Originally Posted by
The Cavalier
For the record a resolution proposing a shrinking of the current bucket system was put forward by either DTW pilots (or reps not sure) but was unanimously defeated.
I would be interested in more details on this. e.g. how many pilots were present? What was the seniority of those who voted? The system is skewed in favor of senior pilots so it's no surprise a resolution that benefits junior pilots would not have much if any likelihood of passing.
Originally Posted by
The Cavalier
As ACL has stated, the MEC has been directed to and will discuss in Aug increasing the RAW score needed to exit bucket 1. IMO this in effect creates a straight seniority system without needing the company to agree to it. Obviously the company won't allow a huge change in the RAW values of each bucket but then again not much change is needed to create what a few in the union desire. The justification is that the original system was a concession so we should actively seek to void it. I understand that but I also understand that not all change is bad and that no one group of pilots should be entirely (IMO anyway) exploited to create a windfall for others.
I'm pretty junior in a slow category. I'm not the most junior so I really don't work all that much. Others are not so lucky. The system we have ensures jr pilots fly more as it should but it's the upper limit IMO of what type of windfall a senior pilot can reasonably feel entitled to.
I have already emailed my rep and I appreciate that he called me back this morning. We agree on a few things and disagree on others but the discussion was reasonable and I felt my input was valued. I encourage each of you to do the same. It remains unclear what tool the pilots will have to be heard on this issue between now and Aug (survey?) so assume nothing and contact your reps. Given the resounding defeat of the DTW resolution and the opposite outcome of the ATL resolution, it's not difficult to see which direction the tide is rolling.
Not acting because "the company won't allow a return to the old system" while probably true is a huge gamble IMO because even small changes to the bucket sizes have the same impact as erasing the bucket system.
I'm fairly certain DALPA can not unilaterally change the RAW values for the buckets. They can decide they want to sacrifice junior pilots' QOL even more than they have for their senior buds, but it requires the company to agree to the bucket changes. Personally, I'm still waiting to see a pilot get into bucket #2 after five days of flying like my rep and a SOT member told me would happen.
