Originally Posted by
DeadHead
Personally, I don't think the company has much choice other than complying with the Part 117 rules. If the rule states that a pilot must have a 10 hour period of uninterrupted rest prior to a trip/short call, thereby requiring pilot acknowledgement/acceptance, then I'm not sure the company has any choice other than compliance.
I actually don't blame the company in the slightest for unilaterally restructuring the terms of our PWA to comply with FAR 117, however I'm extremely curious to see DALPA's response. We've been hearing for years now how DALPA was looking closely at FAR 117 and how it would affect the pilot group, so then why are we being blindsided by this less than a few weeks before the rule comes into effect?
Sailing was the first to respond to SD's email, and while I may not always agree with his perspective from time to time, he certainly seems to have his pulse on some of our contractual upgivings and obligations. I'm still in surprise as to how with the length of time and amount of information our union has had with FAR 117 that the company still could get the jump on so many of us with a major QOL concession.
I live in base and rarely have any issues acknowledging and being in position for a rotation/short call, but I can certainly see how this would become extremely detrimental for commuters.
The way I see it, the company is already begining to gather up its negotiationing capital for C2015. The talking point for years has been what are you willing to give, in order to get. FAR 117 will be laundered in as requiring section 23 alterations/improvements thereby reducing our leverage towards compensation, scope, or any other sought out improvements.
I'm not trying to sound pessimistic here, just one pilot's opinion. I'd expect an LOA/MOU out from the union in a few days echoing the union's lack of options with no other choice beyond mandatory compliance with the federal rule. I don't think DALPA has many options here, and I'm doubtful any other contractual improvements can be made outside of C2015 negotiations.
Hope I'm wrong on this, our management team is way to smart to not utilize every ounce of leverage they can hoarding it until the time comes.
There are a couple of points that need to be clarified here. DALPA was not caught off guard by 117. They approached the company last March to begin discussions on FAR 117. The company stated at that time that we would want to much for any changes and they planned to operate under the current contract. The company felt that previous LOA's had not been cost effective for the company. Several provisions that tied into furloughs cost the company a enormous amount of money after the 09 economic downturn and the LOA that modified recovery flying has turned out to be far more expensive then they thought. I know the forum has a different opinion of the cost benefits of various LOA's. but the company and DALPA usually agree on costing data. I am not sure where the forum gets its costing data.
The company at the time appears to have been expecting a favorable outcome on the actual interpretation of some aspects of FAR117. ALPA was able to prevail in DC on most of those interpretations. The final clarification was not what ATA was seeking. Once the rule was clarified the company came back to DALPA and requested negotiations on FAR117 after snubbing us the first time. Those negotiation are now ongoing however personally I believe we should withdraw from those discussions until SD retracts his letter from 6 Dec.