FixTheMess

Unfortunately, this is our biggest problem. Without sending the company a message, we can't get anything better in the contract. Its apathy like this that our management prays on. They know it runs rampant, and that is why we have a weak TA. I don't know when integrity started taking a back seat with everyone, but its disturbing.

When someone over-torques an engine, who is going to be honest about it? The person who stands up for what is right, or the person who buries their ethics in order to preserve their job?

Once again, I'm not telling people how to vote. I'm telling how I'm going to vote. If you think the TA is reasonable, and can feel good about voting yes, go for it. If not, send the company a message with your vote.

piper338

Http://piedmontpilots.com

BSOuthisplace

Yea you're right, logic has no place in this discussion. Our decision on this TA should be based on pure emotion. My bad. I'll show myself out.

theHub

Whichever way you decide to vote, you need to decide if this new TA is better than what we currently have or not. Don't decide purely on the agreement to Mainline because it will not change. It could even go away. If you vote yes, then that means you can live with this new TA. If you decide to vote no, really think about what might happen next. Good luck.

package puppy

My thoughts exactly. Is the progression language a minimum requirement or a maximum limitation? I just don't see mainline agreeing to limit their options.

FlyingBoiler

Couldn't make it to a roadshow so I still have a few questions that need answered.
1. Where is the profit sharing? This would not cost Piedmont anything and would improve morale and make us feel more like a team. Contrary to the constant illogical comparisons of our airline to bankrupt pinnacle (fee for departure airline flying rjs), US Airways is posting record profits...Profits we contributed to, so why not get profit sharing in the TA?
2. Where is the holiday pay? People who actually work holidays are often extended to cover the many sick outs around these days. Offering holiday pay would decrease the number of sick calls. Our flight attendants have it why not us?
3. Why is that merger clause in the mainline interview LOA? We know the merger is happening so why vote for a contract that will be revisited (per the wording LOA) once the merger goes through? Why not put language that says this is binding no matter what entity owns Piedmont?
4. Why doesn't the LOA define what a qualified pilot?
5. The per diem does increase but why not to the mainline pilot rate of $2? I was unaware that food costs more depending on who you work for. The gsa per diem rate for CLT is $56 for meals and incidentals. $48/day is less than that and would match mainline.
6. Why is the signing bonus based off the year TAMDAR was implemented?
7. Why didnt we fight to have completely automated swaps/FLICA? Since scheduling already utilizes crew trac I do not believe this would cost the company much money at all and would DRASTICALLY improve QOL. Denied swaps due to "coverage" is honestly the biggest complaint I hear on the line. I am sick of swaps getting denied for arbitrary reasons and told to just grieve it if I don't like it.

I would love to be able to ask these at a roadshow. If anyone attended a roadshow and has answers to these questions I'd love to hear it. I appreciate all the hours the negotiating committee has put into getting a TA. But I don't agree with the notion that if this TA gets voted down that we will start over at square one. If it comes to that, take a poll of the pilot group, see what most people want changed and address the many small issues that are in the language of the TA.

FlyingBoiler

I may be mistaken on this. There is some language about an electronic/automated trade system. Did anyone discuss this at the roadshows or can confirm this?

PDTpilotXX

Yes there was a decision on automation, also the is merger language in the letter, I suggest reading it. Qualified I'm told is based off of main lines requirements on their jobs page. Profit sharing doesn't cost anything? Really? I bet it costs us airways the $ theyd have to pay us. Profit sharing being somehow tied to TAmDAR? Really? Maybe it should be tied to 2008 wages. My bonus is over $2,000 and as an FO at a dump like this, I don't think it's what I deserve but I do believe it to be fair.

Look, clearly this deal isn't perfect, we're obviously working for an imperfect airline. But seeing as this is a better deal by far then what we have now I'm an absolute YES. We're still one of the better regional deals and this improves that position. That being said if we were being presented with PSA's deal I'd be a no.

Also heard more road shows next week.

PDTpilotXX

One more thing and this is why roadshows or calling or emailing you REP is so important. The NMB stated this is a more than fair deal and will put us on ice if it's voted down and we approach them for services. CALL your reps if you can't make road shows

skyxbomb

That's interesting. The general vibe I got was that psa's TA was more favorable and a lot of pdt guys were mad. Don't get me wrong there are a handful of psa guys that aren't happy with our TA but most people agree that it's a nice step up.

Care to elaborate on why you would say yes to pdt TA and no to PSA's? I haven't been to any of the roadshows yet due to schedule but have a good idea what our TA is like. I wonder what pdt TA is like. I think trip touch and no hot reserve is the best part of your contract.