Originally Posted by
Hueypilot
That's really not much different from the military...except at least here you have an opportunity to negotiate for something better. Working for Uncle Sam, you get what he decides to give you. And lately, there hasn't been much "giving"...in fact, cost-of-living raises have been about 1%, which is really nothing. They are actively talking about slashing housing pay and making military guys pay more out of pocket for health care. And other than voting in elections, military guys have virtually no say in the process.
Bottom line...I work far less than I used to and shortly I'll be making nearly double what I was making.
My position here isn't that I want to just throw my hands in the air and say "to hell with the union". That's not what I'm saying at all. In this particular situation we are in, I personally believe that this deal is probably about as good as it's going to get. That doesn't mean I'm desperate...or that I'll vote for anything. Any the majority of what I'm typing is designed to get people to realize that despite all the angry rhetoric, we still have pretty decent jobs and make a decent amount of money. Is it perfect? No. Could we do better? Yes and I think we will eventually. Do I think we'll advance the cause much more this time around? No...I think our negotiating capital has been expended for the most part.
Anyways, I've tended to be a glass half-full type of person. Try to enjoy life without getting caught up in the "Parker will ruin your life" talk.
Huey,
As a retired military myself, I can assure you that the military has done much better on pay/benefits than the 121 pilot has since 1991.
The average 121 pilot has had their pay and benefits drug through BK court and whittled away by scope loss and use of contractors over the last 25 years.
Now the industry/company is on the cusp of making record profits for at least a few years hopefully and APA is trying to best improve their position with a highly fractured group for the next 6+ years.
It's not about complaining or whining. It's about getting the best compensation from the company that is possible during a time when the company is making as much money as it has ever made in profits.
Combining intntl/domestic categories means loss of jobs. No ADG means less efficient trips for pilots. PBS means less jobs. All of these QOL giveaways have a value and why shouldn't the pilots partake in the additional profits that this will generate?