring efforts.” Trans States has faced some design S T rans S chaefer , ate business.” has hired more than 150 and certification delays,

Management contract- pilots in the last year and a and it remains to be seen K by P hoto compliance issues continue half, and classes are currently if the company can meet An EBM-145 parked under a double rainbow to surface, but the pilots have planned through the first this deadline. at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. been quick to respond to part of 2014. Nonetheless, Trans these with notable success. Trans States, which oper- States management’s new “Management has been ates United Express and US willingness to communicate pretty good about working Airways Express flights, has and its apparent interest in with us to solve problems been working on a pilot pref- addressing concerns before before they become griev- erential bidding system, and they become larger problems TSA at a Glance ances,” Simmons says. the pilots have been meeting have clearly facilitated a more Pilots joined ALPA: 1994 For example, the pilots and with the company periodically positive work environment, Founded: 1982 management recently signed to discuss implementation. and Trans States pilots are do- Number of pilots: 352 a memorandum of under- Once the two sides come to ing all that they can to make Headquarters: Bridgeton, Mo. standing (MOU) to clarify terms, they will need to in- sure this trend continues. Operations: Approximately the pilots’ trip cancellation corporate the language in an Founded in 1982 as Resort 175 daily flights serving 39 policy negotiated in the last LOA. However, this effort has Air, Trans States is the fifth- cities as a United Express and contract. Pilots had expressed been placed on a back burner largest privately held regional a US Airways Express carrier concerns about inconsistent while the airline concentrates airline in the United States. Pilot domiciles: St. Louis, Mo., application of cancellation pay, on transitioning to the new Trans States Airlines, Compass and Dulles, Va. so the MEC drafted the MOU FT/DT rules. Airlines, and GoJet Airlines Fleet: 30 EMB-145s to ensure that those affected Trans States pilots con- are owned by Trans States receive the appropriate credit tinue to work closely with Holdings. January 2014 Air Line Pilot 45