Originally Posted by
Herkflyr
You're killing me man. Of course it was sarcasm. I honestly don't see what you are *****ing about. The new reserve system (that you don't like) still honors senior pilots far less than the old, old (pre-BK) system that guys still wax poetic about.
The three-part bottom line is this:
1. This new system was created because that is what the pilots told their LEC reps, and thus the negotiators--over and over--that this is what they wanted. Do you fault the union for working out a new system with the company that reflects the "will of the pilot?"
Not that APC is the official counter, but I'd say I don't recall seeing a ton of gripping about seniority with the old system (read next sentence before you start typing). There were complaints about how PBS was used, Yellow Slip processing, short calls, seeing who's available throughout the month, and yes, some call for getting some more seniority back into the system (which was there before as much as people would like to say it wasn't existent at all). But I would say there's easily been as much of a call for correcting what's taken place since then. Plus, I doubt there was much of a demand for "give me a system where if I'm at 80 and the guy 600 jr to me is at 81 that I get assigned the POS trip I want to avoid like the plague." which is what we have that still isn't fixed (ref my last post on how that is fixed).
Originally Posted by
Herkflyr
2. This system honors more of a senior pilot's desires, more of the time--not all of his preferences all the time.
As it would with the changes many are saying are in order.
Originally Posted by
Herkflyr
3. This system has been in place all of two weeks. As with any new process, there will be some growing pains, some unanticipated results, some tweaking of things for future iterations...so give it a month or two already before you shoot first and ask questions later.
I'm not shooting it to pieces, but simply pointing out the absurdity of the bucket values as they currently stand (and apparently will from what I've been told). The other changes have been well received and reflect the great work the SOT did to get them implemented. While I think a stronger tweak would fix the point I made above about 1 point separating the buckets, I'm not suggesting the whole bucket system be scrapped right now. Simply shrink the bucket values.
Originally Posted by
Herkflyr
And last, let's say for the sake of discussion you read the following: "due to pilot feedback, we are ceasing the RAW 'bucket' system and going back to all the reserve rules that were in place prior to the February bid period.
How do you think that would go over?
Don't think anyone is suggesting that so no need to answer.
Originally Posted by
Herkflyr
I'm reminded of the time a few years ago when I flew with the senior VP of Flight Ops. He was telling me that the complaining from the NYC-based pilots about the number of trips originating in EWR got so loud that crew resources was directed to greatly reduce the number of EWR-based trips (for non-DAL types, "NYC" based pilots can have trips built that start in EWR, LGA, or JFK: they are responsible for covering trips for all three airports). So what happened then? All the pilots who lived in Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania started bombarding the company with complaints!
No matter what the company or union does, there will always be naysayers.
So don't do anything? Thank goodness neither our reps nor management take this throw-hands-in-the-air-and-give-up-attitude, and actually appreciate the feedback. I'll repeat: The changes are good. I've said as much in several past posts. I'm recommending tweaking (which is what you said will take place with any new system)...sooooo, how about some tweaking? Jeez, allow some critical feedback without flipping out about it.