Originally Posted by
Packrat
A regional that flies big jets. Sadly, this is what the industry is coming to if people continue to accept this kind of job. By using it as a "stepping stone" to something better you're ensuring that "something better" will descend to this lower common denominator.
Pack, I like you, and I don't think you're treated fairly over on the G4 thread, but calling us a regional with big jets is premature.
We're in transition and it's hard. Hostility between management and labor is hardly unusual. Nothing new. We have a strong, historically reliable FAPA that is determined to do everything legally possible to preserve and better our position going forward.
If in 5 years somebody posts a tread like this, then fair enough, you win. But the jury isn't even close to adjournment on this one. This massive painful transition has only just begun. And I'll say it again, what F9 was before, in all it's glory, pointed out eloquently by Zoo, unfortunately wasn't viable.
I agree with the post about Spirit's struggles in the Indigo days. Would someone start this thread about them today? By all accounts it's a great place to go. Is Spirit a regional with big Jets?
True, the contract is being violated. I wouldn't say systematically, but in some areas yes, it is. But we have a grievance process, and FAPA is not giving one inch. We will be the ones laughing last on these issues, if we stay the course. Learn our contract, educate and help one another with it, and file the grievances. What more can we do? What more can any pilot group do? Don't underestimate the F9 group. Not the old guys, not the new guys.
This place isn't even close to the disaster G4 is. No offense boys. The comparison was mentioned several times in this thread, and it's total bull$h!t !
Pay issues here are unforgivable, but I think it is a result of antiquated manual systems and not by design. We'll get this fixed. Same with benefit problems. When things settle down we can get some of these things fixed.
Maybe I'm just taking this tone because I'm scared to death I jumped out of the frying pan (Mesa) into the fire. Well that would be human nature wouldn't it? But I've examined my motives often, and even if the psychology is somewhat true, it doesn't mean my assertions are false.
It's going to be a tough road, but I think we'll be ok. No Pack, we are not a regional with big jets. We're a narrow-body operator in the midst of a massive business model metamorphosis.
Lets have some patience along with dignity and strength.