Originally Posted by
LeineLodge
Already decided how you're voting before you see any details?
As it sounds like you're new here I would caution you to take anyone's opinion (mine included) with a grain of salt. We all have our biases whether we like it or not, and are guilty to some degree of projecting our views on others - this is only magnified at contract time.
If you're looking for the best chance of finding out the real story, you need to get close to the source - call your reps, engage the SME's and negotiators when you see them in the lounges, at PUBs and roadshows. Read the comm put out by the MEC, and question it critically if it smells like BS. Verify the source and credibility of any rumor before you let it spool you.
The vast majority of sound bites being spread around are only loosely anchored in reality, if at all. It is your responsibility to yourself, your family and your fellow pilots to do your own analysis and, only then, make the best decision you can.
No, I posted that somewhat TIC. I'll do my due diligence and then either vote or shadow vote (I may or may not be eligible based on timing). If I can't vote, my only influence to the contract that will affect me and my family is input to my reps and buddies who will be voting.
I'm just not optimistic the deal will be fair compensation for what those of you who went through BK are worth, nor what those who are actually generating the cash flow deserve. For new guys like me, it will look great on paper and (I suspect) won't have any trouble passing. When you compare a turd to diarrhea, it really doesn't look so bad.
It's the trend for labor in every sector - transfer the earnings and profits from those generating them to to those who simply gamble or shuffle other peoples' money. The right wing often thinks this is natural capitalism and perfectly fair...I find it unfortunate and unsustainable over the very long term. The massive profits resulting from low oil prices will be unevenly captured by those at the top who are no more responsible for them than the folks who clean our airplanes on a turn.
I guess you get what you ask (vote) for. Too bad more pilots aren't (I suspect) going to demand what they deserve, and more importantly (since deserving is mostly irrelevant), what the market CAN support.