Originally Posted by sailingfun

I posted on here a long time ago that pilots would be shocked at managements opener on pay. I don't know if 4,8,3,3 is accurate but I can tell you that their opener was a lot less. For reasons I don't understand many pilots you would consider intelligent think we have some kind of massive leverage on the company. When I ask them what it is and what kind of dollar value they attach to it they get a deer in the headlights look.
The reality is that there are a bunch of little reasons management would like to get a contract done now. There are however no compelling reasons they need a contract complete. They are willing to spend a bit of money to get it done now but there is no reason to open your checkbook wide when you have the RLA in your back pocket. 5 more years under this contract can save the company a enormous amount of money. Not to mention if its a 3 year contract they don't have to negotiate another for 8 years.
I harbor no illusions about a no vote. The time value of money is real and the ability to be doing another contract in 2016 is huge verses 2020 or later. I will not however vote for a 4,8,3,3 contract. I realize in effect its a 12 percent raise at the amendable date but I am not going to vote for it if it makes it out of the MEC. I have emailed my rep and asked him for a no vote if that is in fact the offer. In the end it comes down to the company showing some respect for the sacrifices of the pilot group. We should know tomorrow if the rumors are accurate. I hope they are not but if it comes to pass they are correct then the company has stated loud and clear how they value the pilot group and its sacrifices.
Now back to your regularly scheduled channel to cue Carl to blame it all on ALPA.