Maybe I just never saw it, but has XJT ALPA announced that they are going to formally challenge it in court? There's a lot of talk on here, but I haven't seen any real disagreement from the folks that matter.
The only release I've seen says it must result in a "profitable airline, must honor the current CBA which benefits all pilots, and there must be a fair and equitable seniority list integration."
It doesn't expressly say that the integration must be with all three airlines, and it doesn't expressly mention their scope clause. I would think if they planned on challenging it, they'd make a more specific mention of it. Any XJT guys talk to their MEC about it? Is this going to court?

 

ASA pilots got a memo from our MEC that XJET plans to challenge it.

I hope they do. And I further hope the judge rules in favor of a three way merger. And I further hope that (as many have predicted, and as they did before) SKW, Inc. drops the whole deal to keep the SkyWest side non union (they will).

As I said before, let the Nevetsses of the group fall on their swords. In a couple of years, we will pick up the pieces for pennies on the dollar. XJET lost HOW much money last quarter?

At first I was just hoping we could hold the XJET pilots back, but it's become apparent that they aren't as strong as I thought. They don't know how to pick their battles. It is NOT a good idea to pick a fight with Jerry Atkin, and it is NOT a good idea to make your contract so expensive that no one can afford to hire you! I'm starting to become more convinced every day that this IS a lifeboat for them, and I may join the growing chorus of many, many ASA pilots demanding DOH for our pilots or nothing.

And I am hearing rumors that a recall is going to be proposed at the August LEC meeting for all of the current ASA MEC members. Waiting in the wings to take their places are some real hardliners who would not settle for anything less than DOH. So keep up the whining. It's gotten old. We'll see what happens.

 

Some of you guys are confusing the issue. No one is talking about a 3-way merger. One pilot list is not a "3-Way merger." Even if the list integration wins in court, I'm sure SKW Inc will dangle some kind of carrot (no furlough clause, promised growth, new crew bases/fleet types, etc...) to entice ASA/XJT to drop the scope issue. As many have pointed out, the (alleged) inevitability of SKW getting a union under the new rules would render nearly moot all of SKW Inc's union busting...their fight against one list may be nothing more than trying leverage concessions from the ASA/XJT MEC's, I doubt it's truly a deal-breaker. If they win in court, they'll pat themselves on the back. If they lose, I doubt they're going to want to lose their position as first to the "Super Regional" party simply because their pilots are on one list. It would make no strategic sense. The sheer size of the new company somewhat mitigates the need to whipsaw because of economies of scale...but they're not going to give up their ability to whipsaw without putting up a little bit of a fight. How much fight is anyone's guess.

Whether one list or two, there will be separate SKW and ASA airlines, like RAH.

One thing no one on either side has mentioned....isn't it possible for a final court decision to happen AFTER the transaction is completed in December? Then your "blowing the deal because you fought for scope" scenario goes out the window. Any decent lawyer should be able to drag this out so the merger is completed regardless.

 

Well then, I hope you're senior, because a DOH list integration would favor junior XJT pilots and senior ASA pilots. ALPA merger policy applies, so it won't happen.

You say that about a pilot group fighting to enforce it's contract? Sounds like you'll be first in line to vote for concessions next time SKW comes asking.

 

I never said there has been a whipsaw. But as long as both groups are separate, the potential for one exists. What is so hard to understand about that? I'm not interested in 'invading' any SkyWest domicile, I'm interested in furthering our profession. Having one unified group will get us a lot farther than a separated one.

And as far as ASA's contract goes.....you can't compare because you don't have a real contract. You and your fellow SkyWest pilots have been riding on the coattails of hard fought ALPA contracts.

 

When we had LAX and ONT domiciles they went extremely junior.

1. You'll be fenced into your domiciles/equipment for several years anyways.

2. When the fences come down no one will be forced out of their base. You would be able to only bid on vacancies to switch bases.

3. The bulk of the ASA/XJT group, and nearly all of the senior CA's live east of the Rockies.

4. Nothing is preventing your guys from being displaced anyways if SKW Inc decides to allocate some flying to ASA on the west coast. "New United" could equal "New Fleet Plan." How many bases has SKW closed and opened in the last 2 years?

 

I think your miscounting a bit - don't forget ASA lost the ATRs so the 'growth' has been minimal. You should also adjust your snap shot to the last time ASA was in contract negotiations. 2-years is a meaningless snapshot in this case.

As for whipsaw, refer to:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/re...tml#post853613

As I've said, it's a lot easier to claim no whipsaw when you're not being hurt by it.

 

Required Reading.

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/re...st-hiring.html

 

I am. I'll move UP 7% in DOH. I'll move down ~2% with relative, depending on the formula. But I was prepared to eat that for the sake of getting a combined list of 4000 happy pilots. Now, it's looking less and less worth it, because I think we're buying a list of pilots who will be unhappy no matter what.

Not likely. I am actually one of ASA's hardliners, but am wise enough to know when to pick my battles and when not to. Your scope clause isn't worth the paper it's written on, because you forgot to include the eventuality of a subsidiary buying you. Oops! Thanks for playing. More crap put out by ALPA's finest lawyers!

We at ASA learned the hard way that pulling in the same direction is the best tactic under the SkyWest umbrella. We have no patience for the learning curve of 2800 pilots to come in who don't get that.

 

DOH would benefit me too. Let's raise a glass. But it ain't gonna happen.

You could very well be right. And I don't count out the possibility of our MEC rolling over for some carrot as I mentioned above. But I don't think its as dire as you make it out to be. The fact you guys are so scared of Jerry Atkin punishing you illustrates further the need for one list.

I think you are too easy to discount the fact that most XJT pilots are ready to move on from the broken promises of the once great XJT. ASA is a good company and you seem to like your CEO, so most guys are keeping it in perspective. This deal will go through and I think most will be happy with it no matter what the list looks like.

I know you like to keep emphasizing that you're doing the buying. That's fine, but has no bearing on SLI.