Originally Posted by
Free Bird
So the consensus is that the company knew they had a problem and purposely waited till the last minute to grab yet another concession from the pilot group? If I'm comprehending this properly, we're essentially talking about getting rid of long call?
Imo the company is too smart to have not seen this coming. This is just another opportunity for the company to lower their cost at our expense.
If ALPA gives this one away it will be one more step towards the door for them. They just can't seemingly help themselves when comes to giving the company what they want. Hope I'm wrong, but I'll be shocked if ALPA doesn't cave on this.
I am not quite sure what you base the above statement on using the history and cost of the LOA's. I also don't understand your comment on lowering the companies cost. There is nothing involved in this process that will lower the companies pilot block hour costs. The company would like to mitigate increases in their costs but certainly they are not going to see a reduction.
As far as the company waiting to long to enter discussions I posted why that occurred. The company expected a different interpretation on many aspects of the reserve section then was finally put out by the FAA.
There are advantages to both sides in reaching a agreement on how to cover reserve assignments. We can say no talks at all however the company has the ability to push back and push back hard. At a minimum I expect with no agreement every reserve will sit the max number of short calls needed or not. No reserves will ever be released early. Reserves will not be allowed to deviate. Out of position reserves will be dealt with harshly. Rotation construction will be changed to facilitate reserve assignments increasing line holder work days.
Having said the above no negotiations should take place with the company until SD withdraws his letter.