Originally Posted by
Squallrider
ALPA represents mainline, that is a given, larger pilot group population at higher income levels creates greater dues.
How is that keeping your hold contract working out for ExpressJet/ASA, Horizon, AWAC? As far as Im aware Expressjet is losing aircraft in the 3 figure area, and AWACs contract with its sole source of flying has not been extended. Don't get me wrong, I do believe your contracts have pluses, and I believe everyone should be fairly compensated for everything that goes into this career, but I do believe that at the end of the day you have to be competitive and you cannot be with contracts that have substantial costs in them that are way higher than what the market is dictating, and what the market is dictating has been and forever will be undermined by groups seeking to gain flying, which is everyone.
Is Skywest airlines the only place you see tail numbers from other regionals? Im sure TSA has some Expressjet ones, Expressjet has Comair and thats just regionals that have managed to survive, other tail numbers you can't even recognize anymore unless you've been around awhile because they are gone.
Every regional will now and forever be whipsawed against each other, thats what happens when you are a contract based business, you are competing against everyone else and everyone is trying to get ahead of their competitors, that is the reality you are faced with. Only solution is a nationwide list or a regional wide union that everyone is a part of that dictates the cost of each year pilot.
I think you've made some very salient points Squallrider. Specifically, the fact that regional airlines are contractors and subject to the whims of Delta, United, and American.
Union or not, we as a regional pilot group have no say in the contracts given to our airline. If one pilot group will not capitulate to the demands of the Big 3, the flying will be delivered elsewhere and the finger pointing will begin anew.
As you suggested the ONLY way this side of the industry gets fixed is with one list, one voice, one united group. However, we are prohibited / inhibited by the Railway Labor Act of
1926 amended 1936 (
The Railway Labor Act Simplified). If you have the time this is good insight as to why we are always mired in discussions and contract negotiations. It is also why we will never be able to organize as one group. The cards are stacked in management's favor, both regional and mainline.
The numbers are starting to turn in our favor. I've heard the "rumor" many times that Skywest is having to turn down additional flying because they do not have the bodies to staff it. I would imagine they are not the only ones. This summer is going to be incredibly difficult for the regionals. The end of the year will be worse when all the Captains have timed out.
I am not sure how it is going to be corrected. The wave of bodies leaving to the majors is impressive. My seniority number has gone up 45 spots in 20 days. I think that trend is projected to continue if not increase. I hope so.
There has been a question I've had for awhile
Nevets. How much should a Captain and FO at a regional be paid? What is the magic number that makes you say, "Yeah that'll work."? I'm not being malicious here and I understand that there is more to a work agreement than the hourly rate, but I'm curious.
SP35