Originally Posted by
Bill Lumberg
I saw an ALPA rep yesterday in the ATL airport (he identified himself and said he was going to DC for upcoming meetings). I asked him about the upcoming contract and possible raises and he stated "AMR has changed the game." I actually put him in his place saying "We already have done things in our BK that AMR has yet to do (PBS, loss of pensions, etc), and our airline is also nowhere close to AA in terms of losses. Our airline has done VERY well." He tried to back track of course, saying "Of course, of course" but I told him stearnly that the DPA was catching on, and if this future TA is weak, he should expect to go back to the line full time." He didn't like that, but I think he got the picture.
Would love to know what Rep was going to DC for a meeting yesterday. Special meeting was last week, and the regular one is next week in ATL. Last special meeting was in ATL. The DC meeting was two meetings ago, unless this is something else that does not surround the MEC business.
AMR does change some of the game, not our side, but the companies. Fact is that they are asking for what?, 350 million for their pilots. PBS saves a heck a lot more than that. Their term sheet will probably save AMR at least 1.5-1.8 billion in job losses, efficiencies in scheduling, and worse hotels, not to mention scope. Ergo, it does not change it that much.
I give AMR about a 25% chance of leaving intact without a merger. They need a business plan, and thus far what we seeing is not sustainable imo. They know it too and will beg for an extension on March 29th.