I have never heard a single F9 pilot complain that your rates are "bringing the industry down." Personally I feel each pilot and pilot group ultimately works for what he or she is happy with.

I made a pledge to myself years ago that I would not allow my happiness, my sense of pride in my job or my sense of self-worth dependent upon what others made.

You don't have to look far to see someone that has done better than you, but you also don't have to look far to see MANY people (not just pilots) that have done MUCH worse.

That was when I made $200,000 less than the guy on the "B" concourse doing the same job in the same plane. That's changed a bit over the years, but I'm still happy.

I don't have to lead the industry and the industry can kiss my bottom if they are not happy with my pay.

When airlines go under or merge, it's every man for themselves. That's been proven over and over. There are older examples and more recent examples, but the way the United pilots treated the pilots of the old Frontier is as good as of an example as I can think of, and they were both ALPA.

TWA & AMR, NWA & old Republic, AWA & US Airways, when the fecal matter hits the fan no one cares about the opposing pilots or their rates of pay, unless it means a raise for one of the groups.

To the contrary, 357 and IBT has moaned and complained about the current F9 pilots agreeing to concessions while 357 is in negotiations and "bringing the industry down."

F9, then FAPA, pilots were free to strike any deal they felt would benefit them most. That theory kept the F9 pilots out of an 1113 process. We gave up money but not a SINGLE work rule. Money is a lot easier to get back than a work rule change.

So, RAH pilots are angry that FAPA gave concessions, but our work rules are indescribably better. 357 lords their Scope clause and lack of Junior Manning over the FAPA contract.

If their Scope clause was so good, why was Scope the first thing 357 pursued in the 4 Article, Section 6 negotiations?

Do any of the RAH pilots know what JA pays? Especially if you're already over 82 hours? And, as APA put out years ago, JA is a pilot IQ test. If you don't want to fly, don't answer the phone. They can only JA you through positive phone contact. Not ACARS, not the Gate Agent or whatever, only positive phone contact. AND, we can turn it down under the proper presentation of circumstances.

Junior Manning at F9 is a GOOD thing not a bad thing.

Back to the original issue. we don't care what your pay rates are. We all believe you need more, especially the FO's. You need trip and duty rigs, you need cancellation pay, you need a lot of things - but not for the F9 pilots, for yourselves.

It's only fair and even the most anti-357 pilot would agree, when faced with the facts that RAH Management has mishandled your contract and your negotiations. 357 has not done a lot to help themselves either.

I really mean this, good luck on August 24, I'm impressed you got back to the Mediation table so quickly.