Just came across an interesting thread from late 2008:
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/re...ne-pilots.html
Originally Posted by
winglet
The Mesa pilots just voted in a 21 month contract. In September, 2010, there will be 12 ALPA airlines simultaneously involved in section six negotiations. Those of us involved have never had such a good “pattern bargaining” situation. We can join together and bring the airline pilot profession back from the dead only if we support each other in our struggles instead of encouraging division.
Whatever happened with this? We may have been going through or close to bankruptcy, but the pilot groups still should have capitalized.
The airline industry whipsaw strategy is slowly winning.
If only he knew. By the way, how long has the "whipsaw" term been around?
In 2003 the MAG non-union Freedom Airlines certificate was receiving, staffing and scheduling 1.5 CRJ-900 aircraft a month during our post 9/11 contract negotiations (See GoJet / TranStates)... Mesa Air Group pilots stopped Alter-Ego Freedom Airlines operations, captured their flying under ALPA and sacrificed any improvements in our original substandard contract in order to do so. This happened with the Bush administration stating that the appointed NMB would allow no strikes due to the post 9/11 national security issues. We were highly encouraged by all of the other ALPA MEC’s to accept so that others would have a template for alter-ego contract language. If only TranStates now had our scope.
Again, screw the A-Listers.
FACT: Mesa Air Group pilots were offered and declined to discuss USAirways 737 flying during USAirways’ bankruptcy.
Wow. Did that really happen?
Originally Posted by
tflyer70
From a former XJ'er, all I have to say is best of luck. I just rode ya'all from PHX to TUS, and it was a non-eventful flight. Pleasant staff, and professional from the time I checked in to the time I disembarked. FYI--I saw you just hired our old CEO Foley as your new COO. This may or may not have anything to do with your current situation, but then again I dont believe in fate. You will need to watch him like a hawk. Everything he touches, and I mean EVERYTHING, turns to sh^#! All you have to do is do a google search on him and what he has done-or lack thereof.
Thanks for the advice.
The thread goes into great detail about historical challenges MAG pilots have faced and why their contracts frequently lagged behind industry average. Defeating Freedom, the recession, bankruptcy, etc. However, none of those excuses are valid in 2015 or 2016. The pilot shortage will cripple the current regional model and Mesa may not weather the storm if significant improvements aren't made. It may not weather the storm anyway. Regardless, I'm glad the pilot group stuck to its guns on that vote. If improvements cannot be made in this environment they can never be made, and improvements
need to be made.