I have to disagree with WD on this one. Maybe this is a complete waste of time but If you are truly on the outside
and are truly asking to gain insight rather than further the poop fight, then...
I understand why you would ask that question, particularly if you've been reading postings by the Eastern half of the operation. I would suggest reading the actual Nic award and draw your own conclussions. It is both eloquent and
very reasonable. It is a 76 page .pdf file but in addition to the "Award", it includes a host of information that explains background, the concurring and dissenting opinions, and the 35 page seniority list.
*
Nicolau Arbitration Award*
From MY perspective, the West is so adamant the Nic list be used because it is the outcome of agreed upon negotiation. It isn't as good as what the West pilot's had asked but since the West had sought a more centrist "ratio" based solution and the East had sought an extremist DOH solution, it was closer to what the the West pilots expected. EVERY West pilot on the list lost "
relative" seniority as a result of Nic's placement of 517 East pilots at the top of the list, but the reasoning was....well...reasonable. My bidding power prior to the Nic was slightly better than what it was after but it was a new company with new long term benefits and I understood that. On the East the promise of every pilot, regardless of seniority within that group and furlough status, being able to immediately hold Captain in Phoenix was intoxicating. Furthermore, they were given the expectation of that being the only
REASONABLE outcome. That is why they were so stunned at the decision, why they think it's so unfair, and why so many have bought into the Jihad philosophy that has resulted.
Following the release of the George Nicolau's decision, some on the East suggested a fair (*POST NEGOTIATION*) compromise would be DOH with "Conditions and Restrictions". It could be DOH plus anything you can dream of but at the end of the day, it still amounts to DOH which means through the entire process, the East has
never changed their position. I'd say that amounts to extremist.
Perhaps an equally reasonable question would be if
DOH isn't a windfall, then why would the East throw out ALPA in a misguided effort to remove the West's representation and attempt to force implementation of an integration that
SIGNIFICANTLY benefits that exclusive pilot group? Why has the East continued to accept bankruptcy pay rates and work rules and refused to move forward with negotiated contractual improvements knowing they will be forced to honor their past agreements? Would that not count as attempting to cash a "winning lottery ticket" and wouldn't you understand the West's actions to prevent it?
Unfortunately, the company has worsened the situation by continuing operate the West with a reduced workforce while hiring on the East. Basically, that equates to furloughing only 737 pilots while hiring Airbus pilots and offering to let 737 guys come back on the bottom of the Airbus pilot's list. The reality is since so many FOs have upgraded East, that thanks to a no bump no flush policy, they have essentially achieved their goal of DOH...at least for the purpose of upgrade. They will remain junior within those ranks forever but if you've ever seen the Captain worship that goes on over there, you'd understand why so many FOs continue to wear 4 stripes. It seems to be a case of, "I was a Captain once and so everybody
to understand I'm not just some whipping boy FO". Sadly, that's
exactly what they are. I've been downgraded. I get it. But at the end of the day, you just have to put on your big boy pants and get over it.
Whether or not you agree with what I've said, I hope this answers your question in a manner you find understandable and reasonable.
East pilots: Your ball.