2002 pilots of the year

[Stephen Greene <greenaire@mac.com>]

  Unquestionably, the 2002 helicopter pilot of the year honor should be 
jointly awarded to the CJ systems pilots at the University of 
California, Davis medical center bases. Their contribution within our 
industry is every bit as significant as that of previous winners. Their 
heroism, and I do not use this term advisedly, is as consequential. In 
this case, the recipients of the Davis pilots boldness is not one, or 
even several people, but scores of helicopter pilots in California and 
possibly around the country, who stand to finally be compensated fairly 
for the all the hours they work, not just some of them.

Some of you may not equate the Davis guys heroics to deeds you have 
done, seen, or read about. These guys are putting their lives on the 
line, as each of us do every day, but now they have added to that by 
putting their jobs, livelihood, family security, schedule, reputation, 
and more on the line. Of course, they stand to benefit from this--being 
paid for the actual amount of time worked, but I know that they are 
doing this as much for us as themselves.

The question in California is not whether the Davis pilots are right. 
That issue is resolved, the clock can not be turned back. At least in 
California, helicopter pilots are not exempt employees. We can no 
longer be paid a salary for whatever amount of time our employers 
dictate. When CJ, or AMC, or Omni have to pay overtime in California, 
how can they avoid it across the country? The Question is, how will all 
this shake out?

What is clear, is the Davis guys are walking point and they are getting 
hit from all sides, including from some of us who, who do not want 
their little worlds rocked, even if that means no longer being treated 
like chattel. As this process unfolded, Davis pilots initially dealt 
with a non responsive CJ management team, were forced to file with the 
state to have their legitimate rights heard, and were intimidated with 
selective rules and requirements. Now, instead of taking the high road, 
like the Calstar CEO, CJ, to minimize their exposure to overtime 
compensation, will put the Davis pilots on a convoluted eight hour 
shift schedule, still with out overtime payments until the pilots file 
with the state again. Few reading this could fail to see the Davis 
pilots' heroics

The bottom line is, we are sitting back and letting the Davis guys do 
all the pulling, and expect to reap the benefits. All the operators in 
California (Air Methods, Reach, Mercy Air, and the countless others) 
must deal with this new reality--paying their pilots like most of the 
rest of the work force gets paid, fairly. When this happens for each of 
us, and it will, we owe thanks to these Davis guys. These guys are 
flying into a hurricane, with the certainty that they will help many 
other people. The least we can do is stand bedside them and recognize 
their valor. 


_______________________________________________
Flightmed mailing list
To unsubscribe or change your email address, go to http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/flightmed