Originally Posted by Sunvox
Story 3
The EWR Chief pilot has sent out an email that says in effect "I don't want my pilots to get in the middle of a contract dispute, and this is a blanket order to fly even if you believe the 757 rest seat should have an open seat next to it.
The contract says:
5-J-1-h For 757-200 aircraft equipped with lie-flat seats, one (1) premium lie-flat window seat. The adjacent aisle seat shall be the last seat assigned on the aircraft.
and, the EWR Chief pilot says this means the the adjacent seat shall be the last assigned seat in
business-first only.
I agree there are details that need clarification regarding coach passengers not showing up, but if there are 30 unassigned seats in coach and business-first fills up that clearly does not give the company a right to fill the seat next to the rest seat, and I hope to heck CAL pilots are not flying with this situation.
In regards to this story, I'd really be interested to know what the intent of the language is as it was negotiated at the table. Not sure what side is the truth, but devil's advocate:
The contract does not say that the company can only sell BusinessFirst minus 2 seats on the airplane. The contract says that we are entitled to one and that the one next to it must be the last one assigned.
So, the company sells 15 high-value premium seats with 14 being assigned and one being held. I'm not sure that means that the company also has to sell out coach. Fifteen people fork over thousands to sit in BF or First and because passengers don't show up in coach a first class passenger has to be downgraded?
I can't imagine this was the intent of the language, but I could be wrong I admit.