Originally Posted by
RJSAviator76
You're right. So what? This is why you have a codeshare. Same reason how Emirates flies to JFK, and their pax connect on JetBlue around the US... you can have American fly into Abu Dhabi, connect with Etihad and have Etihad fly those pax on AA's code around the third world. Again, I fail to see the problem.
Because in that case we'd just transfer existing pax that currently fly on us and our networks, including on our metal, to their hubs and their metal.
And in no case should we tolerate new ticket sales from other countries to and from the US on the ME3 as those were never part of any agreements.
But it's OK for Boeing, Atlas, Fedex, UPS, Southern, Kalitta, etc. to be financially damaged if we rescind the open skies with UAE/Qatar?
Please. First of all the ME3 are coming for them just as soon as they're done with the pax carriers. Secondly, the existing demand could be shared equitably between the involved nations. They still need cargo flown and we would still fly a lot of it. Finally, no one is saying to "rescind" open skies. Only that the agreements be fair and mutual. US airlines flying 2 777's to DXB in exchange for what will soon be dozens (and dozens) of 777's/A380's is a raw, one sided deal for us. You know that. This is why its being looked at and that is why the defenders of ME3 are so scared (and angry) about their little dual subsidized one sided gravy train coming to an end.
Now why should we pay full tax? We don't use US roads, we don't use US services... No other civilized nation taxes on citizenship - only residence.
Well technically aren't you supposed to pay tax on over 85K? Is that "uncivilized"?
I have no problem with an iron worker or telecom tech or whatever going to any country and getting the tax loophole break if they qualify, because what they are doing isn't a direct assault on US jobs and industry. Even an airline pilot in a market that doesn't threaten the US, like intra Africa flying for example. But what the ME3 are trying to do is incredibly hostile to the US and its workers in the aviation industry. Current US tax code is a primary recruiting tool for ME3 to attract US pilots to help wage economic war against our industry and workers. That can no longer go unnoticed. Don't worry, ME3 has more than enough money to pay those taxes for you, plus the tax on the tax they pay for you. It will just help make their costs go up to a more fair level. Cutting their Boeing welfare check will also help accomplish this.
Also, we don't live EK/EY/QR dreams. Hell, I was an ALPA pilot whose airline shut down after 61 years in operation with literally 4 days notice. Where was that "brotherhood" for us?
Stick it to the man then. I get your hubris. I do. I'm sure you're doing the expat gig "just to feed your family" or whatever. Well we have families to feed too and ME3 is on a scorched earth war path to take as much "food from our tables" as they can.
For example, health insurance would have been very helpful.
Some ALPA carriers did help by paying furloughed pilots health insurance via assessments. And we all know that even if ALPA provided health insurance for airlines that went out of business you'd still have taken the job you did, and you'd still be lobbying the same point of view. And if your airlines shuts down, or furloughs you or whatever, they won't be providing you health insurance either. But you knew that.
Ensuring that all of us had first crack at any new jobs at ALPA airlines would have been helpful... United has that checkbox on their application, and do you know what effect it has? ZERO...
I'm not sure how much weight that carries at UAL, but I'm in favor of such a policy and think it should definately carry weight. So I agree that should be something we should do. But it'll never be a 100% flow, and you'd still have taken the ME3 job. Will ME3 help pay for the American ALPA brothers' health insurance and financial assistance if our carriers furlough and close down?
So... what should we do, my ALPA brother?
You do what you gotta do, and we'll do what we gotta do. Lines are being drawn and you have chosen your side. Good luck in the ME3's attempt to poach our international aviation industry. I'm sure you'll remember us fondly, if not smugly, from the left seat of your brand new wide body.
Now that all ALPA airlines are hiring on all cylinders...
Because of retirements and a mainline narrowbody shift from a whole lot of RJ's to just a lot of RJ's.
...and you have applications from all kinds of former ALPA pilots flying for ME3, who were unfortunate to get their airlines pulled from underneath them, and how many are getting called? What have you done to help your unfortunate ALPA brothers/sisters who went overseas to come home?
I've stated several times that we should hire ME3 pilots with extreme prejudice. All at once, for a crippling effect on those predatory airlines. At least the ones that would be willing to come back. I've heard of several getting hired, but I don't know how many relative to how many have active applications in. What percentage of current ME3 pilots would you guesstimate have active apps in at US airlines and would come back (as a new hire FO or perhaps a furlough bypass that still has recall rights?)
Instead of being an ALPA brother... you would want to take a giant dump on all of us on top of what happened and how we were treated. Class act......... brother.
ME3 is trying to take a "giant dump" all over US airline workers. Look at their maniacal growth plans and US ambitions. They are flat out coming for our jobs in a major way that far, far exceeds anything that can be called fair and balanced "open skies". If you get your way, there will be a lot of current ALPA (and APA etc) pilots in a world of hurt in the coming years as the EK's of the world hit critical mass and barf hundreds of thousands to millions of seats per day onto existing markets.
On the other hand, soccer stadiums and pretty flight attendants with hats. So yay for that.
Stay classy, and try not to trip on your hubris. Maybe you'll get your way and we'll all bow down to ME3 and surrender our jobs and beg to come over as a direct entry FO with no taxes. But not if we have anything to say about it. The battle is far from won, but it appears we just may have a chance at out lobbying ME3's unlimitd war chest. We'll see.