Originally Posted by Bill Lumberg

I'm sorry, but your dad may not have an idea about what goes on with unions and bargaining. Normally, pattern bargaining is the way to go, having several unions bargaining to build on each other's gains. We are a legacy that had a BK, and there are others that have done the same. Unfortunately, the others haven't done squat to help us, especially with pattern bargaining. Zilch.

So, what are the options? We can demand more and vote down a TA that was put together by "professional" negotiators (other than our pilot negotiators) who probably know what they are doing, and did the best they could compared to our buddies at UA/AA/US. If we do vote it down, then we have to have a plan, like RA probably has. He probably has a few plans, and plan A may have included a TA and new contract, and then something else. What could that be? We all have a hunch there is something else out there, and they are rushing us to get this done. Maybe ALPA can't say what it is, thanks to one of those confidentiality agreements we all hate. Maybe that is why the pay was underwhelming to all of us? Maybe RA's plan B is to move along with plan A if we vote NO, and then get back to us down the road, at a time of his choosing? Sound like a scare tactic? Could it be realistic? Things are moving fast right now in this industry, and RA probably doesn't want to be bothered again if this all turns out to be a NO. He also probably knows what ALPA knows about the NMB. I talked to a rep I trust today and he told me about a meeting the MEC had with the new head of that agency. She supposedly said pattern bargaining will rule the day, with AA, UA, and US ONLY. She then added no retro pay, and on average the time length has been 2 1/2 years for mediation. Call your reps and ask about that meeting.

Sound like scare tactics again? If we went that road, how much of a raise would we then ask for? 40%? How has AA done with that request? No spin there. Ask your dad if that could happen or not?